It works

[bunnytowne]

Someone suggested I feed less pellets to Cotton and he  may eat more hay.  So I fed way less and he acted like he was starving.  So I fed a little less and he is eating more hay and not acting like he is starving.

Yeah

[Binkles]

See! That’s what I did with Little-Bit and it worked too! I think that everyone who has a longhair breed should consider doing this because the hay intake DRASTICALLY increases if you feed minimal pellets.

[bunnytowne]

I just don’t want them getting to skinny. 

I will also be getting oat, mountain and a little alfalfa hay (for now n then) since they seem to really like those hays.   I wil ljust keep an eye on their weight.   The occassional alfalfa gives them a little incentive.  I finally found the hays they really like.  Both of them.  I hear alfalfa is ok for long haired breeds but I still dont’ want to feed it except once a week as a nice treat.. A little variety

They seem to be doing fine tho.  Thank you for the suggestion.

[Sarita]

Well long haired rabbits have different requirements and they should still continue to get high fiber, low fat pellets. And even small amounts of alfalfa hay are fine as well.

And honestly I don’t think that decreasing the pellets is always a guarantee of increasing hay intake. You hope that it does, but every rabbit is different so there is no guarantee that it will.

[sibley]

A rabbit isn’t going to let itself starve. As long as the hay isn’t putrid if you cut down on pellets it’ll eat as much hay as it needs. And there are so many different kinds, a bunny is bound to love one (that isn’t too nutritious like alfalfa is), and if he gets bored just mix in some herbs. I used to get my foster bunny dried grasses from along the canal where I jog. Rinse them off, dry them in the oven to kill the buggies… good treat.

[bunnytowne]

I just decided to order mountain hay and get the timmy hay for 3.00 at the feed store they break up the bales.  I know they will eat that.  And get some oat hay too.   I know those they  like.

I am cutting out the alfalfa  once the bag is empty their shed is almost done.  So they got their alfalfa til their next big shed.  Then again maybe not til next year.  It is a good occassional treat.

Cotton was really  hungry today.  He ran for his pellets.  I think I will put him a little more pellets next feeding. As long as he isn’t losing weight it will be ok.   I have seen him eat and take hay from my hand if it is mountain hay.  Ruby does too.  They dont’ eat the Teff from my hand so I know they dont’ like it as much.  Gosh such finicky things they are.  While other rabbits gobble their Teff hay whats up with mine?  

ah oh well….  As long as I provide variety they will be ok.  I see that this is what they want.  Timmy oat and mountain. Got me trained eh?

Cotton was sittin stop the couch getting his pettings tonite it has become his routine.  He does bunny flops up there too.  So cute.

[Author]

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