Is it possible to give seeds to a decorative rabbit?

Can rabbits be given sunflower seeds?

Home farms focused on raising rabbits are becoming increasingly popular these days.
And these animals have become quite common as pets. On my blog I often tell you what you can feed rabbits. And today I will answer the question - is it possible to give sunflower seeds to rabbits? According to research by current zoologists, sunflower seeds (and other seeds) can be included in the diet of rabbits. But, as for dwarf breeds, we must remember that many dwarf breeds do not tolerate such a product quite well due to their delicate and imperfect digestive system.

Did you know? Rabbits are excellent jumpers. The height of the most impressive jump made by this animal and recorded by a person was about three meters.

An important preamble when including a product such as seeds in the diet is the degree and presence of their preliminary temperature treatment. If you give roasted seeds to your rabbits, the harm from consuming them in the future may significantly outweigh the immediate benefits. This also applies to salted seeds.

Sunflower seeds contain large amounts of fatty acids, cholesterol and fat. Each of these elements is vital for the normal functioning of lipid metabolism of every living organism. But when the amount of any of these components increases in the blood of an animal, this can lead to various negative consequences. The calorie content of sunflower seeds is 600 kcal.

Important! Remember that any daily menu, for absolutely any animal, must contain a balanced amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, otherwise it will not be able to develop normally.

For example, due to an excessively large amount of cholesterol in the blood, atherosclerotic vascular lesions quickly develop, which ends in strokes and heart attacks. And when the blood is oversaturated with fatty acids and fats, it negatively affects lipid metabolism, and this in turn entails a disruption in the synthesis of various hormones and other biologically active substances that play a very important role in the normal functioning of the rabbit’s body.

This leads to the conclusion that seeds should be given to rabbits in strictly limited quantities. It is important to correctly calculate the fat needs of your clients. And, based on it, calculate the possible amount of sunflower seeds for one-time consumption by rabbits. It should be noted that rabbits appreciate the taste of this delicacy with a bang, so you won’t have to force them to eat the seeds.

Feeding rules

Any new food should be introduced gradually. The owner needs to be attentive and if you notice the slightest signs of an incorrect situation, then be ready to act. It is important not only to see, but also to feel the slightest changes in the behavior of your pets and to interpret them correctly, to know for sure how well the new variety in the menu suited your charges. Next, I will dwell in more detail on some important aspects regarding the introduction of seeds into the diet of rabbits.

Sunflower seeds are very popular among rabbits. If young rabbits do not want to eat seeds placed in a common feeder, then you can try to deceive them. To do this, you need to hide the seeds in some wet food. You need to know that when babies are breastfed by a rabbit, the process of accustoming them to seeds is impossible. You should start introducing seeds into the diet immediately after the young animals have been separated from their mother and have begun to be fed with different foods. The optimal time for introducing seeds into food is considered to be when rabbits reach 2 months of age.

It is customary to feed rabbits 3 times a day, and in the morning and evening they are usually fed with mixed feed, as they say - the dry type, and at lunch - the mixed type, when a semi-liquid mixture of various ingredients or juicy green food is placed in the feeders. It is better to give seeds during dry feedings, since this is how they are absorbed best and will least irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa.

Important! You cannot place a feeder completely filled with seeds only - pets will inevitably overeat them, which will almost certainly cause health problems, and possibly even death.

How many seeds does one rabbit need? Here the approach should be purely individual, since everything depends on the age of the animal, its metabolic rate and the current lipid spectrum of the blood.

It is not recommended to add more than 7% of seeds from the total weight of the entire daily portion of feed to the feed. At the same time, make sure that your rabbits consume balanced food and do not rely too much on just one component of the food. It is very important for rabbits, whose menu contains sunflower seeds every day, to provide them with clean, cool water. The seeds have a rather specific effect on the oral mucosa of rabbits, causing it to dry out and wrinkle. And in the absence of water, it can lead to injuries in the area of the palate and gums.

Contraindications and harm

One of the most common contraindications to consuming sunflower seeds is considered allergic and inappropriate reactions. If suddenly you saw that after eating the seeds, the rabbit began to foam at the mouth, he began to choke, began to cough, sneeze, etc., and swelling appeared on his body, then you should know that sunflower seeds are strictly contraindicated for him.

Sunflower seeds should not be eaten by rabbits whose age has exceeded 7 years and who have suffered from atherosclerosis or have high cholesterol levels.

Important! If any of the symptoms listed in this section appear, I recommend that you immediately seek help from a professional veterinarian.

What else can you feed rabbits?

These fluffies are always content with what their owner feeds them. Here is a small list of products that can be fed to both decorative rabbits and rabbits raised for meat: succulent feed, silage, potatoes, carrots, fodder beets, turnips, cabbage, Jerusalem artichoke, zucchini

Roughage: hay, straw, branches of deciduous and coniferous trees, birch bark,

Green food: dandelion, nettle, alfalfa, goat's rue

Grain feed: grain of corn, oats, wheat, barley, wheat sprouts

Concentrated feed: various feeds. The exception is feed intended for birds.

Vitamin supplements: fish oil, meat and bone meal, skim milk, whey, buttermilk, human food waste, crackers, mash.

And so, I hope that you have found the answer to the question - is it possible to give sunflower seeds to rabbits? Treat your charges with care and then over time you will easily determine whether they need such a supplement. And finally, I would like to say that sunflower seeds are not food, but a delicacy. Accordingly, you should not give it often - a few seeds 2 times a week.

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Cooking methods

There are differences among rabbit breeders regarding the form in which healthy food should be offered to the animal. Some are of the opinion that any grains should be offered to animals exclusively in dry form. Others believe that the biologically active substances contained in cereals best reveal their beneficial qualities when steamed. Most likely, the one who rationally approaches the organization of rabbit nutrition, including both dry and steamed grain substrate, will be right.

Yeasting

To speed up weight gain, experts recommend feeding young rabbits with the so-called yeast batch. There are three ways to prepare this rabbit dish:

sponge;
unpaired;
sourdough

Sponge yeast batch is prepared using regular yeast. For 10 kg of feed you will need to take 500 g of yeast and 25 liters of warm water. In an enamel pan, grain and water are mixed together, into which yeast is gradually introduced in equal portions. Once every 30 min. the mixture must be thoroughly mixed. It takes about 6 hours to prepare the dough.

Note! When the dough is ready, add the second part of the feed and warm water. The mixture will be ready for use after 3 hours

A straight yeast batch takes 9 hours to prepare. It requires grain, nutritional yeast and warm water. For 25 kg of grain you need to take 300 g of yeast and 30 liters of water. The ingredients are mixed in a vat or enamel pan. The mixture must be stirred every 30 minutes. throughout the entire cooking process.

To prepare a starter batch, you need to have a supply of malt or malted feed, yeast and water. The proportions are as follows: malted food - 10 kg, yeast - 500 g, water - 10 l. The batch will be ready in about 6 hours. Next, you should divide the resulting substrate into 2 parts. One part should be used to prepare a new starter, adding more malt, yeast and water, and the other part should be sent for yeasting, adding food.

It is important for a rabbit breeder to be able to independently prepare a grain mixture for a pet.

Steaming

Steaming is the easiest way to prepare grain for rabbits. It is carried out as follows:

Pour the grain mixture into a vat or pan.
Salt well, but do not oversalt.
Mix well.
Cover with a lid and leave for 5-6 hours.

Germination

The nutritional value of the sprouted grain increases several times, as all the beneficial substances that ensure the growth of the stem are activated. The germination process is carried out according to the following scheme:

Rinse the grain in warm water several times.
Those grains that float to the surface must be caught with a slotted spoon and discarded.
Place the grains in an enamel pan.
Place the pan in a dark place.

Is it possible to give rabbits seeds?

You can diversify your rabbits' diet with foods such as seeds. Typically, these animals are fed grain or mixed feed, dried grass, vegetables and fruits. Sunflower or pumpkin seeds are a kind of treat for rabbits, and not a mandatory food. They should be introduced into the diet of animals gradually, taking into account the dosage - no more than a handful per week.

Sunflower

Sunflower seeds are rich in amino acids, vitamins and minerals, proteins and carbohydrates, but most of all they contain fat. It is for this reason that their frequent consumption can lead to obesity and eating disorders. Animals are given raw and slightly dried seeds, but in no case fried or salted.

Animals adore sunflower kernels, but this food provokes the outflow of bile, loading the liver and gall bladder. You can feed animals seeds, but be careful. The huge amount of vegetable oils contained in the kernels can lead to indigestion, diarrhea and serious liver problems.

Sunflower is useful for animals, but only in minimal doses. This is a treat that animals are unlikely to refuse. However, the body's reaction to sunflower seeds can be unpredictable.

Sometimes, after eating several kernels, animals begin to develop diarrhea, cough, swelling, and foam at the mouth. Some animals suffer from intolerance to this product. If rabbits are allergic to sunflower seeds, then it is recommended to exclude this food from their diet.

Recommendations

Before you start feeding your rabbits pumpkin and zucchini, check out some of the nuances regarding these products:

It is imperative to check food for signs of spoilage.
Wash off dirt and soil.
Remove the seeds.
The young peel will not harm the animals, but in old vegetables it is very thick and it is better to peel it.
To make the food even more appetizing, the pulp is cut into slices or crushed.
Rabbits need to be prepared for a new product, start with vegetable puree.

Zucchini and pumpkin should be given infrequently and in small quantities. Serve as a good additive to the diet or other feeds. Not suitable as a permanent food product.

Nuances of feeding

Sunflower and pumpkin seeds are gradually introduced into the diet of rabbits. This food can be given to young animals separated from their mother once a week. Meal and cake are components of many feed mixtures. The animals are fed compound feed daily.

At what age can you

Sunflower or pumpkin seeds can be given to domestic and decorative rabbits from the second month of life. If young rabbits live in the same cage with their mother, it is impossible to accustom them to new food. It is better to first separate the young animals from the female rabbit, and then introduce various new foods into their diet.

Important! Old and fat rabbits should not be fed pumpkin or sunflower seeds. For such animals, small quantities of meal or cake are healthier.

How to give

It is customary to feed rabbits 3 times a day. Dry food (seeds, cake, meal) is given to animals in the morning and evening. It is better to feed the animals in the first half of the day, and then observe their condition. Animals need to be accustomed to new food gradually. At the very beginning, the animals are treated to 5-10 pumpkin or sunflower seeds. Over time, the dose is increased to a handful (50 grams), but no more. Pumpkin or sunflower seeds are given to animals only once a week, not more often. Pets can eat meal or cake daily, but not more than 30-50 grams. When feeding dry food, it is advisable to place a container of water in the cage for drinking.

Useful properties of pumpkin

The answer to the question whether it is possible to give raw pumpkin to rabbits should be in the affirmative. Feeding rabbits with pumpkin is not only possible, but extremely desirable - rarely does any other vegetable compare with it in terms of the content of useful substances. If you regularly feed it to animals, it will have a positive effect on their appearance - the furry creatures will become much more attractive.

The beneficial properties of pumpkin include:

pleasant taste;
a large amount of vitamins;
low percentage of fiber;
long – until the end of winter – shelf life;
the ability to retain beneficial properties throughout the entire shelf life.

Rabbits, for example, love carrots. But orange varieties of pumpkin contain much more beneficial beta-carotene. Pumpkin is extremely useful for:

suckling rabbits feeding their young with milk. Thanks to it, lactation increases, the coat of animals improves, babies become more active and strong;
males, because it improves their reproductive abilities;
of the entire meat population, as rabbit meat acquires a pleasant flavor.

The pumpkin harvest is harvested in early autumn, just at the time when animals are best fattened. You can give pumpkin to rabbits for food:

raw, finely chopped;
boiled - as a puree, which the animals eat with great pleasure;
adding to mixed feed, thereby increasing its nutritional properties several times.

But no matter what taste the pumpkin has, keep in mind that it does not contain enough nutritious proteins. It cannot be made the main food for animals; it is better to use it only as a delicacy that diversifies the main food.

It is recommended to feed pumpkin to rabbits that are already three months old.

Some farmers use pumpkin seeds to rid their farmers of parasites. We recommend using medically recommended medications for this purpose. But the seeds themselves, in small quantities and in crushed form as an additive to the diet of animals, are considered a good prevention of worms.

Contraindications and harm

Any new food should be introduced into the diet of young rabbits with caution. Typically, animals react normally to a product such as pumpkin or sunflower seeds. Some rabbits may experience allergic reactions after eating the kernels. Animals often vilify when they try something new for the first time. In this case, it is better to stop feeding the animals this food for a while. After a month, the attempt can be repeated, but only in the minimum dosage. For the first time - no more than 5-10 cores.

Important! The seeds do not need to be peeled. The main thing is that they are slightly dried. You should always remember that eating sunflower or pumpkin seeds too often can lead to obesity and liver problems.

Meal or cake can be given to young and old animals daily, but not more than 30-50 grams per day. This food will not lead to obesity, but it can cause stomach upset in animals. The fact is that cake (meal) is often of poor quality. If stored poorly, such a product quickly deteriorates and can cause deterioration in the well-being and even death of rabbits. Before feeding animals this food, it must be thoroughly inspected. It is prohibited to eat low-quality products.

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Useful properties of zucchini

Giving rabbits zucchini is a good way to add variety to their menu. Even if the food offered to animals contains everything they need, monotony in nutrition can slow down the growth of the animals, and they will begin to lag behind in development.

It is recommended to feed zucchini to young rabbits, those who are already four months old. By this age, their ventricles are already fully formed and will be able to adapt to the new diet. At first, the vegetable is given in small doses, gradually introducing the animals to the product.

Zucchini contains the following beneficial components:

vitamins B and C (the latter is known to be an excellent antioxidant);
minerals, including calcium and potassium, magnesium and phosphorus, and others;
folic, malic and nicotinic acids.

Is it possible to give rabbits seeds?

Sunflower seeds are a storehouse of proteins and amino acids. Calcium strengthens bones, sodium and potassium support heart function, and vitamins support the health of the entire body.

But experienced rabbit breeders know about the insidiousness of this product: excess cholesterol harms the digestive system and causes liver disease. In addition, cholesterol plaques form in the vessels, which lead to serious disruption of blood flow.

Important! Feeding rabbits roasted seeds is prohibited.

Seeds cannot be considered as an independent product. They are more suitable as a delicacy, which animals receive in small portions every 2-3 days.

Sunflower

Sunflower seeds have undoubted benefits for the body. They are rich:

The amount of cholesterol and vegetable fats must be limited, although within reasonable limits they help the body function. It is important to properly prepare your rabbit’s diet so that sunflowers do not cause harm.

Important! The seeds are given only raw. Heat treatment destroys beneficial substances.

Sunflower can be given to young rabbits a month after birth. Place several grains in the feeder 1-2 times a week. Rabbits that are transitioning to self-feeding will not want to eat grains right away, but they can be tricked. For example, hide the seeds in your usual wet food.

Seeds are not given to milk-fed babies.

Interesting! Sunflower seeds make the coat smooth and shiny.

Pumpkin

Pumpkin seeds do not contain a lot of fat, so they are not so dangerous for the body. In addition, the product has undoubted benefits:

expels parasites;
restores vitamin balance;
increases immunity;
relieves intoxication;
improves digestion.

Interesting! Savvy owners successfully use pumpkin seeds for home training. The tasty reward is enthusiastically received by the rabbit.

Pumpkin helps the rabbit cope with excess weight. It lowers cholesterol levels and supplies the body with protein, but the consumption of this product should also be limited.

The green part of the plants is not particularly nutritious, so it is suitable for rabbits as a daily product. Animals are reluctant to eat tough stems, especially dry ones. However, young rabbits greet young sunflower leaves more favorably.

Important! Tops for feeding should not be collected near highways.

Empty sunflower baskets do not harm rabbits, but they also do not provide any nutritional value. They simply fill your stomach and make you feel full. And the animals themselves are not eager to eat empty baskets - they choose food that is tastier.

Sunflower leaves and shoots are harvested for the winter. They are perfect for lactating females to enhance lactation. The main thing is to ensure that the raw materials do not become moldy during storage.

The products that remain when sunflower oil is pressed are low in fat, but they are great for preparing homemade feed. Sunflower cake contains:

proteins;
fiber;
microelements;
residual fatty acids.

Interesting! Sunflower cake is rich in amino acids, and meal is rich in protein.

There are two types of oil extraction: cold and hot. In the second case, sunflower seeds are pre-roasted, and the cake turns out to be very fragrant. When cold-pressed, the mass does not smell as fragrant, but this does not affect the rabbits’ appetite.

Rabbit breeders switch adults to three meals a day. In the morning and evening, the animals receive dry feed, and in the afternoon - a semi-liquid mixture of various ingredients or greens. It is advisable to mix sunflower seeds into dry food, so they do not irritate the digestive tract and are better digested.

Each rabbit will have to calculate the consumption rate separately. Age, breed, and presence of diseases should be taken into account. The amount of seeds in the diet of a healthy animal is a maximum of 7% of the daily portion. The menu should be as varied as possible; you cannot rely on one ingredient.

Important! Excessive consumption of sunflower seeds can cause digestive problems and even death.

The seeds dry out the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, and wounds form on the gums due to dehydration. Therefore, the drinking bowl must be filled with fresh and clean water.

You need to be very careful when handling sunflower seeds, because they cause allergies. If the rabbit is choking, coughing, foam is flowing from the mouth, and the body is covered with swelling, then the product is immediately excluded from the diet. Health problems require consultation with a veterinarian. Perhaps the rabbit menu is compiled incorrectly and requires adjustment.

Features of commercial rabbit breeding

Most of the existing rabbit farms grew out of love and passion for these animals, which did not extend beyond the boundaries of the estate. But this activity seems simple only when the number of individuals does not reach more than 10, and the business involves large volumes of product sales. Therefore, if you want to start breeding rabbits seriously, you need to accurately outline all aspects of this business and outline a strategy and development path.

It’s a good idea to go to a farm or just meet people involved in this type of farming and learn about all the nuances of animal breeding.

The first step in creating a business plan is to assess the positive and negative aspects of running a given business. The advantages include the following facts:

Markets and stores offer large quantities of pork, chicken and beef, but rabbit meat can only be found at some sellers. It is highly valued for its dietary properties. And if the animals are truly domesticated and raised without various growth accelerators and additives, the price and demand for the product will be much higher.
Rabbits grow and reproduce quickly; there is no need to constantly buy young rabbits, so the costs are recouped in 100% of cases.
There is a very low level of competition in this business niche, since agriculture is not in its prime and the number of farms is not very large.
Another factor follows from the previous factor - government support for this industry as underdeveloped. That is, there is a great chance to receive financial assistance or a grant when participating in a competition or program with your unique idea for expanding your business.
Reproduction is not tied to the time of year - this guarantees year-round production.
There is almost no waste, since the meat is sold to the market, and the wool is used to make fur products.
The amount of start-up capital and monthly costs for animals is small compared to other branches of agriculture.

You can purchase several purebred rabbits and sell them separately for meat or fur at a high price.

Animals are considered very demanding, so this activity also has disadvantages, which must be taken into account when assessing profitability:

Regular examination by a veterinarian is necessary, since they are at high risk of developing diseases, especially in purebred individuals.
Violation of cleanliness requirements provokes the development of infections in the cage, from which the rabbit population suffers.
Young, adult and old individuals should live in different cages, since the sanitary requirements of each group are different.
It is not recommended to change staff frequently, as new people and scents frighten animals. Cases of death from severe fright in rabbits are not uncommon. Constant stress is bad for their health and can worsen reproductive functions in both sexes.
Workers or the owner will have to walk 5-6 times a day and check the cleanliness of the cages and the presence of water and food in them.

Failure to comply with basic requirements entails illness, deterioration of health and even death of the rabbits, which will be an unpleasant aftertaste on the soul of the amateur owner and a loss for the business.

To understand whether it is profitable to raise rabbits for meat, it is necessary to evaluate the product market. This often depends on the region in which the future entrepreneur lives. But even if there is no demand and the markets are full of such meat, you can find channels and sell the goods to other regions or countries. When choosing a breed, it is recommended to choose those that are accustomed to the local climate and develop normally in these weather conditions.

You can make doing business a little easier by teaming up with several rabbit breeders and creating a large enterprise - it will be easier to handle all the paperwork.

Stems and tops

Sunflower stems and tops are suitable for feeding long-eared rodents. They do not have the same nutritional value as seeds. Not every rabbit likes them.

If the stems are overdried, eating them can have a bad effect on the digestive system.

The tops at the first flowering stage (with young leaves) are cut for silage, at which point they can be included in the rabbit diet.

Important! Sunflower has an absorbent function. Before collecting seeds, stems or tops, it is important to make sure that it is not growing near a road.

Poisonous plants

There are a number of plants that are deadly to rabbits and should not be given to them under any circumstances. It is also necessary to ensure that they do not get into the hay, since not all lose their toxic properties when dried. So, here's what grass you shouldn't give to rabbits:

celandine (dangerous in any quantity, especially milky juice; remains toxic when dried); milkweed (it is important to know well what real milkweed looks like - many other plants produce milkweed when scrapped); buttercup; swamp whitewing; hemlock; horned cornflower; vekh poisonous; hellebore; meadow lumbago (sleep-grass); dope; belladonna; black root; anemone (anemone); wrestler (wolfsbane); autumn crocus (winter meadow); digitalis; marsh marigold; Avran officinalis; cockle

Hint: Poisonous plants often prefer partial shade, shade, and swampy areas. In these places you should avoid collecting grass and making hay.

Read also: Shusha cucumbers variety description photo

Fresh food

A small representative of the hare family needs a balanced diet, so it is important to correctly formulate their diet. One of the key components is grass. Without it, the digestive system can fail. Rabbits' favorite treats include:

After reviewing this list, do not rush to destroy all weeds from the farm. Perhaps among them you will find treats rich in antioxidants, which increase resistance to various diseases for the entire flock.

Lactating individuals can additionally be offered rhubarb and dill (they improve the quality and quantity of milk given to the offspring). Parsley is given at the time the rabbits are separated from the mother, as it affects the supply of milk (stops its formation).

Rabbits can eat green salad, or rather, they even need to. Why? Because it is an indispensable supplier of folic acid, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, etc. However, it is very important not to overdo it with the amount, because a small amount of alkaloids can cause poisoning if you overeat the green product.

However, be careful with the following plants:

hemlock;
foxgloves;
dope;
lemon balm;
wild mustard;
ambrosia;
poisonous, caustic buttercup;
wild radish;
aloe;
Dieffenbachia;
calendula;
hemp;
St. John's wort;

Celandine, horsetail and loboda are given in minimal quantities. In this case, it is necessary to monitor how the rabbit eats such food and the body’s response. If something goes wrong, then you will urgently have to remove the provided food from the feeder, add treats with vitamins and water.

The plants listed on the list can cause serious poisoning and even kill eared animals (the whole point is the large number of alkaloids contained in these plants). It is important that the grass offered to rabbits and baby rabbits is slightly withered or dried in ventilated areas (do not allow products prepared for long-eared rabbits to rot). Unlike vegetation with dew, there will definitely be no random poison in it.

Plants should be given to baby rabbits no earlier than after they reach two months of age. At the same time, the introduction of a new product should resemble a child’s first complementary feeding (slowly add, in small portions, green color first). This adult is capable of eating even tree bark, but the offspring must be protected from hard foods so as not to injure the gastrointestinal tract.

What can and should be fed to rabbits in winter. Feeding nursing rabbits peas.

We suggest you read: Raising chickens at home from scratch, where to start

Rabbit breeding: what to feed rabbits at home?

What can rabbits eat?/•KrolikShow•

Fresh food also includes tops from root crops. When offering such food to rabbits, you must be sure that there is no exposure to chemicals on the tops, so as not to lose livestock and provide your pets with water in large quantities. Therefore, the answer to the question: “Is it possible to give tops to rabbits?” - positive, but not from tomatoes.

Benefits of vegetables

All beneficial elements contained in green vegetables are easily absorbed by the body.

This is important for rabbits due to coprophagia. The phenomenon of animals eating their excrement is associated with the structure of the gastrointestinal tract

The food is not digested the first time, the process must be repeated.

This amount is not enough for complete nutrition, but is quite enough for feeding. The composition also includes other macro- and microelements. The largest share is occupied by:

Chemical element name	Content per 100 grams of product (mg)	Benefit
Potassium	145	Positively affects the condition of the heart and nervous system
Phosphorus	25	Strengthens bone tissue
Calcium	15	Promotes the formation of skeleton and teeth
Magnesium	13	Prevents muscle spasms

Regular addition of vegetables to food has a beneficial effect on the health of pets. Cucumbers not only diversify the diet, but also improve the overall well-being of animals and make their fur thick and fluffy. Green fruits are especially useful for decorative rabbits.

Sunflower cake: a close acquaintance with a unique additive

Makukha (common name) is obtained during the processing of sunflower seeds. Oil is extracted from them under pressure, and the remaining pressing is used as feed. Therefore, the quality of sunflower cake depends on 2 factors: the type of crop and the technology of its processing.

An excellent quality product will have a brown tint. In addition, it should have a slight smell of sunflower oil.

Such features of the crown indicate that it contains a sufficient amount of:

polyunsaturated fatty acids;
phospholipids;
mineral elements - iron, zinc, calcium and phosphorus;
vitamins E, A and B.

This food is highly nutritious due to its low oxidation state. It also contains up to 5-18% fiber and more than 6% fatty acids. All of these components have a positive effect on the development and growth of young animals.

Along with this, sunflower cake contributes to:

hanging immunity of livestock;
excellent functioning of the reproductive organs of mammals;
egg production of poultry;
rapid growth of muscle mass;
improvement of metabolic processes in the body of animals.

However, the additive cannot be used arbitrarily. It is necessary to adhere to the exact recipe for preparing feed. Overdose has a negative impact on the health of livestock. It is worth remembering that animal meat or other product obtained from it will eventually have an unpleasant odor or taste. Therefore, you need to follow the recommendations for preparing feed.

The characteristics of the body of each animal require different technologies for their cultivation. Nevertheless, sunflower cake is a mandatory ingredient in all feeds. At the same time, many are interested in whether it is possible to give the maca to pigs and other animals.

The whole secret is in the dosage for each of them:

Turkeys. For fattening, up to 15% of the additive is added; young animals will only need 5-7% per day.
Pigs, piglets. Every day, growing individuals are given up to 300 g, and pregnant/lactating females - up to 600 g. Males are given up to 1 kg of supplement per day.
Sheep. For the full development of the animal and rapid hair growth, they are given up to 10% supplement.
Geese. The daily norm for young geese is 17%.
Laying ducks. The daily diet includes up to 8%. Growing offspring need about 3-7%.
Cows, calves. Cow cake is used in a ratio of 1:4 of the total amount of feed. Dairy cattle should be given up to 4 kg daily.
Rabbits. At the age of 30 to 160 days, their daily rate is 13%.
Goats. Lactating females are prescribed up to 300-500 g of the supplement, and growing females - 200-300 g.
Hens and chicks. Is it possible to give chicken cakes? Experts advise adding macadamia to the bird’s diet in moderation. For adults, the dosage is 20%, and for young animals - 15%.
Horses. Working stallions are given up to 2-3 kg of this supplement every day.

Due to its properties and structure, makha is very quickly absorbed by the animal’s body. It is also successfully used as bait for fish. Once in the water, the cake sticks become soaked, crumble along the river and emit a pleasant aroma. This attracts fish to the source of a tasty treat.

It is worth knowing that the ground additive cannot be stored for a very long time. The main reason is that this product has excellent hygroscopic properties. Increased humidity promotes the rapid breakdown of triglycerides of fatty acids. As a result of their breakdown, glycerol is released, as well as other ether compounds. Under the influence of mycelium spores, as well as bacteria, the makha becomes unusable and emits an unpleasant odor.

In this regard, it is necessary to adhere to the basic rules for storing sunflower cake at home:

Avoid direct sunlight on the feed product.
Adhere to humidity standards. The maximum figure is 12%. If the room is very damp, the product may rot or acquire a bitter taste.
Place bags of sunflower meal away from heat sources.
The room should be equipped with ventilation/exhaust units or ventilated regularly.
Stir the additive mixture periodically to prevent condensation from forming.

Before packaging the cake, experts advise heat treatment of the feed. If this is done in winter, then the product is heated to 35˚C. In summer, take into account the air temperature outside and add 5˚C to this indicator. Taking into account the above recommendations for the use and storage of sunflower cake, you can achieve excellent results in keeping livestock.

The natural menu of wild rabbits includes not only grass and roots, but also various seeds of wild plants. In the wild, the animal itself chooses the type of food that is most beneficial for it. On a home farm, a rabbit breeder monitors the animals’ nutrition. Some farmers actively introduce sunflower into their animals' diets. Before giving sunflower leaves and seeds to rabbits, you need to know in what quantity the food will not harm your pets.

Which grain is suitable

Not all crops are suitable for feeding rabbits; grains differ in calorie content and vitamin composition; some foods in large quantities cause bloating. Therefore, when selecting concentrated feed, the breeder relies on the composition, energy value of the food, as well as the degree of its digestibility by the animal’s body.

Which grain is suitable?

Wheat. Contains carbohydrates, fats, protein, vitamins B, E. Due to the nutritional value in feed mixtures, the percentage of grain is 30%. Wheat is used in feeding rabbits for better growth and weight gain. Rabbits love grain steamed and dry, but if you feed it constantly, bloating develops due to the gluten content.
Oats. Cereal is one of the best feeds, the grain has a high nutritional and energy value (336 kcal), is enriched with minerals (silicon, manganese and cobalt), and contains copper and zinc. Vitamins are represented by group B: B1, B5, B6. The substances are responsible for metabolic processes and have a positive effect on the reproductive system. Pantothenic acid is involved in digestion, contains natural antioxidants, removing harmful components from the body of animals. The cereal contains a high content of carbohydrates up to 55%, protein - 10%, fats - 8%. Therefore, crushed oats are included in the first complementary foods for young animals. Rabbits eat it well as part of dry food.
Corn . It is considered an energy food due to the amount of carbohydrates (60%) and calorie content (119 kcal). Includes vitamins B1, B2, PP, E, and D. Minerals include potassium, iron, magnesium, and phosphorus. Corn has a positive effect on the growth and weight of animals, activates metabolic processes, and is perfectly absorbed by the rabbit’s body. But it does not have a lot of protein, therefore, the crop is not suitable as a monofeed; it is better to feed it as part of mixtures.
Barley. Its nutritional value makes barley an excellent food for pregnant and lactating rabbits; it is given to young animals for rapid growth. Lysine and choline improve the general condition of rabbits, B vitamins, potassium and calcium supply the body with components for normal functioning. For reproductive livestock, the quantity is limited, since this cereal causes obesity, which negatively affects the reproductive function of males and females.

Contraindications and harm

Thanks to its powerful and branched roots, the crop is capable of accumulating nitrates and other harmful substances from the soil in its tissues. In this regard, the tops of the plant cannot be collected from farm fields where toxic drugs are used to protect crops from pests. Sunflowers grown in your own garden are harmless to rabbits.

Spoiled rancid cake is fatally harmful to rabbits. The product can be stored for no more than 3 months, provided it is stored in a dry and cool place. The pulp is stored in tightly closed barrels or bags so that it does not oxidize in the fresh air. If the cake or meal has a musty or sour smell, it should not be given to rabbits.

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Sunflower baskets are not of any value to feed to a rabbit. The animals themselves are unlikely to show any interest in this plant.

What to feed a decorative rabbit at home

Care and maintenance of rabbits

And now a rabbit or rabbits appear in the house, what to feed and how to care for these small pets are the most important questions.

After all, the health of the animal, its activity and well-being, the condition of its coat and its overall appearance depend on the correctness of the diet.

Therefore, today we will tell you what and how many times a day to feed a decorative rabbit at home.

What can you feed a decorative rabbit?

Note that, unlike dogs and cats, rabbits are herbivores and therefore their diet is significantly different. Even those that are suitable for guinea pigs and hamsters are not always beneficial for them. Let's figure out what decorative rabbits eat from natural food.

What should you feed rabbits?:

Grass hay is a rich source of vitamins, protein, and fiber. Hay for decorative rabbits can serve as the basis of their diet all year round. Which one is better? Hay made from steppe forbs, nettles, and legumes and cereals is ideal.
Green grass is what rabbits eat in the wild. Seeded herbs, wheatgrass, knotweed, dandelion, young burdock leaves, chicory, quinoa leaves, and clover are well suited.
Garden greens are a good option; tops of carrots, radishes, turnips, turnips, as well as Brussels sprouts, strawberry leaves, Jerusalem artichoke, celery, basil, spinach, parsley, savoy cabbage, and various kinds of salads (except lettuce) are suitable.
Vegetables are also included in the diet of these animals. What vegetables can you give rabbits? - Tomatoes, cucumbers and zucchini (after clearing them of seeds), turnips, carrots. But they should be given in moderation.
Tree branches are not only nutritious, but also help to wear down teeth. Branches of linden, hazel, willow, ash, aspen, Canadian maple, pear, apple, acacia, and currant are suitable.
Fruits - sometimes you can give apples, bananas, pears a little at a time.

Here is a list of everything you can feed a decorative rabbit from natural products. But today there are also ready-made factory-made feeds for rabbits, which will be discussed below.

Dry food for decorative rabbits

Nowadays, pet stores are full of ready-made food, including for rabbits. Factory-made feeds are positioned as complete, they contain all the substances necessary for the rabbit’s body (protein, vitamins, minerals, etc.). In principle, this is true, but not all dry food is equally good. Here are some popular manufacturers:

Benelux (Belgium);
Cliffi (Italy);
Padovan (Italy);
Jr Farm (Germany)
Little One (Russia);
Naturalist (Russia);
Versele-Laga (Hungary/Belgium);
Beaphar (Holland/Germany).

Most of these brands also produce food for other rodents, so be careful when taking food off the store shelf.

Although it is true that a rabbit can only eat commercially prepared food, most nursery owners do not recommend this option. Ready-made food is best used as treats or when it is not possible to buy hay or other natural products.

Both regular and dwarf rabbits love greens.

What not to feed rabbits

In addition to what is possible, it is also important to know what grass, branches, vegetables and fruits should not be given to rabbits. And so, your eared pet’s diet should not include:

Herbs: celandine, lumbago, datura, lily of the valley, hellebore, hemlock, and all poisonous herbs.
Branches: elderberry, broom, bird cherry, peach, walnut, plum, sweet cherry, cherry, apricot.
Fruits: avocado, figs, mangoes, oranges, tangerines and other “exotics”.
Moldy hay, milk (cottage cheese, sour cream), young and green potatoes, polished and unpolished rice, millet, millet, rye in any form, sweets and other “human” dishes.

Is it possible to give rabbits...?

In conclusion, we will note the most common “is it possible” in terms of feeding decorative rabbits.

Is it possible to give cheese to rabbits? — It is highly not recommended, because the rabbit is a herbivore and their digestive system is not adapted to products of animal origin.
Can rabbits have potatoes? — Only quite a bit and not on an ongoing basis. Make sure that there are no “eyes” or shoots in the piece offered to your pet.
Can rabbits be given beans? — It and other legume grains can be given only in limited quantities (as they can cause bloating), and in crushed or soaked 3-4 (if the grains are whole) form.
Can rabbits eat bread? - Only in the form of dried pieces and in small quantities (as a treat).
Can a rabbit have seeds? - No sunflowers, they have too much fat. Pumpkin can be eaten only occasionally as a treat.

How to feed animals in summer: herbs, vegetables, watermelons

Summer feeding of rabbits is fundamentally different from winter. During this season, they are given more green and succulent food, which consists of mown grass, twig food, root vegetables and fresh vegetables. A small proportion of the diet consists of concentrated feed. So, what to feed rabbits in the summer in a village or private farm:

Fattening rabbits:

herbs - 700 grams;
concentrated feed - 70 grams;

Males and females on vacation:

herbs - 700 grams;
conc. feed - 30 grams.

Males in mating:

herbs - 800 grams;
conc. feed - 40 grams.

Pregnant rabbits:

herbs - 800 grams;
conc. feed - 50 grams.

Young pregnant rabbits:

herbs - 900 grams;
conc. feed - 50 grams.

Nursing rabbits - first half:

herbs - 1200 grams;
conc. feed - 70 grams.

Nursing rabbits - second half + for the baby:

herbs - 80 grams;
conc. feed - 6 grams.

Young animals from 1 month to 2:

herbs - 300 grams;
conc. feed - 20 grams;
salt - 0.5 grams.

Young animals from 3 months to 4:

— herbs — 500 grams;
- conc. feed - 45 grams.

Young animals from 5 months to 7:

— herbs — 600 grams;
- conc. feed - 55 grams.

If branches and succulent food are used for feed, then the amount of grass is reduced by half. The grass should be withered. It is better to give salt to rabbits' cages in the form of a lick,

this way they will be able to control their own norm of need for it.

The basis of the spring-summer diet

With the appearance of the first greenery in the spring meadows, there should be no questions regarding the nutrition of rabbits - green food is best suited for this. And you can feed the animals with such delicious food until the fall.

Green food includes:

herbs growing in wild meadows;
herbs sown specifically - grains, legumes;
kale;
vegetable tops.

If the owners keep a small livestock, then the greenery that grows in their dacha or garden plot, where there is always a place for sowing grass, will be enough for feeding. It can be alfalfa, sainfoin, rye, wheat. If you sow peas or oats in March, then by the beginning of May you will be able to feed the rabbits early greens. They love animals and corn.

Root tops can act as food, but it is important to know what you can and cannot feed your rabbits. So, horseradish and rhubarb are excellent to eat; animals love celery and dill. But potato and tomato tops should not be given.

Various weeds are also suitable as food. Moreover, the benefit will be double: the garden will be cleared of unnecessary plants, and the rabbits will receive healthy nutrition. Thistle, wheatgrass, and nettle can become food for animals. And the rabbit must certainly receive dandelion during the period of feeding her babies. When the time comes for the rabbits to leave their mother, she should be fed parsley, as this green helps to stop the secretion of milk.

Cooking methods

You can prepare grain for feeding rabbits using several methods: steaming, yeasting, germination, crushing.

Before you start cooking, be sure to inspect the grains used:

The grains should not contain dirty seeds, small stones and green unripe grains

You also need to pay attention to the presence of small insects or fungal spores; they should not get into the food of rabbits. If black spots are visible on the grains, they should not be used to feed animals. Do not feed overdried or raw grain to rabbits. Grains must be steamed before serving to rabbits.

Cereals must be steamed before serving to rabbits.

Steaming

Steaming is the simplest and at the same time very effective way of preparing grain crops for feeding rabbits.

For steaming, take grains of one type or pour the prepared mixture of cereals into a bucket or other container, but not to the very edge, since during the steaming process the volume of the resulting mass will increase. The grain is poured with boiling water. You need to add 1 tbsp to the water. salt, then stir the mixture and cover lightly with a lid. The container should be left in this form for 5 hours. During this time, the grains will swell and can be used for feeding.

Steamed grains become soft and sweet, the digestive system of animals copes better with such food, and nutrients are absorbed faster. Rabbits eat this food with pleasure.

Yeasting

This method of preparing feed is used to accelerate the growth rate of animals and rapid weight gain. It can be used for rabbits starting from 4 months of age. Preparation proceeds as follows:

The grains are ground and mixed in a container with water in a ratio of 1:2.
Yeast is diluted in water at the rate of 36 g per 2 liters of water.
All components are thoroughly mixed and left overnight.
The whole process takes about 6-9 hours. From time to time the mass needs to be stirred.

When feeding, add 2-3 tablespoons of yeast mixture to the dry cereal mixture at each meal. This regime is maintained for 5 days, after which the food is changed.

Sprouted grains are much healthier than dry grains

Germination

Sprouted grains are much healthier than dry grains due to the fact that during the germination process they release beneficial substances that are not absorbed by the body when dry grains are consumed. Swollen fiber perfectly cleanses the animal’s intestines, removing accumulated waste products from the body, and also increases the body’s protective functions.

When preparing food, you need to pay attention to the following points:

The grains selected for cooking should be pre-washed in warm water. If you immerse grains in water, you will notice that some of them float to the surface. Such grains cannot be used as food for rabbits; they are already considered dead.
The grains should be washed several times to prevent fungal spores from getting into the feed. During the growth of grain crops, enzyme poisons are released that are detrimental to animal health.
If silver water is used when washing grain, and not ordinary drinking water, then there is no need to repeat the procedure several times.

If food needs to be prepared for a small number of animals, then you can germinate the grains in a plate, placing them in a damp cloth, and you need to regularly add water to the grains to maintain the moisture level. On large farms, feed is prepared in buckets, filling the grains with water up to 2 cm from the edge.

The whole process consists of the following steps:

The grains filled with water are left for 12 hours, during which time they will swell well.
After 12 hours, the grains are transferred to plastic bags, in the bottom of which holes should be cut so that all excess moisture is drained from the grains.
The bags are placed in a warm place. The grain layer should not be higher than 8 cm.
The mixture can be fed to rabbits when sprouts become visible in it.

Crushed grain

Another method of preparing feed is crushing. You can purchase the cereal mixture in this form, or you can prepare it yourself. To do this, you just need to grind the prepared culture. Typically, corn is crushed, but oats, wheat or barley can also be prepared this way.

Feeding rules

Sunflower tops and seeds are a product that cannot be given in unlimited quantities, despite all its benefits. The rule of “first small doses” of food should be strictly observed when accustoming animals to an unfamiliar product.

At what age can you

It is not recommended to give whole sunflower seeds to rabbits under 3 months of age. The hard and sharp peel can injure the delicate gastric mucosa. Animals up to this age are given cake as part of a grain mixture or seed kernels without peel.

Leaves and baskets with immature seeds are introduced into the animal’s menu, starting from a month of life. The proportion of leaves and shoots of the plant should not exceed 50% of the total mass of the grass per feeding.