If you have ever raised rabbits in your life, you know how much these cute eared creatures love to eat. Indeed, it seems that these animals are constantly feeding. The physiology of their digestive system is such that they must continue to digest each portion of food eaten before the next. However, it is important to remember that not every type of food is healthy, especially in large quantities. Hay for rabbits is not only a natural component of their daily diet, but also a source of useful substances. Most importantly, it has no risk of overeating. Let’s consider which hay is better for rabbits.
When choosing roughage, consider the taste preferences of rabbits in their natural environment. One of the excellent options is a preparation made from various herbs that have been naturally dried. This forage is rich in vitamins, minerals and valuable amino acids, which are very necessary for the rapidly growing body of rabbits.
Some plants are recommended for drying and inclusion in the diet of rabbits:
- Nettle
- Plantain
- Tarragon
- Buckwheat
- Musk
- Sorrel
- Yarrow
- Clover
- Alfalfa
- Dandelion
- Burdock
- Sylphia
- Vika
- Pea
- Sainfoin
- Lupine
- Sida
- Thistles
- Couch grass
- Dream
We provide the following recommendations:
- Stinging nettle is an excellent type of food and preventive medicine. In order to preserve all its useful substances as much as possible, it is better to collect this plant at the end of spring, before flowering.
- Wormwood and tansy are excellent means for the prevention of helminths, so they are included in the composition of hay when harvesting it.
- If you have an extra piece of land, it can be sown with, for example, peas, vetch or asparagus. Rabbits will be satisfied with such food in the cold season. But it should be remembered that these plants can cause flatulence. To avoid this, legumes should be fed in combination with other types of harvested grass.
- Dried rhubarb, legumes in combination with wheatgrass are useful to give to lactating females. Such nutrition increases the nutrition and volume of milk.
Please note that these recommendations are general and it is always best to consult a veterinarian or rabbit expert to consider the individual needs and characteristics of your rabbits.
How much hay does a rabbit need?
How much hay a rabbit needs depends on several factors. First of all, it is worth considering the breed of rabbit, the climatic conditions of the region where they are located, the quality and nutrition of the hay, as well as the physiological features (young, adults, lactating females) and the purpose of breeding (fattening, decorative use).
In general, an adult rabbit can consume approximately 300 g of hay per day, rabbits up to 4-5 months – 100-200 g, and females during lactation may need from 350 to 450 g. During the season, one adult rabbit may need from 40 to 100 kg of hay, for a baby up to 4 months – about 10-15 kg.
However, taking into account all these factors and nuances, in practice it can be quite difficult to make an accurate calculation. Some rabbit breeders believe that a rabbit can eat its own weight of hay. Usually, the weight of feed eaten per day is multiplied by the number of feeding days and the number of animals, and then about 5% is added to the stock. In this way, the need for hay for a certain period is calculated.
It is important to remember that all these calculations are approximate, since it is difficult to predict the exact length of cold days, the appetites of rabbits and their preferences. Therefore, farmers with experience recommend stocking up on dried plants with a surplus to have enough hay in case of unexpected circumstances.
Fodder value of hay
The forage value of hay can be difficult to accurately calculate because it depends on many factors, including the type of grass and the local conditions in which the hay was harvested. However, on average, the feed value of hay is estimated in the range from 0.37 to 0.53 feed units per 1 kg of hay.
It is important to consider that the feed value may differ for different types of hay and in different regions. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct a feed value analysis of the specific hay used in your region for a more accurate calculation of rabbit nutrition.
The feed value of hay is determined by its composition, including the content of protein, carbohydrates, fiber and other nutrients. The more nutrients contained in hay, the higher its feed value.
When choosing hay for rabbits, you should pay attention to the quality of grasses and harvesting methods to ensure high feed value and proper nutrition for your group of rabbits.
The importance of hay for rabbits
The importance of hay for rabbits lies in its nutritional characteristics, which make it an indispensable part of the diet of these eared animals.
Features of hay:
- Rich in essential vitamins and trace elements: Hay contains important nutrients such as vitamins and minerals that are essential for the healthy growth and development of rabbits.
- High content of vegetable fiber: Hay contains significant amounts of fiber, which contributes to the normal digestion of rabbits. This helps maintain healthy peristalsis of the digestive tract.
- Helps wear down teeth: Chewing hay helps wear down your rabbit’s teeth, which are constantly growing throughout their lives. This helps to avoid problems related to overgrowth of teeth and the appearance of spurs in the animal’s mouth.
- Stimulates appetite: Hay has a characteristic aroma that perfectly stimulates appetite in rabbits. They enjoy chewing hay and playing with it, which helps satisfy their need for activity and burn off excess energy.
It is a common belief among farmers and specialists that hay is the mainstay of a rabbit’s diet. It provides their nutritional needs, supports a healthy digestive tract and teeth, and helps satisfy their instincts and enable an active lifestyle.
What hay is forbidden to give
When feeding rabbits with hay, some restrictions should be taken into account and certain types of grass and plants should be avoided:
- Avoid gathering grass near highways, industrial plants, or in swamps where slugs may be present. These plants can be contaminated with helminths, which can negatively affect the health of rabbits.
- Avoid plants that are poisonous to rabbits. Some of these plants include celandine, hemlock, yarrow, hellebore, colchicum, hemlock, digitalis, calendula, comfrey, gorse, gorse, milk thistle, blueberry, lily of the valley, crow’s eye, chernobyl, and vermouth. Avoid getting these plants in the harvested hay.
- Be careful about feeding rabbits dried clover, alfalfa and legumes. These plants contain a large amount of calcium, which can negatively affect the work of the urogenital system of rabbits. If the animals are older than 6 months, it is recommended to exclude these feeds from the diet.
- Monitor the calcium levels in the grasses you use for hay. Different herbs have different calcium content. For example, alfalfa hay contains about 1.80% calcium, clover – 1.5%, wheat – 1.15%, timothy – 0.66%, hedgehog – 0.58%, oats – 0.2%, and some herbs may contain less than 0.2% calcium.
- Do not feed rabbits hay that has lost its quality, for example, if it has become damp, frozen or covered with mold. Such hay can be harmful to the health of rabbits, so it should be disposed of and not used in the feed ration.
- Don’t feed your rabbits old hay supplies that have been around for over a year, even if they look good. In such hay, useful properties are reduced to a minimum.
The general principle is to provide rabbits with fresh, quality and safe hay that meets their nutritional needs and promotes their health.
Straw for rabbits
Straw is the dry stalks of plants that have a very low feed value. It is usually used as bedding in rabbit cages. Straw can also be used to insulate floors in cages during the cold season. Straw is made from cereal plants, such as wheat, barley, oats, rye.
Sometimes, when roughage is not enough, rabbits are fed with small pieces of chopped straw. Cereal plants in this case are not the best option, because they are very hard, coarse and contain a small amount of protein. To add to the diet of rabbits, you can use straw from oats, millet, peas, soybeans or lentils.
It is worth noting that rabbits are usually not particularly happy with the consumption of straw. However, it can partially replace hay if it is not available in sufficient quantity. However, it is important to remember that straw cannot completely replace hay and is not an optimal source of nutrition for rabbits.
Thus, straw is used mainly as bedding and an additional source of roughage, but it cannot replace hay, which is the basis of a healthy diet for rabbits.
We choose good hay in the store
When choosing ready-made hay for rabbits in the store, it is important to consider some indicators, since the quality of the product can vary. Unscrupulous producers often offer low-quality hay or add unnecessary ingredients. Before buying this important component of a rabbit’s diet, it is recommended to check the following aspects:
- Color: Quality hay is green in color, but a small amount of light golden tint is allowed.
- Fraction: Check that the hay has whole stalks of grasses, not crushed mass or dust. Hay with whole stalks contributes to the proper wear of teeth in rabbits.
- Odor: High-quality hay should have a pleasant herbal aroma. Avoid hay with an unpleasant smell or signs of mold.
- Ingredients: Check which herbs are included in the hay. It is better to choose hay with a variety of grasses to provide a versatile diet for rabbits.
- Date of manufacture: Make sure that the date of manufacture of the hay is no more than one year old. Older hay may lose its beneficial properties and nutrients.
Remember that quality hay is an important source of nutrition for the health of rabbits, so you should be careful and choose the best option on the market.
Hay for decorative rabbits
The main component of the diet of decorative rabbits is coarse food, namely hay.
For an adult rabbit weighing about 2 kg, it is recommended to feed 200-250 g of hay daily. When choosing dried grass, it is important to observe the reaction of your pet and take into account its characteristics (size, type of food). However, it is necessary to avoid monotony in the rabbit’s diet, therefore it is recommended to periodically change the types of hay and add other useful plants to the favorite variety.
Dried timothy, ryegrass, oats, and meadow grasses are considered the best hay options for ornamental rabbits. High protein plants such as vetch, peas, clover and alfalfa are not recommended for these breeds. They can negatively affect the urinary and reproductive functions of rabbits, contribute to obesity and excessive shedding. However, these plants can be useful for rabbits up to 4-5 months, as well as for feeding pregnant females. Adult rabbits that actively walk and spend a lot of energy are allowed to include these plants in limited quantities.
Hay performs many functions in the nutrition of ornamental rabbits:
- It is the basis of the diet (80% of the total amount of food).
- Contributes to the normal functioning of the digestive tract.
- Helps sharpen teeth, keeping them in the right condition.
- Does not cause obesity, which often happens in pets.
- Eliminates problems with the formation of lumps of wool that rabbits may accidentally ingest (especially with long-haired breeds).
Choosing high-quality hay and including it in the diet of decorative rabbits helps to provide them with a healthy digestive system, good dental health and optimal physical condition.
The rabbit does not eat hay: what to do?
From time to time, a situation arises when a rabbit refuses to eat the offered hay. This problem is especially common among owners of ornamental rabbit breeds. The main reasons why a rabbit may not want to eat hay include:
- The rabbit simply does not like the look or taste of dried grass.
- Rabbits are overfed with delicious dried fruits, vegetables or fruits.
- The rabbit receives a large amount of other types of food, such as grain pellets or concentrates.
To teach a rabbit to eat dried green fodder hay, you can try the following approaches:
- Change the type of hay or the manufacturer’s brand (if purchased hay is used).
- Place the dried herbs in a prominent place where the rabbit can easily see and reach them.
- Install an additional hay feeder (such as a hay rack) to make it accessible and convenient for eating, and to prevent hay from being scattered around the cage.
- Make hay roll toys that will make the rabbit actively eat and gnaw the hay.
- Add dill, basil or fennel to bundles of dried grass hay to make it more attractive to the rabbit.
- Reduce the amount of feed with grain or switch to grain-free mixes to increase the rabbit’s appetite for hay.
- Introduce a “hay diet”, teaching the rabbit to gradually replace other types of feed with dried hay.
It is important to control how much hay and branches the rabbit eats during the day. Insufficient hay consumption can negatively affect the rabbit’s health. If the problem with refusal to eat hay continues for a long time or the rabbit shows other signs of illness, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian for a consultation and assessment of the animal’s health.
How hay is harvested and stored
It is recommended to harvest grass for rabbits in late spring or early summer, when the plants have not yet bloomed and have juicy green leaves (this helps preserve the maximum amount of vitamins). To preserve the quality of hay, it should be dried only in the shade, under a canopy.
The grass is laid out on pegs that form a pyramid, or brooms can be tied from it and hung. Ukis is placed relaxed, turning over from time to time. If the days are warm and sunny, the drying process will take 3-4 days, if it rains – about a week. By following these recommendations, you can get quality hay that will serve as nutritious food for rabbits during the winter.
It is important to control the degree of dryness of the hay: if it is too dry, it will become brittle and begin to crumble into dust, which should not be fed to rabbits.
The recommended term of hay storage is no more than 1 year. If you store it longer, it will lose its nutritional value.
Dried herbs can be stored indoors, in the attic or outdoors. The premises should be dark, cool and well ventilated. Prepared feed should be placed at a distance of 50-60 cm from the floor. Outside, dry hay can be covered or placed under a cover to protect it from moisture.
How much hay to prepare for the winter
When calculating hay reserves for the cold season, it is important to take into account that there is no green fodder in winter, so dried hay becomes the basis of nutrition.
In general, it is recommended to prepare 50 to 100 kg of hay for one adult rabbit, taking into account the characteristics of the breed and the region. It is also worth preparing reserves for the future offspring – about 10 kg of coarse food for one expected rabbit.
If you need to save on hay, you can replace it with millet, pea, oat or lentil straw. However, such a replacement can be made only for adult males, it is not recommended to change the diet of pregnant or lactating females and rabbits.
Hay is considered the base of the food pyramid for rabbits. The quality and variety of hay affect the appearance of rabbits and the manifestation of their best breed qualities. Timely collected, properly dried and preserved aromatic and useful grass will complement and balance the diet of rabbits, contributing to their health and well-being.