Feeding guidelines from HRS

[StickyBun]

Hello all…quick question regarding hay.

I was just visiting the HRS site and their feeding guidelines suggest that rabbits should be fed alfalfa hay until seven months old and then gradually decrease that and switch them to timothy/oat or another grass hay.   If this is the case, I am doing it wrong!!  We have a new Flemish Giant bun who is almost 9 weeks now….and I have been feeding timothy hay!  

I can certainly get alfalfa easily…and I will go get some today if that is what I should be doing!  Dang, there is so much conflicting info out there…how am I ever to know what I should really be doing?!!?  

 

Thank you!!

[Amys Animals]

Your bun should be getting alfalfa hay. I am not an expert with baby buns, but I would trust the HRS website. I am sure someone on here with more experience on baby bunnies will chime in, but he is young and should be getting alfalfa.

[MoveDiagonally]

What are you feeding him pellet wise? Is it Timothy or Alfalfa based?

I feed my baby bunnies an alfalfa based pellet, Oxbow Young Rabbit, and orchard hay. When I fed both alfalfa pellets and hay it was a little too rich for my bunnies.

As long as you’re feeding a healthy plain pellet and high quality hay in unlimited amounts you’re not doing anything “wrong” for him at this point.

[Eucalyptus]

Alfalfa hay is much higher in calories than other types of hay which is why it’s not fed to adults. However, growing bunnies can use the extra energy and calories, which is why it’s suggested to be fed. I’ve never had a baby or young bunny, but from personal knowledge that does sound accurate and I would trust it. I’ve also read that you can feed a mix of alfalfa and Timothy, too. If you’re feeding alfalfa pellets and changing to alfalfa hay is too rich (like above), then you might want to go ahead and do the mixture or just stay with Timothy.

That’s my two cents, but I could be wrong.

[NewBunnyOwner123]

I never gave my buns alfalfa hay… Just the first week or so I had her but she was on Timothy hay at like 3.5-4 months. But she is an average sized breed. It didnt affect her weight as she is just over 5 lbs which is right on for her breed.

[StickyBun]

I am currently feeding him PenPals Professional Rabbit 18 and it is alfalfa based. That is what the breeder feeds growing Flemish Giants and he recommended that I not change him from this, due to this breed having specific nutritional needs because they grow so rapidly the first few months.

That being said, I have questioned whether this is the highest quality pellet for him. I didn’t want to change him right away and I have only had him for 3 days…is there any other pellet out there with an 18% protein that is a better quality? I have not had a lot of success finding one that is a high enough protein.

[kinggoblin]

I only gave my bunny 2 bags of alfalfa hay the entire time he was less than a year old, and timothy pellets. He is fine. Vet never said anything about his diet because his weight was good and she saw him A LOT because of his maloclusion

[MoveDiagonally]

Generally Oxbow is considered the standard when it comes to pellets. This is the Young Rabbit:
http://www.oxbowanimalhealth.com/products/type/detail?object=1543

It has 15% protein and honestly, everything I’ve read about a Flemish Giant’s diet says they can be fed the same as any other rabbit type (just in larger quantities). A breeder rabbit and a house rabbit have different dietary needs so even the best breeders are often misguided on what a house rabbit should eat.

PenPals Professional Rabbit 18’s website says the food is recommended for:
does producing 6 or more litters annually, show rabbits, fryers grown for maximum rates of gain and feed efficiency, Angora and other fiber-producing breeds, and rabbits in stressful environments.
http://www.admani.com/Rabbit/Rabbit%20Professional%2018.htm

Sticky’s not any of those things so the higher protein amount may not be necessary.

[StickyBun]

Dang it…and you know I bought a 50lb bag because that was my only option. Oh well, maybe I can donate it? I will keep feeding him this for a couple weeks as he settles in, just so I don’t cause any unnecessary stress on his digestive system and then I will start mixing in the Oxbow Young Rabbit. The ingredients for both foods are very similar, so I do feel more confident now regarding the quality of this food.

I imagine this breeder feeds the 18% because he does show his rabbits a lot! I wonder why he thinks the higher protein is necessary for Flemish’s while they are growing? I will continue to do research and see if I can find any additional information.

[Caroline22]

I’ve been giving 6 month old about half timothy and half alfalfa when I got her at 4 months old.

[Monkeybun]

Timothy hay is fine if they have alfalfa pellets.

[MoveDiagonally]

If you have 50lbs of it already I wouldn’t worry about switching (unless you want to). It’s not a “bad” food and as long as it’s not causing him any issues it could be a fine a “baby food” for him. I also think keeping him on the timothy hay is fine  

Bunny diet is definitely something that can seem overwhelming at first.

[BabyD]

I am feeding my 2.5 month old baby bun these:

Alfalfa hay
Timothy hay (just added to the menu last Friday)
Oxbow pellets (for adult rabbits – I know, but the bag was given to me free)
Rolled oats

and 2-3 raisins per day as treats. I hope this is okay.
No fresh vegies yet, but I’m quite eager to give when she’s a little bit older.

[MoveDiagonally]

BabyD – Rolled oats are not necessary or very good for bunnies. They don’t do well with the starch/carbs. Adult bunny food for a baby is fine though. What a cute little bunny you have!

[BabyD]

Thank you MoveDiagonally. My bunny is such a darling and I love her so very much. And I think she loves me too

Yes, I have read from the old posts here that rolled oats are generally not recommended in the regular diet, but okay as treats, so I will surely cut down on the portions. I hope to get her a third variety of hay next time.

[Beka27]

Posted By MoveDiagonally on 05/06/2013 12:47 AM

If you have 50lbs of it already I wouldn’t worry about switching (unless you want to). It’s not a “bad” food and as long as it’s not causing him any issues it could be a fine a “baby food” for him. I also think keeping him on the timothy hay is fine  

Bunny diet is definitely something that can seem overwhelming at first.

I agree.  The food seems adequate enough, and if you have such a large quantity, I would use that first.  When you are running out and/or at about 7 months, I would start switching him directly to Oxbow ADULT.  They do not have to be on alfalfa pellets the full 7 months, so if you run out at 5 months or whenever, make the switch to timothy pellets then.

[LBJ10]

I agree as well, I don’t think there is a need to race out and buy new pellets. If you have a 50lb bag, then go ahead and use it. As long as it is just plain pellets, it should be fine. Then make the switch to Oxbow adult when the time comes.

[tanlover14]

He doesn’t need Alfalfa hay – in fact my vet switched my Tans off the alfalfa hay when they were four months old since they were on alfalfa based pellets.

My newest bun is 4 months old and won’t TOUCH alfalfa. With that being said, I wouldn’t bother running out and switching your pellets. Just switch when you run out. I also started weaning my buns off the alfalfa-based pellets at 5 months and they were completely on timothy (adult) based by 6 months. And this is without the alfalfa hay. They are all at a perfect weight and my Nora girl has gained a lot (she was malnourished when we got her) simply from eating her alfalfa-based pellets (with the orchard grass hay).

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