Feeding Meat Rabbits
- Pelleted Rabbit Feed. The best food for meat rabbits is quality 16-18% protein rabbit pellets purchased at a local feed...
- Hay. Hay keeps teeth worn down, relieves boredom, and prevents blockages (by pulling fur through the digestive tract).
- Fresh Forage. You can feed long grass, dandelion, plantain, and clover from your yard as long as it hasn’t...
What can you feed rabbits besides rabbit food?
You can also feed your pet rabbit fresh vegetables, but not the carrots we associate with Bugs Bunny. Carrots have more sugar than adult rabbits’ digestive tracts prefer. Small amounts are fine as treats, Helmer said, but dark leafy greens are preferred. Broccoli leaves and stems and dark leaf lettuces make more suitable rabbit snacks.
What is the best food to Feed Your Rabbit?
Vegetables that can be fed to a rabbit daily:
- Bell peppers
- Bok choy
- Brussels sprouts
- Carrot tops
- Cucumber
- Endive
- Escarole
- Fennel
- Herbs: basil, cilantro, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme
- Lettuces: romaine, green leaf, red leaf, Boston bibb, arugula, butter
What fruits can you feed a rabbit?
- Apple (any variety, without stem and seeds)
- Cherries (any variety, without the pits)
- Pear
- Peach
- Plum (without the pits)
- Kiwi
- Papaya
- Mango
- Berries (any type)
- Berries (uncooked)
How much food do meat rabbits need?
Use this list to make sure you get everything you need:
- Skinning knife
- Knife sharpener
- Heavy shears
- Cut-resistant gloves
- 10-gallon bucket for the “offal”
- Bowl of water for cleaning your knife and hands
- Hard flat surface
- Water hose with running water (optional)
- Hopper Popper Combo
- 2 nails OR a way to suspend the rabbit while you work on it
How much should I feed my meat rabbit?
Adult rabbits will eat about four ounces a day, and does with young need about eight ounces. For a meat breed, about 1/2 to 1 cup a day (depending on each individual rabbit). For pregnant or nursing does, and any growing kits you should feed them as free feed another contriversial subject.
What is the best hay for meat rabbits?
The main diet for a rabbit is either fresh grass or hay. Some people may not be able to provide a fresh forage diet for their rabbits, so the next best option is hay. Timothy hay is the best choice for an adult rabbit, while alfalfa hay is ideal for bunnies once they are weaned and up to six months old.
Do meat rabbits need pellets?
0:488:27Feeding rabbits naturally without using pellets | Raising meat rabbitsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFor your rabbits as well as feeding them more naturally. In a situation where pellets are notMoreFor your rabbits as well as feeding them more naturally. In a situation where pellets are not available anymore rabbits can actually survive really really well on grass.
What do you feed fryer rabbits?
You can also feed vetch, cow peas, and other rich hays. You can give your rabbits dried scraps of bread and crusts; also any kind of vegetable parings and tops they'll eat. You can feed them lawn trimmings and weeds. But don't leave what they fail to eat in the pen.
Do meat rabbits need salt?
0:133:39Do Rabbits Need a Salt Lick or Mineral Lick - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou know that pretty much all animals need salt in their diet. So it only makes sense you shouldMoreYou know that pretty much all animals need salt in their diet. So it only makes sense you should probably be providing that for your rabbits.
What should you not feed meat rabbits?
5:2814:40Raising Rabbits - What You Can And Can't Feed A Rabbit - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhether it's a pet rabbit or a meat rabbit. Cannot eat and what foods we recommend that they do eatMoreWhether it's a pet rabbit or a meat rabbit. Cannot eat and what foods we recommend that they do eat foods that I recommend you never feed your rabbit is going to be cereal or corn based foods.
How do you feed meat rabbits for free?
9:3612:24How we Feed our Meat Rabbits for FREE on the Homestead - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd I just what I do is I give them a big mix. I don't just pop down one thing in their cage. Ever IMoreAnd I just what I do is I give them a big mix. I don't just pop down one thing in their cage. Ever I give them a huge mix of things to choose from because I want to see what they prefer.
Can a rabbit survive on just hay?
Rabbits should be fed in a way that is as close as possible to their natural diet: mostly grass or hay. In fact, rabbits could live on hay and water alone, but we recommend providing some fresh leafy vegetables and a small amount of commercial feed.
What do you feed meat rabbits in the winter?
0:3511:54Raising Meat Rabbits in the Winter - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRabbits are designed to eat approximately 65% grass so since you don't actually have actual greenMoreRabbits are designed to eat approximately 65% grass so since you don't actually have actual green grass in the winter.
Is raising rabbits for meat worth it?
In about 12 weeks you'll have a large quantity of healthy, lean meat to feed yourself and your family. A trio of rabbits can produce upwards of 600 pounds of meat in a year which is more than a dressed one year old steer. That's pretty impressive.
What is the best rabbit pellets for meat rabbits?
Most folks feed a 16% pellet, which works alright if you are not pushing your does too hard. I like to top-dress the pellets once a day with a high protein supplement pellet (such as Animax or Calf Manna). I give one teaspoon to one tablespoon, depending on the breed and individual needs of the doe.
Is raising rabbits for meat cost effective?
Meat Rabbits are Very Economical to Raise In addition to having low start up costs, the costs of raising rabbits for meat is also very economical. Once your start up supplies are taken care of, the cost of rabbits boils down to feeding them.
Is orchard grass or Timothy Hay better for rabbits?
Orchard grass is more heat and drought tolerant than timothy grass. Orchard grass grows rapidly at cool temperatures, is very productive in early spring and recovers quickly af ter cutting. Orchard grass, in our experience, usually runs a bit higher on the protein scale than timothy.
What's the difference between meadow hay and Timothy Hay?
Meadow Hay is mainly made up of native soft stemmed pasture grasses. These contain more leaves than Timothy Hay, making it have an overall softer texture. In addition to this, Meadow Hay will also contain plants other than grass – such as dandelions, daises, and thistles.
Can I give cow hay to rabbits?
Well, it depends most people say that rabbits should have hay in 80% of their diet but I give my rabbits leafy vegetable and indian cow's chara and they are fine.
Why is Timothy Hay good for rabbits?
Timothy is a good all-around hay for the general dietary needs of bunnies. It has balanced levels of protein, fat, and fiber and will help keep your bunny happy and healthy. If, for some reason, your little fuzzy refuses to eat Timothy, you could try orchard or oat hay.
How often do rabbits eat grass?
By the way, the rabbits are only fed once per day. And a tightly stuffed bucket of grass and weeds will last about a week.
What is rabbit poo?
The rabbit poo, as you know, is like a goats – little balls. I've been scraping it out from under the cages twice per week (along with the extra hay that has fallen through the bottom of the cage), and have been adding it straight onto my potato patch.
Do pellets have nutrition?
The pellets have been dehydrated, ground, heated, and formed – they still have nutrition, no doubt, but it's hardly the same as a freshly harvest bucket of foliage. And I love to see them nibbling on the roots and stems and leaves – it's so natural! (If my love for watching them factors into this equation anywhere).
Can you feed 100% pellets to rabbits?
Though 100% pellet-fed kits will grow faster to harvest weight, we will be able to save money by naturally feeding them – with the added bonus of having “grass-fed rabbits” for practically free. I've read about some growers who say that young kits can't handle all the natural feed – that it will upset their gut.
Can mineral deficiencies cause problems in cattle?
The experience I've had with cattle tells me that mineral deficiencies can cause serious problems in animals. I've been trying to collect a variety of natural feeds from varying sources so that they get a large array of nutrition, however, until I'm sure they're having all requirements met through the natural feed, I like to keep them on a bit of the pellets to ensure they're getting all the trace minerals and such they need to thrive.
Do rabbits eat pellets?
Every rabbit will choose the natural feed over the pellets. They will nibble on the pellets after their natural feed is gone, but not nearly with the same enthusiasm.
What to feed bunnies to stimulate their tummies?
Timothy hay as a treat helps stimulate bunny tummies, and they love treats such as carrots, apples, and whole sunflower seeds. Remember these are supplements, and too much of a good thing can cause digestive problems. (Just like chicken treats are a supplement to a healthy chicken diet .)
What are rabbits good for?
Meat rabbits are an excellent animal to teach you about a life of animal husbandry. According to RabbitBreeders.us, a single commercial doe can produce offspring to yield 300 # of meat per year! Rabbits have excellent feed conversion rates, low startup costs, healthy meat and don't require much space. We'll walk you through rabbit hutches, watering ...
What is a place where rabbits are kept?
The wire hutches can cause sore feet, so a plank or a piece of carpet can provide a place for your rabbits to rest. Rabbitry: A rabbitry is a place where domestic rabbits are kept, or a rabbit farm.
How do bunnies live?
Think about housing BEFORE you start looking at bunnies. Rabbits are usually raised in metal cages or hutches. This protects them from predators and improves sanitation.
How long do rabbits leave their nest?
Once born, we usually leave the nest alone for a few days. After that, we generally gently check the box for any dead babies and to check the condition of the litter. A doe with babies should get free choice feed. Making milk is hard work. Milk is mostly water, so always provide a good source of water for mama rabbits.
How often do rabbits nurse?
Milk is mostly water, so always provide a good source of water for mama rabbits. Rabbits have extremely nutritious milk and only nurse two to three times per day. Within a few hours, they will not be in the nest box, but this does not mean that they are rejecting the babies.
Why should only one adult male be in a rabbit colony?
Only one adult male should be in any particular colony to prevent aggression towards the offspring of the other male. (For those looking for “rabbit colony crossword clue”, they're also known as a “warren”.)
What to feed a bunny?
Fruit is calorie-dense and loaded with nutrients. Feeding your rabbits lots of fresh vegetables and fruits is a great idea. However, if your rabbits aren’t gaining enough weight, you may have to back away from the leafy greens and instead add more fresh fruit.
What to feed baby bunnies?
If you’re trying to pack the pounds onto young rabbits, you might have to consider using baby bunny pellets. This is a specially formulated feed designed just for baby rabbits. It’s higher in protein and calories to support developing rabbits’ rapid growth.
How to help bunnies gain weight?
If you’re in the habit of measuring out pelleted food, you can stop doing this. Giving your rabbit free choice of all the high-calorie pellets it can eat is a great way to help it gain weight.
How long does it take for a rabbit to grow?
Most rabbits will reach full size by about 8-12 weeks of age. Fully grown adults can grow to 10-12 pounds within this short period of time. However, some breeds may take more or less time, so it’s important to be aware of what’s reasonable based on the breed.
How many breeds of rabbits are there?
There are more than 300 breeds of rabbits and a healthy weight for one breed will likely not be the same as the next. Knowing how much your rabbit needs to gain will help you determine the best possible way to do so.
How much weight can a rabbit put on?
Typically, a rabbit can put on about 12-ounces per week, but sometimes more for certain breeds. Be careful of overdoing it with the weight-boosting foods below, though. While you no doubt want your meat rabbits to grow as quickly as possible, force-feeding a rabbit is not a good idea, either.
How to get a rabbit to gain weight?
Certain nuts, such as raw almonds, can be incredibly beneficial in helping a rabbit gain weight. Feed a few unsalted almonds a day – they’re high in fat and protein.
How much meat can a rabbit give?
They may seem small, but because they reproduce so quickly one rabbit can give anywhere from 125-250 pounds of meat per year (depending on how frequently the doe is bred and how many kits per litter.) There is much to learn about raising rabbits for meat, but they are a perfect fit for any size homestead.
What do rabbits need for shelter?
Rabbits require a hutch for shelter. A rabbit hutch is basically a wooden box divided into two sections. One section has wire mesh on all sides, and the other section is closed in with wooden sides with only the bottom being mesh wire.
What is the best bedding for bunnies?
The easiest bedding for your rabbits is paper. Old, shredded paper . When you go through your filing cabinet, receive junk mail, or when you toss the morning paper don’t discard that waste, invest in a shredder, and shred it! Then fill your rabbits’ rabbit holes with shredded paper.
Why do rabbits need wire mesh?
Wire mesh is an essential component of the shelter because it is small enough that the rabbits can stand on without falling through. However, it makes for easier cleaning of the hutch because most of the rabbit’s waste will fall through.
How often do you refill rabbit waterers?
This ensures that the rabbits have plenty of water, and we only have to refill them a few times a week instead of multiple times a day.
How old do rabbits need to be to butcher?
It is important to know that when raising rabbits for meat that the older the rabbit gets, the tougher the meat becomes. The perfect butchering age is around 8 weeks of age. This means you will need a larger breed so it will be a decent size by the 8-week mark.
How do you know if a rabbit is bred?
You will know your female has been bred when you see what is called a “fall off.” This is when you see the male rabbit literally fall off of the female. He will become very stiff and fall over as if he were dead.