Automatic Feeder/how much hay in a day

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This topic has 12sd replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 9 months ago by RabbitPam.

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- 10/23/2009 at 4:28 PM
  Deleted User
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  22064 posts
  What do you guys think of an automatic feeder to use for rabbits? I know it’s a bad idea to leave them alone overnight but what if you just had to in an emergency? I looked at this product in the link below and I am thinking you could fill one chamber with veggies and then another to pop open a couple of hours later with a little serving of pellets and it could tide them over for two days if you leave a little box of hay and a giant water bottle.
  
  http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp
- 10/23/2009 at 4:41 PM
  Sarita
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  18851 posts
  Well, I’d have to be assured it worked. I don’t think I would do the veggies though – just pellets and they can have hay. Veggies are just way to perishable. I think if you had to leave them overnight without someone checking you are better off just doing the pellets – it’s not ideal but it’s better than trying anything with vegetables.
- 10/23/2009 at 4:45 PM
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  Maybe I could put dried fruit such as a craisin for everybun and a slice of dried apple?
  I guess, I would have to invest in a dehydrator, too. This endeavor is getting pricy. LOL.
- 10/23/2009 at 4:47 PM
  Sarita
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  18851 posts
  Well even those don’t really replace a veggie as they are a treat – not that anybun would mind that LOL.
- 10/23/2009 at 4:51 PM
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  I know, I know, I just would feel better if I knew that at least there was a treat for them. I’m reallly not wanting to leave them overnight but I am considering buying the automatic thing. Or would you suggest to skip a pellet feeding is ok? I know some angora breeders ‘fast’ their rabbits twice a week to get them eating more hay. The remainder of the week those buns are on an enhanced diet, though.
- 10/23/2009 at 4:55 PM
  Sarita
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  18851 posts
  Well, the majority of my rabbits don’t get pellets but they are much older than yours. They always have hay and get tons of veggies though. Oh, and treats too.
- 10/23/2009 at 5:04 PM
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  No pellets at all? How much is a ton of vegetables for them?
  3 of my rabbits have eaten half of a 40 lbs-bale of hay in the past 6 weeks. Then vegetables on top, but not a ton. I don’t think they need any more hay but they always have room for pellets. i would like to take Lint off the pellets, though. He is going to be 3 years old.
- 10/23/2009 at 5:15 PM
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  edit: I just did the math and 20 lbs of hay for a trio per six weeks is only 0.15 lbs of hay daily per bun. That’s not much at all. Maybe I should increase the hay. It is gone every time I look.
- 10/23/2009 at 5:44 PM
  Furface
  Participant
  618 posts
  For just a day I think I would go with the extra water bottle or 2 & a ton of hay.
  I would like one of those feeder things for the cat though. LOL
- 10/23/2009 at 5:44 PM
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  22064 posts
  OK…. my bales of hay must weigh more than 40 lbs because my rabbits eat more hay than 0.15 lbs per day per rabbit.
  
  I went and weighed my hay.
  
  In the photo it showes the amount my 3 buns will eat in two days. This works out to 0.21 lbs per bun per day.
  
  (Neigey, my fourth bun, is on a different hay right now, that’s why he’s no accounted for here)
  
  Forget the automatic feeder! I’ve decided not to bother. If I ever have to leave them in an emergency… I’ll stick a bale of hay beside the condo so they can eat from that!
- 10/23/2009 at 7:09 PM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  Posted By Petzy on 10/23/2009 04:28 PM
  
  I know it’s a bad idea to leave them alone overnight but what if you just had to in an emergency?
  
  Bad to leave the rabbits alone overnight? I don’t think it’s bad – it’s just hard! Is that what you meant or leaving them alone with pellet supply?..
  
  If it’s a short time and you can feed pellets and veg just before you leave, a nice hay mix should keep them satisfied in your absence. They might be a little put out about not getting the usual meal but they wouldn’t starve.
- 10/24/2009 at 7:07 PM
  luvmybunny
  Participant
  576 posts
  Glad you decided to forget the automatic feeder, sounds like a hassle! I would just give a giant box of hay and 2 or 3 big bottles of water and maybe a backup person to check on them, just in case
- 10/25/2009 at 5:37 AM
  RabbitPam
  Moderator
  11002 posts
  I think you’re fine with the hay, and can leave them some pellets and veggies to start with so they have one normal feeding earlier in the day and it isn’t until later or the next day that it gets dull for them.
  
  What’s nice about rabbits, as opposed to dogs, is that they self-regulate their food intake. They do not finish everything in site immediately. So they will go back when they’re hungry and the hay will last the whole time.
  
  I’m more concerned with the water. I would leave large clean crocks, but have bottled as back up as well. Be sure to leave a full litter pan, too, so they can cover the soiled with the clean after a while.
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