Compound feed for rabbits at home
Rabbits are among the most common types of pets. Of course, in captivity, it is much more difficult for them to choose a well-balanced diet with the necessary combination of vitamins and minerals, while in the wild, following instincts, they themselves choose what their body needs for food. Basically, farmers provide their own compound feed for rabbits. Eared will only be delighted with homemade food.
Compound feed for rabbits
Rabbits need a lot of dietary fiber, which they need for a full existence, as they ensure the activity and health of the whole organism.
For decorative domestic rabbits, especially if they are kept in an apartment, many alternatives have been invented for equally healthy and tasty food. Some farmers purchase complete feed ramen, granule, purine, pc for rabbits. However, it is best to prepare such food at home.
Before choosing which food for decorative rabbits will be made, you need to study the reviews about it and chat on the forum with rabbit owners in order to have more complete information about home nutrition.
What is best avoided is giving the eared mash to other pets. Obviously, pig or cat food does not meet the rabbit's needs.
Making compound feed with your own hands
Herbal compound feed is made from green herbs, so it is one of the cheapest and easiest to make, besides, it is a favorite delicacy for young animals.
The herb is considered the basis of home feed. It is most accessible due to its abundance in the summer. In addition, in nature, it is herbal plants that occupy a leading place in the rabbit diet. In central Russia, this food is not available in autumn and winter, therefore, with the appearance of the first grass, it must be added to the rabbit's diet in a small amount, gradually increasing it. You can use dry tops of garden crops.
For the preparation of green compound feed, you can use specially grown crops such as clover and alfalfa. If it is not possible to plant plants, many wild plants that rabbits feed on in the wild can be an excellent alternative. These include well-known burdocks, nettles, dandelions and even plantain. All of these crops can be found in forest areas or in the field.
If it is not possible to constantly go out into nature and collect grass, you can buy seeds or dig up a couple of plants and plant them in a pot at home. They easily take root in a new place and do not require special care, while you can pamper your pet with fresh greens all year round.
The second important staple of homemade food is grain. The proportions should be calculated based on the weight and age of the rabbit. Also, feed is made of different nutritional value to young animals or a pregnant female. Grain helps animals gain weight, so it must be included in the diet.Minerals should be added as little as possible to each prepared feed.
Homemade feed for the winter
In the cold season, it is better for rabbits to choose an alternative in the form of a more high-calorie feed. You need to give such food at a certain time. Hay has a lot of fiber, but at the same time it is inferior in taste to fresh grass, so rabbits eat it less willingly.
The most useful and nutritious is hay from legumes and cereals, which include alfalfa, oats, sunflower, clover, sometimes rye and others. When self-collecting herbs for hay, it should be borne in mind that some plants can be poisonous and deadly to the animal, therefore it is so important to ensure that the plant breaks down to feed the pet.
How to make compound feed correctly? At home, for adults or young animals, you can prepare compound feed based on grain and with the addition of grass. There are several types of home feed, which are based on herbs.
Making and feeding decorative rabbits with compound feed is not difficult. It is necessary to give such food so that it replaces the pet with all the necessary supplements and vitamins. Combined foods can also be fed to adults. For example, homemade compound feed plus supplements from the store.
Homemade food composition
- grass 30%;
- barley 19%;
- oats 19%;
- wheat bran 15%;
- fish meal 1.0%;
- vitamin supplements, yeast 2.7%;
- salt 0.3%.
All data on dry complete food are indicated in approximate ratio and are calculated for feeding decorative adults and young rabbits. Individuals may need to add some ingredients.
During molting or during periods of vitamin deficiency, it is correct for the growth of rabbits to feed several times a day in small portions, each of which must be supplemented with minerals.
Useful Tips
How to make the best compound feed so that it meets all the requirements and replaces pelleted feeding? First of all, it is necessary to strictly observe the proportions and distribute the ratio of trace elements per kg of animal weight.
The composition of the compound feed for rabbits should include all the necessary vitamins. Basically, this is necessary for rabbits, females during pregnancy and lactation, and animals that have a weakened body as a result of illness.
A good diet has a certain amount of minerals and calcium. To prepare food at home, mix equal amounts of grass flour, oats and barley and add minerals to them. This can be feed yeast, table salt, or chalk.
Thus, do-it-yourself compound feed for rabbits is the most optimal solution.
Firstly, compound feeds for rabbits are convenient to use, since after them there is practically no uneaten food waste and the cage remains clean longer.
Secondly, compound feeds for rabbits are very diverse, which allows you to choose the most suitable type according to the season, health status, age and sex of the rabbit.
Another plus of the compound feed is its low cost, since the price varies depending on the composition of the compound feed. Also among the advantages is the ability to make compound feed for rabbits with your own hands. Basically, this does not require large financial and time costs, but you will be sure that your pet only eats high-quality food.