Think I can feed Georgie chin pellets?

[chinmom]

I was wondering if I could feed Georgie the same pellets that I feed to my chinchillas. I use a 50/50 mix of two pellets; one is alfalfa-based and one is timothy-based. Here is the analysis for the alfalfa-based pellet:

Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein, Minimum ...... 16%
Crude Fat, Minimum ..... 3.5%
Crude Fiber, Maximum ..... 14.5%
Calcium, Minimum ..... 1.30%
Calcium, Maximum ..... 1.80%
Phosphorus, Minimum ..... 0.70%
Salt, Minimum ..... 0.10%
Salt, Maximum ..... 0.60%
Zinc, Minimum ..... 95ppm
Vitamin E, Minimum ..... 25 IU/lb

And here is the analysis for the timothy-based pellet:

Guaranteed Analysis
Crude Protein (min) 17%
Crude Fat (min) 3%
Crude Fiber (max) 16%
Calcium (min) 1.1%
Calcium (max) 1.6%
Phosphorus (min) 0.8%
Salt (min) 0.3%
Salt (max) 0.8%
Selenium (min) 0.3 PPM
Vitamin A (min) 3,000 IU/LB
Vitamin D (min) 1,200 IU/LB
Vitamin E (min) 25.0 IU/LB

What do you think? Would that be okay, or should I stick with my Manna feed?

 

[Phinnsmommy]

Well to me it seems that the fiber isn't nearly enough. I think its supposed to be like 17% min. Oxbow has like 20% or something.

So just based on that, I would say it probobly isnt a good idea

 

[Spring]

I would say no. The protein is a little high for apet house rabbit and same with the calcium.The fiber isn't great either.I'm not familiarwith chinchillas, but I would assume rabbits and chinchillas need different dietary needs, so a specialized pellet. I would keep Georgie on a pellet specifically for bunnies .

Do you need any help finding a better brand or type?

 

[chinmom]

Nope...he's on Manna pro rabbit feed. Thanks though

Spring wrote:

Do you need any help finding a better brand or type?

 

[ra7751]

Hi,

I would not feed the rabbits the chin food. While the nutritional part of the pellets are close...there are some important differences. I have numerous chins and would never feed them rabbit pellets or vice versa. And just a quick comment about the Manna Pro pellet....it is a lower end quality product. Now before everyone starts sending cannonballs my way....let me explain. Briefly, I am not a fan of Oxbow's pellets...too dusty and inconsistant. I have been using a combination of Purina products since they are one of the only ones that can be bought in bulk. Their dealer closed here so I have to make nearly a 100 mile round trip. So I have been looking for a good pellet (not the we feed many pellets) and have been looking at several including Manna products that I can purchase locally and cut down on acquisition expenses. While I would never use the "Pro" product, I am seriously considering using the "Sho" pellets. But to answer your question, I would not cross feed the pellets.

Randy

 

[Pipp]

Selenium (min) 0.3 PPM
Vitamin A (min) 3,000 IU/LB
Vitamin D (min) 1,200 IU/LB
Vitamin E (min) 25.0 IU/LB


Seemingly small things can make a big difference. Different animals process different vitamins and minerals in unique manners.As aguess,the firstpellets don't contain needed vitaminsat all, and the second don'thave the usualrabbit levels.

While they can get Vitamin A through dietary sources IF you're also feeding occasional Vitamin A-rich veggies (carrots, pumpkin, spinach, kale), a Chin pellet-only diet looksdeficient.Too much Vitamin A isn't good, either, so you wouldn't want to feed the Chins rabbit pellets, there may be other ingredients where chinpellets have too much of something for rabbits.

I knowSeleniumis a bit of a quagmire in rabbits (and there's a relationship of some kind with Vitamin E),it's actually a bit of a 'hot' topic, I just don't have time to revisit the research right now, and my memory is definitely deficient!

The fiber content in both pellets isn't great, as noted.

Here's a few Rabbit pellet examples from the Library:

http://www.rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=12160&forum_id=17

Oxbow Bunny Basics/T

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein (min) 14.00 %
Crude Fat (min) 1.50 %
Crude Fiber (min) 25.00 %
Crude Fiber (max) 29.00 % 20
Moisture (max) 10.00 %
Calcium(min) 0.35 % - 1%
Calcium (max) 0.85 %
Phosphorus (min) 0.25 %
Salt (min) 0.50 %
Salt (max) 1.00 %
Vitamin A, IU/kg 20,000
Vitamin D, IU/kg 880
Vitamin E, IU/kg 140
Copper, mg/kg 20

Ingredients

Timothy Grass Meal, Soybean Hulls, WheatMiddlings, Soybean Meal, Cane Molasses, Salt, Limestone, Yeast Culture(Saccharomyces cerevisiae), Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3 Supplement,Vitamin E Supplement (tocopherol), Vitamin C Supplement (AscorbicAcid), Colloidal Silica, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (VitaminK), Riboflavin, Niacin Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, PantothenicAcid, Biotin, Thiamine, Choline Chloride, DL-Methionine, PyrodoxineHydrochloride, Folic Acid, Sodium Selenite, Magnesium Sulfate, FerrousSulfate, Cobalt Carbonate, Manganese Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Zinc Sulfate,Copper Sulfate, Mineral Oil, Calcium Iodate, PotassiumChloride



Prolab(r)Hi-Fiber5P25

G U A R A N T E E D A N A L Y S I S

Crude protein not less than 16.0%
Crude fat not less than 2.0%
Crude fiber not less than 19.0%
Crude fiber not more than 24.0%
Calcium (Ca) not less than 0.8%
Calcium (Ca) not more than 1.3%
Phosphorus (P) not less than 0.5%
Salt (NaCl) not less than 0.5%
Salt (NaCl) not more than 1.0%
Vitamin A not less than 2900 IU/lb
Ash not more than 9.0%
Added minerals not more than 3.5%

I N G R E D I E N T S

Soybean hulls, dehydrated alfalfa meal,wheat middlings, dehulled soybean meal, ground corn, dicalciumphosphate, salt, calcium carbonate, ferrous sulfate, manganous oxide,calcium iodate, cobalt carbonate, copper sulfate, zinc oxide, magnesiumoxide, vitamin A acetate, cholecalciferol, dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate,cyanocobalamin, riboflavin, nicotinic acid, calcium pantothenate,menadione dimethylpyrimidinol bisulfite (source of vitamin K), folicacid, pyridoxine hydrochloride, thiamin mononitrate, biotin, cholinechloride, sodium selenite.


Blurb: Hi-Fiber Rabbit diet providessuperior palatability in a nearly dust-free pelleted product. This dietprovides a uniquely balanced and nutritionally complete formula. Itprovides adequate energy along with the essential nutrients requiredfor animals on a weight maintenance program.


APD (American Pet Diner) TIMMY RABBIT

Crude Protein (min) - 14%
Crude Fat (min) - 2%
Crude Fiber (min) - 20%
Crude Fiber (max) - 30%
Ash (max) - 11%
Calcium (min) - .40%
Calcium (max) - .60%
Phosphorus (min) - .40%
Sodium (max) - .40%

INGREDIENTS:

Sun Cured Timothy Meal, Molasses Dried Beet Pulp, WholePressed Safflower Seed Meal, Dehulled Soybean Meal, CalciumLignosulfonate, Yeast Culture (Diamond V "XP"), Salt, Yeast Cell WallExtract, Mono-Sodium Phosphate, Mold Inhibitor (Propionic Acid, AceticAcid, Sorbic Acid, Benzoic Acid, Ammonium Hydroxide), Vitamin ESupplement, Flavoring, Magnesium Oxide, Yucca Schidigera Extract, MixedTocopherols, Rosemary Extract, Ascorbic Acid, Citric Acid, Lecithin,Silicon Dioxide (carrier for liquid antioxidants), Vitamin ASupplement, Vitamin D3 Supplement, Choline Chloride, Niacin Supplement,Calcium Pantothenate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite (source of Vitamin Kactivity), Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, PyridoxineHydrochloride, D-Biotin, Folic Acid, Vitamin B-12 Supplement, ZincOxide, Manganous Oxide, Ferrous Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, EthyleneDiamine Dihydroiodide, Cobalt Sulfate, Sodium Selenite.


KAYTEE COMPLETE

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein (min.)...............13.0%
Crude Fat (min.)......................1.5%
Crude Fiber (min.)..................18.0%
Crude Fiber (max.).................23.0%
Moisture (max.).....................12.0%
Calcium (min.).........................0.3%
Calcium (max.)........................0.8%
Phosphorus (min.)...................0.3%
Salt (min.).............................0.25%
Salt (max.)............................0.75%
Vitamin A (min.)................5000IU/lb


Ingredients

Sun-cured Timothy Grass Hay, Oat Hulls,Wheat Middlings, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Ground Wheat, Ground Oats,Dried Cane Molasses, Salt, Dicalcium Phosphate, DL-Methionine, YuccaSchidigera Extract, Vitamin A Supplement, Choline Chloride, FerrousCarbonate, Manganous Oxide, Zinc Oxide, Riboflavin Supplement, VitaminB12 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Copper Sulfate, Ethoxyquin (apreservative), Niacin, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (source ofvitamin K activity), Cholecalciferol (source of vitamin D3), CalciumPantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate, CalciumIodate, Biotin, Folic Acid, Dried A. oryzae Fermentation Extract(source of protease), Dried Bacillus coagulans Fermentation Product,Dried Bacillus licheniformis Fermentation Product, Dried Bacillussubtilis Fermentation Product, Cobalt Carbonate, SodiumSelenite.


Hope this helps!



sas :bunnydance:

 

[Bo B Bunny]

I NEVER switch feeds like that. The reason is just as many have pointed out - LITTLE things can make a huge difference.

ie - Goat feed cannot (or should not) be used for sheep - Goat feed has copper in it, and that is very bad for sheep. You wouldn't think the small amount of copper is bad but it's actually deadly if given in continuous manner. I guess they cannot process it out or something (you'd have to get more info from my son on that one) but that's just a small example and my opinion.