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Post by ~CalicoPrairie~ on Mar 13, 2012 11:15:48 GMT -5
Hmm...I've not heard about giving rabbits a constant source of antibiotics. That doesn't sound like something I would do, either. I'd rather just do whatever it took to keep the germies away.
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Post by catinhat on Mar 13, 2012 15:03:50 GMT -5
I call BS on the constant source of antibiotics. I have never medicated my rabbits in any way - school pet rabbits, the angoras I raised, the meat rabbits I raised, etc. Rabbits are the only livestock that doesn't need a vaccination too - I'm with Kristi about keeping them clean, isolating someone with the sniffles, etc. That they can have tumbleweed sprouts is the best news I've heard all day. We are covered up with the things. Russian Thistle. That would make sense though - I've read some nonfiction about the dust bowl and the only things around were Russian Thistle/Tumbleweed and thousands and thousands of rabbits. People were eating both, and starving.
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Post by Cyngbaeld on Mar 13, 2012 15:43:05 GMT -5
Yes, you need a source of fat too or you will starve on that diet.
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Post by catinhat on Mar 13, 2012 22:40:00 GMT -5
I know Kim - isn't that amazing? I need to eat rabbit and rabbit food, and watch what happens.
I found a list in 'Rabbits for Dummies' of fruits and vegetables rabbits can have. I'm not typing out all the specifics, but in general you want to give them small amounts only on the fruits, and introduce new things gradually. Also, please consider that this book is more for pet rabbits, not for rabbit operations or raising meat. It says a 6 pound rabbit should get 2 cups of greens every day, unlimited grass hay, and then just a wee bit of pellets or none at all. It also says to make changes gradually.
Anyway, here's the list they have of vegetables and fruits that rabbits can have: alfalfa sprouts basil beet greens bok choy broccoli brussels sprouts carrot tops carrots celery chard chicory cilantro clover (too much can cause soft stools, so feed in moderation) collard greens dandelion flowers and greens (without pesticides) endive green peppers kale lettuce, dark leaf (romaine is best) mint mustard greens parsley pea pods (snow peas) radish tops spinach watercress wheat grass apples (no seeds, they are toxic) berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries) peaches pears plums papaya melons (watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew) orange slices (peeled) kiwi nectarines tomatoes (no vines or leaves)
It says that not all rabbits will like/eat all these foods, but they are OK to give them. So I am going to go ahead and plant a few mustard greens since I have seed for them and no one but me ever eats greens - now a couple plants will feed me and supplement the rabbits. There are a lot of things on the list that are like that - things I eat a little of, but I don't always grow them because I get overloaded with them, so yay!
Also, here is a list of foods a rabbit should never have. Let me just say that the rabbit food one lady gave me, from the store, has several of these items in it. I'll put a star by those items: beans (any kind) breads cereals chocolate corn* nuts oats* peas* potatoes refined sugar seeds wheat * (or any other grain) cat food dog food
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Post by Cyngbaeld on Mar 14, 2012 8:17:36 GMT -5
That diet is for keeping a pet rabbit from getting fat. Not so much for producing meat. I don't think it is a good list.
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Post by catinhat on Mar 14, 2012 9:11:05 GMT -5
Thanks, Kim. I kind of wondered about that. I guess what I was thinking was that since I grow (or buy) a lot of that stuff, it's good to know I can safely give it to them as a treat/supplement.
Also, I used to make my own mix when I raised angoras, and I put calf manna and sweet feed in it. It was mostly pellets, but other things too that promoted good fiber growth. I never had any ill effect from them getting the corn/grains.
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Post by Cyngbaeld on Mar 14, 2012 11:24:34 GMT -5
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Post by eyeofthestorm on Mar 14, 2012 11:51:55 GMT -5
Oh, Kim, thanks! It has a pdf version, too, so I downloaded it.
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Post by Cyngbaeld on Mar 14, 2012 13:27:42 GMT -5
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Post by catinhat on Mar 14, 2012 17:05:01 GMT -5
We were out in the bunny barn early afternoon, and Shadow, the sweet, friendly, calm pet bunny that was the first one we got 'clawed' her front paws at me - it was an aggressive move, for sure. I had immediate flashbacks to Snowball, the Evil English Angora. She was fine unless she wanted to breed, then she was the nastiest rabbit you could imagine. So, I put Shadow in with Spot for a few minutes. Apparently, he had been studying for the test, because he knew just what to do, and did it...a few times. She was very willing too, and if she's anything like Snowball was, she'll revert to her sweet self just as soon as she's pregnant. With Snowball it was like nature's little EPT - she would turn back into a sweet bunny just as soon as she was expecting. Here's hopin'!
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Post by ~CalicoPrairie~ on Mar 14, 2012 17:28:55 GMT -5
Wow! Hope you get plenty of cute little buns, Laura!
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Post by eyeofthestorm on Mar 14, 2012 18:29:38 GMT -5
Well, that's a good story (for me) to hear, Laura. I was re-reading last year's issue of Countryside where so many people wrote in who raise rabbits. The story about the rabbit hanging form the guys arm when he was trying to feed it...sheesh, I wasn't looking forward to dealing with that (potentially). I guess it's a little easier to face that aggression if there's going to be a payoff.
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Post by catinhat on Mar 14, 2012 19:05:15 GMT -5
Thanks, Kristi! Sandra, this bunny was being a little frisky. If she were hanging from my arm, she would be dinner. I get hormones, but I will breed the calmer does when that's the option, since DD is here around the rabbits too. Bucks crack me up when they fall over like they're dead after mating. Bless their little hearts! I wonder if they do that in the wild too - I suppose so.
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Post by BigM on Mar 15, 2012 6:20:58 GMT -5
SELF EDITED FOR CONTENT!!! ROFL!!
(I miss Granny, she would have thought it too)
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Post by catinhat on Mar 15, 2012 7:52:00 GMT -5
SELF EDITED FOR CONTENT!!! ROFL!! (I miss Granny, she would have thought it too) I bet I know what you said!
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