Problem finding hay where I live

[samoth]

Also this are the things growing in my backyard (image taken from google).

Can I give my bunnies these? I'm pretty sure these are the things hay is made of.

The links have the words "bothriochloa laguroides" in them, which (I'm googling here) is silver beardgrass that also grows throughout the southern US. It might also be called splitbeard bluestem. Nothing shows up for "can rabbits eat splitbeard bluestem," but one USDA site has an article on it stating:

"Wildlife: Splitbeard bluestem benefits wildlife. Several species of birds and mammals eat the seeds and use the plants for cover. The white-tailed deer and rabbits also browse the plant."

That's about all I can find. If pet rabbits eat it, google doesn't seem to be aware of it.

 

[Watermelons]

Those are simply seed heads and have nothing to do with the grass or hay species. Those do not make hay - hay. Infact youre better off not feeding those seed heads.

 

[Preitler]

The green stuff is the grass, and hay is made from it, yes, it's ok to feed, as are almost all Poaceae, as far as I know.
Also the seed heads wont hurt, nomally they consider the seed heads as a treat.

As always, start with very small amounts and increase over a week, watch the bunnies poop.

 

[Akzholedent]

If you can find it, red leaf or green leaf lettuce (Romaine) is good for the buns too. Just don't get the Iceberg lettuce. It has no nutritional value and isn't good for buns at all.

My rabbits also enjoy the occasional parsley and cilantro.

 

[OnionKnight]

If you can find it, red leaf or green leaf lettuce (Romaine) is good for the buns too. Just don't get the Iceberg lettuce. It has no nutritional value and isn't good for buns at all.

My rabbits also enjoy the occasional parsley and cilantro.

The green stuff is the grass, and hay is made from it, yes, it's ok to feed, as are almost all Poaceae, as far as I know.
Also the seed heads wont hurt, nomally they consider the seed heads as a treat.

As always, start with very small amounts and increase over a week, watch the bunnies poop.

Those are simply seed heads and have nothing to do with the grass or hay species. Those do not make hay - hay. Infact youre better off not feeding those seed heads.

The links have the words "bothriochloa laguroides" in them, which (I'm googling here) is silver beardgrass that also grows throughout the southern US. It might also be called splitbeard bluestem. Nothing shows up for "can rabbits eat splitbeard bluestem," but one USDA site has an article on it stating:

"Wildlife: Splitbeard bluestem benefits wildlife. Several species of birds and mammals eat the seeds and use the plants for cover. The white-tailed deer and rabbits also browse the plant."

That's about all I can find. If pet rabbits eat it, google doesn't seem to be aware of it.

Thanks for all the answers! I'll ask the vet next time I take one of the buns just to be sure.

Also, can you tell me how many times a day should I feed them? Take into account that I only feed them pellets and vegetables (no hay). I think I give them pellets four times a day and 1 time vegetables. Is it too much?

 

[JBun]

When rabbits are on a mostly pellet diet(little to no hay/grass, and small to normal amount of veggies), usually the amount to give per day is about one ounce of pellets per pound of body weight. This is just an approximation and it's always good to go off body condition. If they are seeming a little bony around the back and hindquarters, they need more food. If the back isn't bony and is well fleshed, and they are starting to get fat rolls along their legs and belly, they need less high calorie food(pellets, grains, starches) and more fibrous food(hay, grass, leafy greens). Every rabbits metabolism is going to be a little different, so you just have to keep an eye on their body condition and adjust as needed. Frequency is up to you. I feed my rabbits twice a day, but they always have access to fresh hay to munch on through out the day.

Regarding giving grass and hay, just do your best. If you are able to give grass and/or hay(dried grass), great. If it's difficult to find and you mostly only have access to pellets, though it's not ideal sometimes it's the best that can be done in a particular situation. Besides, if the pellets have an ingredient list, most likely you will see some sort of hay product as the primary ingredient, usually alfalfa or a type of grass hay, so they are getting some hay and fiber from their pellets, just usually not an ideal amount.

 

[OnionKnight]

When rabbits are on a mostly pellet diet(little to no hay/grass, and small to normal amount of veggies), usually the amount to give per day is about one ounce of pellets per pound of body weight. This is just an approximation and it's always good to go off body condition. If they are seeming a little bony around the back and hindquarters, they need more food. If the back isn't bony and is well fleshed, and they are starting to get fat rolls along their legs and belly, they need less high calorie food(pellets, grains, starches) and more fibrous food(hay, grass, leafy greens). Every rabbits metabolism is going to be a little different, so you just have to keep an eye on their body condition and adjust as needed. Frequency is up to you. I feed my rabbits twice a day, but they always have access to fresh hay to munch on through out the day.

Regarding giving grass and hay, just do your best. If you are able to give grass and/or hay(dried grass), great. If it's difficult to find and you mostly only have access to pellets, though it's not ideal sometimes it's the best that can be done in a particular situation. Besides, if the pellets have an ingredient list, most likely you will see some sort of hay product as the primary ingredient, usually alfalfa or a type of grass hay, so they are getting some hay and fiber from their pellets, just usually not an ideal amount.

Thank you very much for the detailed information. I didn't know the proportions in which I should give the bunnies pellets. I have another question related to that (because I'm really ignorant in this topic). The amount you told me should be given only once a day (I mean in a single dose) or it should be divided in many times a day? If so, how many? Or should I give the bunnies the amount you told me many times a day? And if so, how many?

Sorry for being so doubtful

 

[RavenousDragon]

Ideally, it should be given many times per day. In a perfect world, a rabbit should have something to eat all day every day, but pellets and veggies would quickly be too many calories if we did it that way- they'd get too fat! If/when you can get grass or hay, you will be able to give that all day in unlimited amounts without worrying about giving them too much. But for now, give as many small meals as possible with the veggies and pellets.

 

[OnionKnight]

Ideally, it should be given many times per day. In a perfect world, a rabbit should have something to eat all day every day, but pellets and veggies would quickly be too many calories if we did it that way- they'd get too fat! If/when you can get grass or hay, you will be able to give that all day in unlimited amounts without worrying about giving them too much. But for now, give as many small meals as possible with the veggies and pellets.

Thanks. I'll take into account what you say while I find hay for the buns. Thanks again!