What can be given to rabbits. What should never be fed to rabbits: prohibited and dangerous foods Is it possible to give horsetail to rabbits

All novice rabbit breeders are concerned about the question: what can and cannot be fed to these eared animals. The right diet is the key to their successful cultivation. Grooming or dwarfing, the occupation is quite troublesome. These animals are often exposed to all kinds of infections, have a weak gastrointestinal tract. Only a full and regular diet will lead to a good weight gain and improve health.

Because of the underdeveloped stomach musculature and very long intestines, rabbits must always be provided with sufficient food. Each new portion of food pushes through the intestines previously eaten. To avoid stagnation, the rabbit must constantly eat something. However, it is also impossible to overfeed animals, and if there is often food left in the feeders, then the amount of food consumed should be reduced.

Not all herbs are good for rabbits.

The metabolism of rabbits is very fast, so they eat a lot. But not every food is healthy. There are some foods that can be extremely dangerous for them. So what not to feed rabbits? Let's try to figure it out.

Vegetables and fruits

Rabbits are very fond of juicy food, which includes vegetables and fruits. But they should not make up more than a third of the total daily diet. An excess of such feed can lead to bloating, disruption of the stomach and intestines, and in some cases, death of the animal.

With care dried vegetables. In the stomach, they swell, which is fraught with blockage of the intestines. Do not give rabbits boiled, fried or stewed vegetables.

Attention! It is strictly forbidden to feed rabbits with tomatoes, fresh red beets (with the exception of tops), new potatoes, onions, eggplant and red cabbage.

As for fruits, the choice is small. Rabbits should only be offered dried apples and pears, in small quantities and infrequently. Moreover, it is better to dry them yourself, after removing the core. In no case should you feed rabbits with any exotic fruits.

Do not give rabbits fresh berries, they cause fermentation in the intestines.

Plants

Three types of green food should be present in the rabbit's diet: medicinal herbs, meadow and garden. Freshly cut, wet grass should not be given. Eating wet grass can cause bloating and diarrhea. To avoid unpleasant consequences, it must be well dried and slightly dried. To do this, fresh grass is left for several hours in a shady, well-ventilated place. If you cut the grass in dry weather, without dew and rain, then you can do without drying. It is important to know which grass should not be fed to rabbits.

The branches, so necessary for the health of the teeth and stomach, must also be chosen with care. You can not give animals branches of wild rosemary, apricot, bird cherry, wolf's bast and elderberry. Limit the use of branches of cherries and sweet cherries.

Poisonous and dangerous plants:

horse sorrel;
aconite;
quinoa;
spurge;
Melissa;
wild radish;
digitalis;
lily of the valley;
swamp horsetail;
buttercup;
sleep-grass;
celandine;
henbane;
nightshade;
hellebore;
hemlock;
lumbago;
dope.

Attention! Even a small amount of these plants can cause vomiting, diarrhea, shortness of breath, arrhythmia, bloating, convulsions and death in a rabbit. They are especially dangerous for pregnant females and young rabbits.

Poisonous plants lead to a quick and painful death of the animal.

Milk products

Contrary to popular belief that milk protein is good for animals, in the case of rabbits, this is not the case. Only sucklings need milk. And for adult rabbits, milk, sour cream, cottage cheese and cheese are prohibited. Protein deficiency can be easily filled with barley and dry yellow peas (in small quantities).

Legumes and grains

A significant part of the diet of rabbits is cereals, and a little less - legumes. In no case should you give rice, sunflower seeds, millet, millet and rye. They won't do any good. It is a very solid food containing little fiber. If rabbits eat little hay, which they put), then it is good to add a small amount of bran to the feed.

Hay should not contain many legumes.

Beans (red and black), beans and young peas will have to be excluded from legumes. Such food is fraught with bloating and indigestion. Never give rabbits ready-made sweet cereals with milk and pea puree.

Sweets and pastries

Harmful to the health of rabbits (regular and decorative) are sweet crackers, crackers, cookies, white bread, etc. Furry pets can occasionally be pampered with special dry treats. For ordinary rabbits and they are banned. An excess of salt, sugar and fat in food can lead to sad consequences.

The menu of decorative rabbits is not too different from the usual diet of meat rabbits. The list of prohibited foods can be supplemented with nuts, chips, ice cream, sweets, sausage or meat and any cereal flakes. These extremely dangerous products for them can cause premature death of pets. Rabbits should not eat human food. Everything fatty, fried, spicy and smoked is excluded.

White fresh bread should not be given to rabbits.

What to look out for

Food for rabbits should be not only correct and healthy, but also of high quality. When compiling a menu for a rabbit, several important factors must be considered:

Stale food. Any feed, be it grass or vegetables, must certainly be fresh. You can not feed rabbits with rotten, moldy grass or silage, frozen and dirty root crops. All food must be clean and fresh. Even a small speck of mold on grass or a branch can lead to sad consequences. Do not give straw to animals. The only exception is a small amount of oat or pea.
Feed for other animals. Do not give rabbits food intended for cats, hamsters, chinchillas, rats or birds. They contain very few nutrients, especially calcium and fiber. Such feed can cause swelling of the internal organs, obesity and other troubles. It is not recommended to offer rabbits treats from the store (cereal mixes, muesli, etc.). They can lead to serious malfunctions in the digestive system.

Only proper nutrition can keep pets healthy.

If the rabbit's nutrition is balanced, includes all the necessary types of feed, then it does not need additional vitamin and mineral supplements. Special vitamin complexes, for example, only in winter. And then, only when necessary. If the wool has faded and fallen off, the appetite has worsened - this is a reason to resort to vitamin preparations.

Often, some rabbit breeders give their animals salt blocks or add a small amount of salt to their food. This is not worth doing. Too much salt can be bad for your health. It is important to remember that the rabbit must eat at least 400 kg of grass and about 100 kg of hay over the summer. And in addition to them, they add grain and succulent feed.

The video addresses the question: Can rabbits be given bread?

Green food for rabbits:

Green food for rabbits- the main source of providing farm animals, including rabbits, with high-grade, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins.

It is very important to prepare green food for rabbits during the period of the best ratio of nutrients contained in them. It has been established that with age, the content of fiber in the grass increases, the amount of protein, fat, minerals decreases, the digestibility of organic substances worsens; all this reduces nutritional content of rabbit food.

Rabbits do not digest and assimilate hardened plants with a high content of crude fiber, that is, plants harvested in the final stage of their development.

Green food for rabbits(as well as other farm animals) use seeded, wild herbs, as well as waste from vegetable growing and horticulture. Of the seed crops, herbs of the legume and cereal families are especially valuable.

Bean feed for rabbits

Bean feed for rabbits. Turning on legumes in rabbit food doubles the consumption of concentrates, reduces the cost of production. An important feature of leguminous plants is that the protein contained in them is exceptionally rich in one of the most valuable amino acids - lysine.

Of the seeded legumes, the most common are red clover, alfalfa, vetch, peas, as well as vetch-oat and pea-oat mixtures.

Clover for rabbits

Red clover for rabbits - the most valuable food for rabbits different ages and functional status. During the period of stemming and budding, it contains 21.7 and 20.5% of protein in the dry matter, respectively.

One kilogram of clover provides up to 27 g of digestible protein, 0.7 g of phosphorus, 3.8 g of calcium and 40 mg of carotene. The fiber content of the plant increases from the stage of budding (24.9%) to flowering. In this phase, the plant begins to coarsen and is eaten less readily by rabbits than in the early stages of development.

Feed clover to rabbits should be taken in small portions, and it is better if it is slightly dried, otherwise the animals may experience bloating (tympanitis) or other intestinal upset.

This is because the grass has the ability to self-warm during long transportation or untimely distribution of food, and even when it accumulates in a manger.

Rabbit breeders suggest putting brilliant green on cages in a crack, where it dries out slightly, and eating it by rabbits no longer entails any complications. It is necessary to change a little so that their height inside is 20-40 cm, and the size of the grid is 25-40 cm.

Alfalfa for rabbits

Alfalfa for rabbits - valuable green food for rabbits, especially for young animals and rabbits during their pregnancy and lactation.

In terms of protein content, alfalfa is superior to clover, but inferior in terms of the presence of fat and BEV in the dry matter. 1 kg of alfalfa contains up to 36 g of protein, 0.6 g of phosphorus and 6.4 g of calcium. It is also important that it contains the most important amino acids for the body, such as lysine, methionine, tryptophan, leucine, cystine.

In its development, alfalfa quickly coarsens, so it must be fed during the stemming and budding period.

Vika for rabbits

Vika for rabbits - one of the earliest green fodder crops. It is also well eaten by rabbits of all age groups and physiological conditions.

1 kg of wiki contains up to 34 g of protein, 0.7 g of phosphorus and 2 g of calcium, 45 mg of carotene. Most often, vetch is used for fodder mixed with other crops, in particular with oats. Rabbits eat vetch-oat mixture especially well before grain formation.

True, in terms of nutritional value, the vetch-oat mixture is inferior to many legumes. So, 1 kg of the mixture contains 23 g of digestible protein, 0.8 - phosphorus, 21 g of calcium and 45 mg of carotene.

Rougher than the vetch-oat mixture, but richer in nutrients is the pea-oat mixture, 1 kg of which contains up to 28 g of digestible protein, 0.9 g of phosphorus, 1.4 g of calcium and 35 mg of carotene.

Cereal feed for rabbits

Cereal feed for rabbits. good high-calorie rabbit food is oats. It is sown, like a vetch-oat mixture, in two terms so that the green mass is used in the first half of June and at a later time, depending on the sowing time.

Green mass in 1 kg contains 28 g of digestible protein, 0.1 g of phosphorus, 1.2 g of calcium and about 30 mg of carotene.

Winter rye for rabbits

Winter rye for rabbits - a widespread culture of the cereal family. Used on green food for rabbits in the early stages of development. The nutritional value of winter rye declines rapidly after it has grown into the tube and eared, reduced feed intake by rabbits.

1 kg of green mass of winter rye contains up to 22 g of digestible protein, 0.6 g of calcium, 0.5 g of phosphorus and 30 mg of carotene. To increase the nutritional value of rye, it is sown in a mixture with winter vetch in a ratio of 40 and 60%. best term using the mixture for rabbit food- the phase of the release of rye into the tube. Since winter rye has a laxative effect, it is introduced into the diet in small quantities, gradually mixed with other plants or with hay.

Corn for rabbits

Corn for rabbits - a widespread cereal crop that goes to green food for rabbits during the early stages of their development. It is better to feed green mass to rabbits in combination with legumes.

Of the total mass of the green mixture, young corn should be: for adult rabbits - 70%, for young animals - 40%. 1 kg of green mass of corn contains, g: 15 - protein, 2 - calcium, 0.6 - phosphorus and 35 mg of carotene.

Plantain for rabbits

Plantain for rabbits . It grows along roadsides, on roadsides, along fields, in wastelands and meadows. In nature, there are several of its types: large, medium, lanceolate.

In terms of chemical composition, plantain is quite rich in protein, carbohydrates, minerals and, conversely, is poor in fiber. Plantain is a good green food for rabbits. Rabbits, both adults and young, eat it willingly.

Dandelion for rabbits

Dandelion for rabbits. Widely distributed among the herbage, it can be found everywhere. Dandelion is high in protein and low in fiber. Dandelion leaves are eaten by rabbits with great pleasure.

The introduction of dandelion into the diet increases the appetite in rabbits and rabbit food intake. However, the proportion of dandelion in green feed for rabbits should not exceed 30%, especially in the diets of young animals.

Rabbit feeder

Lopusnik for rabbits - a weed that has a very wide distribution. A number of its species are found in nature: small burdock, burdock, small cobweb and others.

With its nutritional qualities, noticeable astringent properties, it compares favorably with other types of small burdock. It, like yarrow, is best used in a mixture with other herbaceous plants.

Hogweed for rabbits

Hogweed for rabbits - a common plant found in the herbage of meadows, pastures, on the edge of the forest, between small shrubs.

For rabbit food go stem and leaves. They are juicy, nutritious and well eaten by animals. After the formation of seeds, the stem quickly coarsens, becomes poorly eaten.

Nettle for rabbits

Nettle for rabbits - one of the cheapest feeds. It also contains more vitamins than clover and alfalfa. It does not need to be sown, it itself grows in abundance everywhere. From a unit area, nettle is able to produce more both green and dry mass than many cultivated grasses.

Rabbits usually do not eat freshly cut nettles. Before feeding, it is slightly dried, dried in the shade. Sometimes finely chopped and mixed with boiled mashed potatoes or wet bran.

Some rabbit breeders scald fresh nettle with boiling water so that it does not burn the oral mucosa, after which it is used as food for rabbits.

In addition to the named herbs used for rabbit food wild clover, wheatgrass, mouse and fence peas, sage, colza, wild cabbage, shepherd's purse, cross, meadowsweet, heather, oregano, willow-herb, hiccup, camel's thorn, cane and many other herbs.

Juicy food for rabbits:

Very important for winter provide rabbits with juicy feed, which improve the absorption of dietary nutrients, and contribute to lactation.

Juicy food is fed to rabbits in its natural form, including it in mash in raw and boiled form. Frozen root crops must be cooked before feeding.

Juicy food for rabbits contains up to 70-80% water, a small amount of fat, protein, fiber and minerals. At the same time, it is rich in easily digestible carbohydrates and vitamins, so it is very well absorbed. The following foods are juicy.

Rabbit food potatoes

Rabbit food potatoes - one of the most common and basic types of succulent feed for rabbits. Although potatoes are poor in protein and minerals, they contain up to 20% starch.

Potatoes are well digested and absorbed by the rabbit's body. It is better to feed it boiled. The tubers are thoroughly washed with water before cooking, the sprouts are removed. Water after cooking potatoes is drained; it is not recommended to use it for cooking mash.

Amateur rabbit breeders also effectively use potato peelings. In small quantities, they can be fed raw to rabbits. Cleanings from small green tubers are best boiled, and the water is also drained. If a lot of peelings accumulate, then they are dried, ground, obtaining potato flour, which is included in complex feed mixers.

Carrots for rabbit food

Carrots for rabbits - universal food for the content of vitamins, biologically active substances, essential and fatty acids. It is fed to rabbits both in its pure form and as juice in the preparation of wet feed complex mashes.

Carrots for rabbit food c is a favorite treat. Therefore, many amateur rabbit breeders, along with other fodder crops, grow it on their personal plots.

Cabbage for rabbit food

Cabbage(leaf) fodder I am differs in juiciness and big productivity. It has a high digestibility and high content of vitamins and microelements. Very well eaten by rabbits in green form.

Usually it is used for green top dressing from 450 to 800 centners per 1 ha. 1 kg of green mass contains 0.16 feed, units, 12-14% dry matter, 1.1-4 -, 1.1-2.5% fiber. Amateur rabbit breeders have recently begun to grow cabbage for rabbit food.

Pumpkin for rabbits

Tpumpkin for rabbit food. In different zones of the country, amateur rabbit breeders plant pumpkins of different varieties on their plots. to feed the rabbits.

Basically, rabbit breeders grow pumpkin varieties Volzhskaya gray, Goliath. The latter is especially valuable; from 4 to 9 fruits are tied on his whip, and the weight of the fetus sometimes reaches 40 kg. Rabbits are reluctant to eat raw pumpkin getting used to food takes time.

Jerusalem artichoke for rabbits

Jerusalem artichoke(ground pear) for rabbit food. Received well-deserved recognition among amateur rabbit breeders. This is a high-yielding crop, in which tubers and green mass are fed. Possesses unpretentiousness to the soil, frost resistance.

It grows best on light loam and sandy loam soils. Tubers left in the ground are able to endure frost under the snow of minus 30 ° and even minus 45 ° C. When the soil thaws and subsequent freezing, the tubers do not lose their nutritional properties and ability to grow.

Sugar beet for rabbit food - valuable fodder crop. It contains up to 20-25% organic matter, including 18-24 sugars and 75-80% water. In addition to sugar, organic substances also contain fat. The nutritional value of sugar beet is more than twice that of fodder beet.

Full-aged rabbits per day are quite enough to give from 200 to 300 g, and young animals - up to 200 g of raw beets. To exclude an undesirable effect on the digestive tract of animals, it is fed in portions of 40-50 g, gradually increasing the rate.

Good food for rabbits is also the tops of sugar beet (150-200 g per day per rabbit) in fresh and ensiled form. It is better to give fresh tops to rabbits mixed with other feeds (grass, alder branches, etc.).

Silage as rabbit food. This is a good juicy feed for rabbits, contributing to the intensive growth of rabbits during the milk period, increasing. Silage preparation, or ensiling, is a biological method of fodder conservation.

It is ensured by careful compaction of the ensiled mass, its isolation from air penetration and the formation of lactic acid in it, which prevents the development of butyric and putrefactive bacteria.

Ensiling of fodder lasts 1.5-2 months. Only after this period you can feed the silage. It must be of good quality, have a high nutritional value, and be readily eaten by rabbits. Typically, cooked silage smells like sauerkraut or freshly baked bread.

Rough feed for rabbits:

Rough rabbit food- the main source of fiber, which is necessary for normal digestion in animals. Coarse feed (except straw) contains the required amount of fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals.

They are fed mainly in late autumn, winter and early spring. Rabbit roughage includes hay, straw and leafy-branch fodder.

Hay for rabbits

hay for rabbits . A significant part of the diet of rabbits is usually hay. The most nutritious is the hay of legumes and legume-cereal grasses, harvested before and during the flowering period, dried in the shade on wooden thinning, tripods and other devices.

If there are no such conditions, then the cut grass is scattered in the open air, every other day it is turned over 2-3 times, and at night it is collected in rolls. Grass cut in inclement weather must be dried on racks, hangers, wooden grates.

Hay made from plants in the late stages of the growing season, as well as dried in direct sunlight, is coarse and less nutritious. The same can be said about hay harvested in marshy places. Properly harvested hay has a pleasant specific smell and has a green color. Up to 40 kg of hay is required for one full-aged rabbit, and 10-15 kg for the head of young animals under the age of 4-5 months.

Hay is stored in heaps, small stacks or haystacks. Usually they are placed next to the rabbitry. Many rabbit breeders store hay in sheds, cages, and other suitable places. To protect hay from rain, dew and snow, a mop, stack or stack is covered with various roofing materials - roofing felt, roofing felt, slate.

Straw for rabbit food

Straw for rabbit food. An important source of fiber is straw, which belongs to indigestible rabbit food. It contains on average up to 15% water. Different parts of the stem are not the same in their chemical composition and nutritional value. For example, culms contain 6% crude protein, while internodes contain only about 3%.

Oat, pea, millet and lentil straw have the highest nutritional value. Other types of straw are less nutritious and are not suitable for food, they are used only as bedding. Straw of high nutritional value is fed only to full-aged rabbits, during the period of physiological dormancy, when hay and leafy-branch food are absent in the diet.

Straw can be fed to rabbits in its natural form, but better after preliminary preparation: processing into cut, which is steamed or scalded with boiling water and mixed with feed in a ratio of 5:1.

Oats for rabbit food

Oats for rabbit food - a very common concentrated rabbit food that rabbits eat well.

Oats contain 8.5% protein, 70% starch, 4-8% fat and 10.5% fiber. Feed it to rabbits whole, flattened or crushed. One of the advantages of oats is that it has a beneficial effect on the digestion process.

Both meat and decorative breeds of rabbits require considerable attention, because this is the only way they can stay healthy and delight their owners every day. The first and most important rule is good nutrition for eared pets with the most balanced daily diet. Let's find out what these animals love, and the better not to feed them in order to avoid illness.

What not to feed rabbits

Inexperienced breeders often give animals almost all the food that is available in their home. However, there is a whole group of so-called forbidden foods that it is desirable to avoid even in small doses. Consider the main types of such food and the possible harm from it.

Poisonous plants and herbs

Not all growing herbs will be equally useful for eared. Many of them are generally considered poisonous, which means that they can not only contribute to the disorder of the rabbit's digestive system, but also lead to death.

First of all, such plants include such plants:

All of them, to one degree or another, have a negative effect on the body of the animal, most often causing diarrhea and bloating. Depending on the level of toxicity and the number of parts of the plant eaten, a lethal outcome can also occur.

Did you know?The owner of the longest officially registered ears was a rabbit from the state of Kansas, which got into the Guinness Book of Records back in 2003. The length of this part of the body at the time of measurement was almost 80 cm.

cabbage stalks

Cabbage leaves are not a very useful, but acceptable product in the diet of rabbits. Their use is often resorted to in winter, when there is little other greenery left at home.

However, the stalk remaining after eating the leaves should be immediately removed from the cells, since this part has the highest concentration of harmful substances (especially if the cabbage was treated with any pesticides during growth).

The scale of harm is difficult to predict: at least the animals will have a problem with digestion, and they may refuse to eat.

Potato

Potatoes are successfully used by many farmers when feeding rabbits, as the vegetable contains a large amount of healthy starch - an excellent source of energy. However, if animals lead a sedentary lifestyle, this component will quickly turn into fat, causing further heart problems.

Important!The allowable norm for issuing raw potatoes is considered to be no more than 150 g per rabbit per day.

In addition, green and sprouted potatoes, which contain a large amount of solanine, will be dangerous for animals. This poison is able to kill them in just a few hours, especially when consuming a large amount of such food.

Sunflower seeds

Sunflower seeds can only harm rabbits if they are given out uncontrollably. They contain a large amount of fat and, in general, are able to complicate the digestive processes, clogging the stomach of the animal.

However, they can still be given in moderation from time to time, at least there are many examples of their successful use in the diet of eared pets.

Chocolate

Almost any sweets, and especially chocolate, are taboo for rabbits. They do not contain anything useful for them, but preservatives and other chemical compounds present in such products may well provoke an allergic reaction or even serious intoxication of the body, as well as cause serious harm to the heart of the animal.

nuts

Nuts have a negative effect on the liver of rabbits and can cause severe poisoning of the animal, accompanied by vomiting, nausea, problems with the heart and gallbladder.

Important!In a small amount, walnut leaves will be useful for rabbits, as they have good tonic properties.

This is especially true of almond and nutmeg varieties, while walnuts are not so dangerous, although they are also undesirable in the diet of eared pets.

Milk

Dairy products are a good source of protein, but only animal protein, which rabbits don't need. It should be replaced with a vegetable analogue, contained in sufficient quantities in dried yellow peas and barley.

Milk, regardless of the dose used, will lead to diarrhea and bloating of the animal, and in some cases, prolonged indigestion and refusal of water leads to rapid dehydration and death of the animal.

Meat

As you know, rabbits are herbivores and do not feel the need for meat. Moreover, the introduction of this product into their diet can provoke digestive problems, heaviness in the stomach and bloating.

Tops of tomatoes and potatoes

Potato and tomato tops are a type of greenery that is very dangerous for rabbits, since it contains a large amount of such a toxic substance as solanine.

Did you know?There are centenarians in the rabbit world. So, the oldest officially registered representative was the Australian rabbit, who died at the age of 18 years and 10 months.

It is dangerous not only for the digestive system, but also for the nervous system of eared pets, so it should be completely excluded from the diet.

Its presence in the body causes severe poisoning, up to the death of animals.

Conditionally allowed types of feed

Given the relative unpretentiousness of rabbits to feed mixtures and vegetation, it is not surprising that they can eat almost anything that grows in the garden. Unfortunately, not all cultures will be equally useful, so it is better to introduce them into the diet of animals in doses, observing precautions. The following groups can be attributed to conditionally permitted food products.

Vegetables

As you know, rabbits are very fond of vegetables, but some of them should be introduced into the diet in limited quantities. First of all, it concerns:

tomatoes;
cucumbers;
onion;
cabbage;
table beet;
radish;
eggplant.

Uncontrolled issuance of any of the listed products can provoke the development of intestinal dysbacteriosis and, as a result, disruption of the entire digestive system.

Fruit

From this group, fresh or dried apples and pears will be especially appropriate, but only pitted. In addition, store-bought dried fruits also belong to conditionally permitted products, but they can be given out in small portions.

To extend the shelf life, such food is often treated with sulfur. Of course, by eating it, your pets will not die, but they will not receive any benefit either. As for completely banned fruits, this category includes avocados, oranges, mangoes and figs.

Cereal crops

Normally, cereals should be present in the diet of eared, however, some of them can significantly increase the accumulation of mucus in the digestive system. This is not desirable as it can lead to health problems for rabbits. The main such varieties include:

rye;
millet;
millet.

You should also avoid grains with a very hard texture and a high content of insoluble fiber.

Legumes

Many beans can cause excessive gas and bloating, thereby worsening the general condition of the animal. For this reason, special care should be taken when issuing green peas, black and red beans, ready-made cereals and pea puree. If possible, it is desirable to exclude such food from the diet altogether.

Compound feed

Rabbits eat feed mixtures perfectly, and it doesn’t matter to them which group of animals they are intended for by the manufacturer. Therefore, some breeders readily feed them pig or cattle food. Of course, this cannot be done, because if the food of the first can still be suitable for the eared, then the feed for cattle contains a lot of salts that will not be useful.

Mixtures for poultry are completely prohibited and cannot be used to feed rabbits, even in limited quantities. This can be explained by the presence of ground shells and small pebbles in them, which are very dangerous for the stomach of animals.

Berries

In the diet of rabbits, you can include watermelons and some other berries, which are a good source of vitamins and minerals. This is a good addition to the main diet, especially if given in small doses (many varieties lead to excessive gas formation).
From the berries growing in our latitudes, eared ones are given several pieces of strawberries, currants, gooseberries, raspberries, blueberries, grapes, cranberries, sea buckthorn. With the advent of winter, they are introduced into the diet in frozen or dried form. Many of these berries contain useful vitamins of group B, as well as A and C, which help strengthen immunity and increase appetite.

For a change, you can add finely chopped leaves of the listed plants to the diet, after slightly drying them.

Important!Berries, having fallen to the bottom of the cell, very quickly begin to rot, becoming the cause of the development of pathogens. It is necessary to try to prevent this in every possible way so that the rabbit does not eat such a berry and does not get indigestion.

What can you feed rabbits

So we come to the most important food group - the optimal food for feeding rabbits. It includes green, coarse, succulent and concentrated feeds, which in one quantity or another must be present in the diet of animals.

Green feed

This group includes wild and cultivated herbs, in particular beans, cereals and leaves of some garden plants. They are the basis of the eared summer diet from mid-spring to mid-autumn.

In a situation of choice, it is worth giving preference to vetch, sweet lupine, fodder clover, corn, alfalfa, young green oats and barley. Beans and cereals can be included in the feed mixtures, but it is better not to give them in their pure form, so as not to provoke flatulence.

Roughage

By roughage, it is customary to understand plant foods rich in fiber. When feeding rabbits, special attention should be paid to high-quality hay, branch feed, flour made from hay and various herbs.

At least 25% of the total diet of rabbits should be allocated to this group of feed mixtures, because thanks to the mentioned fiber, they quickly get a feeling of satiety with the most comfortable digestive processes.

For each adult, at least 40 kg of hay must be prepared for the winter, and if a litter is planned, then another 10–15 kg must be added to this value. With a shortage of this product, the main herd will have to be transferred to oat, lentil, pea and millet straw, and the hay residues will be distributed between young individuals and lactating rabbits.

succulent feed

Juicy feeds include vegetable products, which contain a lot of water (at least 65% of the total volume). It can be root and tubers, vegetables, silage and even food industry waste. In addition to liquid, they also contain proteins, fats, fiber and easily digestible vitamins. The most popular varieties of succulent feed include:

Of all the listed feeds, silage can also be made that can improve digestive processes. It has much more nutritional value than any of the products presented separately, and is usually made using tops, grass, gourds, vegetables and vegetable waste. Such a mixture will be especially useful for lactating females and growing young.

Did you know? Representatives of the Little Idaho breed (pygmy rabbits) are justifiably considered the smallest rabbits in the world. An adult can weigh a maximum of 450 g with a body length in the range of 22–35 cm.

concentrated feed

This type of food is characterized by a very high nutritional value with a small amount of fiber and water. Ready mixes include soybeans, beans, lentils, corn, oats and industrial crop waste (for example, cake, meal, etc.), and bone, blood and fish meal can be used as useful additives.

Concentrated feed mixtures can take up to 30–40% of the total diet of rabbits, since their presence contributes to the good growth and development of animals, and improves lactation of lactating females.

No less important in this matter will be the method of issuing concentrated feed mixtures. So, for the highest quality assimilation of oats, corn and barley, it is better to give them in crushed form, sometimes with other concentrates.

Wheat bran is desirable to moisten, if necessary, mixing with succulent or green fodder. As for the feed mixtures themselves, they are left in granular form, sometimes adding vitamins and drugs.

Cakes and meals will be best absorbed by the stomach of rabbits in a steamed and pre-shredded form, if possible mixed with boiled potatoes.

There are a lot of products useful for animals, so if you are not sure whether it is possible to give rabbits any little-known grass or food not intended for them, make a diet of proven components, especially since most of them are probably found in every farm.

What not to feed rabbits: video

know that the main food for rabbits are ordinary plants or, in a simple way, grass. Actually, many even count on the fact that they won’t have to buy special food, it will be enough to bring different herbs from the nearest meadow and prepare certain volumes of hay for the winter. However, some questions still remain. Indeed, among ordinary grass, very specific species often come across.

In this article, we will focus on “special” herbs. What Plants Can Benefit? Can Is it possible to give horsetail to rabbits? And if so, in what quantities? Is it worth it feed a rabbit mouse peas , buttercups , ragweed and mustard grass . The benefits and harms of different herbs. Further tips and advice from experienced farmers, collected in one place.

Herbal food for rabbits

Rabbits are herbivores, so most of their diet should be green fodder. You can diversify the nutrition of pets by adding herbs. Rabbit breeders often harvest herbs for feeding pets in the summer.

Green herbs:

alfalfa;
Clover ;
sainfoin.

Herbivores like the taste of sainfoin and clover, but such food has a negative effect on the reproductive function of females. The high protein and fiber content makes alfalfa a suitable plant for mixed feed.

Herbal food for rabbits

Useful herbs

Yarrow.

The plant can be collected in a field, meadow or forest clearing. Helps to improve appetite, has a beneficial effect on digestive system.

Important! Due to its astringent properties, grass is recommended to be combined with laxative food.

Nettle.

Suitable for lactating females and rabbits. The plant is plucked before flowering, because after this period the leaves begin to coarsen. Before serving, the green mass is doused with boiling water, crushed and mixed with dry food.

The plant can be given dry in bowel diseases, as it has a laxative and antimicrobial action. Nettles can be prepared for the winter - they are collected in brooms and dried under a canopy.

Caraway.

It has antiseptic and anticoccidiosis properties .

Sagebrush.

Rich in essential oils, but some of its species are dangerous for herbivores.

Helps to increase appetite, stabilize the work of digestion, has a positive effect on the heart and kidneys.

Wormwood is given 2 times a week in small portions, in combination with other herbs.

Plantain.

Plantain

Rich in carbohydrates, proteins, useful elements. The plant is also used for wound healing.

Tansy.

Used as a means of combating helminths. Also from the green part and inflorescences make infusions for insect control.

Dandelion.

Suitable for feeding young animals. The ratio of the plant to the rest of the green fodder should not exceed 30%.

In the autumn, dandelion root is harvested, it is ground into powder and given to normalize the work of digestion.

Sorrel.

Herbivores eat horse sorrel with pleasure, the plant gives eared energy, protects against diseases and stress. Supplements of this herb are good for digestive system.

Greens are given fresh, having previously washed it from dirt and mold. It is allowed to harvest sorrel for the winter.

Hogweed.

Juicy feed that enhances the lactation of females.

Burdock.

Has medicinal properties, suitable for herbivore nutrition. The roots of young plants are used in the treatment of lichen.

Coltsfoot .

The plant is mixed with other herbs and begins to give in the second half of May.

Coltsfoot

Improves appetite, helps relieve inflammation in digestive tract, and also has wound healing properties .

Blooming Sally.

Rich in vitamin C, cellulose, tannins and useful trace elements.

Wheatgrass.

Grows everywhere, has a high nutritional value. The roots of the plant are used medicinally as a diuretic.

rabbit digestive the system is very delicate, so not all food suits them. Pets do not digest plants with hardened leaves containing a large amount of crude fiber. Also, wild herbs collected in the late phase of development are not suitable for animals. Plant roots can also be dangerous.

What types of horsetail can be given to a rabbit

The question often arises, is horsetail suitable for rabbits? H novice farmers may be hesitant about giving horsetail to rabbits, because it is known that it is a poisonous plant. However, you need to know here - horsetail is quite common in nature and many types of store-bought hay contain this plant in their composition.

Horsetail has several types, the field is considered the most useful. It is given to herbivores in small portions, mixed with other food. Not all breeds of rabbits tolerate the plant well, more tender species can be poisoned by it.

marsh horsetail

Important! Marsh horsetail is completely toxic, therefore it is not suitable for feeding eared.

Grass mustard - is it dangerous for herbivores

Field mustard - very widespread a plant belonging to the cruciferous family.

Grows in fields, among fallows and spring crops. In the initial period of growth is considered harmless. But as soon as the plant begins to bloom, toxic substances form in it, which makes it unsuitable for feeding pets.

Description of the symptoms of mustard poisoning: colic, bloating, diarrhea, blood in the stool.

Should you give buttercups to rabbits?

Buttercups are a poisonous plant. It contains protoanemonin, which affects the gastrointestinal tract. Compared to other dangerous herbs, ranunculus is less harmful to rabbits. You can significantly reduce the concentration of poison if you dry the plant. Woolly and golden buttercups are considered the safest.

Should you give buttercups to rabbits?

Dried buttercups are added to hay. This mixture must be given in small portions and carefully monitor the pet's reaction to the new food.

If the eared liked the plant, and it does not cause any side effects, the feed rate is gradually increased. When abuse a plant in a fluffy may begin poisoning, characterized acute pain, profuse salivation, bloating, vomiting and diarrhea.

Attention! In rare cases, poisoning is hidden - the productivity of animals suffers, their growth slows down and immunity decreases.

Mouse peas for rabbits - the benefits and harms

Mousepeas, also called vetch, are beneficial to herbivores. The plant contains many proteins and vitamins and belongs to the legume feed mixtures.

Eating peas saves consumption concentrated feed 2 times. Mouse peas can be harvested or given fresh to pets. Before serving, the plant is dried a little, and then mixed with another type of food.

Winter peas are also suitable for eating eared, it is mixed with winter rye or corn in a ratio of 3:2.

Attention ! Pea stalks that have begun to form pods are not suitable for feeding herbivores.

Mousepea seeds are poisonous and can poison your pet. In the case when the eared has eaten beans, symptoms similar to hydrocyanic acid poisoning may be observed. Harm to health is capable of podprevshee peas. The seed coat contains light narcotic substances, therefore it is not suitable for animal nutrition.

mouse peas

Ambrosia for rabbits

Giving ragweed to herbivores or not is a rather controversial issue.

uncontrollable eating grass by pets often ends in poisoning, but the plant is completely harmless in a mixture of herbs.

What grass is poisonous to rabbits

There are a large number of plants containing poisons, so the rabbit breeder needs to learn how to understand their diversity. Herbivores are resistant to certain types of poisons. So, what can poison a horse or a cow can be completely harmless to decorative rabbits. The most sensitive to toxins contained in herbs are lactating rabbits and young animals.

Attention ! The concentration of the poison can change if the plants are properly processed and stored. The toxicity of herbs is increased if they are kept wet and piled up.

Dangerous for eared herbs often grow in moist and dark places. Also plants

Colchicum

Also, veterinarians do not recommend harvesting herbs with this name for eared:

Backache - in dried form, they lose their toxicity. Symptoms of poisoning: diarrhea, shortness of breath, decrease in body temperature, convulsions, paralysis of the legs, weakening of the heart.
Aconites are poisonous during flowering. Processing does not reduce the level of toxins. Signs of poisoning: salivation, increased peristalsis, slowing of the pulse, respiratory rate, lowering blood pressure and temperature, diarrhea, yellowing of the mucous membranes, aggression, paralysis of the respiratory organs.
Marsh marigold. The plant causes colic, bloating, diarrhea, frequent urination, the change colors urine.

If rabbit breeder doubts v harmlessness collected them herbs, can turn on plants v nutrition adults individuals small portions. Then day observe per state health pets, if animals Okay myself feel can gradually to begin increase portions.

Nutrition wild grass - good help for rabbit breeder. Vegetation available, her can collect on the meadows, fields, vegetable gardens and clearings. Some poisonous herbs for rabbits not present danger. Correct treatment will allow reduce level toxins and save feed for use v cold period. but farmer must know, how can poison a rabbit and thoroughly pick up herbs for his diet.

Rabbit nutrition should be based on two factors. The first is theory. Tips from experienced rabbit breeders, articles in print media, various forums and thematic sites - all this is a huge amount of information that allows you to figure out what you can and cannot feed rabbits.

The second important factor is your own experience. Practice may not always go hand in hand with theory. Over the past hundred years, so many new breeds and exotic species of these animals have been bred that some generally accepted rules no longer work. Therefore, you need to not only listen to the experienced, but also look at the well-being and preferences of your pet yourself.

Proper nutrition - what to eat rabbits

Rabbits are members of the hare family. That is, exclusively herbivorous animals. In the wild, they feed on pasture: grass, twigs, fallen leaves, fruits, etc.

Their gastrointestinal tract is designed in such a way that the movement of food through it occurs due to the receipt of new portions. The intestinal muscles themselves cannot push the semi-digested food further. Therefore, in order to live, the rabbit must constantly eat. Otherwise, he will experience stagnation, and this is fraught with FCS - gastrointestinal stasis. The consequence of this disease is bloating and deterioration of health, up to death.

The main rule when choosing feed for a rabbit is more fiber, fewer calories. Grass, leaves, hay, finely chopped branches are good. A large amount of sugar-containing fruits, fruits and vegetables is bad. Plus, the rabbit needs not only the energy contained in food, but also trace elements, vitamins and other useful substances.

The diet of domestic and decorative rabbits

The basis of the diet of domestic rabbits of all breeds and sizes should be fibrous, low-calorie food. This is hay, dried grass, leaves, stems, etc. Rabbits should be accustomed to fresh juicy grass from about two months of age. At the same time, you need to ensure that there are not too many juicy stems and leaves in the diet at first. In the future, grass and hay will form 90% of the animal's diet. And at the beginning of the exit from the nest, it is better to let the rabbits get used to it.

At what age do these animals happen find out.

The body of an adult rabbit successfully copes even with the bark of trees and small branches. Indeed, in the wild, they have not very satisfying times (winter, droughts), and they are forced to eat what they find.

The following is a list of basic foods that can be given to ornamental and common rabbits:

Dandelion, thistle, clover, chamomile, cornflower - all meadow herbs.
Plantain and coltsfoot - only if you are sure that these herbs have grown without exposure to toxic substances and chemicals.
Nettle, shepherd's purse, mallow.
Leaves of birch, willow, beech, poplar and ash.
Leaves of fruit trees - pears, apples, cherries.
Root crops - turnips, parsnips, radishes, beets and, of course, carrots.

The use of raw potatoes in food

Potatoes contain a large amount of starch. This is an excellent source of energy. But if your pet leads a sedentary lifestyle, then the starch in his body will quickly turn into fat. In addition to diseases of the cardiovascular system and inactivity, obesity has another problem that is not immediately visible.

The fact is that in order to maintain the normal microflora of the intestines and stomach, the rabbit must eat a certain amount of its feces. If he does not do this, then he is threatened with vitamin deficiency. An obese animal is unable to reach its anus.

Is it possible to bathe decorative breeds?

Raw potatoes should be given in moderation. 200 grams is the ideal daily allowance for a healthy individual. In no case should rabbits be given sprouted and green potatoes. They contain poison that can kill an animal in a matter of hours. It is also better not to experiment with dried potatoes and peels. A lot of cases of death have been registered due to feeding with the remains of last year's crop, which the owners were sorry to throw away.

Often, in order for rabbits to quickly gain weight, they are given high-calorie food. Usually, this is done before slaughter, when potatoes occupy more than a third in the diet of rabbits. In all other cases, the rate of potato consumption is 30-40 kg per year.

Read how many dwarf breeds live.

Application of bread

In fact, cereals and wheat are excellent food for rabbits. But only in reasonable quantities.

Here you need to make a distinction between decorative rabbits and those that you fatten for slaughter. In the first case, bread (it does not matter - black, white, dry) will contribute to obesity. Over time, the animal becomes ill, becomes inactive and lethargic. So for decorative rabbits, bread is an undesirable food. It can only be given as a treat - a few dried pieces a day.

For meat breeds, bread will be a catalyst for mass gain. Animals begin to grow by leaps and bounds. You just need to make sure that the bread is not moldy, otherwise the processes of fermentation and gas formation will begin in the stomach and intestines of the rabbit. Then the food in the gastrointestinal tract will begin to stagnate, the rabbit will lose vigor, become lethargic and sad, and will eat less.

Bread is not ideal food for a rabbit. It is better to use it as a treat. And then, from the age of 2-3 months.

Feeding beets

Before giving beets to a rabbit, you need to know that this root crop comes in 3 types. Sugar, fodder and dining. The first two types are great for rabbits. Especially good is fodder, which is grown for herbivores. This root vegetable is rich in fiber, which is the basis of nutrition for any herbivore, including hares and rabbits.

A little harder with sugar. Here you should not overdo it. One, maximum two, root crops per day is an excellent source of calories, trace elements and vitamins for the eared. In principle, when introducing beets into the diet of rabbits, one should be guided by the same considerations as in the case of potatoes. Little by little and only from the age of 2 months.