Changing pellets?

[Irina]

Hello all! I recently found a rabbit savvy woman at my local Farmer’s co-op who recommended I switch from the pellets I am currently using (Co-op brand) to a better brand (Little Friends, made by Martin). Both types meet the requirements I have read from the House Rabbit Society, but she has had rabbits for many years and insists that the ones she recommends are a higher quality. My bunnies are almost 5 months and still get unlimited access to pellets. I decided to switch over gradually, and have added a some of the new ones to the old pellets in their bowls. One of my bunnies is selectively eating the new ones- (they are all gone before any of the old ones are touched), and the other is selectively avoiding them! Ha! They are different in shape so it is easy to tell! My question is- how slowly do I switch? Over 1 week, 1 month? They currently each eat about 1/2-2/3 cup pellets/day on average. I introduced the new food 4 days ago, and am mixing in less than 1/4 cup/day of new pellets for each bun. Of course they have unlimited access to hay (Timothy and alfalfa as advised by my vet), as well as a variety of fresh greens daily. Sound good? Any advice regarding changing pellets and how fast it can happen? Thanks in advance!

[MoveDiagonally]

I think switching over is usually a three week thing.
Week 1: 1 part new, 3 parts old
Week 2: half and half
Week 3: 3 parts new, 1 part old

After that it’s all new pellets. Are they not eating the new ones at all or just eating them last? Are you feeding the Original Rabbit or Adult Rabbit version of the pellets?

[Rufus]

I’m currently trying to switch out Rufus’ pellets too! He likes to eat all his old pellets before he will eat any new ones and only eats the new ones when he realises he won’t get anymore till they’re gone. Little pest!
The advice I read said to start with 1/4 new pellets to 3/4 old pellets for one week (proportionally depending how much you feed them). The next week you give them 1/2 old and 1/2 new and on the third week you give them 3/4 new pellets, 1/4 old pellets. By the fourth week they should be fully switched over. I’m keeping my fingers crossed, the last pellets I tried to switch for Rufus he just stopped eating pellets all together by week three. He’s especially particular though so I’m sure that won’t happen for your buns

[Rufus]

We must have been typing at the same time MoveDiagonally!

[Irina]

Thanks MD and Rufus! Consistency is great!

MD- the pellets are the original, not adult. Butterscotch will eat them- but seems to eat them at the end. I refill their pellets every morning before work, and there usually are some left- mostly the new ones. I can’t really wait until they are all gone to refill- as he would run out before I get home in the afternoon, although that would be better because I could be sure he is eating everything, old and new. Perhaps I can find a bigger bowl, so I can put enough in to last 36 hours instead of 24….

[MoveDiagonally]

I might try leaving them and re-filling in the afternoon just to see if they’re eating them/encourage them to eat them. It won’t hurt them if they run out for a bit.  Unlimited pellets doesn’t always have to mean they have to have constant pellet access. I used to let my baby bunnies run out in the afternoon and during the night so they would eat more hay.

[Rufus]

I second that advice. My bun eats more pellets when I give him a small amount, let them run out and then refill them a bit later I think he just liked being fed.

[Irina]

I wondered about that myself. Butterscotch eats pellets preferentially- I didn’t know if I could let them run out to encourage eating more hay. I will try that starting tomorrow and see how it goes. Thanks MD & Rufus!

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