Number1Sticky
Well-Known Member
This may sound like a strange question but. When I measure leafy veggies for my rabbits, am I supposed to pack the lettuce in the measuring cup or should it be loose?
How to measure leafy veggies
- Thread starter Number1Sticky
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ldoerr
Well-Known Member
Good question. I always wondered how to measure veggies. I have no clue.
Apebull
Well-Known Member
Glad I'm not the only one who doesn't know how to measure lettuce.
mochajoe
Well-Known Member
We are all in the same boat...LOL I will say, have read several articles and a few recently in Rabbits or Rabbits USA magazines and the "packed" has been used numerous times....so based on those articles...a packed cup sounds appropriate. I have 3 babies at various ages...2 are not old enough yet. My 6 month old has been introduced to several veggies and a couple fruits....so he is getting about a cup a day (loosely packed) as he is doing well and I am increasing slowly to a packed cup. Just think, here we are wondering loose or packed cup of veggies and some bunnies NEVER get them at all!!!
For what it's worth, I would say the following pic shows about 1 cup's worth of greens (loosely packed).
ldoerr
Well-Known Member
Blue Eyes- that looks to me like at least 2-3 cups of veggies. My guess could be off though. 
Blue Eyes- that looks to me like at least 2-3 cups of veggies. My guess could be off though.
Your guess demonstrates why the OP posted the question. Perceptions can vary.
Without squashing the greens in the pic too much, I could fit them in a 1 cup measuring cup but it would overflow some -- so maybe 1 1/2 cups.
So not only are we trying to define cups, but "loosely" or tightly packed. I can see where there can be such a large variance between what constitutes 1 cup.
HolyHandGrenade
Missy
I did the same thing last night. Turns out my guess is right, Monty gets 1.5 to 2 packed cups twice a day, plus a couple sprigs of herbs Her salads fit nicely on a Frisbee
Her salads fit nicely on a Frisbee
Number1Sticky
Well-Known Member
Thanks everyone. I normally don't measure it. I just wanted to kinda get a starting point. I have a nice size glass bowl I put their veggies in and I normally fill that up, with it spilling over the top.
OakRidgeRabbits
Well-Known Member
For what it's worth, I'd recommend basing the amount fed on the nutritional value of the veggie you want to feed. The amount needed is based on what else is in the diet. So a blanket statement of one cup or two cups is pretty general. That could be over or underfeeding based on what the fresh food item is.
Number1Sticky
Well-Known Member
Daily they get leaf lettuce, escarole, boston lettuce and cilantro. And then I also mix in some kale, spinach etc.. But they get something different every day.
mochajoe
Well-Known Member
I have read several articles about what green leafy veggies to feed and how often (like those containing oxalic acid, limited only a few times a week) OakRidgeRabbits do you have any suggested reading as to the nutritional contents???
HolyHandGrenade
Missy
Yep. Monty gets access to hay at all times, pellets twice a day, and at each pellet time, she gets a salad too. I put the bowl of pellets in my lap and feed salad one piece at a time by hand. Great bonding time and trust-building exercise.
Troller
Well-Known Member
Ive always wondered at this too. So far I use this plate dedicated to bunny salad and as long as it fills it but doesn't go over. My vet told me a cup a day, but most of you are saying about two cups a day? I'm so confused.
OakRidgeRabbits
Well-Known Member
I'm not sure where to point you, I feed pellets as the bulk of the diet with some hay just for something to graze on throughout the day.
That was just an overall recommendation because I often see websites generalizing the diet by providing a list of safe plants and then suggesting a measurement of a couple cups per day. However, if that is the bulk of the diet, you need to ensure that the plants included meet the rabbit's nutritional needs. Without that knowledge, a cup or two of veggies may still be lacking necessary vitamins/nutrients.
HolyHandGrenade
Missy
It's based on weight of bunny. From House Rabbit Society:
(There's a section for what to feed 7 months to 1 year, but it doesn't give an amount, just says "gradually increase veggies", so I looked at this to see what I'm increasing toward)http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/diet.html said:
Monty is 9.5 lbs and I've got her up to almost 4 cups of greens a day. When this thread started, I made her the usual salad I've been giving her, and then packed it into a measuring cup and found it's about 2 cups. I'm increasing them gradually each week. Most importantly, I watch her. She has never suffered any mushy poop, but I make sure not to introduce something new two days in a row or make a big increase more than once a week.
:rabbithop
I think these are general guidelines as some people may prefer just pellets and hay and others may prefer more veggies with less pellets but still loads of hay. I think the most important thing is to get them eating as much hay as they can, it should be the bulk of their diet. Greens are great and mine eat a variet of different types of greens plus herbs which they love. They also get the occasional treat such as banana but only about a couple of times a week and very sparingly. They also get pellets, usually half an eggcup in the morning and another at night.
Each bun is different but the most important thing that they get is their hay and plenty of water. The other parts of their diet, i think, are at the preference of the owner and always allowing that the bunny can tolerate the greens without any upsets.
Each bun is different but the most important thing that they get is their hay and plenty of water. The other parts of their diet, i think, are at the preference of the owner and always allowing that the bunny can tolerate the greens without any upsets.
