More fresh wild herbs or more fresh veg?

[narkut]

Hi everyone,

I have been advised that bunnies should be given unlimited amounts of fresh wild herbs to eat all day, supplemented by a bit of fresh vegetables, daily. I was previously under the impression that their diet should be the other way round; primarily fresh vegetables supplemented by fresh wild herbs. What do you think? What does your rabbits daily diet consist of and how much?

According to the above advice I received, I’m now on the hunt for fresh wild herbs. I live in a flat and do not have a garden, therefore I cannot grow herbs myself. (The small pots of herbs I have on my windowsill do not produce enough for my 2 bunnies to live on). Therefore do any of you who live in London/Essex, UK know where I can buy fresh wild herbs please?

I’m too afraid to pick them from the surrounding parks and forests as I believe my local council uses pesticides.

I would really appreciate your advice! Thank you!

Mummy to Duke and Lady x

[Benthebunny]

My bunnies diet is unlimited hay, two tblspoons of pellets (3 lbs) and two leaves of romaine lettuce, and every other day, three leaves of parsley.

[Theodorusrex]

My rabbit gets usually about half normal leafy veg and half herbs such as basil, coriander, parsley, mint, sage. Parsley and Sage shouldn’t be fed in high amounts (I think due to calcium content- although someone correct me if I’m wrong). He gets probably just over 2 cups greens per day. An average day’s greens would usually be carrot tops from 3 carrots, a handful of e.g. coriander and a few leaves of little gem lettuce.

I buy my herbs from the supermarket to be honest. I often find that there are bags of herbs in the reduced section for 10p or less which will still be good for 2 or 3 days maybe (by which stage they are usually munched!)

[narkut]

Thank you guys! My rabbits seem to have a similar diet to Theo’s currently. Does Theo also get pellets? If so, how much?

I also buy veg and herbs from supermarkets but I’ve been told I must give wild herbs, which aren’t sold in regular supermarkets.

From my research I am getting so much conflicting information. it seems there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ diet. Would you agree?

[Theodorusrex]

Yeah, I’ve recently switched Theo from Burgess excel to Science Selective pellets – he gets 1/4 cup per day and 1 or 2 fibafirst sticks for treats/to increase his fibre intake due to his recurrent tummy troubles. And then, of course, unlimited hay. Theo gets orchard grass hay as I have an allergy to Timothy.
I’ve never honestly heard that herbs must be ‘wild’ – I’m sure that’s not easy to come across. I live in a city so that just wouldn’t be possible for me. Where did you hear this advice?
I’ve spoken recently with members of BB about the vast amount of conflicting info out there- sometimes as long as you follow the general recommendations you just have to do what suits your individual rabbit to make them healthy and happy

[narkut]

Some say to feed wild herbs over vegetables. Some say you must give a pellet free diet while others say that’s bad. Some say to give just a couple of leaves of green and pellets a day… I’m so confused!

Bunnies are constantly hungry and will eat whatever you give them so that’s not a good way to judge. But I think as long as they’re not over or underweight and they’re happy, I’ll stick to what I’m doing.

[jerseygirl]

I have been advised that bunnies should be given unlimited amounts of fresh wild herbs to eat all day, supplemented by a bit of fresh vegetables, daily.

I’d be a bit wary about unlimited amounts. Many can be beneficial, but in moderation. Some herbs are diuretics and have high calcium. Rabbits should have unlimited grass hay.
You can get some dried wild type herbage here: http://galensgarden.co.uk/shop/

[narkut]

Thank you Jerseygirl, this has really helped! I will definitely check out that website and order some herbs for my buns. As none of you so far have suggested unlimited greens and herbs, I will continue to give mine 2 cups a day each. They seem happy and healthy, I’m just being an overly worried mum lol.

Thanks for your advice!

[Bam]

By wild herbs people probably mean dandelion and plantain and yarrow and other herbs like that, not wild spicy herbs. I completely agree that wild herbs like basil, mint, thyme etc must be really hard to find.
I give my buns a generous amount of dandelion and plantain during summer, their tummies do very well on that diet.

[Author]

Messages