When to switch to adult pellets?

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This topic has 3sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 3 months ago by Rookie.

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- 02/02/2018 at 11:36 AM
  BB8
  Participant
  101 posts
  Hello! I have two baby buns, one is 3 months and one is about 5 months. Right now they are on Oxbow’s pellets for young rabbits along with alfalfa, timothy, and orchard grass hay. They also get some spinach and cilantro. Oxbow recommends switching to their adult pellets when rabbits are 1 year old but I’ve heard some people say you can switch to adult pellets if the buns are getting alfalfa hay too. Is this true?
  What pellets would be best for my buns? And when when should I start limiting their pellets?
  I was also considering of switching them to Sherwood’s pellets(for the adult pellets they say to switch at 12 weeks). I’m curious if anyone has any experience with this brand?
  I just want to know what would be best for my babies, this is the first time I’ve ever had buns this young before so any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
- 02/02/2018 at 12:18 PM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5820 posts
  It’s based on your observation of your rabbit’s calcium intake/weight gain, in addition to general parameters. No healthy rabbit should be on alfalfa pellets after 1 year old, but the transition has occurred before then for numerous rabbits.
  
  Signs which make people switch include:
  1) Consistent white/chalky pee – Signifies excessive calcium intake. Switching to timothy (adult) pellets will cut calcium intake, reducing the risk of a calcium stone formation in the gut.
  2) Too much weight gain – Alfalfa is more fattening than timothy, so if a young rabbit is gaining too much weight, limiting and switching the pellet type is recommended.
  
  Wick was switched to adult pellets at 12 weeks old I think because of his calcium sensitivity.
  
  Limiting pellets can occur anywhere from 6mo and older. It should be done earlier again, if there’s too much weight gain.
  
  No experience with Sherwood. Wick is an Oxbow baby
  
  Feel free to ask for more details/more questions!! Above is based on my experience.
  
  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.
- 02/02/2018 at 1:08 PM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  I began switching my boys at 5.5 months, and did 2 weeks for the transition. Bombur gladly ate the adult ones right away (he wouldn’t be true to his name if he didn’t ). Asriel struggled a bit, and would pick around the adult pellets for a while. When it was all adult pellets he would just nibble them throughout the day because he was so pissy. Now he jumps out of the cage when I lean down to feed him xD
- 02/02/2018 at 1:14 PM
  Rookie
  Participant
  466 posts
  Spinach is very high in calcium so be careful with that. Sprocket didn’t get pellets for a few months at the beginning then only went through one bag of the alfalfa pellets before I switched him to the Timothy ones.
  He is being taken off alfalfa hay now at 10months. I am still mixing a little in with his other hay to make sure he eats it as he can be picky and rather not eat than to sometimes eat the regular hay.
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