How much greens??

[Looby1987]

My little bunny weighs about 0.8kg, currently he has been having unlimited hay, his pellets which I weigh out daily and 3 spinach leaves a day. How much greens can I give him, should I start introducing more into his diet and if so, how should I go about this? He has recently overcome a bit of illness so I'm a bit cautious about changing up his diet too much as I don't want to upset his digestive system. Many thanks.

 

[Blue eyes]

You are right to be cautious about changing his diet when he's on the mend.

Normally, if he's a good hay eater, his pellets should not be limited until 6 months of age. He's still growing and needs the extra nutrients.

Greens should be introduced one type at a time. You can read specifics at the following link. Spinach should not be fed every day as it is high in oxolates. The link has suggestions for daily greens and which should be limited.
https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/greens--veggies.html

 

[Looby1987]

Thank you for that info, it's very helpful I will try introducing him to something other than spinach and use that as a treat cos he does really like it.
As for the pellets, I read that they should have unlimited pellets but then I was told that I should weigh out a specific amount and feed them to him throughout the day. If this is not the case then should I give him unlimited up until he's 6months and then start weighing it out?
Sorry to be a pain, he's my first bunny so I'm new to this but keep getting mixed information. I almost lost him and I don't want that to happen again hence why I'm trying to find as much out as I can. Many thanks

 

[Blue eyes]

No worries about asking questions. That's what the forum is for! And your confusion is understandable as there is so much conflicting info on the web about bunny care.

Normally rabbits under 6-7 months of age can be free fed their (plain - no colorful bits) pellets. The exception to this would be if a bunny decides he likes the pellets so much that he eats less of his hay. But if he is eating plenty of hay (roughly his body size each day), then there is no reason to limit his pellets when he's still young.

I realize I never answered your original question. As you follow the suggestions at the link on how to safely introduce greens, your ultimate goal (couple months down the road) will be to gradually work up to feeding 2-4 cups of greens daily. By the time he's 6-7 months of age, those pellets will be reduced and then you will be measuring out his daily pellet allowance.

 

[Preitler]

Just to add another link, and opinion on how to feed pet rabbits.

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/articles/free-food-for-rabbits

 

[Butterscotch]

Normally rabbits under 6-7 months of age can be free fed their (plain - no colorful bits) pellets. The exception to this would be if a bunny decides he likes the pellets so much that he eats less of his hay. But if he is eating plenty of hay (roughly his body size each day), then there is no reason to limit his pellets when he's still young.

I hope I'm not hijacking this thread, I just have a question related to this comment. Maybe the OP might be curious too....
My Goose is 15 weeks, exactly 2 pounds, and Butterscotch is 13 weeks, less than 2 pounds, and every day I fill their dishes full to the brim with Oxbow Young Rabbit pellets. That would be maybe 1/2 to 2/3 of a cup each. (I'll measure it out when I feed them tomorrow morning.) I see them munching hay often but I've never actually noticed a decrease in the volume of hay in their litter boxes or mangers. I replenish the hay at least three times a day, sometimes more. You've got me wondering now if my bunnies wouldn't be considered good hay eaters and if I should feed them just a little less pellets. Would it be a good idea to try that and see if I start noticing more hay consumption? They appear perfectly healthy and they're pooping out their body weight each day. (Or so it seems. Lots of poop!)

 

[Looby1987]

No worries about asking questions. That's what the forum is for! And your confusion is understandable as there is so much conflicting info on the web about bunny care.

Normally rabbits under 6-7 months of age can be free fed their (plain - no colorful bits) pellets. The exception to this would be if a bunny decides he likes the pellets so much that he eats less of his hay. But if he is eating plenty of hay (roughly his body size each day), then there is no reason to limit his pellets when he's still young.

I realize I never answered your original question. As you follow the suggestions at the link on how to safely introduce greens, your ultimate goal (couple months down the road) will be to gradually work up to feeding 2-4 cups of greens daily. By the time he's 6-7 months of age, those pellets will be reduced and then you will be measuring out his daily pellet allowance.

Hi, me again, so I tried my bunny on basil, he seems to really like it, I have only given him a small leaf to begin with but I have noticed his poop is a little off. I have obviously stopped giving him the basil but now I'm just overly paranoid. He's very quiet and just not himself. I'm monitoring the amount he's eating and drinking which isn't a lot by his usual standards.

 

[Blue eyes]

Hi, me again, so I tried my bunny on basil, he seems to really like it, I have only given him a small leaf to begin with but I have noticed his poop is a little off. I have obviously stopped giving him the basil but now I'm just overly paranoid. He's very quiet and just not himself. I'm monitoring the amount he's eating and drinking which isn't a lot by his usual standards.

I would give him a few more weeks before trying to add anything new to his diet. Give him a little more time to recuperate from his illness.

In the meantime, keep an eye on his poos. Encourage more hay eating by refreshing it a few times per day (don't wait until it is gone).