Can 2 people give me the same answer on hay now that she’s a year.

[BELLASGRANDMA]

Hello everyone,

I am so confused on hay and I know it’s very important.  Now that Bella is a year, we are in the process of changing her over from  Oxbow Bunny Basics 15/23 to the Bunny Basics T.  She has always been on Western Timothy.  So, now that she’s a year and we’re switching her from an alphalfa based pellet does she no longer need alphalfa, just keep her on the Western Timothy?  I am so confused.    Seems like everyone I ask has a different answer on timothy or alphalfa and some are quite strong on their feelings.   Some say we should’ve switched her at 6 months on the pellets, but our vet said 1 year.  Even at her vet’s place we’ve gotten conflicting answers.   I just want to do what’s right and best for her.  For an update, she did great boarding at the house of a vet tech from her exotics veterinarian while we we’re on vacation.

As always, thank you!!

[Beka27]

HRS recommends that betw/ 7 months and 1 year they are weaned off of all alfalfa completely and pellets are reduced. by 1 year she should no longer be getting alfalfa at all. she should have unlimited timothy hay and/or other grass hays, 1/4-1/2 cups timothy pellets (the Oxbow is great) per six pounds of bunny, and at least 2 cups of veggies per day.

if she’s a Holland Lop, she’s probably much less than 6 pounds, so you will probably be looking more at 1/8-1/4 cup pellets.

the HRS source:

http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/diet.html#babies

[Sarita]

I think there will always be conflicting information out there – everyone has there own ideas. But if she is a year old then definitely take her off alfalfa completely and hopefully you have been limiting her pellets for awhile – she should not be getting unlimited pellets.

It’s good that she is eating the timothy hay – keep feeding her that unlimited.

Have you introduced he r to greens yet?

[RabbitPam]

I’ll second Beka. Also, don’t worry about whatever you’ve done so far – you’re asking the right question at a good time now. Unlimited Timothy Hay + limited Bunny Basics T (Timothy-based pellets) = Healthy Bunny.

Only if she refuses to eat any of it, particularly the hay, do you need to ask for further advice, which may just mean switching the kind of hay to one she likes better. Definitely get her to eat hay as her diet staple. For weaning, I think it might be good for her if you start mixing her old with the new gradually so she gets it introduced to her system and taste buds before the full switch. Like over two weeks, guys? Is that right?

[Beka27]

over a couple weeks is good i think…

[BELLASGRANDMA]

Yes, she’s been getting her ‘salad’ or greens for several months now.  Of course she eats them first and munches on hay constantly.  Her pellets have always been like an after thought, not her favorite.  She probably eats about  1/8 to 1/4 cup now.  She loves her romaine lettuce, cilantro, basil, parsley, mint and carrots. We are still slowly introducing new ones.  I just got a bag of both the 15/23 and T to begin the transition.  My daughters plan is to do it over 2-3 weeks.  Bella makes it kinda hard because she doesn’t eat much of the pellets anyway.  Brat!! Oh, but don’t dare give her one iota less of her greens or you think she can make a mess of her cage now!!  And when she gets out it ‘s “talk to the butt”!   Thank you so much!!  You guys are always great!! 

[Sarita]

Actually it’s okay that she’s not a big pellet eater.

It sounds like you and your daughter are doing a great job – I think you probably know more than you think you know :~)

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