Metabolism

[jerseygirl]

Recently, I was re-reading the HRS diet page when I noted something about metabolism. I’d never taken that in before.

• 1/4 to 1/2 cup pellets per 6 lbs. body weight (depending on metabolism and/or proportionate to veggies)

Then again I saw it elsewhere.

The recommended amount of pellets for an adult rabbit is 1/4 to1/2 cup per 6lbs body weight. Again, it is important to consider the individual need of each rabbit. Some have fast metabolism and will need more than the recommended amount. Some rabbits easily Gain weight and need less (http://www.medirabbit.com/EN/GI_diseases/Food/feeding_en.pdf)

Mine now received 2Tbsp a day shared  (1 Tbs each).  It’s an alfalfa (lucerne) pellet as the only other available is Oxbow timmy @ $40 a bag. I’ve limited pellets for Jersey from quite a young age. I never did the free feed.  I’m really considering giving more pellets to her again but I’m nervous about the alfalfa content and calcium issues. She, I believe has high metabolism and vet has suggest hyper motility of the gut. So I’m concerned she’s not getting what she needs from her diet.  She’s also seems to thin to me.  And she BEGS for food.   She is eating oat hay now but not huge quantities.  I’m wondering what to give her to pep up her diet.  Maybe some lucerne hay?  Double the veggies?  Does anyone know of more info on rabbits with faster metabolism also?

[RabbitPam]

I don’t have more info. on it at the moment, but honestly I don’t think more pellets is the way to go. Since she begging food but not eating hay in huge amounts, I would play around with different types of hay. BT gives her two more variety, and they like one one day and another the next. I think if you change up the good stuff it will help her develop a taste for it and eat more. I know it’s harder to come by where you live, but does BB ship to you? She has a great selection, and if you store them well, they last for a very long time if you’re switching among several, so the initial expense wouldn’t be so bad in the long run. I love that hay keeps, unlike veggies.

If it’s just calories and pounds you want to beef up, you could give her more carrots. They are now considered very good for the buns and they can have them for their nutritional value. With not as much sugars as fruits (another way to go, btw, like apple slices) you can give them frequently and not worry.

[jerseygirl]

I had just thought I should try wheat and barley hays – thanks RabbitPam. Also, I thought I might try steaming some oaten chaff – I’ve noticed it has a sweetish small and maybe steamed it’ll be more enticing. She’s enjoying celery again which is great.
It’s true, we don’t seem to have the variety in grass hays you do. Which seems ludicrous since farming is major primary industry here. There is wheat, oat, barley and meadow hay about though.

[Sarita]

Well, my rabbits seem to have a slower metabolism because of their age. I think trying different hays is a good thing.

I don’t think you need to be concerned about calcium issues unless it’s an actual issue with the rabbit. I guess if it were me, I would have a nice long talk with my vet and get their advice on what they think you should do as far as diet since your vet suggested the hypermotility.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I was just going to say Sarita would be your authority on calcium issues-she’s done a ton of research on it and has kind of seen that it may not actually be something to worry about

I free feed-I know I’m the odd one out-but one small bowl of food (approx a cup) last Rupert and Kahlua or CHuck and Noot about four days-so they don’t eat a lot at all-but I like to have the option there for them-especially since they all had deprivation in their past minus kahlua. They are actually all hay pigs now

I would think if you are going to increase the pellets-they will be happy and bonkers but they will adjust and probably scarf slower-may not even eat the whole amount ANd you know alfalfa isn’t THAT much higher in calcium either

[Author]

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