just hay

[bluemini]

Can I feed my rabbits just hay,no pellets ? I did this for 4 days but today im going to give them pellets again until I know its safe to feed just hay.

I am getting ready to breed them and I will feed the doe pellets while preg.

 

[secuono]

Just hay is not a complete diet. You will need to feed grains, grasses, weeds and salt blocks in addition to the hay.

 

[bluemini]

Just hay is not a complete diet. You will need to feed grains, grasses, weeds and salt blocks in addition to the hay.

They are on grass all the time and have salt blocks. I ment can I feed hay and no pellets or limited pellets

 

[Prairiechick]

For what purpose? Like was already said, they need more than just hay in their diet. If you are trying to get them bred and feel the does are carrying too much weight, the for a limited time ( say a week) a hay only diet would be okay, but they do the other nutrients from pellets, and grass does not have the protein that you get in pellets since the pellets are mostly alfalfa, or at least should be.

 

[secuono]

It will really depend on how much green they are getting and how well they are eating it up.
Over the summer, my rabbits hardly ate any green because it was too hot to be active most of the day. They ate pellets for the most part. But early spring and after the heat of summer passed, they were eating the green non stop, almost no pellets.

It's possible to not feed pellets for all but the pregnant/nursing does, but you'll have to be doing some trial and error to see what works with your rabbits. You'll also have to start breeding for rabbits that do the best on pasture.

I don't feed mine hay, they never have eaten it. They get a huge variety of grasses & weeds with some pellets given at the end of the day. The amount of pellets I feed change depending on green growth and temperature. Rabbits that aren't keeping up with the others get eaten, the best of the foragers are used for breeding.

 

[bluemini]

It will really depend on how much green they are getting and how well they are eating it up.
Over the summer, my rabbits hardly ate any green because it was too hot to be active most of the day. They ate pellets for the most part. But early spring and after the heat of summer passed, they were eating the green non stop, almost no pellets.

It's possible to not feed pellets for all but the pregnant/nursing does, but you'll have to be doing some trial and error to see what works with your rabbits. You'll also have to start breeding for rabbits that do the best on pasture.

I don't feed mine hay, they never have eaten it. They get a huge variety of grasses & weeds with some pellets given at the end of the day. The amount of pellets I feed change depending on green growth and temperature. Rabbits that aren't keeping up with the others get eaten, the best of the foragers are used for breeding.

Thanks !

 

[KittyKatMe]

I have heard of people doing a hay and veggie diet. But, each small rabbit will need 2 cups of fresh leafy greens, which can add up to be a bit costly. And I do think that rabbits NEED hay. It is essential for a long life and healthy teeth and digestive tract. But I also think pellets are important. If you have single rabbits and feed unlimited amounts of quality grass hay, you only need to feed 1/4 cup pellets. I feed this diet with the supplement of leafy greens and they are happy and healthy!