Fresh greens

[Tracy McMahan]

Hi, I have two bunnies and I only give them fresh greens once a day.
I was just reading somebody’s blog and they were stating that bunnies should have 24/7 access to greens. Any thoughts on this?

 

[Blue eyes]

Rabbits need 24/7 access to hay. Greens can be fed once per day.

Some may keep their rabbits outdoors where they have 24/7 access to grass and weeds for their "greens." Grass is hay that has not been dried yet, so that is fine for rabbits accustomed to it.

In areas (like CA) where RHVD2 is present, it is risky to house rabbits outdoors. So indoor rabbits generally get different greens. These greens are fine to limit. In fact overfeeding greens can cause tummy issues with some rabbits.

Indoor rabbits need plenty of hay to keep their digestive system running at peak. Greens are secondary to hay. If too many greens are fed, they may not eat as much hay as they should. This is why limiting greens to a measured portion is generally recommended.

That measured portion can be fed once per day or spread out over 2 or 3 feedings. Whatever is convenient to make habit. Rabbits like routine, so having a set time (or times) each day for feeding greens is something a rabbit can look forward to.

 

[Tracy McMahan]

Rabbits need 24/7 access to hay. Greens can be fed once per day.

Some may keep their rabbits outdoors where they have 24/7 access to grass and weeds for their "greens." Grass is hay that has not been dried yet, so that is fine for rabbits accustomed to it.

In areas (like CA) where RHVD2 is present, it is risky to house rabbits outdoors. So indoor rabbits generally get different greens. These greens are fine to limit. In fact overfeeding greens can cause tummy issues with some rabbits.

Indoor rabbits need plenty of hay to keep their digestive system running at peak. Greens are secondary to hay. If too many greens are fed, they may not eat as much hay as they should. This is why limiting greens to a measured portion is generally recommended.

That measured portion can be fed once per day or spread out over 2 or 3 feedings. Whatever is convenient to make habit. Rabbits like routine, so having a set time (or times) each day for feeding greens is something a rabbit can look forward to.

Thanks. Mine are outdoors but have access to indoors at all times with heat/ac etc.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

We split up the greens to twice a day--small amount in the AM and again in the PM.

 

[Donna Standar]

I have two buns, they get unlimited hay, greens morning and evening. Fruit twice a week as a treat. They are very schedule based. Always looking and waiting for it. So cute how they know. They get so excited

 

[TreasuredFriend]

We have a plentiful amount of diurnal and nocturnal wildlife critters and predators that come through our yard.

This was a shock to see when I allowed our special needs' girl to nibble outdoor grasses in November. Likely a flea ingestion.

@Blue eyes , in follow-up to your post wrt outdoor grasses, I am uber careful about outdoor grazing.

https://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/dipylidium/index.html
http://www.linedgroundsquirrels.com/TapewormParasite.html

 

[rustyrabbit]

Hay is the primary feed, it also helps grind their teeth down a bit, which is necessary as teeth grow to long without it, and provides roughage for a healthy bowel. We have wild rabbits outside and they continually dig up tree and grass roots so roughage is an important part of the rabbit diet.