Before I go into the foods we give our bunnies, I want to touch on the most important part of an animal's diet which is fresh water! I give our bunnies filtered well water & pour it into a small crock rather than a bottle. I find they drink much more water that way. I also add Bragg's Organic raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar with the mother (found at sobeys and superstore). We recommend you do to! There are many benefits to ACV which is why I add a small amount of it to my own water/tea as well as all my animals water everyday. It contains many vitamins and minerals. It prevents urinary tract infections, improves digestion, helps with pregnant and nursing does, helps prevent mites/fleas, increases nutrient absorption and more! It is a miracle liquid I recommend everyone try. Now, on to the food!
#1 Grass hay
The most important part of a bunnies diet (after unlimited fresh water) is hay. Hay should make up 70% of a bunnies daily intake and be readily available in unlimited quantities for bunnies to graze on all day long. High fiber hay helps to keep their digestive system moving, wears down their forever growing teeth, and keeps them entertained all day long. (a busy bunny is a happy bunny).
The hay that we feed the bunnies at Riverbend is local farm hay. We currently have three different types of hay. The reason for that is, convenience and variety. We were able to get this hay for a good price grown on our land, but we also wanted to get different cuts/types for the bunnies incase we had any picky eaters and to make sure everyone is getting lots of different nutrients.
(Due to the trace amounts of alfalfa hay in our meadow hay blend as well as the alfalfa pellets we feed young bunnies, we do not give our bunnies plain alfalfa hay) Although, bunnies under 6 months CAN have alfalfa hay.)
*Some farm hays contain alfalfa, clover and other plants and herbs growing in the field*
The most important part of a bunnies diet (after unlimited fresh water) is hay. Hay should make up 70% of a bunnies daily intake and be readily available in unlimited quantities for bunnies to graze on all day long. High fiber hay helps to keep their digestive system moving, wears down their forever growing teeth, and keeps them entertained all day long. (a busy bunny is a happy bunny).
The hay that we feed the bunnies at Riverbend is local farm hay. We currently have three different types of hay. The reason for that is, convenience and variety. We were able to get this hay for a good price grown on our land, but we also wanted to get different cuts/types for the bunnies incase we had any picky eaters and to make sure everyone is getting lots of different nutrients.
(Due to the trace amounts of alfalfa hay in our meadow hay blend as well as the alfalfa pellets we feed young bunnies, we do not give our bunnies plain alfalfa hay) Although, bunnies under 6 months CAN have alfalfa hay.)
*Some farm hays contain alfalfa, clover and other plants and herbs growing in the field*
#2 Fresh veggies & fruits
At least 3 times a week we also feed our adult rabbits (over 6 months) fresh greens. Veggies should be about 10-20% of their daily intake. I give the lops and lionheads about half a cup to a cup of greens once a day. My silver fox bunnies get 1-2 cups of greens per day as they are much larger rabbits.
The greens we feed our bunnies vary often depending on time of year and pricing. In the summer we like to give fresh untreated greens such as grass, clover, dandelion greens/flower/root, herbs and lettuces from our garden etc. as it's free and very yummy for our rabbits! In the wintertime we purchase our greens. The bunnies enjoy spring mix, romaine, kale, spinach, parsley, cilantro, oregano and other veggies. We prefer to stick to leafy greens but occasionally the adult bunnies get a bit of carrot with their carrot tops or a small berry as a treat!
At least 3 times a week we also feed our adult rabbits (over 6 months) fresh greens. Veggies should be about 10-20% of their daily intake. I give the lops and lionheads about half a cup to a cup of greens once a day. My silver fox bunnies get 1-2 cups of greens per day as they are much larger rabbits.
The greens we feed our bunnies vary often depending on time of year and pricing. In the summer we like to give fresh untreated greens such as grass, clover, dandelion greens/flower/root, herbs and lettuces from our garden etc. as it's free and very yummy for our rabbits! In the wintertime we purchase our greens. The bunnies enjoy spring mix, romaine, kale, spinach, parsley, cilantro, oregano and other veggies. We prefer to stick to leafy greens but occasionally the adult bunnies get a bit of carrot with their carrot tops or a small berry as a treat!
#3 Fortified pellets
Our bunnies get pellets everyday. Pellets should make up about 10-15% of their daily intake. We measure their portions out twice a day to encourage hay eating in between meals and use the pellets more like a multivitamin than a full meal. For my dwarf bunnies I like to feed 1-2 tablespoons of pellets a day, for my large bunnies, I feed 1/4 cup once or twice a day. *This is for bunnies who do NOT have babies* This also depends on the condition of the rabbit. What we currently feed our bunnies (individual bunny needs vary) is the Martin's little friends ADULT timothy hay pellets, and Oxbow ADULT essentials for our adult rabbits, and Martin's little friends original rabbit food and some breeder pellets from the coop for our nursing mommas as well as our kits under 6 months old.
It's been trial and error, but these are the foods we are using and that work great for us. They do cost more then standard breeder feed bags do, but it has been a really great decision and the bunnies are happier and healthier for it. The bunnies digestive systems are better, their coats are shiny, Eyes are brighter, and let's face it, the bunnies like it much more. Martin's little friends feed contains dandelion, camomile and Yucca extract. Yucca extract minimizes smell in your bunnies waste! Oxbow essentials has very high fiber content. All resulting in less smell and happier bunnies.
Our bunnies get pellets everyday. Pellets should make up about 10-15% of their daily intake. We measure their portions out twice a day to encourage hay eating in between meals and use the pellets more like a multivitamin than a full meal. For my dwarf bunnies I like to feed 1-2 tablespoons of pellets a day, for my large bunnies, I feed 1/4 cup once or twice a day. *This is for bunnies who do NOT have babies* This also depends on the condition of the rabbit. What we currently feed our bunnies (individual bunny needs vary) is the Martin's little friends ADULT timothy hay pellets, and Oxbow ADULT essentials for our adult rabbits, and Martin's little friends original rabbit food and some breeder pellets from the coop for our nursing mommas as well as our kits under 6 months old.
It's been trial and error, but these are the foods we are using and that work great for us. They do cost more then standard breeder feed bags do, but it has been a really great decision and the bunnies are happier and healthier for it. The bunnies digestive systems are better, their coats are shiny, Eyes are brighter, and let's face it, the bunnies like it much more. Martin's little friends feed contains dandelion, camomile and Yucca extract. Yucca extract minimizes smell in your bunnies waste! Oxbow essentials has very high fiber content. All resulting in less smell and happier bunnies.
#4 Hay cubes
Pictured above is a bowl of hay cubes. Originally I got it for my stubborn bunnies who were not eating enough hay due to their old owner/breeder overfeeding pellets. It was a way to encourage hay eating and increase fiber. These are not a hay substitute, but more of a treat once a week for bunnies to play with and chew on for a few hours. I feed these sparingly.
Pictured above is a bowl of hay cubes. Originally I got it for my stubborn bunnies who were not eating enough hay due to their old owner/breeder overfeeding pellets. It was a way to encourage hay eating and increase fiber. These are not a hay substitute, but more of a treat once a week for bunnies to play with and chew on for a few hours. I feed these sparingly.
#5 Herbs & medicinals
Something else I'm a huge believer in is medicinal herbs. For myself and my family (animals included) I use different plants and foods to treat a variety of ailments. This list here as well as this list have taught me a ton about which herbs can do what, for my bunnies. I incorporate some of these by ordering dried organic herbs online and growing my own in the summer. Plus bunnies love snacking on herbs. I just sprinkle some on their hay (or give it on the side for bunnies who might dig and make a mess.)
Something else I'm a huge believer in is medicinal herbs. For myself and my family (animals included) I use different plants and foods to treat a variety of ailments. This list here as well as this list have taught me a ton about which herbs can do what, for my bunnies. I incorporate some of these by ordering dried organic herbs online and growing my own in the summer. Plus bunnies love snacking on herbs. I just sprinkle some on their hay (or give it on the side for bunnies who might dig and make a mess.)