Feeding alfalfa hay to adult rabbits...

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Jenk

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I'm considering feeding some alfalfa hay to my two rabbits and would like to hear from those of you who feed it to your adult(s). My guys eat primarily timothy hay--with some orchard grass daily and oat hay occasionally--along with Oxbow BB/T pellets and greens.

I'd like to know:

1) Should alfalfa hay be introduced in very small amounts? That is, might it cause gut upset for some buns?

2) Should it be fed in treat-sized amounts--like no more than a handful or two per day?

If there's anything else you may think to add about feeding alfalfa hay, please, share it.


Thank you,

Jenk
 
Maybe start by telling us why you want to add it to your buns diet?

Are either rabbits underweight? Showing? Breeding? Spayed/neutered?
Small ammounts may be okay aalong as nobody enjoys it so much they get addicted. But if you have no reason to feed it other then for fun its probably not worth it. Remember high protein/calcium items like alfalfa can cause potential issues overtime in some rabbits.
 
Maybe start by telling us why you want to add it to your buns diet?

Are either rabbits underweight? Showing? Breeding? Spayed/neutered?
Small ammounts may be okay aalong as nobody enjoys it so much they get addicted. But if you have no reason to feed it other then for fun its probably not worth it. Remember high protein/calcium items like alfalfa can cause potential issues overtime in some rabbits.

One but is a bit underweight due to a recent injury--and a decreased appetite that resulted. Neither bun is showing or breeding, and both are "fixed."

The possibility of my buns becoming addicted to alfalfa hay is a concern, true; I don't plan to stop feeding them primarily timothy hay with a mixture of orchard grass.

The reason I'm considering feeding them some alfalfa for a limited time is because I was told that alfalfa hay (and wheat bran), due to its high-fiber content, is a good option to feed if one suspects the ingestion of mycotoxins.

Long story short, I got a new bale of hay that felt oddly cool to the touch; I wasn't sure why, so I fluffed the hay on top and let it sit for 24 hours. When I checked it again, it felt lighter in weight and more dry; that's when I realized the hay originally contained moisture. But, foolish me, I fed one handful--of the air-dried stuff--to my smallest bun and two handfuls to my larger boy.

I'm feeling spastic about even the possibility of them having ingested mycotoxins, though a few people--including one rabbit-savvy vet--have told me it's unlikely, especially since the hay showed no visible signs/smells of mold.
 
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