When breeding rabbits, one of the most important aspects of their life is nutrition. The correctness of the prepared diet will depend on how the animals will look, what will be the productivity and state of health. It is known that the menu of rabbits should consist of juicy, dry and concentrated feed. The basis of the food pyramid is grass, hay, tree branches. Root crops and grain are given in smaller quantities. In addition, breeders now use a special compound feed for rabbits, which has the most balanced composition to meet all the needs of the animals. Such feeding helps to take into account the age and breed of animals as much as possible, control the food standards for them, and accelerate growth.
What you need to know about compound feed
Combined feed, or combined feed, is a balanced combination of grain, high-protein products, minerals and vitamins that provide the necessary diet for animals. This feed can be presented in the form of a homogeneous crumbly mixture, groats or granules according to the given dimensions.
Types of compound feed by composition:
- Concentrated feed: They contain a high content of proteins and vitamins. Usually used as a supplement to the general diet of animals.
- Complete feed: They are used as the main source of nutrition, as they provide complete nutrition for animals and satisfy all their needs.
- Feed additives: These are compound feeds that contain certain vitamins or mineral additives. They are used to supplement the main diet of animals and provide additional nutrients.
Types of compound feed by type of animal:
- Compound feed for Sucrol rabbits and lactating females: This compound feed contains the necessary nutrients for Sucrol rabbits and their young.
- Compound feed for down breeds: This type of compound feed is designed specifically for rabbits that are grown for down. It contains a complex balance of nutrients to support the health and growth of these rabbits.
- Compound feed for meat breeds: This type of compound feed contains the optimal combination of nutrients for meat breed rabbits, promoting rapid and healthy meat growth.
- Compound feed for young rabbits: This compound feed is specially designed for young rabbits that need additional nutrients for healthy growth and development.
- Adult compound feed: This type of compound feed is intended for adult rabbits and contains the optimal combination of nutrients to support their health and well-being.
By using compound feed of the appropriate composition and type, you can provide your rabbits with a balanced diet that meets their needs.
Features and advantages of compound feed
Some rabbit breeders believe that rabbits should be fed a traditional diet of grass (hay) and root vegetables, and they doubt that any combination feed can be beneficial or provide a complete diet. However, fans of the use of pelleted compound feed believe that they are the best choice.
Advantages of using compound feed:
- The possibility of use throughout the year: Compound feeds allow you to feed rabbits stably at any time of the year, regardless of the season or the availability of fresh grass.
- Saving space and resources: Using compound feed avoids the need to store large stocks of hay and grain, which frees up space and reduces storage costs.
- Selection of the ration: Combined feed can be selected according to the breed, age and physiological state of the rabbits, which allows to ensure their nutritional needs.
- Minimal losses: Compound feed stores well and does not spoil, which allows you to avoid losses of nutrition due to spoilage or eating by rodents.
- Balanced composition: Compound feed contains the necessary vitamins, minerals and other nutrients that ensure healthy growth and development of rabbits. Some compound feeds may also contain medicines for the prevention of diseases.
- Convenience of use: The use of compound feed is easier and more convenient, since it is not necessary to prepare individual components of the diet. They are ready to use.
- Controlled portions: Combined feed allows you to precisely control the size of food portions for rabbits, which contributes to a balanced diet.
- Increased growth rate and resistance to diseases: The use of compound feed promotes faster weight gain in rabbits and makes them more resistant to diseases.
- High quality skins: Compound feed can have a positive effect on the quality of rabbit skins.
Cons of using compound feed:
- Influence on the taste and quality of meat products: The presence of medicines in the compound feed can affect the taste and quality of meat products.
- Financial costs: Ready compound feed can be quite expensive, which can be a financial burden for rabbit farmers.
- Indigestion: Switching from compound feed to fresh food or vice versa can lead to indigestion in rabbits.
- Differences in composition: Sometimes the composition of compound feed on the label may differ from the actual composition.
- Need to drink: Rabbits need to be given water separately because their stomachs cannot mix food and water directly.
It is important to consider that the composition of compound feed may vary depending on the manufacturer and type of compound feed, but it should always include grain, cake, salt, chalk, bone and meat meal, yeast, vitamins, mineral supplements and, if necessary, medicines.
Nutritional properties of compound feed
For the correct selection of compound feed according to its nutritional value, it is important to take into account several features: the age of the rabbit (young individuals, adult females and males), physiological state (pregnancy, lactation) and the purpose of breeding (meat, skin, decorative use).
The norms of feeding and production of compound feed for rabbits are established in the document DSTU 7413:2013 “Combined complete ration granulated feed for rabbits”.
This document clearly defines the appearance, color, smell, percentage ratio of components, acceptable moisture content in combined feed, as well as requirements for labeling, type of packaging and product quality. The date and time of production, expiration date and recommended feeding schedule should be indicated on the packaging.
How to feed rabbits with compound feed
Feeding dry compound feed to animals is very simple. It is enough to simply pour the required amount of mixture into the feeder. It is important not to forget to periodically check the presence of clean water in the drinking bowl. If rabbits are also fed with hay or grass, then the volume of concentrates should be reduced by 25%.
Adult animals are fed three times a day, and young animals – up to six times during the day.
With mixed feeding (concentrates and hay), half of the recommended rate of concentrates is provided in the morning, rabbits are fed natural products at lunch, and half of the recommended rate of compound feed by evening.
Daily rate of compound feed for rabbits
To choose the right amount of dry mixture, take into account the composition, species, sex, size and age of the rabbit, as well as the season. In winter, during the period of growth and lactation, during puberty, the rates of compound feed for rabbits are adjusted – they must be increased.
Daily diet
| Age and characteristics of the animal | Fodder units (required quantity) | Proteins, %, no less | Amount of required phosphorus, g | Amount of necessary calcium, g |
| Adult rabbits are out of mating season | 160 | 12 | 0.7 | 1,2 |
| Adult rabbits in the mating season | 200 | 13 | 1 | 1.5 |
| Sucrolan rabbit | 220 | 15 | 1,2 | 2 |
| A feeding rabbit: | ||||
| From 1 to 10 days | 330 | 16 | 2 | 3 |
| From 11 to 20 days | 440 | 16 | 2 | 3 |
| From 21 to 30 days | 560 | 16 | 2 | 3 |
| From 31 to 45 days | 700 | 16 | 2 | 3 |
| Young individuals: | ||||
| From 40 to 60 days | 125 | 16 | 0.4 | 0.7 |
| From 61 to 90 days | 175 | 16 | 0.6 | 0.9 |
| From 91 to 120 days | 225 | 16 | 0.6 | 1,2 |
| Repair young | 200 | 17 | 0.6 | 1,2 |
Rabbits are recommended to be given bran. They can be fed independently, as part of compound feed or wet mash. The main thing is that they are fresh! In winter, for example, you can feed up to 50 g of bran to one adult rabbit per day.
Do-it-yourself compound feed for rabbits recipes
Preparing compound feed with your own hands will allow not only to control the composition of the mixture, but also to greatly reduce the cost of such food.
- Composition of compound feed No. 1: 35% hay; 25% ground barley; 20% sunflower cake; 15% ground corn grains; 5% bran from wheat flour.
- Winter mixture: 35% herbal flour; 30% ground barley; 20% ground corn; 15% bran.
- To obtain a large volume of high-quality meat: 20% crushed barley; 10% crushed corn; 10% crushed wheat; 40% of chopped hay or grass flour; 10% sunflower cake; 5.5% soy; 2.2% meat and bone meal; 2% yeast; 0.3% salt.
- In the period of reproduction, lactation and lactation: 20% barley flour; 12.5% wheat flour; 20% of crushed oats; 30% herbal flour; 13% crushed cake; 1% meat and bone meal; 2% fish meal; 1% yeast; 0.5% salt.
- Young individuals (after weaning from the mother for up to 130 days): grass flour – 30%, oats, corn, barley in equal parts – 38-40%; bran – 15%; cake or sunflower meal – 11.5%; fish or meat flour – 2%; salt – 0.5%; fodder yeast – 1%.
- For rapid growth of young (60-150 days): grass flour – 28-30%; barley and corn – 39-40%; bran – 9-10%; cake – 14-15%; meat flour – 1.8-2%; yeast – 1.5-2%; salt – 0.5%.
- For decorative rabbits. hay or grass flour – 40%; barley – 19%; oats – 19%; sources of fiber and food fibers (wheat bran, soybean and/or sunflower meal) – 28%; sources of vitamins and minerals (including chalk and yeast) – 2.7%; fish and / or bone meal – 1%; salt – 0.3%.
- Adults are at rest. hay flour – 37-40%; oats – 18-20%; barley – 14-15%; bran – 15%; cake – 8%; fish meal – 1-1.5%; salt – 0.5-0.6%.
Technology and necessary equipment
Equipment necessary for the production of compound feed:
- Scales (accurate to 0.1 g).
- Trimmer.
- Grain crusher.
- Mixer.
- Dryer.
- Combined fodder granulator (gives the mixture the desired shape and consistency).
In addition to the inventory, you should take care of the raw materials from which the dry feed will be made.
A number of requirements are put forward to the ingredients:
- The grain mixture should be dry, clean, without impurities of garbage.
- The presence of mold on raw materials is not allowed.
- Products should not be damaged by insects and their larvae.
- Alfalfa and asparagus should predominate in the composition of hay.
- The presence of poisonous plants is not allowed.
- Meat and bone meal is used only fresh.
- The sunflower cake should emit the aroma of butter, which is not bitter.
Manufacturing process:
- The necessary ingredients are crushed in a grain grinder.
- According to the dosage, weigh the ingredients and mix.
- Pour into a granulator to form the appropriate shape or, in the absence of equipment, pour into barrels or bags.
Storage recommendations:
- Homemade compound feed is recommended to be stored in a dry and cool place.
- Do not produce for more than 10 days.
- If you make a mixture only from cereals and grass, then they can be stored longer, but perishable additives (cake, meat and bone meal) should be added before feeding the animals.
What compound feed is better for rabbits
Below is an overview of several popular compound feeds used for feeding rabbits:
- “Versele-Laga Complete Cuni” – This compound feed is specially formulated for rabbits and contains all the necessary nutrients. It consists of various types of cereals, herbal flour, vitamins and minerals. The manufacturer guarantees the high quality and balanced composition of this compound feed.
- “Supreme Science Selective Rabbit” – This compound feed is made from high-quality ingredients to ensure optimal nutrition for rabbits. It contains a specially formulated high-fiber formula that supports healthy digestive and dental health in rabbits.
- “Burgess Excel Rabbit Nuggets” – This compound feed is made using fresh ingredients such as barley, wheat, soy, pea and grass meal. It contains the necessary amount of fiber, vitamins and minerals that contribute to the healthy growth and functioning of rabbits.
- “Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health Rabbit Food” – This combined feed contains a balanced composition of grains, grass meal, vitamins and minerals. It contributes to the maintenance of healthy nutrition, immune system and teeth of rabbits.
It is important to remember that the rabbit’s diet should be balanced and include not only compound feed, but also fresh hay, vegetables and water. When choosing a compound feed for your rabbits, always read the package labels, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, and consult with your veterinarian to ensure your rabbits are getting the proper nutrition.
Is it possible to give rabbits compound feed for other animals
It is strictly forbidden to give rabbits feed for birds (chicken, duck) and cows. The chicken feed contains crushed shellfish, the particles of which can be dangerous for the delicate rabbit stomach. Cow feed also contains a large amount of salt, which is not good for rabbits.
The only feed that can replace rabbit compound feed in terms of feeding characteristics is pig compound feed. The main thing is to choose a proven manufacturer that provides a quality product.
When buying pig feed for rabbits, some points should be taken into account:
- Visually check structural features (excessive amount of dust can harm animals).
- Read the composition of the compound feed (an excessive amount of animal protein is harmful for rabbits).
It is recommended to gradually transfer rabbits to pig food to avoid problems with digestion.
Rabbit breeders most often use granulated compound feed for pigs KK 55, which contains barley, bran, rye, triticale (approximately 85%), as well as yeast and proteins (10%). It is also recommended to feed rabbits with SK 58 pig feed.
It has been proven that rabbits quickly gain weight on pork feed, but at the same time they also quickly become fat. It is necessary to monitor this very carefully. Sometimes there may be an insufficient amount of fiber in the composition of pig nutrition, so roughage must be added to the diet.
It is worth remembering that the best choice for rabbits is a specialized rabbit feed, designed specifically for this type of animal.
Therefore, compound feed for rabbits is a universal and complete nutrition that helps active growth, weight gain and reproduction. Making such feed at home is quite simple – it is enough to weigh all the ingredients and follow the cooking instructions.