There are literally as many ways to feed rabbits as there are people who own them. It’s amazing to me the diets that rabbits can get accustomed to. Natural feeding (no pellets), Pellets and Mixed diets tend to cover the most commonly found methods.
That fact there are so many ways to feed bunnies is, I think part of the reason it irks me when people insist there is only one way to feed rabbits. BUT people are who they are right? It’s easy to think that your way is the only way, or at least the best way. So let’s talk about the different ways to feed bunnies.
Pellets Only
There are many many rabbit breeders who insist the only way to feed bunnies properly is with a pelleted diet. Essentially kibble for rabbits. Most pellets are made with an alfalfa base, some are also made with timothy hay. A good pellet should contain everything that a rabbit needs to remain healthy, and many rabbits are raised to do well on a pelleted diet.
This method is most common with serious breeders. It makes it easier to feed exactly what each rabbit needs, gives them a stable diet, and is less fuss when travelling on the road. The disadvantage is if a rabbit goes off feed, it can be hard to get them going again if they refuse to eat pellets.
Pellets Plus (mixed diet)
An equal number of rabbit people will raise their rabbits on pellets plus something else. This could be a show or breeder supplement, or additional feed sources such a hay, green feed, oatmeal, or mixed grains.
In this diet you want to feed your rabbit a grass type hay, which is one that is lower in calcium to prevent bladder sludge in your bunnies. Green feed consists of rabbit appropriate fresh food like dark lettuces, safe garden weeds, dandelions, parsley, chicory, apple branches and the like.
This tends to be a favourite method of people across the board from breeders to pet companion people.
Pros: wide variety of feed available, if the rabbit rejects pellets, you can offer more grains, and you can adjust feed to seasonal variability. Cons: harder to balance the diet and some rabbits will become picky eaters.
Non-pelleted Diet
The hobbyist is most likely to feed a non-pelleted diet, choosing to search out needed minerals and salts for their rabbits, along with a variety of hays, branches, mixed grains and green feed. This is a more labour intensive way of feeding rabbits.
In the non-pelleted diet, the hay you want to feed is alfalfa hay as it has higher protein levels. You also want to make sure you feed a wide variety of plants and fresh greens to cover a good nutrient load. Do not wash everything first as trace nutrients are to be valued.
Pros: feeding a rabbit like they are meant to be fed. Cons: It’s a lot of hard work gathering, storing, drying needs feeds and ensuring a balanced diet.
Right and Wrong
Part of the problem people have when feeding mixed diet is people frequently forget to think about balance in the diet. A method frequently espoused is “feed bunnies all the hay they can eat, lots of veggies, and just a little bit of pellets.”
The question is… if you aren’t giving the bunny all the trace nutrients, minerals and salts they require. Items commonly found in their pellets, where are they getting them from? Are they getting them from the washed grocery greens? Are you giving them a rabbit safe salt/mineral supplement? It’s good to ask these questions, to make sure that the diet you are feeding your rabbits is good for them long-term.
A big part of me wants to espouse how I feed bunnies, but I’m not going to. I think how I manage their diet them for the most part works. Occasionally I wonder if I need to tweak it a bit, but I am not quite sure either if I should or how. I don’t want to fuss about it, and my buns are doing well.
Others in this Series
Letter F Link Up
Each week we will be linking up with the hosts of Blogging Through the Alphabet. Please visit some of these other blogs to get things like book lists, vegan recipes, and wonderful places to visit, just to name the topics I can think of off the top of my head.
- Amanda @ Hopkins Homeschool
- Christine @ Life’s Special Necessities
- Kimberly @ Vintage Blue Suitcase
- Dawn @ Schoolin’ Swag
- Wendy @ Life On Chickadee Lane
- Yvonne @ The Life We Build
- Jennifer @ A Peace Of Mind
- Kristen @ A Mom’s Quest To Teach
- Kirsten @ DoodleMom Homeschool
Interesting. At the zoo, the nutritionist had our education rabbits on a Pellet Plus diet. They had veggies we could bring with us on programs, too (special treat).
interesting, it’s a good thing there are loads of ways to feed them isn’t it? Mine has hay, pellets, mixed grains and fresh feed.
So much more complicated than one might think. So many different options.
that’s the delight of it all. So many options, doesn’t need to be all one way.
We used to cut alfalfa from the fields for the rabbits we raised. We had to keep the big feed boxes full on rotations so that it could dry a bit before being fed to the bunnies. We did also give them some of the pellets. I imagine it is quite different feed now though than it was 25-30 years ago when I was feeding rabbits.
feed seems to continually change. Used to all be 14% now it’s at 17-19% protein. You had bunnies as a youngster?
We raised them for food, not pets. We also raised chickens and turkeys and had very large gardens. We grew or raised a large portion of our family’s food growing up.
oh excellent! Food is a great thing to raise.
I love reading your posts! It is so interesting to contrast rabbit care, with what I do with our guinea pig. Such amazing creatures! 🙂
I have been reading a few of your rabbit posts mainly because we recently moved and the owners were friends who were moving to FL from IN and couldn’t take their 2 bunnies. My daughters wanted them so they stayed. I haven’t had bunnies since I was a child and it’s been a while. I’d love some advice since I’m a novice. I think they are 2 different sexes, I know they are a Rex and Mini Rex and I don’t think they’ve been handled well. We are working on finding them some better housing and I’ve added a salt block, a toy or so, and a few food treats as well as some fresh veggies in their diet. What else should we be doing? Will I know if the female is pregnant before she has babies? You can email me a response if that’s easier.
I hope you have found them helpful. 🙂 I sent you an email.
Yes, thank you!
It always intrigues me that people get so hung up on my way is the only and best way …? I think you’ve hit the nail on the head by finding the right balance for the rabbits in your care. They all have different needs and it’s up to you the breeder to find what works best for your particular rabbits.
Thank you for linking up with Blogging through the Alphabet
it’s so true… people do it with all sorts of things…not just rabbits. we need to give each other more room.