When to give bunny pellets?

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 5sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 8 months ago by Bam.

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- 06/15/2018 at 1:04 AM
  Cardi Bunny
  Participant
  30 posts
  Some of you already know my story with Cardi, and know that I don’t know her exact age. I’ve had her for over a month now and I think she was about 4-5 weeks old when I got her, so know she might be around 9-10 weeks old. I think something is missing from her diet, although her poop for the most part is pretty consistent and healthy, sometimes she has some what of soft droppings. I’ve also seen a few “ornament” droppings but like I said for the most part she has round hay like droppings. I’m thinking that maybe I should start feeding her pellets, slowly and see how she does. But when is the right time to give young bunnies pellets? Especially not knowing her true age. I already have some Oxbow pellets for young rabbits. I was also thinking of giving her some Bene-Bac since I read that it is good for bunnies that didn’t get enough milk from mom, or is she to old for that? But the good thing is that she never stops eating hay or drinking water, I constantly have to refill her hay box and water dish. And will always be running around. Still giving her critical care, maybe I should stop with the critical care now?
- 06/15/2018 at 6:27 AM
  Harley&Thumper
  Participant
  444 posts
  I think it’s safe to give her alfalfa based pellets at her age. I would give her those pellets until you think she is about 5-6 months old and then transition her to adult pellets.
- 06/16/2018 at 9:12 AM
  Azerane
  Moderator
  4691 posts
  You can certainly give her pellets at her age. Be sure to introduce them slowly to avoid any gut upsets though as pellets can be very rich. 1/2 a teaspoon per day at first and slowly increase to the desired amount (up to 1/4 cup is probably good). While hay is great for bunnies it may alone be lacking in some vital nutrients for growing bunnies so adding in pellets or a variety of leafy greens (which can upset the gut of young rabbits quite easily especially if weaned early) should help
- 06/16/2018 at 2:26 PM
  Cardi Bunny
  Participant
  30 posts
  Thanks! Do you think I should still continue the Critical care?
- 06/17/2018 at 2:46 AM
  Azerane
  Moderator
  4691 posts
  You can stop the critical care if you are introducing pellets. I missed that in your first post that you were feeding that.
- 06/17/2018 at 7:32 AM
  Bam
  Moderator
  17029 posts
  I agree you could stop the critical Care now or at least taper it out while you introduce pellets. She should be capable to digest pellets now, but it’s still a dietary change and should be done slowly to avoid stomach upset.
  
  Poop is rarely perfect in young buns. They often have a bit of soft cecotropes. The GI flora isn’t fully developed in any 8-10 week young individual, and she also had the disadvantage of being weaned too soon.
  
  I’d do the pellets intro slowly so as not to mess up any of the great progress you’ve made with her.
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