The basis of feeding rabbits is cereals. They have many useful substances, get them quite easily: cereals are available and are inexpensive.
And about what grains are better to give a pet, how many they need and what system should be followed when feeding - we'll talk about this later.
The benefits of cereal crops for rabbits
The set of valuable and useful components in the cereals differs slightly depending on their variety, but these cultures are the basis of the rabbit feeding system. The most common cereals that are used for feeding are oats, barley, wheat, corn, etc. They contain amino acids, vitamins, carbohydrates, carotene that are important for the metabolism and the body. 
For example, oats are rich in pantothenic acid, which improves reproductive function and helps to maintain activity. In addition, it is the basis of feeding, as in most cases included in all nutritional combinations for the diet. In addition, oats are not conducive to obesity, such as, for example, corn in large quantities.
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Grain is also especially often used for feeding rabbit, nursing babies, and young. In this type of food, the high content of choline and lysine amino acids is necessary for the body to be eared, and its nutritional value is 20% higher than oats.
Wheat contains a large amount of different vitamins of group B and E, as well as the necessary protein. Corn is rich in vitamin E, carotene, fats and carbohydrates. True, calcium and protein in it quite a bit, but its energy value is quite high. Also, rabbits are given healthy and vitamin-rich beans, peas, alfalfa and other herbs.
The better to feed the rabbits - grain or feed
Concentrated feeds are also useful for rabbits, especially at times when it is not possible to provide them with fresh herbs or greens. Concentrated or coarse feeds include animal feed, oilseeds (usually bran and oilcakes) and legumes. 
In addition to the usual greens and grains, rabbits gladly absorb vegetable waste, for example, carrot and potato skins or cabbage leaves: they can also be included in the diet in small quantities, alternating with other foods. It is usually recommended to introduce combinations of cereals, in all their forms, and alternately introduce fresh greens, tops from vegetables, mixed fodder, oil cakes, etc. into the diet.
Most often, compound feeds use a ready-made combination of all the necessary elements, so they are excellent for those who do not have the opportunity to independently acquire different types of cereals or to mix them with each other. Such feeds are sold in specialty stores and even in the markets.
Important! During the use of compound feeds you must strictly follow the rules of feeding and storage. If the composition will deteriorate, there will be dampness or mold, it will negatively affect the digestive system of animals.
What grain is better to feed
The best crops for feeding rabbits are wheat, oats and barley. - they are rich in beneficial vitamins and components necessary for the development and functioning of the body. It is best to use similar feeds in combination, since their range of action is slightly different. For example, oats are easier and quicker to digest than barley, although it is very high in calories. It is recommended to include in the diet in the ratio of 50% to the rest of the cereals.
Barley is a more nutritious crop, but it is more difficult to digest and in large quantities leads to the appearance of excess interior fat. Before its use, it is recommended to crush the cereal to facilitate its processing by the body. Wheat is also very useful in the diet due to the high content of vitamins B, but in large quantities leads to bloating and impaired mineral metabolism. It is recommended to alternate or give these two cereals in combination with other types of feed. 
Also, most owners recommend including corn in the diet, as it has a high energy value (large amounts of carbohydrates). But prolonged use can cause obesity, because it is given in mixtures of various kinds. It is recommended to crush it straight with rods.
Important! During feeding with dry cereals, the pet must have access to water! It must be constantly and in large quantities. It is recommended to change it in the morning and in the evening (minimum - once a day).Most owners prefer to give the grain as a whole, but some cereals are recommended to be crushed: the more croup, the greater the likelihood that the rabbit will be easier to digest it in crushed form. You can also germinate crops, such as wheat or barley - for your pet it will be more a delicacy or a pleasant gift. But it all depends on the wishes and time of the owners.
Video: How to make a grain mixture for rabbits
How much grain does a rabbit need per day
The dosage is influenced by the breed and the life span of the individual. In general, a female or male of medium size and weighing up to 5 kilograms per day should be given 50-60 grams of cereal. That is, in a year with mixed feeding, one individual consumes up to 50 kilograms of grain or feed.
If necessary, if it is a period of pregnancy, childbirth, feeding or mating, the rate of croup per day can increase to 100 grams. Youngsters need up to 50 grams of grain per day. If rabbits lead a rather quiet life and rarely leave the premises, are kept for decorative purposes or as pets, the whole tablespoon of cereal a day will suffice. The rest is recommended to fill with fresh herbs, hay or other fresh ingredients.
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Cooking methods
There are several basic ways in which cereals can be prepared for consumption. Most often, the process of cooking includes crushing, germination, steaming, and yeast. Steaming is the most popular.
Steaming
It's all very simple: a mixture of crops or one certain grits poured into the container, leaving a couple of centimeters to the top (the contents will increase slightly in size), and pour boiling water. After that you can add a little salt, cover with a lid or a plate and leave for 5 hours. After the croup swells up, it can be given to pets. 
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Yeast
Feeding is sometimes carried out with the use of a special yeast mixture, as this helps to accelerate growth and gain mass (important for meat breeds). Cereals are ground and poured with boiled warm water in a ratio of 1 to 2 (for example, 1 kilogram of cereals per 2 liters of water). Before water is added to the dry mixture, yeast dissolves in it (approximately 15 grams per 1 liter of water). The mixture is left overnight or for 7-8 hours. 
For rabbit organisms, the yeast mash is very useful. During the ripening of the mass, it must be stirred. They feed mainly in the morning, since it is more convenient to leave such a mixture to prepare for the night. Feeding is carried out according to a special system: no more than 3 tablespoons of the mass per feeding in combination with dry food.
Important! Such a mixture can be given only for a few days, most often meat breeds are fed for 5-7 days, not more. After that, be sure to switch to another type of feed! Only rabbits who have reached the age of 4 months can offer such a mixture.
Germination
If the sprouting grain is planned to be given to pets, the wheat or barley is soaked for 2-3 days in a pot, constantly adding boiled water. It is necessary to wait until the shoots break through, and then these cereals are given to rabbits. You can increase the term and up to 10 days, then the green part will be more. There is also another method of germination: it is recommended to put the seeds in a wet gauze or cloth, which must be constantly soaked with water. 
Differences in winter feeding
In winter, it is much more difficult to get all the necessary components for feeding, because the preparation of the diet should be in advance. In addition, food is worth doing varied, but balanced. Be sure to prepare a stock of hay (approximately 50-60% of the total diet in the winter). You can also prepare and spruce, alder, apple or aspen branches (not recommended to use parts of cherries, plums, peaches). In the diet must include root vegetables, for example, carrots, potatoes or cabbage. They also feed with cereals and legumes (peas, beans, lentils, alfalfa), but in smaller quantities. In general, in winter it is necessary to give more fresh and green ingredients, since during this period rabbits especially need proteins, carbohydrates and fats.
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Feeding rabbits with grain according to Zolotukhin
According to Zolotukhin's method, feeding is carried out mainly by dry and soaked cereal crops. If this is a quiet period for females, they give more dry oats, but crushed barley seeds begin to be given before the planned mating or bark. 
The diet of males is a simple mixture of oats and barley, sometimes with an admixture of corn. Babies who are already starting to eat independently are given steamed cereal - oats, and then barley. Corn can be included in the diet only after 4 months.
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Rabbit feeding rules
Feeding depends on many factors, for example, breed, cultivation goal, age and just free time of the breeder. Here are some basic rules to follow in any case:
- Feed at the same time.
- Watch what grass your pet eats - it should always stay fresh and clean. Do not allow rotting.
- It is best to carry out several feedings (5-6 times a day - the optimal mode). But since the owners are often busy with other things and work, the number can be reduced to 2 times a day.
- Maintaining cleanliness is the key to pet health. It is important to keep the cage, food, and pet clean and dry. Keep an eye on the order, clean on time, disinfect.
- The trick for the owners - if you give warm food and water, then the process of digestion will be much easier, and the appetite in rabbits will be better.
- Do not overdo the feeding with potatoes, legumes and beets, as they undermine the activity of the intestine, causing flatulence or indulgence. The same applies to any other kind of food - if you give it constantly and too much, it will not bring benefits, but rather harm the body.
- If you want to give potatoes a favorite - cook it.
- If the rabbits are kept in fresh air, you need to ensure that the water does not freeze in the winter.
- The transition from winter to summer feeding, as well as from summer to winter, should be gradual. Reduce gradually one type of feed by adding more and more of another kind, for example, more greenery in spring.
Read about how and when to feed rabbits, as well as what to add to their winter diet.
Maintenance of the feeding system, nutritional balance will allow not only to regulate all meals, but also to take care of the health of pets. Try to keep both the room and the cage clean, because if the rabbit loses its appetite, it behaves sluggishly, this may indicate an illness.
Make sure that the body of your rabbit receives the necessary amount of all important components, the diet is quite diverse and the pet is fed in different ways. This is a guarantee of health, fertility and well-being of the rabbit.
Reviews
I feed wheat ... Since we now have no barley for sale ... Eat normally ... As for the place of purchase, it makes no sense to say, since I live in the Russian Federation ... I will say this ... We bring grain elevator, wheat, and bran. But now the price should be lower than it will be later, as cleaning is underway. Try to negotiate with private farmers, if they exist, and if you take a large batch, then the discount is guaranteed to you anyway :)
