Grrr..

[DyemondRabbitry]

How can I get the backyard breeder to understand... whole corn and alphalfa hay just isn't going to cut it? I realize what they are raising them for and that's they're business but when you feed something like that you're gonna have more issues with health and poor conditioning....

Ok..I'm done with my rant.. you may all go about your day now... thank you

 

[naturestee]

Seriously?:shock:

If they're breeding for meat, maybe tell them that it tastes better if the rabbits were fed pellets?(lol, no clue but worth a try) And they'll have less breeding does die of GI problems if they stop feeding corn. They can't digest the hulls so it blocks them up.

:banghead

 

[DyemondRabbitry]

I think I've got them convinced to atleast feed some oats... they say they didn't get the growth they wanted with pellets..

I think they're trying to do a little on the "organic" end... I'm gently persuading...

I know when they see mine they usually change their minds on whatever they're feeding so we'll see..

 

[BlueGiants]

Whole CORN?????:shock: Whoa! Don't they have a lot of digestive issues?:? Early kit losses? You can go organic and still do better than that! The rabbits deserve better than that.

Good luck convincing them.

 

[DyemondRabbitry]

Oh yeah, you'd be suprised how many of them are doing it around here... feed prices are so high...grrr... it's very frustrating.

I mean, I guarantee I can raise a better "meat" rabbit in less amount of time with less money and time put into it on my "expensive" feed then they do with their ways

 

[Becca]

Good luck in persuading them - even if they are for meat surely they want healthy bunnies?

 

[naturestee]

Corn puts fat on them, not meat/muscle.

If they want "organic," tell them to feed veggies! My hubby's uncle raises some meat buns, and on my advice started giving them carrot tops, radish greens, etc from his huge garden. He would be throwing that stuff out anyway. Of course, he also puts them in pens on the lawn to graze so he may be a little more... concerned about their welfare than others.

 

[crazymandolinist]

Can't they feed them like.............................................................................grass?

I mean it's free isn't it? And isn't that what the rabbits would like to eat if they were wild? And I at least don't put additives in my grass......

 

[DyemondRabbitry]

From what I understand now the pellets they were getting were pretty poor quality so he started giving them the garden scraps, out in a run, hay and veggies ALONG with the corn. They're going to try Purina now and see if we can't completely cut out the corn.

I just recently switched to the Purina Fibre 3 and it's very nice.. love it.

I also think he's going to try some cilantro and other things he can grow for them- seems to be working so far.

 

[BlueGiants]

All good moves on his part, for the sake of the rabbits.... Good work Katrina!

 

[DyemondRabbitry]

Ugh, I get so much of this here with the Amish and so-called "breeders" that sell pet bunnies at feed stores... I've learned if I bring them in to see mine, especially when they're young, it almost always changes their mind and convinces them to listen to me

 

[BlueGiants]

Some people learn better by SHOWING them the right way... they don't LISTEN very well.

 

[TexasMari]

I'm not sure about rabbits but corn can raise a chicken's body temp and can only be fed in the winter. It also has a high sugar content which can't be good.