Rabbit Farming For Beginners

Rabbit Farming For Beginners

Rabbit Farming For Beginners

How Much Food Should A Rabbit Eat Daily?

Fiber is vital to the normal function of the digestive system in rabbits. Fresh grass hay and vegetables should make up the bulk of the diet for house rabbits . Feeding a diet consisting mainly of pellets may result in obesity and increase the likelihood of digestive problems. While there is some fiber in pellets, it is finely ground and does not appear to stimulate intestinal function as well as fiber found in grass hays. Roughage also aids in the prevention of hair balls. The addition of some pellets does add some balance to the diet, however.

Anything other than hay, vegetables, and pellets is considered a treat and should be feed in strict moderation. The digestive system of a rabbit is very susceptible to serious upsets if the diet is inappropriate. The amount of pellets should be restricted, especially in overweight rabbits, but any reduction in pellets should be made up with a variety of fresh vegetables and unlimited access to hay.

Also Read: How do you make a simple rabbit hutch? 

Hay

Hay (grass hays such as timothy or oat hay) should be available at all times. Some rabbits may not take much hay at first. Adding fresh hay a couple of times a day may help, and as the amount of pellets is reduced the rabbit will likely become hungry enough to eat the hay. The House Rabbit Society recommends starting baby bunnies on alfalfa hay and introducing grass hays by 6-7 months, gradually decreasing the alfalfa until the rabbit is solely on grass hays by 1 year. Alfalfa hay is higher in calcium and protein and lower fiber than the grass hays, although many owners find their rabbits prefer alfalfa hays. If your adult rabbit is used to alfalfa hay, try mixing alfalfa with a grass hay to start and gradually reduce the amount of alfalfa.

Vegetables

Vegetable should make up a large portion of the diet. Depending on the size of the rabbit, 2-4 cups of fresh veggies should be given per day. A variety must be fed daily to ensure a balanced diet. If a rabbit is used to eating mainly pellets, the change must be made gradually to allow the rabbit's digestive system time to adjust. Only add one new vegetable to the diet at a time so if the rabbit has diarrhea or other problems it will be possible to tell which vegetable is the culprit. Suggested vegetable include carrots, carrot tops, parsley, broccoli, collard greens, mustard greens, dandelion greens, turnip greens, endive, romaine lettuce, kale and spinach. However, kale, spinach and mustard greens are high in oxalates so their feeding should be limited to 3 meals per week. Beans, cauliflower, cabbage, and potatoes may cause problems and should be avoided. Iceberg lettuce has almost no nutritional value so should be avoided. Rhubarb should also be avoided (toxicity). Wash vegetables well, and only feed dandelions that are known to be pesticide free (try a health food store for organically grown dandelion greens).

Vegetables should be introduced to bunnies around 12 weeks of age, in small quantities and one at a time. As more vegetable are added watch for diarrhea and discontinue the most recently added vegetable if this occurs. Over time, the amount of vegetables fed is increased, and the amount of pellets decreased, so that by 1 year of age the adult feeding recommendations are followed.

Also Read: Raising rabbits from start to finish 

Pellets

Pellets are basically designed for commercial rabbit production, and are quite high in calories. As a result, house rabbits fed unlimited pellets may end up with obesity and related health problems, as well as an excess of other nutrients. Pellets do have a place in rabbit nutrition, as they are rich and balanced in nutrients. However, experts recommend restricting the amoung of pellets fed, and compensating with fresh vegetables (see below) and grass hays.

Choose a fresh, good quality pellet. The House Rabbit Society recommends a minimum of 20-25% fiber, around 14% protein (with no animal protein), and less than 1% Calcium for most house rabbits (spayed/neutered). For adults, the amount should be carefully regulated, depending on the size (weight) of the rabbit. As a rule, give about 1/4 cup for rabbits 5-7 lb, 1/2 cup for 8-10 lb rabbits, and 3/4 cup for 11-15b lb rabbits. Baby rabbits can be fed pellets free choice (available at all times), decreasing to 1/2 cup per 6 lb. of body weight by around 6 months.

Treats

The House Rabbit Society recommends 1-2 tablespoons of fresh fruits be given daily as a treat. Treats sold in pet stores marketed for rabbits are generally unnecessary and in some cases could cause digestive problems due to their high carbohydrate or sugar content. Instead of food treats, consider offering twigs from apple or willow trees (pesticide-free only). 

How Do You Make A Simple Rabbit Hutch?

Rabbits need somewhere to eat, sleep, hide, and go to the toilet, plus room to hop, run, play, jump, and dig. To provide enough space for all this, the minimum recommended size for the living space, e.g. hutch or cage, is 12 square feet (1.1 square meters), for example 6'x2' (1.8mx0.6m), with the addition of a larger area (32 sq. ft.) for exercise. This is just the minimum though; try to give your rabbit as much space as you can. 

Living Space - Minimum 12 sq. ft

Your rabbit's living space should include an enclosed sleeping area, space for a litter tray and feed/water bowls and room to move about and have a few toys. It is essential that your rabbit has the room to stretch in all directions. A living space that's too small can affect your rabbit's health - causing spine problems, muscle wastage and obesity.

Rabbit Hutch Width

A relaxed rabbit will fully stretch out when resting, so your rabbit hutch/cage should be wide enough to allow you rabbit to lie with its legs stretched. This also allows for plenty of room to turn around.

Also Read: How much care does a rabbit need? 

A minimum width of 2' (60cm) is recommended for small to medium sized rabbits and 3' (90cm) for large to giant breeds.

Rabbit Hutch Length

The hutch should be long enough for your rabbit to take at least 3-4 hops without bumping its nose on the end. A medium sized rabbit covers about 18" (45cm) with each hop - see me measuring/photographing my rabbit Scamp hoping here.

Keep in mind the total floor area too, if your hutch is 2' wide, the length would need to need to be 6' to make 12 sq. ft. total.

Rabbit Hutch Height

Rabbits stand up on their back legs to check their environment is safe, and your rabbit's hutch/cage should be tall enough to allow this without your rabbit being hunched over or folding its ears against the roof.

A height of 2' (60cm) is usually adequate for small rabbits but large breeds may need closer to 3' (90cm). It's okay if some areas, for example tunnels or sleeping boxes are lower as long as the majority of the space is full height.

View Stockists/Hutch Builders Offering 6ft Hutches

Run/Exercise Space - Minimum 32 sq. ft.

The minimum recommended exercise space is 32 square feet (e.g. 8'x4'). As with the living space, your rabbit will need to be able to stand up fully. Although not compulsory, it also helps to add a little extra height to allow for jumping and for objects to stand jump/stand on. You might like to consider your own height too - being able to comfortably walk inside your rabbits exercise area can make interacting with your rabbit easier.

Also Read: Raising Rabbits For Meat Production 

Linking Living & Exercise Space

Ideally you'd provide the living and exercise space as one large area, or two areas your rabbit can move between freely, for example a cage attached to a pen or a hutch linked with a tunnel or ramp to a secure exercise run.

Keep in mind rabbits are most active in the early mornings and late evenings and may become frustrated if confined to a smaller living area when they most want to be running and playing.

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