Feed Rations in Cold Weather

[P.O. in MO]

With this cold snap in progress I was wondering if a person should increase the amount of feed given since they probably use more energy keeping warm. I keep my shed barely above freezing so would that be cold enough to warrant giving a little extra feed.

 

[Hens and Roos]

Do you feed pellets only or provide hay for the rabbits? Have you noticed if the rabbits are hungrier than normal? I could see giving extra hay for them, not sure if the extra pellets would cause you weight issues with the rabbits. You might have to take it on a rabbit by rabbit basis.

our rabbits are housed in our heated shop they are at 55- 56* during the cold months- we still have several that seem to always be hungry so we give them extra hay to eat as they want. We also have a few that don't eat all the pellets so they get less the next feeding.

Hope this helps

 

[P.O. in MO]

I feed hay free choice also(brome). I feed 5oz. of pellets (a little over 1 cup) to my NZW's around 4 PM every day. I fill up their hay feeders at the same time. They all are ready to be fed but they don't eat it all at one whack. It is always gone by morning except for one buck and I cut back his ration a little to about 4 oz. a while back and he usually cleans it up. Most of the hay is usually gone by morning. I fill up their hay feeders again. Most of my rabbits look and feel to me like they are about right on weight. I have one doe that might need to lose a little weight but she was bred about 2 weeks ago and I hate to put her on a diet until I see if she comes thru with a litter. I should add that I give them about a rounded teaspoon of race horse oats on top of their feed at feeding time and again in the morning for a treat. Thanks for the reply H&R, I did give them a little extra feed last night but with the heater I put in there it was about 34 in there this morning which isn't that cold. Will probably stick to the 5 oz. and keep an eye on my chunky doe. I sure wish I could palpate. I tried it again on the doe mentioned above at 12 days and I couldn't feel a thing. She has never let me down so I am guessing she is probably pregnant but I just can't feel them. She is a pretty sweet doe but when I palpate her it usually upsets her a couple of days and she makes that pitiful sound that rabbits make when the are upset when I get close. I hate to handle her but then again I hate to waste 2 more weeks of feed to find out she isn't pregnant. I am going to try again at 18 days and see if I can tell. She is getting so she doesn't get too upset if I leave her in her cage and pet her with one hand and feel around with the other. It's just a lot harder reaching thru the door with 2 hands versus bringing her out and putting her on a table. Hope I can figure this out. I have watched several you tubes showing how to do it, but after 4 or 5 attempts I still haven't gotten the hang of it. At least the cold snap is over, heat wave today, already 15 degrees here.

 

[Hens and Roos]

It sounds like you are probably on the right track with feeding. I don't think that extra hay is all that bad as it provides fiber and they seem to eat what they need- our hay is free choice and most of them have some left. Our does aren't cooperative at all with palpating so we just wait and see.

Enjoy the heat wave! We are at -13* currently maybe to get to 1 or 2* by this afternoon- probably start warming some tomorrow.

 

[P.O. in MO]

Wow, I have been to WI and it is a pretty state but you can have those temps.. It's above 30 here now and I am glad that arctic air is gone. Thanks for the replies.

 

[Hens and Roos]

Gives us something to look forward to....spring

Hope your rabbits stay well!