Introducing Fresh Food

[max+lorelei]

I’m a first-time rabbit owner with 2 young mini-lops (4 months old): Maximilian & Lorelei I have done a lot of reading but I am still a nervous mom, especially when it comes to nutrition. I started introducing fresh foods at 12 weeks (aside from carrots & apples, which they have been eating in small amounts since infancy) following the guidelines here: http://rabbit.org/suggested-vegetab…bbit-diet/ and here: http://rabbit.org/faq-diet/ BUT I am still unclear on how much my rabbits should be eating at this point.

It says to introduce 1 new food every 3 days in quantities of 1/2 oz until they are 7 months – can I start building up the quantity so that they are having a plate full of already “tested” greens or should this wait until adulthood? They are still quite small and I don’t want to overwhelm their digestive systems, but they have tolerated everything really well so far so perhaps I am being too cautious. At this point, I only give one vegetable at a time and in very small (1/2 oz) quantities. Elsewhere I have read that a 2 lb rabbit should get 1 cup of fresh food every day but it does not specify age. I’m afraid if I go from 1/2 oz of spinach to a full salad it will be too much! They are very happy and healthy bunnies, but I’m worried about possible vitamin deficiencies if I am not giving enough greens, as they are still growing.

So far they have tried: carrots, apples, parsley, spinach, basil, romaine lettuce, & broccoli – they LOVE everything and it has not interfered with their hay or pellet consumption. I also give them occasional dry treats (grain-free) with a variety of grasses, herbs and flowers. They are also a fan of wood, foam, rubber, & carpeting…but I try to keep that to a minimum haha.

I would appreciate any advice!

[Lilo]

Honestly i would say go ham. My babies are 7 weeks old and eat what their mom eats. Did you breed them or buy them? They should be getting what their mom got. I just give what you’d give to a fully grown bunny but in smaller quantities. But i just dump in what i know is safe. And what your doing is smart! Next time i get a litter I’ll try that

[jerseygirl]

Posted By Lilo on 2/21/2017 3:47 PM
Honestly i would say go ham. My babies are 7 weeks old and eat what their mom eats. Did you breed them or buy them? They should be getting what their mom got. I just give what you’d give to a fully grown bunny but in smaller quantities. But i just dump in what i know is safe. And what your doing is smart! Next time i get a litter I’ll try that

Hi Lilo
Just another reminder that the subject of intentional breeding is not permitted on the Binky Bunny forums. Thank you.

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I agree, baby rabbits can sample greens pretty early on if they’re in with their mum and she is getting them.
For rabbits that have had a break off of greens (after we are and homed) it’s good to introduce (or reintroduce) the greens slowly.

[jerseygirl]

@max+lorelei, I think if they’re doing well on the 1/2oz of one veg, you can continue give that then add in 1/2oz of another with that and so on. Then build up quantities.
You could probably work out how much to give judging on their weight. So HRS recommends 2 cups / 6lb body weight, minimum. Using that as a guideline, if your rabbits are 3-4lbs now, just give 1 cup each. If they tolerate that well, you could increase it.

I don’t think you need to worry about not meeting nutritional needs if they also have a pellet in ther diet.
A lot if their essential nutrition comes from eating their cecatrophes too, so it’s important that they are doing that.

It’s been a long time since I had 4 month old bunnies! I don’t recall how I worked out how much to feed with greens. I think I just gave a pile that was half the size of them. And built it up from there. If they didn’t finish of that amount quickly, I’d cut it back a bit. If they devoured it, I’d give a little more. : )

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