Show Rabbit Diet

[iLuvMyLilBuns]

I have a question for everyone out there who shows rabbits I have Holland Lops and this is my second year showing them. The first rabbit show we will be going to is in March and I have a few questions about my buns diet. Right now I feed Lila (21 months) & Charlie (12 months) 1/4 cup of Kaytee pellets, 1 cup veggies, and hay. My other rabbit Rue (3 months) gets the same except he gets 1/2 cup of pellets.

I'm wondering what the difference is between a rabbit pellet brand like Kaytee & show pellets?? I was wondering if I should start feeding them like "show pellets" when there are shows?

Do you feed your buns show pellets all year round or just like during the spring when there are shows? And what brands of show pellets would you suggest??

Also do you feed your show buns veggies?

If you show your buns I would really appreciate any advice!!

Thanks soo much!!

 

[majorv]

We feed show pellets year round, but during show season we will usually add a small amount of manna pro or black oil sunflower seeds to the mix. This helps with their coat and condition. Show pellets will have more protein than pet pellets, but I haven't compared labels to know all the differences. If you decide to switch to show pellets keep in mind that it usually comes in a 50lb bag.

If your rabbits showed well last year and you got good comments then maybe you should continue doing what you're doing. We don't feed veggies to ours because I'm afraid it would affect their condition, plus it would cost too much and require too much refrigerator space for the over 20 rabbits we have.

 

[OakRidgeRabbits]

Show pellets are usually slightly higher protein and fat than regular pellets. They're best to give rabbits the finish they need, but unless you show or breed often, it's probably not worth switching them to show pellets permanently. They are more expensive and not necessary for rabbits who aren't breeding regularly or exposed to the stresses of showing.

Instead, you could add a pinch of rolled oats, black oil sunflower seeds, or calf manna to to the top of the food once a day for about two weeks before the show. That will help finish their condition. If you feed supplements for too long or in larger amounts, you may induce a molt instead. So it's a balancing act.

 

[ldoerr]

When I showed I fed purina gray bag all year. Never had a problem with it. I only went to 2-3 shows a year (they were all to far away). I could get 50lbs for under $15. They got the pellets every day, hay every few days and conditioning mix (basically oats and barley) every day. They did not get veggies. For treats every so often I gave them some raisens or more conditioning mix (they LOVED that stuff).