BlueCamasRabbitry
Well-Known Member
So, this last show got me thinking (and I was thinking a bit before), about how much I feed my rabbits. They currently get about 3 oz. of feed a day, as well as unlimited hay & water, and greens about weekly.
This past show, Rowdy, my Sr. buck, (he's a TINY little guy) was underweight, and really in poor condition, and the judges commented on it, but he still got first. Anyway, it made me feel REALLY bad, because he was eating unlimited pellets before I got him, and never going overweight. Now he's really skinny, even though we started upping his pellets just recently. Anyway, we are now giving him as much as he'll eat (we have a show this weekend, so also going to be giving him some black oil sunflower seeds to help put meat on his bones, and condition his fur). He is digging the pellets out of his dish, and not eating them all. A few weeks ago he would have gone crazy for that many pellets! I'm not sure why he's doing this...I don't think he likes our food very much. It took us forever to switch him over to it.
Anyway, what do you guys feed your MR, and how much? What is a healthy amount that won't cause them to go overweight? How much should I feed animals that I want to lose some weight, but are still a bit big boned? How much should I feed pregnant does? My current pregnant doe is getting 3 oz, and is due this Thursday..should I up the feed a bit?
I'm thinking about switching to a show formula, it will cost more, but I think it will be better for my rabbits, both for conditioning, but as well as keeping the weight on, but not causing them to go overweight.
ETA: My current idea is to switch to a show formula when my doe starts weaning her kits, or afterwards. Until then, I will be giving them 3 oz. a day, Rowdy unlimited, and also some black oil sunflower seeds weekly, (Rowdy daily), and lots of dandelion greens, grass, & unlimited hay.
Thanks in advance!
A worried Emily.
This past show, Rowdy, my Sr. buck, (he's a TINY little guy) was underweight, and really in poor condition, and the judges commented on it, but he still got first. Anyway, it made me feel REALLY bad, because he was eating unlimited pellets before I got him, and never going overweight. Now he's really skinny, even though we started upping his pellets just recently. Anyway, we are now giving him as much as he'll eat (we have a show this weekend, so also going to be giving him some black oil sunflower seeds to help put meat on his bones, and condition his fur). He is digging the pellets out of his dish, and not eating them all. A few weeks ago he would have gone crazy for that many pellets! I'm not sure why he's doing this...I don't think he likes our food very much. It took us forever to switch him over to it.
Anyway, what do you guys feed your MR, and how much? What is a healthy amount that won't cause them to go overweight? How much should I feed animals that I want to lose some weight, but are still a bit big boned? How much should I feed pregnant does? My current pregnant doe is getting 3 oz, and is due this Thursday..should I up the feed a bit?
I'm thinking about switching to a show formula, it will cost more, but I think it will be better for my rabbits, both for conditioning, but as well as keeping the weight on, but not causing them to go overweight.
ETA: My current idea is to switch to a show formula when my doe starts weaning her kits, or afterwards. Until then, I will be giving them 3 oz. a day, Rowdy unlimited, and also some black oil sunflower seeds weekly, (Rowdy daily), and lots of dandelion greens, grass, & unlimited hay.
Thanks in advance!
A worried Emily.