What to feed my bunnies...

[mysticcrystal]

Hello. I have 2 six month old Netherland dwarf bunnies. When I got them 3 weeks ago, I was feeding them Timothy hay and alfalfa pellets. They didn't like the Timothy hay, so I got alfalfa hay which was just ok. I stopped feeding them pellets a few days ago, and stuck to hay and vegetables instead. Still concerned about not eating enough hay, I got orchard grass yesterday, which they seem to really like. Am I feeding my bunnies right? I now use the alfalfa pellets as a treat only. Should I stop giving them alfalfa hay and pellet? Are they too old for alfalfa?

 

[kkiddle]

Here's a basic guide. I would watch out for switching food too quickly because it may upset their stomachs.

http://rabbit.org/faq/sections/diet.html

Good luck!

 

[mysticcrystal]

Thank you. That was very informative.

 

[MiniLopHop]

Welcome to RO. Just so you know, we demand pictures of these cutie pies!

 

[mysticcrystal]

Thank you. That was very informative.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

:wave:

 

[mysticcrystal]

Hi, Nancy.

 

[funnybunnymummy]

We don't promote a pellet free diet here at RO, as it's much more difficult to give rabbits a balanced diet without using pellets (think of them as vitamins for bunnies). So I'd say put them back on their pellets, just limit them by their weight. The rule of thumb is 1/4 C per day per 5 lbs of rabbit. Switch them over to a timothy-based pellet when it's time to buy a new bag of pellets (do this gradually over about a week).

I wouldn't feed them alfalfa hay as it's too high in protein and calcium for most adult rabbits. If they won't eat timothy hay, the orchard grass hay you got is a good alternative.

As was noted upthread, just be careful with making sudden changes to their diets. Slow changes over the course of a week are better.

Hope that helps!

Rue

 

[mysticcrystal]

I bought a rabbit set from Sweet Meadow Farm. It came with 3 timothy hay, 2 meadow grass and 8 lb timothy pellet. I'm going to switch them slowly to these once the order arrives. Thanks Rue. I got conflicting info about feeding pellets. I started them again on 1/8 cup pellet last night.