Comments on: What do rabbits eat? http://www.raisingrabbitsformeat.com/2009/10/14/what-do-rabbits-eat/ All you want to know about raising rabbits for meat Mon, 07 Jun 2010 17:54:01 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Doug Varney http://www.raisingrabbitsformeat.com/2009/10/14/what-do-rabbits-eat/comment-page-1/#comment-97 Doug Varney Mon, 07 Jun 2010 17:54:01 +0000 http://www.raisingrabbitsformeat.com/?p=107#comment-97 Thanks for the advice. I will be feeding both pellets and trefoil to the rabbits that I will process at 8 weeks as meat. I think that will keep us both happy. Thanks for the advice. I will be feeding both pellets and trefoil to the rabbits that I will process at 8 weeks as meat. I think that will keep us both happy.

]]> By: Tiffany http://www.raisingrabbitsformeat.com/2009/10/14/what-do-rabbits-eat/comment-page-1/#comment-96 Tiffany Mon, 07 Jun 2010 17:48:56 +0000 http://www.raisingrabbitsformeat.com/?p=107#comment-96 Hi Doug, Generally, rabbits can be fed as many grasses & legumes in their diets as they will eat...so if your pups are happily eating the trefoil now, I don't see any problems with continuing to feed it to them in larger quantities as they grow. Yes, they may grow more slowly...but unless they are eating only trefoil as breeders (which will likely slow down production), I don't think you'll have any issues. Hi Doug,
Generally, rabbits can be fed as many grasses & legumes in their diets as they will eat…so if your pups are happily eating the trefoil now, I don’t see any problems with continuing to feed it to them in larger quantities as they grow. Yes, they may grow more slowly…but unless they are eating only trefoil as breeders (which will likely slow down production), I don’t think you’ll have any issues.

]]> By: Doug Varney http://www.raisingrabbitsformeat.com/2009/10/14/what-do-rabbits-eat/comment-page-1/#comment-95 Doug Varney Sun, 06 Jun 2010 15:19:16 +0000 http://www.raisingrabbitsformeat.com/?p=107#comment-95 I have started raising meat rabbits for my consumption in March and I have kits within a few weeks of processing. I always give a small handful of freshly cut greens in the AM. They are literally jumping up and down when they see me coming with greens. The major green I provide is trefoil (a plant that my father helped develop at the University of Vermont many years ago). The bunnies seem to love this legume. My question is how much of this can I feed to the older kits. I would love to give them greater quantities after they are weaned and before processing. I am monitoring gastrointestinal output and see no issues so far. I realize that I will loose some meat production by changing the balance of pellets vs trefoil but if it makes the bunnies happy and healthy I am very willing to give up a few ounces of weight at slaughter. Do you have any recommendations? I have started raising meat rabbits for my consumption in March and I have kits within a few weeks of processing. I always give a small handful of freshly cut greens in the AM. They are literally jumping up and down when they see me coming with greens. The major green I provide is trefoil (a plant that my father helped develop at the University of Vermont many years ago). The bunnies seem to love this legume. My question is how much of this can I feed to the older kits. I would love to give them greater quantities after they are weaned and before processing. I am monitoring gastrointestinal output and see no issues so far. I realize that I will loose some meat production by changing the balance of pellets vs trefoil but if it makes the bunnies happy and healthy I am very willing to give up a few ounces of weight at slaughter. Do you have any recommendations?

]]> By: Tiffany http://www.raisingrabbitsformeat.com/2009/10/14/what-do-rabbits-eat/comment-page-1/#comment-65 Tiffany Wed, 10 Mar 2010 17:51:50 +0000 http://www.raisingrabbitsformeat.com/?p=107#comment-65 Good question. Pin Oaks are often fed on by wild rabbits, but Oaks in general are on the UNSAFE food list. I think that's due to the high number of tannins in the wood. The acorns and foliage are definitely restricted. Do you maybe have any Willow, Maple or Birch trees around? Those are safe for rabbits. Good question.
Pin Oaks are often fed on by wild rabbits, but Oaks in general are on the UNSAFE food list. I think that’s due to the high number of tannins in the wood. The acorns and foliage are definitely restricted.

Do you maybe have any Willow, Maple or Birch trees around? Those are safe for rabbits.

]]> By: Carol Pendergrass http://www.raisingrabbitsformeat.com/2009/10/14/what-do-rabbits-eat/comment-page-1/#comment-64 Carol Pendergrass Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:42:36 +0000 http://www.raisingrabbitsformeat.com/?p=107#comment-64 ok so what about feeding rabbits oak branches for their teeth gnawing. We live in TX and have lots of Pin Oak trees? ok so what about feeding rabbits oak branches for their teeth gnawing. We live in TX and have lots of Pin Oak trees?

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