Basic Rabbit Diet

[JoieDeViveRabbitry]

Yep, I have heard good things about Manna Pro.
I have really good results from the Purina Show Chow, so I just stick to what works for me. I tried Formax last year and did not care one little bit for that stuff; had to switch back.
I would watch the willow branches,...ya know, way back when, they figured out how to make aspirin and it was from the willow tree!!

Reallly?! Fasinating!

 

[trestlecreek]

Yep, isn't that neat!!? That is one of the few natural found drugs that has been a detrimental part to medical science.
I don't know the exact history on it, but people found that by eating the leaves/bark, their pain and swelling would be relieved. So they studied the willow and chemically made aspirin.

 

[Kooshie]

Thank you! So sensible and practical!

 

[JoieDeViveRabbitry]

Thank you! So sensible and practical!

My pleasure, I'm glad you found it useful. Don't forget to read the responses from other breeders/raisers though! They have some great ideas too!

 

[Zephyr Farms]

Thanks!! Manna Pro isn't sold here locally, the nearest dealer is a hour away from us!!

 

[chinbunny1]

Good post, but I should point out that pellets should be the most important part of the rabbits diet, followed by hay. They get all their nutrition from the pellets. Hay is provided to them to keep their gut moving. Most of us that breed and show feed alfalfa pellets not timothy. You want something with high fiber, and low protien that is free from toxins. per the manna pro. really watch the feed we (brreders that feed it) have been having problems with losing rabbits to it lately. As far as I know nobody is having problems witht he gro. Its the sho and pro formulas we are having problems with. I lost a bunch of rabbit to it a couple of weeks ago.

 

[Zephyr Farms]

I didn't know that about willow sticks! Would have never guessed!!

 

[trestlecreek]

Yep, the willow/aspirin thing was so neat, I never forgot it,..LOL.
Have your tried finding the Pen Pals feed? I heard that they screen for the toxins.....

 

[Spinster]

Good post, but I should point out that pellets should be the most important part of the rabbits diet, followed by hay. They get all their nutrition from the pellets. Hay is provided to them to keep their gut moving. Most of us that breed and show feed alfalfa pellets not timothy. You want something with high fiber, and low protien that is free from toxins. per the manna pro. really watch the feed we (brreders that feed it) have been having problems with losing rabbits to it lately. As far as I know nobody is having problems witht he gro. Its the sho and pro formulas we are having problems with. I lost a bunch of rabbit to it a couple of weeks ago.

UH OH!!! I am about to get 2 FA does, and 2 days ago bought 50# of Manna Pro (red/white/blue bag) at Tractor Supply. They don't carry the Gro or Sho. I bought it because Manna feed is what they are on now (Gro, though). Now I'm half afraid to use it!

Also, in reading up on rabbit care, they said 80% of does that are not spayed will get uterine cancer by the time they are 3 or 4! I don't plan to breed, but saw spaying as an unnecessary expense. That is scary too!

 

[JoieDeViveRabbitry]

Spinster,
Just me, but I would bring it back or keep it and use it change them over to something else.
Have I mentioned my love for Blue Seal products? I feed my FA's Show Hutch Deluxe and Sunshine Plus as a show supplement. They look GREAT. I am in no way affiliated with the company either, I just did alot of research and trial and error and I really love their food. EVERYTHING on my farm eats blue seal.

I haven't read their stat on non spayed rabbits and cancer, but I would say that if you are 110% positive that you are not going to breed your does it certainly wouldn't hurt to have them spayed. It will make them more stable in the temperment department.
Here is RI there are several vets who do rabbit altering all in the $60 range which I find reasonable if you spent a good amount of money for a pet rabbit that you really care about.

Just my two cents.