Views on giving fresh sprouts?

[Sophie's Humble Servant]

I like to grow my own sprouts inside in the winter. Can I give some to Sophie? I have a mixture of broccoli, radish, red clover and alfalfa. I also have a crunchy bean mix but I wondered if that would make her gassy...if the variety I mentioned isn't good, I can also purchase the seeds individually rather than giving a mix of different types.

Also, how much to give?

Anyway just wondered if I could give them as they are very nutritious nom nom nom nom!

Thanks

 

[Chrisdoc]

There are varying opinions about giving rabbits cruciferous vegetable which include cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, sprouts, etc. Mine personally don´t have a problem with them although I only give them this type of veggie a two to three times a week at the most. They will happily munch on very green spring cabbage leaves, cauliflower leaves, they love broccoli but I only tried them with sprouts once and they weren´t that keen but I will probably try them again when I have them in. This kind of vegetable can cause gas and some problems for some bunnies so if you want to try them on these kind of veggies, I would recommend only a little bit and see how they do. It may well be, that like many of the buns on here, they don´t tolerate them well. Mine also like radish leaves, not sure you can give them the root. Have a look at here where there are lots of threads about food and nutrition and which veggies are safe.

http://www.rabbitsonline.net/f28/

Mine also adore herbs, basil, parsley, cilantro, sage, rosemary and thyme. Most bunnies do tolerate herbs very well. I don´t think they can eat beans at all but check anyway on the above. Alfalfa is good for baby buns but not for adults.

Mine eat a good portion (about a cup full) of mixed veggies per day as well as their pellets (one eggcup morning and night) and lots of hay as well as a plentiful supply of water.

Would love to see a pic of Sophie

 

[Sophie's Humble Servant]

I'm Sophie!

Thanks for the advice

She tolerates herbs and greens well, but I definitely don't want to make her belly upset.

 

[Chrisdoc]

She´s gorgeous. Good she likes her herbs. As I said, I´ve never had any problems with my three but they only have them occasionally and they love them. Having said that, I always have simethicone on hand in my kit just in case.

 

[Sophie's Humble Servant]

Thank you

I know I'm very fortunate that her digestion is very good and she has been tolerant of a variety of greens and herbs. Her treats consist of the occasional snippet of carrot or a dried currant plus I also consider her papaya tablet a treat...CANDY nom nom! I also give her a dandelion flower as a treat, she loves those.

Maybe I will try to give a couple of sprouts

 

[Chrisdoc]

I think as with any treat and veggie, you just need to make sure it doesn´t upset her tummy, you´ll know what she´s like so I´m sure you´d see straight away.

I love buying mine the spring cabbage as the leaves are so big, bigger than my two smallest and it´s so funny seeing them chomping through it during the day.

 

[Sophie's Humble Servant]

Heh heh! I know what you mean! Sometimes I give Sophie really big pieces of romaine, it's so awesome to see her mow through it. I also like giving her the really long pieces of Italian parsley, you can really see how she chews in that figure 8 pattern then lol.

 

[Chrisdoc]

I just love watching them eating, sometimes when they have the long pieces of parsley or cilantro or dill and they eat it like when we eat spaghetti, it does make me laugh. I have fresh herbs planted on the balcony and they get through them quite quickly but I love seeing how they disappear and all that´s left are the stalks.