Can't find a good feed?

[SxAint]

I drove about 75 minutes to the nearest PetCo today and was looking at the rabbit food, comparing it to what I'd seen in the Rabbit 101 and wasn't entirely sure which to go for, so I decided to check Tractor Supply online before I head that way. Don't worry, I bought a ton of toys so the trip wasn't for nothing. When I got home and checked TS online, all I was seeing was alfalfa based feeds, but I thought I should buy timothy based but I'm not sure?
Should I buy timothy based or alfalfa? Does anyone have feed they recommend for a baby Holland Lop that will be pet only, no breeding, indoors? I've browsed and saw conflicting information on the protein percentage so I figured it'd be best to ask.
Thanks!

 

[jamesedwardwaller]

I drove about 75 minutes to the nearest PetCo today and was looking at the rabbit food, comparing it to what I'd seen in the Rabbit 101 and wasn't entirely sure which to go for, so I decided to check Tractor Supply online before I head that way. Don't worry, I bought a ton of toys so the trip wasn't for nothing. When I got home and checked TS online, all I was seeing was alfalfa based feeds, but I thought I should buy timothy based but I'm not sure?
Should I buy timothy based or alfalfa? Does anyone have feed they recommend for a baby Holland Lop that will be pet only, no breeding, indoors? I've browsed and saw conflicting information on the protein percentage so I figured it'd be best to ask.
Thanks!

--online you can mail-order from a company called --oxbow,they have all kinds of rabbit stuff,--if you have a farm supply store nearby they would have timothy/orchard (grasses)-which are a rabbits main staple.--purina rabbit chow- which are alfalfa-pellets,-and given for vitamin suppliments--not main staple---rabbits teeth and gitract require lots of grasses and water,--sincerely james waller :bunnyhug::dancingorig::kiss:

 

[SxAint]

--online you can mail-order from a company called --oxbow,they have all kinds of rabbit stuff,--if you have a farm supply store nearby they would have timothy/orchard (grasses)-which are a rabbits main staple.--purina rabbit chow- which are alfalfa-pellets,-and given for vitamin suppliments--not main staple---rabbits teeth and gitract require lots of grasses and water,--sincerely james waller :bunnyhug::dancingorig::kiss:

Checking out the Oxbow feed online now, seems a lot better than what I was looking at while shopping at PetCo. Thanks!

 

[whitelop]

I feed MannaPro from tractor supply. Its an alfalfa based feed. I like it, my rabbit is healthy and shiny and not over or underweight. Its really affordable, but its pretty middle of the road quality wise.
I buy the 25 lbs bags and that lasts me about 6 months. I have to put the feed in ziplock bags in the fridge to keep it fresh, but it works. My rabbit really likes it.
She also gets timothy hay.

 

[BlueMoods]

I feed Nutreena 16%, it too is an alfalfa based feed and is fine when you are giving grass hay free choice and, offering some fresh foods as well (herbs, fruits, vegetables) My rabbits do well on it.

I think the main reason people prefer Timothy pellets is because the alfalfa ones have less fiber so, the rabbits eating them need hay as well for the fiber. Really it's easier on you to feed what is locally available and supplement with hay and fresh foods as needed. Keep ing things ordered far enough ahead is not always practical or easy to keep track of, easier to just run to town and get a bag a day or two before you run out and, pick up a bale of hay or bag of chopped hay or even cubes if that's all you can get the is mold free and good for rabbits.

 

[SxAint]

I feed MannaPro from tractor supply. Its an alfalfa based feed. I like it, my rabbit is healthy and shiny and not over or underweight. Its really affordable, but its pretty middle of the road quality wise.
I buy the 25 lbs bags and that lasts me about 6 months. I have to put the feed in ziplock bags in the fridge to keep it fresh, but it works. My rabbit really likes it.
She also gets timothy hay.

I did look at the MannaPro because it was recommended to me by a friend that has chinchillas and rabbit feed is about the best feed you can buy for them. The only thing that made me shy away was I saw that the fiber content was 16% min and 21% max and it conflicted with what I saw on the Rabbit 101. If I could feed that brand, it'd be great cause Tractor Supply has those bags for a little under $10/25 lb like you said, and the 25 lb bag of Oxbow I was looking at was $30 on sale lol. Also, could I store feed in a freezer instead of a fridge? I don't have a ton of fridge space but I have access to a storage freezer.
I guess if you free feed timothy hay though, it would make up for the fiber?

 

[OakRidgeRabbits]

Alfalfa pellets are great, even for indoor pet rabbits. Choose a formula lower in protein, 14-16%, rather than a show or breeding formula, 16-18%. Don't worry much about the fiber content of the pellets if you plan to give your rabbit access to grass hay. Some people use rabbit pellets exactly as-is and don't use any supplements...in that case, it would be important to pay attention to all the numbers on the back of the back. But if you're planning to feed hay or leafy greens, you can make up for a slightly lower fiber pellet.

If you're feeding alfalfa pellets to an indoor bun, you probably won't need to feed as much as you would with timothy pellets. About 1/2 cup per pound your rabbit weighs while he is young. At about 8 months, you can switch to 1/4 cup per pound.

 

[whitelop]

You're not really supposed to put them in the freezer, it does something to them. I just can't remember right now what it is. Someone might know.
If you get an air-tight container to put the pellets in, they'll be fine. I just don't have a big enough storage container for the feed, or a place to put yet another giant feed container! So in the fridge crisper drawers they go, in gallon sized ziplock bags.
But if you were to get a feed container or a big rubbermaid container to put the feed in, it would be fine.

 

[Tauntz]

I'll add my thoughts & suggestions, you only have one rabbit if I remember correctly. I have two Jersey wooly girls. They have hay at all times. I order it or get it locally depending on the need & what I can get. They also get pellets. I tried Sherwood Forest (an excellent pellet) which has an online order site. I now use Oxbow Essentials or Beneterra. I order them if I can't get to the nearby pet store from Amazon.com. It is usually about the same price as the local pet store price AND it provides free shipping directly to my door! It usually arrives within 2 days. That was one reason I did not like to order through Drs Foster & Smith, I always had to pay extra for me to get it within a week to 10 days of my ordering! So that is my experience & it has worked for me especially if I keep a watch to order a bit early. I order about a month to no later than 2 weeks before I will be out of pellets. I order 5 or 10 pound bags maximum. Also, if you want to buy a big 20-25 pound bag you can buy the plastic containers with wheels from Petsmart (where I bought mine on sale) or other pet store that has a tighter seal than the RubberMaid & similar trash can/plastic containers. Hope you will soon find a good solution for you & your bun.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

We mail order from Fosters and Smith.

 

[SxAint]

Thank you everyone for your help! I had heard that freezing pellets would start to lower the nutrient value, so it's a good thing I asked. I can buy a storage container while I'm out and about today looking at materials to build another level in the cage. Now that I know the protein percentage to look for, it's going to make picking a feed easier. I did talk to the breeder about getting a few lbs of the feed she uses so I can transition my soon to be bun bun to a new feed (I'll be getting her in a little under two weeks now) and she said no problem And thank you for telling me how much to feed! Having previously owned chinchillas that were free fed pellets, I had in my mind that rabbits were free fed as well so it's good to know.
I can't thank you guys enough for everything. I've learned so much in such a short time on this forum, and everyone has been so nice! I've been on forums before and gotten my throat torn out for asking questions so it's a real relief to have such a support system. Can't wait to post pictures after I get my bunny babe's cage ready and get some suggestions on how to improve it.

 

[ShadowRunner]

I feed Pen Pals by ADM Alliance Nutrition