Meat Rabbit Diet, What, How Much, and When to Feed: The SR Rabbit Update for 10-4-16 

Good thinking. I think that it really depends on how much land and natural food you have though. Also, what do you do in the winter time?

when I said that we don't feed pellets to our animals, I meant store bought pellets. Because if you have a lot of animals like we do, pellets are too expensive. We do feed pellets that we make to our animals especially during the winter. We have our own pelletizer which was expensive to buy but it was worth it as a long term investment because it paid for it self a long time ago.

nice. Sounds like you have a great set up.

this comment wins. make videos @De Selby

congratulations. Thanks for watching and I am glad you like the videos.

Thank you for watching. Good luck with your new rabbits.

Thank you so much for the kind comments. I am glad you find my videos helpful.

Thanks for the kind comments and I am glad you like the videos.

Good question. The best thing to do is start off slow. Continue to feed her what she has been used to eating but give her a very small amount of pellets each day. Do that for two or three days. Then start to gradually decrease what she has been eating and increase the pellets a little bit more. Just a little bit at a time for 2 days, then a little more for another 2 days. After about a week and a half or so, you should be able to switch her over with no problems.

I have not used it myself but it is a common practice and does work. I just never found it necessary.

It is hard to say for sure what is causing the issues you described. It could be some of the greens that you are feeding them. You mention vegetable leaf scraps. If that includes iceberg lettuce, then that is most likely the issue. Iceberg lettuce is not good to feed any animal. It can lead to diarrhea and that can cause rabbits to die very quickly. I would do some research on what foods you can and cant feed rabbits and make sure you aren't including any of the "don't feed" foods in your vegetable scraps.

Those are resting mats. To give the rabbits something to get off of the wire if they need to.

Not necessarily but they will appreciate it. I use a 12 in ceramic tile in the warmer months, the tile stays cooler and helps them cool off. I switch out the tile for a board for the cooler weather.

I use a marble tile in the summer, stays even cooler than ceramic. Rabbit supply companies like Bass Equipment sell an inexpensive slotted plastic bed.

I have a neighbor come over and feed for me if I am going to be gone but a full feeder will usually last my rabbits about 3 or 4 days.

Yes. Does with kits and kits all get free feed as much as they will eat. I keep the feeder full all the time.

I don't know that you are missing anything. Sounds like they might just need a little more than that amount of food every day. I have had some rabbits in the past that required more feed.

Slightly Rednecked thanks I was a little worried about my girls. I rotate their food every day however. One day pellets the next Timothy hay. I'm doing this because I don't yet have a bin feeder just a lock and crock

They get some vegetables from time to time as a treat but their main diet is just pellets and hay.

At 17 weeks old she is still growing so you don't really have to worry too much about over feeding. Sounds like you have some good genetics there to get her to 8.5 pounds by 4 months old. Unless she looks overly fat, I wouldn't worry about it too much. When she gets to about 9.5 pounds you can watch her a little closer and maybe cut back a little on feed at that point.

That is my watering system. I have a video on it if you need it. ru-vid.com?o=U&video_id=4QTRyDN6RIA

Thanks Chris - for some reason I cannot access the video but I'm very interested

strange. I am not sure why that would be happening. You can search through my videos to find it but that might take a little time. Wish I could make it easier on you.

Does your auto water system with the 5 gallon bucket freeze up (bucket or tubing) and need to be replaced with a bowl during winter months?

I get mine from a local feed store so it is a local brand. I really think about any brand will do just fine though.

I don't see why not.

wow, I am glad to hear he is doing better. Being overweight is bad for a rabbit.

@@Slightlyrednecked right! I was in shock when I saw the hamster food

I have heard of people having that problem. I think I might try to hold off feed for a day, let her get good and hungry, and then give her just as much as she will eat in 24 hours. watch her and make sure she doesn't start to lose weight but I think she would figure out pretty quickly to eat the food or she is going to go without.

@@Slightlyrednecked thank you. I have a buck thats breathing really fast, acts like he might have an ear infection, head leaning to right(tilted) can i give him antibiotics. Hes a really good buck

It is absolutely safe to do so. I generally do that. I only have 4 cages. One is empty and I use it as a grow out pen. usually move half the babies off of the mom about 3 days before butcher day and then butcher them all at once.

Thank you so much for the kind comments. I can't really tell you if they need their feed supplemented or not. It really kind of depends on how they are doing. if they are all a good weight (can't see their backbones, etc) and are producing decent litters and taking care of the young it sounds like things are working pretty well. I know that isn't a clear cut answer but I hope it helps a little

yeah, kudzu is fine to feed to rabbits. It shouldn't be the only thing they eat but it can serve as a pretty good base.

yeah, these feeders can be filled up and will last a few days. I also have a neighbor that I have a good relationship with and will come on check on things for me if I need him too.

just grass is not really a balanced diet. You can supplement their diet with grass hay but they need lots of other nutrients in their main diet.

Sounds like a good plan. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you for watching. I am glad you liked it.

@@Slightlyrednecked me too sir. Thanks

I would say in the morning

Hey how much greens do you feed your rabbit? I can't seem to find an exact quantity and I don't want to over or underfeed my rabbit

Also, my rabbit is a holland lop/mini rex, so he's probably about 4-5 lbs probably, I don't have him yet but will be getting him soon

@@makennastone6704 I have one the same size (Mini Rex). I feed her twice a day, about 1 1/2 to 2 cups of veggies in total, so a cup in the morning and another at night. Organic Truth™ baby spring mix is a really good choice and has multiple different veggies for variety. I also give about 2 table spoons of pellets as a supplement. Timothy hay should be accessable all day ideally near their litter box (pro tip: putting a puppy pad at the bottom of the litter box along with recycled paper litter like Marshall™ premium ferret litter and putting CareFresh paper bedding over it reduces sore hocks and urine scalding.) Small pieces of tomato, carrot, banana, and blueberries spread out through the day to keep her from going through her hay too quickly. Bunnies are very similar to dogs, and will often try to steal off your plate or beg. It's good to put a small bunny treat on your plate when you get food so they will leave you alone. 😂 Sorry, that was a lot... I hope you and your bun do well. They might seem like a lot of work, but every since I got mine she's been my entire world. They're extremely sweet creatures. If you have any more questions/concerns I suggest watch people like 101rabbits or Lennon the Bunny.

@@itsthatonechickagaincallth7843 Thanks for the tips! I do watch Lennon the bunny, 101 rabbits, and Stormyrabbits, it just I couldn't find anything specific on how much greens per rabbit, and was overall confused. But thank you, this really helped a lot 😁😁

Agree with the Timothy once adult! And healthy greens spinach and parsley (brussel sprouts/celery/fruit/pumpkin seeds in shells as well). Only 1/2 cup pellets the rest greens. I give him scraps of my carrots/apples etc. it's not costing me anything for those! HE's my composting bin!

Thank you for watching and I am glad you find my videos helpful.

hi chris , i wanted to know when do i start breeding my rabbit she is 4 months old

Shishir Pokhrel 6-8 months depending on the breed

Sure. you can do that. If you want the best grow out rates from your kits you would want them on an all pellet diet but nothing wrong with your feeding plan either.

Thank you

You are correct. There is a difference. I probably should have weighed it myself to be more clear in the video.

@@Slightlyrednecked thank you for the video, my silver fox won't be overfed now! I hear they put on more fat easier than other breeds.

true. I don't weigh it out, just by volume.

I agree that you can raise rabbits solely on pellets. I do think that offering hay is a good option for them though.

I have 5 rabbits and it’s necessary but they will live hay helps with digestion. I used to have a doe I didn’t feed hay and she was just fine. Just make sure they have good digestion.

Sprague Farms has a video on “do rabbits need hay?”

Thank you for watching.

I am sorry but I am not sure what you are asking me exactly. Are you not able to get rabbit feed where you live?

I have not had those issues. Panting sounds like heat stroke though. Are they well shaded?

Slightly Rednecked yes. it's only the rabbits in that cage dying. they also have a house to go in. we have a roof on top of the cage for shade

If you live in a hot area make sure you change the water 2-3 times a day a small fan blowing around their cage also helps. You can freeze water in old pop bottles labels removed stick them in their cage they will lay on them. If you find they are still running out of water which happens freeze water in an old butter container then dump it in the cage they can lick it as it melts and the cold air off of it helps them ( it's a little messy)

That doesn't really seem like a ton of food honestly. Forage and hay will not go as far as pellets will. And they are still growing so it is common for them to go through more food than when they are full grown. It sounds like you are feeding them about the right amount.

Should you ease into grass the way you have to ease into vegetables so they dont get sick or will grass not hurt them at all?

for meat? 😳

@@samopomocni8866 I have pet rabbits and meat rabbits too lol. I actually started meat rabbit farming because I love rabbits so much and had pets. It's hard to say goodbye and to be the one to do the job but I really want to become more self sufficient and less reliant on big grocery stores :)

I have a bunny like that too (pet). He is racing around the cage when I come into the apartment. Eats ANYTHING!!! Always hungry, truthfully it's a joy!

it could be many things. Are you sure they don't have worms? that is rare but it could be the cause. It also depends a little on what breed of rabbit they are and how big they are.

they are both older male rex cross the guy had them their whole lives and wormed them anually.... im thinking its becuase they are old posably one has patchy poor fur quality and might butcher him hes the older of the two...... the 12 yr old .... could they just be getting old? and need more to keep their weight?

what type of wormer do i give them and what would the withdrawel time be for the one i plan to butcher this summer? just in case they need to be re dosed were last wormed in the summer im told.

do all rabbits need anual worming or only those suspected of doing poorly?

honestly, I don't subscribe to the philosophy of worming rabbits as a preventative measure. If they have worms you should be able to see it in their droppings (don't mistake maggots for worms though). If you have to worm them the common medication used is ivomec. I would give them at least 30 days but more like 60 before butchering though. Also, pumpkin seed is said to be a natural dewormer. You might just try feeding them some of those. No withdrawal time needed.

However much they eat in 24 hours. I would start off with about 16 ounces per rabbit and see how that goes. If they all act like they are starving when it is time to feed up it a little more.

They would eat 24/7 if i would let them, lol. I feed in the mornings, timothy hay every day, pellets, every other day. They eat more hay then anything. Im trying to figure out why im not getting kits. They go through the motions, but no results. She even builds a nest, but nothing.

Just double moms feed until weaning, then feed them for their expected adult weight since they'll put the extra into growth. Always provide as much hay as they will eat, and something to chew on to keep their front teeth at the correct length.

sure. it is very high in protein and can be used as fodder for rabbits.

@@Slightlyrednecked thank you sir

You can start weaning them at about 6 weeks old. To do so I simply move them to a grow out pen. I try not to take all of them at once but take about half and wait a few days and then take the other half to give the mother time to dry up a little before they are all gone. I generally do that at about 7 weeks old just to be sure. Hope that helps.

Slightly Rednecked it does thank you! Your videos are so helpful! We can’t wait for our first batch of kits at the end of April!

kim Ehman I noticed that the mother starts running away from them more often and they attack everything I feed mom, so by the 7th week, they should be weaned off by mom without your interference. By week 8 it is time to take them off mom and seperate them boys from mom and girls.

That is pretty much what I do.

Those look like New Zealand and Californians

I generally butcher at about 8 weeks old if they are around 5 pounds. The biggest reason is that after that the food to growth ratio is very poor. They don't grow as fast but still eat as much food. They are also much more tender when younger. I use a broomstick over the back of the neck and pull the rabbit to break it's neck to butcher them. That is the most humane way I have found. I hope that helps.

Wow...that makes sense, how often do you change the base rabbits you have, or is it done pretty much whenever you can find them?

I generally replace does about every 2 years and males about every 3 years.

Thanks! I feel like such a dumb-dumb for asking these questions, but I really am seriously interested. Thanks for the answers!

no reason to feel that way. If you don't know the answer you are only a "dumb-dumb" if you don't ask.

I have never had that issue with mine. I am really not sure how to fix it. Are you sure they are not being underfed? You might try giving just a little more food and see if that helps. Just a thought.

think am overfeeding in comparison. one likes to dig in feeder, had to use a bowl..supposedly different gauges of wire mesh on bottom of feeders. have not had funds to explore.

give them something to chew something to do anything take them for a walk

As much as they want. Same for the doe when lactating. The buck needs less, and won'y breed if he gets fat. Neither will the doe. Cut her food back after weaning.

Once a day is enough. If the rabbit eats all of it's pellets and it super eager when you feed it the next day just give it a little more. Hope that helps.

Slightly Rednecked thanks ok

no. There is nothing wrong with doing that. I just don't put in the extra work to grow it myself.

Wow, that is a pretty big "it depends" question. It generally takes about a bag and a half of food for me to raise a littler of 7 rabbits up to butcher size. That is about 20 pounds of meat for about $20 so about $1 a pound. Quail run pretty close to the same as far as how much feed they go through and cost. There are benefits and disadvantages to both. I might cover that part in a future video so stay tuned. Hope that helps at least a little.

Yes i guess its an oversimplified question, thanks for you answer it helps. If they were fed greens would they grow at the same rate?

No problem. I don't have personal experience with feeding fodder, greens, etc. but everyone I have talked to says it does make them grow slower and it is commonly accepted to be true. It seems to be the common thought that, if they would hit butcher weight in 8 weeks normally (genetics and all), it takes 12 weeks to get them to weight naturally.

Hi Chris, can i suggest to make a video comparing quail vs rabbit for meat covering areas such as how much meat can they produce, when can they be slaughter, what type of food and how much do you feed them, type and size of cage, how many in the litter and how long is the pregnancy. Im guessing this will be a summary of different videos you have made. Thank you!

I am actually already planning that. Hope to have it out later this week or early next. Thanks for the suggestion.

They can die from overeating but it takes a long time for that to happen. If you changed their food from what they were eating before, that can also cause them to have digestion problems and die. Rabbits don't do well with quick diet changes.

thank you so much for Your Advice 😙😙😙 !! thank you for Every Video you taught about your Quails and Rabbits !!! love and respect from Cambodia 🇰🇭 🙏🙏🙏

I guess that means you liked the video. Thanks for watching.

It is fine. I tend to use timothy hay since the pellets are alfalfa based and there is some concern that too much alfalfa can lead to excess calcium. But if that is all you can get it will be fine to use.

awesome. Thanks for sharing.

Cut back on how much you are feeding them. Basically just put them on a diet.

Thanks Chris.

ROHAN S I got rabbits do you think grass from my lawn can make them sick?

Sure you can. It shouldn't be their only food source but as a part of their diet, it is fine.

It depends on what is growing in your lawn. For the most part they should be able to eat the things growing in your lawn but there may be some things that they shouldn't eat too.

That is strange. All of my rabbits drink water daily. it may not be a lot of water but they all drink it.

Kakolee Ravi same with my rabbits!

Nope.

yes, it is safe for rabbits. You don't want to make it their primary food source but it can be part of their diet for sure.

I am not familiar with that brand myself but I am sure it is a good one.

That's not really a good way to do it. Rabbits will overeat and get overweight. It is best to feed just as much as they will eat in 24 hours.

yes with most rabbits that is fine.

Probably. It isn't a guarantee but it is likely that they will over eat.

Not unless they have worms. if you are raising them off the ground in cages it is very unlikely that they have worms. If they are on the ground it is more likely for them to get them but even then you probably don't need to worry about it unless they are having some kind of health problem (like losing weight).

Unfortunately there might not be much you can do. Rabbits will gain the most weight and grow out the most on straight rabbit pellets. But the grow out rate is really more related to genetics than to diet.

Cat Food xD

I am sorry but I am not sure what you are asking.

I follow the directions on the rabbit feed bag. I did use a letter scale to measure the ounces of the feed. For my 10 pound English Lop I think it came out to being a cup of feed but sometimes I add a little extra in the winter since he is an outside rabbit. I feed him Purina Show formula. BTW, He also eats a huge stack of Timothy Hay everyday. It is extremely healthy for him and keeps his teeth trim. I recently had to take him to the vet and the vet said his teeth are perfect.

You are asking how many ounces per pound of rabbit? For pet bunnies here the advice is 10 grams/kilo healthy adult weight. With an ounce being 28 grams and a kilo 2.2 pounds, the rough calculation would be one ounce per 3 pounds. But here pellets are a supplemental feed for minerals, etc. to much would make them fat (very bad in a bunny, meat or otherwise).

@@Slightlyrednecked I think the question is: are you weighing out 6-8oz on a scale (oz by weight), or are you just filling your cups (oz by volume).

@@Clairebell I'm sure he initially weighed what a full cup weighs, then just goes by that

They can eat goat feed. it isn't that much different than rabbit feed.

No reason really. Just the quail and rabbits provide what I need and i live in the city so they are easier to maintain without offending the neighbors.

Slightly Rednecked I guess that makes sense. I have an issue with acquiring poultry of every kind. Just assumed most people who like this kinda stuff had too.

because the man

I am sorry but I don't think I can answer that. I have never looked at buying feed online. The shipping cost is too high and I can get it locally cheaper.

My feed isn't chemical feed. it is mostly alfalfa. What kind of feed are you buying at the butcher?

rabbits I prefer to buy them at the butcher....alfalfa give hay and not pellets ... my rabbits eat 100% organic... hay alfalfa, carob, acorns, barley, soybeans, green field grass, bran ... industrial foodstuffs do not use them

sorry if I do not write well but I'm Italian

good call if you can meet the rabbits nutritional needs and get the stuff for free I'd say that's the way to go. cant sustain these global industry's

We buy a 50lb bag of feed at our local coop farm store for $15 and it last 3 large New Zealand breeder rabbits roughly 3 months. If your rabbit pellets cost more than $5 a month you are doing it wrong and they need to be weaned to a lower diet to avoid health issues and/or early death. Always give free choice Timothy hay as much as they want a day to keep them from growing spurs on their teeth and getting infections as well. Timothy hay costs us roughly $25 every 3 months for 3 large rabbits.

Only if you want overfed rabbits, free feed hay yes,but pellets need to be a measured amount per animal,more for feeding mummas and growers much less for bucks.

Yes. That is the reason I raise rabbits, to provide food for my family.

@@Slightlyrednecked no don't eat them 😭😭

@@Slightlyrednecked with all that money you use to buy food for those rabbits, you could use it to provide actual food for your family

@@larrywalowizz2609 And what exactly are you buying in the store ? Do you know what they have been given ? To make them grow , to keep disease out of the facility , growth hormone supplements ECT. And you will be hard pressed to find a leaner meat with as much protien and low fat and cholesterol. If you could find such meat it would be outrageously priced. When you have heart disease these things can mean life or death. Please understand that for some raising rabbits for food is not always easy to do , but might be necessary.

@@stevesadnick204 your comment makes no sense