Good food for very young rabbit?

[LaylaLop]

So, I am getting a 6-7 week old rabbit in the next 2 weeks and I was curious as to what I should feed. I have Zupreem timothy hay based pellets (14-16% protein) on hand since that's what I fed my rabbits before, but I realized they were all adults and babies need more protein. I could also get Purina 18% protein, Purina show supreme (16% protein), or Purina performance (also 16% protein). Is Purina a fairly good rabbit food for growing bunnies, and then transition to a timothy based feed/hay around 8 months? Or should I feed the timothy based pellets and supplement with alfalfa hay?

 

[LaylaLop]

I should also note, that she comes with a bag of what she's currently being fed but I will eventually be switching her over to whichever I choose (unless she is fed purina or zupreem)..

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

I would go for the 16% purina pellet. Too much protein can cause some issues and is not really needed for pet rabbits. You can ask the breeder what they feed and what percent protein it is.

For hay, I would give both timothy (or another grass hay) and alfalfa. This helps get them used to eating both hay and will make the transition to just timothy easier. With giving an alfalfa based pellet and alfalfa hay, some timothy hay should be fine.

 

[LaylaLop]

Ok, so feeding orchard hay, timothy, and alfalfa hay would be fine, but I should stick with an alfalfa based pellet for her growing months..

 

[Nancy McClelland]

Alfalfa is higher in protein and calcium. Bunnies that are growing need it till the get to six months. After that, they no longer need the higher amount of protein or calcium and it could cause problems like bladder sludge and stones.

 

[LaylaLop]

Yes, I know.. I took two nutrition classes and rabbit nutritional needs are quite similar to horses Anyway, thanks for the input. I bought some purina show rabbit pellets since that's what I've found most local breeders to use for young bunnies and then when she hits about 6 months she will be gradually transitioned to a timothy based diet with brome/orchard grass hays as well.