Cogon Grass Pellets

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This topic has 6sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 6 months ago by cianoy.

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- 09/18/2017 at 5:30 PM
  cianoy
  Participant
  23 posts
  The hay market in the Philippines is still at its beginning stages. As such, I find there are so many questions about grass.
  
  And so I’ve been reading up a lot on different grasses that are available for rabbit forage. I found that cogon is one of the most invasive grasses (weeds) in the world, even here. I looked up the nutritional content in Feedipedia and seems to be perfect for bunnies (really low protein, really high fiber) and so hard that it will wear the teeth down.
  
  However, one of the drawbacks is the razor sharp leaves. This discourages cogon as being used for forage at all (any animal).
  
  With that in mind, I was thinking that if it’s the only drawback, then perhaps the pelleted form would be okay. However, it’s not a very popular topic. I have 0 findings in Google about this particular type of pellet.
  
  It’s interesting to me too since a lot of provincial rabbit owners try to get cheap and feed chicken pellets (Integra 3000, Bantrade) which are clearly not meant for bunnies (I checked the nutritional content). There’s a clear lack of alternatives.
  
  Any insights from the audience? It’s a very uncommon topic, but I’m hoping someone has fiddled with cogon before. (crosses fingers)
- 09/20/2017 at 3:24 PM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5835 posts
  So Cogon grass is synonymous with Japanese Blood Grass, with the only difference being JBG is specifically cultivated to be red, while all other factors remain the same. JBG is widely advertised as a deer and rabbit-resistant grass, so although the nutritional content and texture seem fitting, I suspect there is a reason beyond just it’s texture that both rabbits and deer choose not to eat it. Most likely, it’s innate knowledge that it is not good for their health, or is not a good food source in general.
  
  If you’re having difficulties I found an old blog of a couple in PH who owned rabbits. They seem to link and comment some helpful resources. Some links are no longer working, but they mention ordering their hay from: http://www.ilovemypets.ph/ . Their blog (last active 2014) is here: http://bunnyph.wordpress.com/ … perhaps going through this will help. Just at a glance, they do sell timothy hay on that site listed above.
  
  The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
- 09/20/2017 at 10:52 PM
  jerseygirl
  Moderator
  22356 posts
  Good researching, Wick!
  I was able to find very little about cogon pellets. The only discovery was that is was considered suitable to make a pellet for cattle in the ’70’s but didn’t look as though was actually produced. I cannot recall if I found that using the name cogongrass or alang-alang.
  The grass does go by several different names..
- 09/21/2017 at 3:42 AM
  cianoy
  Participant
  23 posts
  Posted By Wick on 9/20/2017 3:24 PM
  
  So Cogon grass is synonymous with Japanese Blood Grass, with the only difference being JBG is specifically cultivated to be red, while all other factors remain the same. JBG is widely advertised as a deer and rabbit-resistant grass, so although the nutritional content and texture seem fitting, I suspect there is a reason beyond just it’s texture that both rabbits and deer choose not to eat it. Most likely, it’s innate knowledge that it is not good for their health, or is not a good food source in general.
  
  If you’re having difficulties I found an old blog of a couple in PH who owned rabbits. They seem to link and comment some helpful resources. Some links are no longer working, but they mention ordering their hay from: http://www.ilovemypets.ph/ . Their blog (last active 2014) is here: http://bunnyph.wordpress.com/ … perhaps going through this will help. Just at a glance, they do sell timothy hay on that site listed above.
  
  Thanks Wick. I am actually in contact with those sites. It’s not really so much that I’m looking for supplies. I’m more concerned about the development of the rabbit pet market in the country. Unfortunately a lot of folks that ask about rabbit care on my page are extremely cost conscious. And so I was thinking, perhaps if we make cogon pellets, it’ll have a market.
- 09/21/2017 at 3:46 AM
  cianoy
  Participant
  23 posts
  Posted By jerseygirl on 9/20/2017 10:52 PM
  
  Good researching, Wick!
  I was able to find very little about cogon pellets. The only discovery was that is was considered suitable to make a pellet for cattle in the ’70’s but didn’t look as though was actually produced. I cannot recall if I found that using the name cogongrass or alang-alang.
  The grass does go by several different names..
  
  Yeah, that’s why I’m taking a shot in the dark and checking for folks here that may have encountered it at some point in their bunny history. I don’t know for a fact, but from what I’ve read it discourages forage because the blades are razor sharp. Hence my theory that perhaps in the pellet form, it’s acceptable. I find the topic so intriguing. Hopefully more folks chime in.
- 09/21/2017 at 4:14 AM
  cianoy
  Participant
  23 posts
  Hello. I tried to reply, but perhaps I did it wrong. Anyway, I appreciate the responses. I’m not really looking for a personal stock of pellets or hay. I’m just curious about the commercial potential of such a pellet type. Not only will it have demand, it’ll probably be competitive. You see the sad thing too is that a lot of rabbit owners feed chicken pellets, which are obviously not manufactured with a rabbit’s digestive system in mind. It’s terrible.
- 10/14/2017 at 10:14 PM
  cianoy
  Participant
  23 posts
  Are there perhaps, any pellet producers out there? I’d love the advice.
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