5 week old bunny diet

[Mimsy]

I’m going to run to the store today to pick up alfalfa for the bunny, since I read here that it’s good for them when really young.  should she be getting just alfalfa or still get the orchard and timothy grass as well?

I also realized I wasn’t supposed to be adding veggies until she was 12 weeks.  She’s been getting a few sprigs of cilantro and she loves them.  Is it ok to continue if we haven’t any problems with them?   I wondered since they are naturally antibacterial if they would maybe be good for her?

Lastly-I want to switch her pellets from adult to young rabbit ones.   Should I mix them with what she is used to so it doesn’t upset her tummy?  or since I am going to add alfalfa should I just keep her on adult?

Jeesh I thought I read everything I needed to know, but then realized I know nothing about a bunny that is so young!  The last bunny I had was over 20 years ago and was an adult when I got him and well, feeding was probably all wrong.  he ate pellets, fresh veggies adn had access to the yard during the day when I was home, so he did eat grass…but I NEVER bought hay.  I feel rather bad about that in hindsight.

I did not know they should be with their Mom till 8 weeks.  I feel like a monster now.   She was in a barn on a farm and was sold through craigslist.    She is super playful and binkys all the time, flops down against our legs to sleep and seems happy from what I can tell.  She is being kept in the kitchen, since there is no carpet there, but she is happiest in my bed and just does crazy hopping around and racing around when she is allowed there.  She is nippy if we eat anything and don’t wash our hands before handling.  She doesn’t bite down hard, but I think she may want to suckle our fingers…hmmm..I’m pretty sure these fingers produce snickers..I can smell it.

Thank you so much!!  This site is soooo helpful.  Wish I wasn’t so stupid as to not read the most important stuff for our situation…baby bunny!  Willow thanks you as well.

[Jadeo09]

Rabbits should be with their mothers on their milk until 8 weeks.
It can cause life long issues otherwise.

[Jadeo09]

They should be weaned by 8 weeks the earliest and unadvisable is 6 weeks

[Jadeo09]

http://www.rabbitmatters.com/buying-a-rabbit.html

[Mimsy]

Maybe I didn’t make sense, but I already have the baby bunny. The previous owner sold all the babies. There is no go back in times on this one.

I’m trying to make sure I can make everything as good as I can for her and keep as many bad issues as minimal as possible for her. I understand if no one wants to give any help in the situation, it’s messed up for sure.

She wasnt going into a vet for another month for a checkup and to get her on their records for when she is old enough to be spayed. I’ll call back and see if I can get in early and see if they can answer some dietary questions and give any advice on such a young bunny. The only one’s deal normally with farm bunnies, so wasn’t sure if they would give info for a bunny who will be treated like family.

Thanks for your concern.

[Jadeo09]

http://www.therabbithouse.com/diet/diet-baby.asp
Of course I’ll help its not your fault.
Try this article.
Have you got the food that it was eating at its previous home?
Its a danger if it wasn’t on any solids because he was so young

[Jadeo09]

Before kits, or baby bunnies, are weaned from their mother, they should be eating commercial rabbit food pellets. These small bits are designed specifically for the rabbit’s sensitive gastrointestinal system. With kits, it’s a matter of feeding just the right amount, neither overfeeding or underfeeding the developing rabbits. Watch the babies carefully for signs of illness after weaning. Call the vet if a kit stops eating or develops diarrhea.

That’s quoted

[Jadeo09]

Alfalfa hay is good for babies
But change anything very gradually
As he’s so young that is particularly important

[Mimsy]

thank you! Yes she is on the same pellets that she was on. the hay I don’t know what they had in there. So we bought the timothy and orchard and now I switched it out for alfalfa.

I didn’t want to switch pellets to the young ones without imput because I worried about digestion issues. I also read that it may not be as important if they get alfalfa since it has the higher protein levels. though the pellets she is on is junk and I do want to switch them, but I’m hesitant to do so after switching the hay. She LOVES the alfalfa and has been eating a ton of it. She may of been on it though, because as i said I don’t know the kind of hay she was on.

She is making a huge amount of droppings since I got her and they all look healthy, not signs of anything wrong there.

I figured folks might not want to give info, to dis-encourage people from getting such young babies. so I do understand. she’s here now so I have to figure out whats best.

So far she seems happy and very outgoing. She will be 6 weeks tomorrow. We had been looking for a boy like the one I had so many years ago. She just happened to fall into our lap and I could not resist her sweet face. My old boy was a black rex with miles of tude. I grew up in farm country so was considered really weird when I had my boy in the house, like I said over 20 years ago. But he was so good and scratched at the door to potty, which all was deposited in one corner of my yard. Anyways, I think she will be amazing in her own way once I stop freaking out because of her young age.

To top it off I have a starling who is allergic to either the orchard or timothy grass, he’s been sneezing since we brought her home and stopped as soon as I cleared out the orchard and timothy. When it rains it pours.

[BB & Tiny]

I would love to help but i know nothing about baby bunnies. I do know oxbow makes a baby formula as one of mine was on it for awhile when I first brought him home. Directions for switching food is on the bag to gradually replace the old kind with the new.

[Mimsy]

Thank you bunlove. I was looking at getting the oxbow pellets. Thinking I should maybe give it a few days before I start changing her over, due to the change in hay?

[BB & Tiny]

I have no idea. Hopefully more experienced members would have some input ?

[Jadeo09]

I would change it very gradually but try to leave it a week on a stable hay.
As you say feeding alfalfa is what they put in baby pellets and will keep her weight on .
Their Tums are so fragile avoid changing lots of things.
I’m not sure of a pellet that is best for babies but someone else has mentioned one.
My vet says not to feed my rabbit veg or pellets and just hay and he’s the one of the best vet for in the uk.
So don’t worry too much.a week won’t harm her considering you are already feeding her the bad quality ones.
I’d give it a week before change over or longer as she will be older and stronger by then.
Hopefully someone who has had experience with babies will give some advice
Boo was 6 or 7 weeks when I got her and I never knew much because it was a spare of the moment thing as my aunties rabbits had babies and she never knew they were pregnant and she wanted rid I never had a choice even though I told her 8 weeks ?

Jade Owen

[Mimsy]

thanks Jade. Yeah, I think I’ll leave the pellets for now and then in a week slowly introduce a better quality one. She loves the alfalfa and mostly is eating it. I have to say it smells great. We got it locally and it’s a 50lb bale of very compact very fresh hay. I’m bummed I have the pet store timothy and orchard. They have both those in these bales as well.

[Jadeo09]

Hi
Your welcome
My bun hated Timothy hay until she was older now she’s mad on it. I think they change what they like over time.
You should have seen boos face when I fist tried her on a slice on banana she was discussed with me .now she thinks and kisses and follows me round for it.
Its funny if I have a banana in the room and I’m eating it there’s no fooling boo she knows I’ve got it and jumps on the couch with me climbing all over me til she gets some.
She still loves alfalfa though, when they’re older it can give them calcium sludge so I have to limit it.
Have you decided in what pellets your going to change to in a week?
Jade

[Mimsy]

I am in the US, so I am debating between oxbow young or forgoing the young and going to the oxbow organic. I’m trying to figure out how important the young one is. I prefer organic foods whenever possible, especially with longer lived animals, I don’t like the idea of pesticides getting stored in their bodies. The alfalfa seems like it would give plenty of the extra’s for when she is young.

I’m ordering on line though and haven’t pushed the send button yet, if you have concerns with not getting the young rabbit food, or if there is something about the organic one that is less desirable.

On a silly note. I had to block a local breeder from my email. I asked her who she uses as a vet, since I’m looking for a bunny savy vet, hopefully nearby. I also sent emails to rescues in the state, though none are nearby, I thought they might know still. Anyways the breeder lost it’s mind and said never to bring bunnys to vets because they kill rabbits. Spaying is only for cats and dogs. anyways, such a weird and unpleasant person.

[BB & Tiny]

I believe the young is alfalfa based and the organic is not. It doesn’t have a serving size for young rabbits, because it is not for young rabbits.

http://www.petsmart.com/small-pet/food/oxbow-bene-terra-organic-rabbit-food-zid36-1845/cat-36-catid-600005

https://www.oxbowvetconnect.com/products/type/detail?object=1552

[BB & Tiny]

This link looks helpful

http://www.therabbithouse.com/diet/rabbit-food-comparison.asp

[Mimsy]

That link is great, ty. I think I’m going to order this http://www.amazon.com/Sherwood-Forest-Baby-Rabbit-Food/dp/B00L5KROKI/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1444369457&sr=8-18-spons&keywords=rabbit+pellets&psc=1

And then this one, since it will be no time before she is ready for adult for sure. http://www.amazon.com/Sherwood-Adult-Rabbit-Food-Soy-Free/dp/B00SA318ZK/ref=pd_sim_199_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=17ATDFXM58KS210DP0Q1&dpID=51pS24hSw1L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_

I think the ingredients look really good in that brand. Not organic, but perhaps better food types.

[Mimsy]

That link is great, ty. I think I’m going to order this http://www.amazon.com/Sherwood-Forest-Baby-Rabbit-Food/dp/B00L5KROKI/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1444369457&sr=8-18-spons&keywords=rabbit+pellets&psc=1

And then this one, since it will be no time before she is ready for adult for sure. http://www.amazon.com/Sherwood-Adult-Rabbit-Food-Soy-Free/dp/B00SA318ZK/ref=pd_sim_199_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=17ATDFXM58KS210DP0Q1&dpID=51pS24hSw1L&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_

I think the ingredients look really good in that brand. Not organic, but perhaps better food types.

[BB & Tiny]

Odd that product doesn’t list its ingredients.

[Mimsy]

If you hover over the picture you read it. It’s also on the list of rabbit food you linked me. decisions, I’m terrible about putting things in my cart and then changing my mind. I ended up with oxbow and I hit send, so thats that.

[BB & Tiny]

Lol..it took me days to select cookie cutters, so yes i understand !

Oxbow should be fine. Though the one you mentioned certainly was cheap. I did find the ingredients list. I don’t know about seed oils in food, doesn’t oils turn rancid with time ?

[Jadeo09]

If you wanted dthe organic ones you could always feed alfalfa too.
But I wouldn’t worry about the other not being organic they aren’t usually on it long enough to cause issues.
With babies they say unlimited pellets so just keeping the bowl topped up and changed every 24 hours does the trick.

[Author]

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