Local wild food for rabbits

Posted by Derek Sheriff on December 10, 2011 at 3:59pm

Our family just adopted 2 rabbits and I'm looking for advice from VPA members who have rabbits also.

I' already have several DO and DON'T lists as far as what to feed them, but haven't been able to find much when it comes to local plants to provide our domestic rabbits with WILD food and fiber.

For example, we bought several fiber treats made of willow branches and twigs and our rabbits LOVE them. But it seems crazy to pay money for these when I imagine there must be free, wild, local alternatives. 

One list I looked at listed mesquite as a DON'T. But what about desert sage, prickly pear pads (with the thorns removed) or other woody desert shrubs etc ? There's just not much info out there on this. Hope someone can assist.

Thanks,

Derek

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Replies

  • Treasa January 6, 2012 at 7:54pm

    I  am a rabbit breeder and I breed for meat.  I have known a few that feed forage diets but the rabbit grow very slow and can really lose condition if not getting enough nutrition.  Also rabbits not used to that type of diet can get enteritis or diahreah and die.  I feed a good pellet, fresh timothy hay and occasional pieces of apple, carrot, parsley etc.  There are recipes for a whole grain diet out there on the web if you would prefer that.  otherwise i would try the homesteaders website or the meat rabbits yahoo group.  there are several excellant books out there on rabbit care.  I want my rabbits to be  healthy, happy and productive not just  survive.

    • Derek Sheriff > Treasa January 6, 2012 at 8:05pm

      Thank you Treasa!

      We feed our pet rabbits (I may decide to raise some rabbits for meat someday) mostly timothy hay, plus veggies and pellets. I also want our rabbits to be healthy, happy and productive.

  • Brady Fulton December 12, 2011 at 4:36pm

    I'm interested to see what current rabbiteers have come up with as well. I think it's a great opportunity to pass on what has been learned and either worked or didn't work. Seems all discussions online point to feed mills having the ideal inputs to get the most out of your animal and anything else is risking your animals livelihood. This is probably true that the feed mills have got their mix figured out, but I don't need to get the most out of my (hopefully future) animals, I just need them to be healthy and survive. So, anyone have any experience?

    • Derek Sheriff > Brady Fulton December 12, 2011 at 5:49pm

      I know for a fact that domestic rabbits can eat (and really like) the stems of grapefruit trees. However, unlike the treats made from willow twigs that the pet stores sell, grapefruit stems seem to serve more as a vegetable than a pure fiber. There must be local alternatives, but I want to be sure I'm not giving our rabbits anything that could be harmful.

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