Feeding the kits...

[LadyOnslaught]

Tomorrow the babies will be 4 weeks old. They are eating pellets and hay but I didn't realize they were actually eating the pellets...I just thought they would be nibbling them since they are still nursing. Riley eats the Oxbow Bunny Basics T but I know younger rabbits need the alfalfa pellets. Do I need to start them on that? I didn't even think about it until I got two new bags of food for Riley and saw the 'adult rabbit' part. Normally when I feed her the babies aren't all over me but this morning they all came running at me so i guess now I am offically 'The Food Lady'.

 

[BlueGiants]

If you can't feed the babies seperate from momma (pretty difficult to do) I'd mix a well balanced alfalfa pellet with her food (50/50) and let them pick. When you wean them to their own cages, you can feed them the alfalfa pellet exclusively if you want, and switch Riley back to her regualr diet.

The alfalfa shouldn't bother Riley for a few weeks, nursing the babies requires a little extraprotein (especially as they get older).

 

[LadyOnslaught]

BlueGiants wrote:

If you can't feed the babies seperate from momma (pretty difficult to do) I'd mix a well balanced alfalfa pellet with her food (50/50) and let them pick. When you wean them to their own cages, you can feed them the alfalfa pellet exclusively if you want, and switch Riley back to her regualr diet.

The alfalfa shouldn't bother Riley for a few weeks, nursing the babies requires a little extraprotein (especially as they get older).

Thanks! I will get some alfalfa pellets this weekend. I can not buy the Oxbow (I would have to have it shipped anyways). Is there anything decent brand you would recommend? Hubby is out of work so money is tight right now. The only thing local is a Complete Petmart. I imagine their food isn't great but it's probably more appropiate for the kits.

 

[BlueGiants]

Do you have a local feed store? Look for Blue Seal or Purina... 16% protein, not the very best, but consistant and not expensive.A 50 lbs. bag is usually under $15.00. Even if they don't carry rabbit food, if they carry Blue Seal (or Purina), they might be willing to order a bag for you.

If you have an Agway Feeds, I've been feeding "Country Feed 16%". It's a higher quality, very consistant Agway feed. (Please do not use Big Red. I'm not happy with that feed at all.)

If you do get a big bag, keep it in a cool, dry, clean area. I use a metal pail with a tight fitting lid. With 3 rabbits, it may be the cheapest way to feed them all. (I really am prejudiced against the Petsmart Brands. I worry about how fresh they are and where and how they have been stored. I also do not like the polypropelene (plastic) bags they sell it in. And I think they are overpriced. But if that is all you have...)

 

[LadyOnslaught]

BlueGiants wrote:

Do you have a local feed store? Look for Blue Seal or Purina... 16% protein, not the very best, but consistant and not expensive.A 50 lbs. bag is usually under $15.00. Even if they don't carry rabbit food, if they carry Blue Seal (or Purina), they might be willing to order a bag for you.

If you have an Agway Feeds, I've been feeding "Country Feed 16%". It's a higher quality, very consistant Agway feed. (Please do not use Big Red. I'm not happy with that feed at all.)

If you do get a big bag, keep it in a cool, dry, clean area. I use a metal pail with a tight fitting lid. With 3 rabbits, it may be the cheapest way to feed them all. (I really am prejudiced against the Petsmart Brands. I worry about how fresh they are and where and how they have been stored. I also do not like the polypropelene (plastic) bags they sell it in. And I think they are overpriced. But if that is all you have...)

We have a Southern States right by my house so I'm sure they sell Purina. I will call them and see what my options are. Locally we don't have anything. The Complete Petmart (not Petsmart so it's smaller and I think they are mainly just in this area and Ohio). They have the L/M Animal Farms brand and Kaytee. I can get our dog food and cat food (they eat Canidae and Innova EVO) there without shipping but I can't find Oxbow locally.

I normally put those large quantities in a rubbermaid container...is that not good?

ETA: I did an online search of dealers for Blue Seal and Purina and neither are sold at our Southern Stats (I will still call to double check). There is a Blue Seal dealer but they're about 30 minutes away.

 

[BlueGiants]

Call the local feed store and find out what they have. I really don't like KayTee or L&M Brand foods. (Sorry, JMHO!) Especially the ones with "puffs" and "treats" and "seeds' in it. I think the food is inconsistant (they will often use the cheapest ingredients available), and I see a lot of rabbits that don't do well on it.

If you do get a 50 lb bag from a feed store, you won't have to make the trip very often. The Rubbermaid containers are OK as long as it's kept in a dry place and there is no rodent problem. (They will eat right through one of the plastic containers.)

 

[LadyOnslaught]

BlueGiants wrote:

Call the local feed store and find out what they have. I really don't like KayTee or L&M Brand foods. (Sorry, JMHO!) Especially the ones with "puffs" and "treats" and "seeds' in it. I think the food is inconsistant (they will often use the cheapest ingredients available), and I see a lot of rabbits that don't do well on it.

If you do get a 50 lb bag from a feed store, you won't have to make the trip very often. The Rubbermaid containers are OK as long as it's kept in a dry place and there is no rodent problem. (They will eat right through one of the plastic containers.)

When I first got Riley I bought the L & M Brand as I wasn't prepared to buy her. Afterwards I started doing research on feed (I like doing research). I soon realized it was bad food although I never thought it was. You can tell the brands that aren't very good and the ones that are and I spent a lot of time researching foods for the dogs and cats. That was an ordeal but I want them to eat the best I can feed them (same with the rabbits of course).

I just called the Purina dealer in the area and they only have the Purina Complete Blend Pellets. I looked at the Purina website and they had several different types...which would you recommend if I go that route?

 

[BlueGiants]

I have nothing against the Purina Complete Blend. It's a good, well rounded feed. And I think it's better for them than the Kaytee or L&M.

16% Protein and 17-20% Crude Fiber. (No CORN!) Decent...

 

[LadyOnslaught]

BlueGiants wrote:

I have nothing against the Purina Complete Blend. It's a good, well rounded feed. And I think it's better for them than the Kaytee or L&M.

16% Protein and 17-20% Crude Fiber. (No CORN!) Decent...

I made a few calls and here are some of my options:

• The feed store that has the Purina Complete Blend.
• The place that said it was a Blue Seal dealer can order it but doesn't have it in stock. The guy said there are about 7 different types of feed. One is Manna-Pro...I was thinking that was mentioned on here before. I didn't get specifics as I'm at work. It's probably about 30 minutes away.

 

[BlueGiants]

I fed Blue Seal 17% for years with no problems. Really liked it, was forced to change feeds last year when my feed dealer was no longer able to carry it. (And the only feed store that did have it doubled the price!).

Purina Complete is a good "middle of the road" feed. Several breeders around here feed it with no problems at all. Anda fewuse the Purina Complete Plus with the Yucca and acidodophalis.

Manna Pro has always had a good name, I've just run up against a few rabbits that won't eat it. (And I can't afford buy several different feeds andworry about who's on different feeds and who doesn't like this pellet or that pellet.) I know people who love it for their rabbits.

All are well balanced, alfalfa based pellets. Purina has a new feed out called Fibre3, no corn and very high in fiber (20-25%). I have not tried it yet.

You're going to have to do a little research and decide what's best for you and your rabbits. And as always, wean them over gradually to prevent any gut upset.

 

[LadyOnslaught]

BlueGiants wrote:

I fed Blue Seal 17% for years with no problems. Really liked it, was forced to change feeds last year when my feed dealer was no longer able to carry it. (And the only feed store that did have it doubled the price!).

Purina Complete is a good "middle of the road" feed. Several breeders around here feed it with no problems at all. Anda fewuse the Purina Complete Plus with the Yucca and acidodophalis.

Manna Pro has always had a good name, I've just run up against a few rabbits that won't eat it. (And I can't afford buy several different feeds andworry about who's on different feeds and who doesn't like this pellet or that pellet.) I know people who love it for their rabbits.

All are well balanced, alfalfa based pellets. Purina has a new feed out called Fibre3, no corn and very high in fiber (20-25%). I have not tried it yet.

You're going to have to do a little research and decide what's best for you and your rabbits. And as always, wean them over gradually to prevent any gut upset.

Thank you for all of your help. I will run up tonight after work and get the Purina I think. It's closer and I would hate to buy something they won't eat, just to have to buy something else.