Cecotropes & Hay Intake

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This topic has 10sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 11 years, 1 month ago by AnnaW.

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- 03/19/2013 at 2:36 PM
  AnnaW
  Participant
  569 posts
  Barney has been leaving cecotropes EVERYWHERE, way more than i ever saw Biscuit do until he was very ill. He isnt eating very much hay which is concerning me, i’ve cut down his pellets but he still isn’t very interested!
  
  So what is the cause of the cecotropes – why isn’t he eating them!? And how can i encourage him to eat more hay?
  
  Thanks
- 03/19/2013 at 3:15 PM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  Normally the cause of left behind cecals is too much protein. I would cut back on his pellets and any sort of treats you are giving him can also add to the cecal problem. I would definitely encourage his hay intake. I know you’ve said that he isn’t interested in hay. Have you tried different brands or different types? My QueenDiva will snub Oxbow hay because it isn’t fresh enough. Once upon a time she used to eat it. But now she’s become spoiled and will only eat the fresh hay that I order. She, also, does not like Timothy Hay and will only eat Oat and a Blue Blend. So I would try experimenting with different kinds and brands of hay. If that doesn’t work. Have you tried hay toppers?
- 03/19/2013 at 3:24 PM
  AnnaW
  Participant
  569 posts
  Ok, will definitely reduce his pellets and hope that this also encourages him to yum up some more hay! I think i might take a trip to pets at home tomorrow and see if he fancies some different types of hay, or even their packs of grass! Thanks very much
- 03/19/2013 at 3:59 PM
  Monkeybun
  Participant
  10479 posts
  Definitely sounds like too rich of a diet. What else is he eating, and in what quantities?
- 03/20/2013 at 5:28 AM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  As long as they look normal it’s not a big worry. It’s messy for humans but definitely look at a diet change and encourage more hay consumption.
- 03/20/2013 at 6:39 AM
  AnnaW
  Participant
  569 posts
  He has a handful to a handful and a half of pellets a day, fresh unlimited water and hay of course, and brocolli, rocket etc of about 2 – 3 handfuls a day, depending on how picky he’s being. He doesnt really get any treats at all, as i’m trying to force him into eating more hay!
  Thanks for the replies
- 03/20/2013 at 6:47 AM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  I would really measure out the pellets – he may be getting more pellets than he really needs for his size. The recommended is 1/4 cup depending on metabolism and portion to veggies. Which basically a guideline and you can certainly feed him less as he is only 1.5 pounds.
- 03/20/2013 at 6:51 AM
  AnnaW
  Participant
  569 posts
  Yeah i think i will start measuring them, he just loves his pellets so much i feel bad not giving him more! So bunny whipped! x
- 03/20/2013 at 6:58 AM
  AnnaW
  Participant
  569 posts
  And another question, what IS the best type of hay to feed bunnies? At the minute i’m trying to entice Barney with a mixture of meadow and orchard hay – what should i try next?
- 03/20/2013 at 12:40 PM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  It honestly depends on your bun and his digestive system. I know my little girl has stomach issues and is prone to G.I. agitation. She has a really bad habit of eating things she’s not supposed to on top of shedding a lot. So we feed her really coarse oat hay to help move things through her track. My boys are not picky. They’ll eat anything. But I did notice that their favorite is oat hay.
  
  Edit: But you do want to try to give your buns the hay with the most fiber in it.
  
  I did find this http://bunniesinneed.net/hay-nutritional-value-chart/ which has the nutritional value of the different types of hay. I try to give my buns a blend of hay that satisfies all their dietary needs. I, also, give them a large spread of veggies to help with this. But that’s, also, because Skipper does not get pellets while Ian and Hugo do.
- 03/20/2013 at 3:52 PM
  AnnaW
  Participant
  569 posts
  Thanks very much! I’ll have a look at that chart now x
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