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Forum DIET & CARE Bunny Gardening, grapevines and leaves safe?

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    • kralspace
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        I was looking through the veggie list for new things to try and saw Grape fruit, leaves, and vines. This is a really dumb question, but I wanted to make sure it’s talking about the grape vines you could have growing around the house (not grapefruit, right?).

        I have 2 Thompson white grapevines I’ve never paid much attention to because the birds grab the grapes so fast, but this year it is producing a lot of new vines and beautiful leaves and it never crossed my mind that the bunnies might could eat them.

        We’ve had a lot of rain this spring and the little weeping willow I planted is looking great and they love the leaves and dead twigs I bring in. I set up a rainbarrel close to it so I can keep this one watered properly.

        I was following the thread about sticks and think I’ll try a small apple tree also since they’re safe.

        The yard really needs mowing, but there’s so many nice dandelions popping up I really hate to. You really need a life when your entire yard becomes a bunny garden   😉

         

         


      • BinkyBunny
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          EDITED because I lost my mind and  had replied with an answer that was ridiculously confusing. 

          Let’s try this again: 

          I am assuming it’s to mean “grapes” include the vine and leaves.  HOWEVER, I can see how this is confusing and I’m double-checking with the creator of the list (HRS Health Coordinator)

           


        • kralspace
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            Thanks BB!


          • RabbitPam
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              While BB checks on grape vines for you, I just want to add that my biggest concern for anything from outside is pesticides.
              If you grow your own garden in your own yard, and don’t use any, then it’s a good start. That would make your own apple tree sticks OK.
              But if anyone does any lawn or garden care for you, then it’s a danger.
              So I think the plants in your own garden will be OK under the right conditions, but I am worried about the dandilions. Because they blow through the air on the wind and plant themselves in neighbors’ gardens all the time. Your neighbors might have sprayed them, so they seeded somewhere else where they aren’t dying (your lawn) and may still have some residual pesticide on them. I would not trust the dandilions and weeds.
              But you can start your own little herb patch for the bunny, plus a window box garden is a great way to plant some fresh herb treats, like mint and dill, too.


            • kralspace
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                That’s a great idea, RabbitPam. I grew up with an organic gardening dad, and his idea of bug control was one of us kids following him around with 2 bricks to smash the bugs…….ugh, still makes me shiver. So nothing in my yard is treated and knowing my neighbors, they don’t treat either, but I’ll forgo the dandelions. Around this small town, the “yard man” is a young guy pulling his little trailer with his mower and weedeater with a moped.

                Bunny poo/hay makes up my mulch and I’m setting up a rainbarrel system to water my ‘bunny’ trees 😉 I need to grow the veggies that they eat the tops of like radishes, etc. I hate to buy them in the store when no one wants to eat the actual radishes.


              • Deleted User
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                  I agree with Rabbitpam, the main concern is pesticides. I was reading in a rabbit book about plant toxicity that rabbits have a relatively high tolerance even to plants toxic to other animals, meaning they either won’t touch them or wouldn’t ingest enough to seriously harm themselves. I think there are so many plant materials edible for rabbits that no list would include them all. I used to be nervous introducing new things from outside but I have relaxed about it somewhat. I am not saying feed anything from outside to your rabbits because caution is always advised with offering new food items; however, I believe untreated plant materials can really be a health benefit. (I know this does not answer your question about the grapevines…)


                • Deleted User
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                    Apparently wild rabbits are considered a pest in vinyards due to the damage the grapevines suffer at their teeth.


                  • kralspace
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                      yeah, their teeth is what convinced our house to go wireless everywhere possible  😉

                      I found a good use for the cage that Simba came to me with, it’s one where the white cage part just sits down into a large purple high-sided box. The box is serving as an extra litter area in the play room, and I popped the top over my poor catnip I just planted in an effort to fend off the herd of cats that wander the neighborhood. Can’t grow it inside because of my three and couldn’t grow it outside for all the ‘visitors’ so we’ll see how this works.

                       


                    • Deleted User
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                        Commercial rabbit cages are great, just not for housing bunnies


                      • Andi
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                          I’ve wondered about the grape vines/leaves myself. I bough dried grape vines made into wreaths with some willow ones, the willow ones went to the bunnies, the grapes ones are still in a bag. If i cannot find info on them I suppose I may have to make decorations out of them instead of bunny toys LOL

                          I use the commercial rabbit cages for playtime outside for my Degus.


                        • Deleted User
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                            I will see if I can find out about the grapevines.


                          • Deleted User
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                              According to Dana Krempels grapevines and leaves are safe to eat for rabbits as long as there is no pesticide residue.


                            • Andi
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                                Wonderful, I’ll add it to my list. Thanks.
                                I don’t use sprays or anything in my own gardens (Probably why my gardens looks like a weed fest LOL), and either do my neighbours whom i get apple branches from


                              • Deleted User
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                                  Posted By Andi on 04/28/2010 09:32 AM
                                    my gardens looks like a weed fest LOL

                                   

                                  B.C. and ‘weed’ somehow go together.


                                • Andi
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                                    Posted By Petzy on 04/28/2010 09:43 AM

                                    Posted By Andi on 04/28/2010 09:32 AM
                                      my gardens looks like a weed fest LOL

                                     

                                    B.C. and ‘weed’ somehow go together.

                                     

                                    LOL…. well then…

                                    “My Addicts”

                                    It’s alfalfa bits btw … LOL


                                  • Deleted User
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                                      I like your grey rex. <3


                                    • Andi
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                                        He’s a heart bunny of mine, Bo. I think he’s part dog though, he begs like a dog, tries jumping up my legs like a dog, and well pretty much will eat anything… maybe he’s got lab in him? LOL
                                        Pizza is a fun food to try and steal he thinks, and he had jumped on me an took banana chips right from my mouth once! I had put some in my mouth quickly when i saw him coming, and held the bag up over my head so he couldn’t take them… didn’t work, but I did laugh my butt off.

                                        Kinda on, but off topic. I actually know a girl who gives her rabbits real ‘weed’ leaves. I’ve only read don’t give to your dogs and cats, is there anything on that for bunnies? I’d like to send her information about it, as I am opposed to it, specially if it is harmful (I wouldn’t give it to a child/dog/cat so why a bunny?). And sites or research on this?


                                      • kralspace
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                                          Thanks for the answer on the grape leaves and vines, I guess I better take better care of them and actually encourage them to grow 😉

                                          Beautiful bunnies, that must be what my Pringles would look like as an uppy ear bunny. Good grief, are her bunnies stoned? Would that make them Hippy Hoppers?


                                        • Deleted User
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                                            That’s a cute term of endearment ‘hippy hoppers’ LOL My Mops is definitely one of those.


                                          • kralspace
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                                              Happy Hippy Hoppers


                                            • Deleted User
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                                                This would be a nice name for a bunny boarding place.


                                              • kralspace
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                                                  I washed and tore up a big grapevine leaf last night and here’s the score:

                                                  Pringles, Lola: omg, give me more!
                                                  Daisy: ok, but do you have anything else?
                                                  Toby: good God, woman, are you trying to kill me?
                                                  Piggies: more!

                                                  but they all love leaves from the weeping willow (just a few each)


                                                • Deleted User
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                                                    Just tell them that grapevines is the plant of the day and if they don’t like it they can find another restaurant…


                                                  • Andi
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                                                      Anyone else done dried rose peddles?
                                                      Some of my bunnies LOVE them, i’ve not made any myself as i don’t grow roses, the stuff I got was purchased as a treat for bunnies.
                                                      The rose hips didn’t go over well LOL


                                                    • RabbitPam
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                                                        Bunnytowne gives her two rose petals frequently. Not dried though. She hasn’t been on in a while (computer problems I think) but you could ask her via email if she doesn’t see this.


                                                      • Monkeybun
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                                                          Monkey loooves rose petals. Moose could care less.


                                                        • Deleted User
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                                                            I think KatnipCrzy’s Griffin enjoys fresh rose petals also. There were some beautiful photos posted of him not too long ago.
                                                            Mine eat wild rose petals, fresh and dry, but no rose hips either. They are overly tart. Weird thing is my dogs love to eat rosehips, right off the bushes.


                                                          • kralspace
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                                                              mine loved the petals from 2 rose bushes I planted for them, but they did not do well organically so I moved them to the farthest corner of the yard last year so I could apply a bit of stuff to their roots without contaminating anything else.

                                                              I had tried all sorts of organic and home remedies but something kept biting or stinging the buds so they wouldn’t open properly and the petals were all wierd and I didn’t want to give them to the buns.


                                                            • jerseygirl
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                                                                Posted By Andi on 04/28/2010 10:33 AM

                                                                Kinda on, but off topic. I actually know a girl who gives her rabbits real ‘weed’ leaves. I’ve only read don’t give to your dogs and cats, is there anything on that for bunnies? I’d like to send her information about it, as I am opposed to it, specially if it is harmful (I wouldn’t give it to a child/dog/cat so why a bunny?). And sites or research on this?

                                                                From what I’ve seen it’s the leaves that are most toxic to rabbits. Flowers and stems might be ok but I’d just be saying to avoid all of it. http://www.rabbitadvocates.org/articles/toxic.html 

                                                                & this site gives general warning for all companion animals: http://www.3bunnies.org/poisonous_plants.htm

                                                                Kralspace, are there any concerns in feeding rabbits more than a few willow leaves?  I’ve often given more than this…  I’m growing my own weeping willow from a cutting. Easiest plant in the world to strike!!


                                                              • kralspace
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                                                                  I never thought of feeding willow leaves until I bought a bag at the Dallas rescue, and then it was more of a treat than a daily veggie helping. It was the first food that everyone liked instantly, they’d do anything for a few leaves!

                                                                  I started asking and reading and decided to plant a weeping willow in the yard 2 years ago. Then i got caught up in taking care of ill family members out of town and no one would remember to water it for me ;-( I read where the white willow has a substance that’s not particularly good but that the weeping willow is fine for bunnies.

                                                                  This time I not only planted the little tree, I installed gutters on my garage and 2 rain barrels so it has it’s own water source without hooking 2 hoses together and dragging them back there. Plus I use litterbox hay and poo for fertilizer so it’s all good, I’ll have to take some photos if it stops raining.


                                                                • kralspace
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                                                                    I didn’t answer your guestion Jerseygirl…lol. I’m not sure how much you can feed at a time. I was trying to find some articles I read last year where in Britian they were using willow as a large part of their food supply, alternating with clovers, etc. Since I was stretching a couple of small lunchbags of leaves over 4 months I was pretty stingy with them, but I need to find out as my supply increases (fingers crossed)

                                                                    Although I don’t plan on having it make up a large part of their diet, it would be good to know how much is ok.


                                                                  • jerseygirl
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                                                                      Yes, I’ve never come across any caution with weeping willow. I feed it green too, though I haven’t given them some in a while. My plant is only just potted so we’ll see if it survives. I’m not that good with plants! Did you plant yours in the ground? I’m too afraid to do that because I read they can play havoc with the house plumbing. Already have that problem with some old established ash trees. I think it was the white willow bark that aspirin used to be made from. Weeping willow is said to contain salicylates (i.e. asprin) but so do tons of other foods! I’ve never had any issues feeding fresh willow to my bunnies. Of course, it’d be good to know if there is a concern…


                                                                    • BinkyBunny
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                                                                        Well, I am very late in responding here, but just to let you know that I heard back from the HRS health coordinator and she confirmed that yes, grape vines and leaves are fine. (as long as not treated of course0 Though you actually have that pretty much confirmed in.

                                                                        As far as willow goes (from weepeing willow) that’s fine. We use to sell dried willow leaves, but it just took so much time and work, we could no longer do it for the price we were selling them for. Maybe one day we’ll get back to it somehow. The dried willow leaves and twigs were a huge favorite and my bunnies could clear out a whole bunch in an hour.


                                                                      • jerseygirl
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                                                                          BB, is fresh leaves and willow twigs and branches ok?


                                                                        • kralspace
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                                                                            Jim was a biologist, his special interests were spiders (shudder) and trees so I started digging through his books. I scanned the weeping willow page and will post the link below. Pardon the ickiness, when you scan from a printed page it shows all the dot patterns and I wanted it in high resolution so it looks even worse   😉

                                                                            http://www.discoverwest.org/bunnies/willowpage.pdf

                                                                            here’s what I have planted so far this spring (growing vibes for them all, please!) of course it’s still cool here in central Texas, it’s the coming summer that will be hard!

                                                                             

                                                                            Kathy

                                                                             


                                                                          • Deleted User
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                                                                              I love your garden, kralspace. This reminds me of my mother. She is a botanist by hobby and she has everything labeled just like you. I always say how much my rabbits would love it if she lived closer, well, and I, she has a way with plants.


                                                                            • BinkyBunny
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                                                                                Kralspace — what a great start, cute baby willow tree that will one day be a big beautiful tree to hide under. We also grow rosemary and mint. We have a huge rosemary bush in our front yard and it smells so nice! I can get quite a bit of rosemary from it each week without diminishing the bush in the slightest.

                                                                                Jersey- I have always dried the willow — though the lady I would get willow from (she has five big willow trees), fed her bunny’s a little bit of fresh willow but she mentioned that if given too much a few of them can get mushy poo, so though I haven’t read anything about fresh willow being toxic to rabbits I just didn’t feel that safe testing it out much. Plus, I get it in such large bunches that I HAVE to dry it because the leaves and the branches, which are very green and moist,  they begin to wilt soon after being cut, and are more vulnerable to mold so they need good air circulation.   When the branches are dried fully, they turn from fresh wet green to dry dark brown/black even though the leaves will stay green dried.

                                                                                I just realized I gave you much more info on “dried” willow then you probably ever cared to know.


                                                                              • kralspace
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                                                                                  no, go on with any wisps o’ willow information you have BB! The tree is growing like a weed and I’m resisting picking leaves right now and hope to have some to harvest later. I’d love to know how to dry and store it for the winter.

                                                                                  Kathy


                                                                                • BinkyBunny
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                                                                                    kralspace– message me.

                                                                                    This is the size of tree I am used to (just googled a photo of the size of tree I am used to around here though some are not quite as plush…but close if they are not pruned regularly) I personally think they are absolutely beautiful.   Though my understanding is you will be busy during the summer keeping it trimmed down. (your bunnies won’t mind having the “extras’!)

                                                                                     


                                                                                  • kralspace
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                                                                                      beautiful BB, that’s the kind I remember from living in Mississippi when I was a kid. I hope my grows that big! (actually I’ll be happy if it lives)


                                                                                    • kralspace
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                                                                                        ok, just proof of how bunnies can take over your whole brain. It gets extremely hot here in central Texas in the summer, and our town has already started having limited outside watering. and they WILL give you a ticket..lol or ask a  lot of questions if your grass and flowers look a lot better than the neighbors.

                                                                                        soooo……here’s my new water storage system I put in the back yard just for my little willow tree. Plastic barrels are scarce and getting pretty expensive since going ‘green’ has gotten so popular, but a power washing company puts these 330 gallon dudes up for $85. They held biodegradable soap and they steam clean them before you pick them up. I spent the holiday putting up the gutters so I could set it up.

                                                                                        Now if it would only rain!!!! My poor dog likes to help.


                                                                                      • Deleted User
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                                                                                          What a great solution. The dog looks thirsty already…


                                                                                        • RabbitPam
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                                                                                            For a Cooler Summer for You and Your Doggie, Get Our Deluxe 330 Gallon Water Tank! Refreshing Caffeinated Cooling System! Just Add Coke and Dog.


                                                                                          • kralspace
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                                                                                              that’s funny Rabbit Pam. gee, all this stems from that first little $35 bunny from the feed store, Pringles. It’s like posion ivy I tell you, just keeps spreading and spreading!


                                                                                            • Beka27
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                                                                                                That is very cool!

                                                                                                We are all losing our minds… bit by “furry bunny” bit…

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                                                                                            Forum DIET & CARE Bunny Gardening, grapevines and leaves safe?