Is it possible to feed rabbits soak

Rabbits have a very sensitive digestive tract. Therefore, despite their good appetite, the selection of a nutritious diet should be treated with caution.

In this regard, a lot of controversy causes euphorbia: some breeders claim that for eared animals it is a deadly poison, while others are convinced of its benefits.

What the grass really is and whether it is possible to feed the pets, let's get it together.

Why it is not recommended to feed rabbits with milkweed?

In the scientific literature, spurge is marketed as a widely distributed poisonous weed. It can be seen in the fields and gardens, as well as in the wastelands. In everyday life, some gardeners use a toxic weed to control pests.

But the widespread availability of grass does not mean its usefulness. As part of the milky juice that stands out from the stems and foliage, found euforbin. This is a little-studied toxin that, when in contact with the human body, causes burns, and getting inside causes inflammation of the mucous membranes, severe irritation and malfunction of the gastrointestinal tract.

Did you know? The rabbit has 28 teeth, and tiny teeth grow behind its front incisors. These animals boast an enviable appetite and eat everything that grows, and in large quantities. In one sitting, an adult rabbit can eat as much grass as is enough to fill a large pillow..

Once in the body of a little rabbit, the poison causes convulsions and destroys its cardiovascular system. Just a few drops of milkweed juice can kill a young animal. Moreover, intoxication develops so quickly that it is impossible to save him.

The first signs of poisoning are:

  • diarrhea;
  • vomiting;
  • apathetic condition;
  • refusal to eat;
  • convulsions.

It has been observed that euforbin in thrush adversely affects only young, as well as sucker females. For other adult individuals, it is not so dangerous. Moreover, in some types of grass the concentration of this substance is insignificant. Therefore, eating milkweed does not always end with the death of the rabbit. According to experts, the lack of response to a toxic substance is possible when the pet has eaten a small portion of poisonous grass in a dry form. But to conduct such experiments on their charges is very risky. It is better to offer them feed from the list of recommended.

Important! Make sure that the watering of the ward is always fresh water. According to experienced rabbit breeders, it should not be boiled before use, because it destroys trace elements that are vital for the pet.

What can you feed

Veterinarians argue that the eared ration should consist of various feeds that do not just satisfy hunger, but provide their bodies with a complex of useful vitamins and microelements. It is important to properly balance the grass, branches, foliage, fruits, vegetables, seeds, berries and cereals.

Let us go deeper in more detail that of the listed diversity can be given to the wards.

Green feed

Grass and greens are easily digested and provide rabbits with all the necessary nutritional components. It is important for animals to obtain vegetable proteins, fiber, vitamins and minerals in the composition of green fodder, as well as to carry out the natural sharpening of teeth in the process of chewing.

But it’s absolutely impossible to limit yourself to these ingredients. In the diet of animals should be different types of herbs. The following plants were in the list of recommended ones:

  • stinging nettle (give only young sprouts, pre-scalding them);
  • carrot tops;
  • dandelions;
  • dill;
  • parsley;
  • basil;
  • chaff;
  • wild clover;
  • plantain;
  • the stems and foliage of Jerusalem artichoke;
  • yarrow;
  • young burdock leaves;
  • celery tops;
  • tansy;
  • strawberry foliage;
  • alfalfa.

Did you know? Rabbits chew 120 times a minute and have 17 thousand taste buds..

The amount of grass consumed depends largely on the age category of the wards. In order to correctly determine the required rate of green feed, refer to the table below.

Recommended daily allowances for green fodder for rabbits of different ages
Males and females during the period of physiological restSuckling femalesKrolchikha during lactationRabbits from 18 days of life to 1 monthYoung stock
in 1-2 monthsin 1-3 monthsin 3-4 monthsat 4-5 months
800 g1000 g1500g30 g200 g450 g500 g750 g

Rough

This group of feed is the main component of the daily menu for rabbits of any age. Products are well absorbed and beneficially affect the work of the gastrointestinal tract of animals and contribute to sharpening their teeth.

Important! Feeding and watering rabbits is desirable to subordinate a single schedule. It is also important for the liquor to use raw water, since when boiling it, a significant part of the vital micro and macro elements is destroyed.

The nutritional value of such food lies in the constituent proteins, minerals and vitamins. Rough feed should get into the trough of rabbits throughout the year, but especially their relevance increases in the spring and autumn period. From roughage, veterinarians recommend giving to rabbits:

  • hay clover, stinging nettle, cow parsnip, hop, calendula, yarrow, burdock, rhubarb, seeded herbs, knotweed, dandelions, stars, asparagus stalks (the main thing is that the product is fresh and dry);
  • pea straw, lentil, millet and oat straw (suitable for feeding adults);
  • deciduous and branch feed from birch, linden, ash, willow, aspen, maple, silver poplar, hornbeam, elm, pear, acacia, apple (it is desirable that this kind of food was always within the reach of the animal).

In order to correctly determine the desired number of listed products, follow the table.

Recommended daily allowance for roughage for rabbits of different ages
Males and females during the period of physiological restSuckling femalesKrolchikha during lactationRabbits from 18 days of life to 1 monthYoung stock
in 1-2 monthsin 1-3 monthsin 3-4 monthsat 4-5 months
200 g175 g300 g10 g20 g75g100 g200 g

Important! Rabbits should not be given foliage and branches of elderberry, buckthorn, bird cherry, apricot, peach, plum, cherry and cherry. The fact is that they contain substances that are toxic to animals.

Juicy

The rabbit body is 80% water, the main part of which is located in the internal organs and muscle tissue. Therefore, to support the full functionality of all body systems, the animal needs to maintain water balance. To achieve this only with the help of watering is impossible. Indeed, as it grows, the need for nutrients and microelements increases. Juicy food due to the moisture contained is quickly absorbed, supplying the blood with necessary substances. This group includes vegetables, berries, fruits and herbs. But eared can not all.

Learn how to feed the rabbits correctly, including in the winter, and also see the list of allowed and prohibited foods for rabbits.

In the list of allowed:

  • zucchini;
  • carrot;
  • cucumbers (only pulp, without seeds);
  • tomatoes;
  • turnip;
  • pumpkin;
  • Brussels sprouts;
  • pea pods;
  • beans;
  • broccoli;
  • Jerusalem artichoke tubers;
  • pears;
  • apples;
  • Strawberry;
  • bananas (give rarely as a treat);
  • watermelons;
  • melons;
  • gooseberry fruit;
  • cranberry;
  • blueberry;
  • sea ​​buckthorn;
  • figs (fresh fruit, not dried fruit);
  • currant;
  • grapes;
  • dog rose;
  • silage.
You can find out the share of succulent feed in the diet of a particular pet from the table below.

Recommended daily allowance for succulent feed for rabbits of different ages
Males and females during the period of physiological restSuckling femalesKrolchikha during lactationRabbits from 18 days of life to 1 monthYoung stock
in 1-2 monthsin 1-3 monthsin 3-4 monthsat 4-5 months
850 g900 g1250 g70 g80 g150 g300 g400 g

Important! Rabbits of any age should not be given rice, boiled cereals, or baked goods. These products cause fermentation and adversely affect the pet's gastrointestinal tract.

Concentrated

Veterinarians are advised to introduce nutritional supplements in the diet of absolutely all age groups of rabbits. Especially this group of feed is useful for the young and the ill individuals. Mixed feeds and concentrates contain large quantities of amino acids, proteins, proteins, minerals and vitamins A, D, E, B12, B5, B6, K, PP.

It is this set that should be eaten daily with food, regardless of the change of seasons. Experienced breeders advise choosing concentrates in the following ratio of components:

  • 28% - grass meal (clover, alfalfa);
  • 40% - cereals (20% wheat-oat and corn-barley mixtures);
  • 13% - sunflower meal;
  • 15% wheat bran;
  • 2-4% - food yeast, salt, fish and meat and bone meal.

As vitamin supplements are suitable:

  • fresh or frozen berries;
  • granulated dressings (important potassium-calcium compounds for proper skeleton development);
  • special salt blocks (salt deficiency can be expressed by lack of appetite, lethargy and poor quality of fur);
  • Cretaceous stones (they help in strengthening bone tissues, therefore, they are of particular importance for small rabbits and suckle females).

Did you know? A two-kilogram rabbit can drink as much water as a ten-kilogram dog..

The dosage of concentrates is calculated, depending on the age of the wards.

Recommended daily allowance for concentrated feed for rabbits of different ages
YoungstersMature individuals
1.5 tablespoons 2 times a day2 tablespoons 2 times a day

Animal feed

For the full development of the younger generation, many breeders use:

  • fish meal;
  • meat and bone meal.

These components help to strengthen the immune system, form a strong backbone and develop the musculoskeletal system, as well as contribute to the normalization of metabolic processes. Animals that have such supplements in their diets are distinguished by good health, fast growth and brilliant beautiful fur.

Find out whether you can give rabbits topinambur, corn, peas, cabbage, rice, bread and crackers, milk.

The necessary portion of animal feed is calculated, guided by the table.

Recommended daily allowance of meat and bone meal or fish meal for rabbits of different ages
Males and females during the period of physiological restSuckling femalesKrolchikha during lactationRabbits from 18 days of life to 1 monthYoung stock
in 1-2 monthsin 1-3 monthsin 3-4 monthsat 4-5 months
8 10 g8 g10 g5 g7 g9 g

Food waste

Although eared pets and are characterized by hypersensitivity to food, but in their menu may be food waste. Of course, they must be of high quality, without any signs of damage.

For this kind of feed credited:

  • watermelon and melon rinds;
  • cabbage leaves;
  • remnants of cereals (except rice);
  • pasta;
  • low-fat soups;
  • potatoes;
  • soaked crackers from the crust of black bread;
  • vegetable cleaning;
  • substandard root vegetables, fruits, vegetables and melons;
  • corn stalks.

Many owners try to preserve the fruit and vegetable residues for the winter in the form of silage or feed them to their pets in boiled form, make mash. The proportion of these feeds is calculated based on the data in the table below.

Recommended daily intake of food waste for rabbits of different ages
Males and females during the period of physiological restSuckling femalesKrolchikha during lactationRabbits from 18 days of life to 1 monthYoung stock
in 1-2 monthsin 1-3 monthsin 3-4 monthsat 4-5 months
200 g250 g300 g50 g75g100 g150 g

Important! Ensure that wet and poisonous grass is not found in the arm for rabbits. Before giving this kind of food to animals, be sure to rinse it out and dry it a little.

Knowing what fodder will bring the eared ward the maximum benefit, you can easily achieve high safety of strong livestock. The main thing is to ensure that toxic, spoiled and low-quality products do not fall into the feeder.

Watch the video: Do Rabbits Need to Be Bathed? Pet Rabbits (April 2024).