There is less overlap than you might think. These items in no way should replace a high quality hay, but instead complement it as a supplemental source of nutrients. Enteritis is a gastrointestinal disease that is basically inflammation of the intestines. Let go of the myth, if you've heard it, that goats make good "lawnmowers. Can Rabbits Eat Goat Food. " Also see: Can Goats Eat Horse Feed? Rabbit Feed Considerations. While it's true that rabbits should not eat goat food, taking a small bite of goat food is not a problem. So, while giving your goats rabbit feed in a pinch is safe and perfectly fine, there's no reason to get into the habit of doing so. The pellets are a nice size and crunchy. Additionally, Non-digestible fiber like Timothy and Alfalfa hay is important for dental health because it helps wear rabbits' teeth, stimulates gut motility, helps rabbits digest cecotrophs as well as prevents colonization of the cecum by pathogenic bacteria, helping to prevent bacterial overgrowth and decreasing the likelihood of enteritis. Rabbit feed is designed for rabbits.
Most importantly, without hay, rabbits' digestive systems struggle to function properly. Take a minute each day to harvesting natural rabbit food between spring through fall from the garden and by foraging for it. Its a good way to store feed long term anyway. It's always better to be safe than sorry.
Whatever they have been fed beforehand, you'll need a good supply of it so that you can gradually wean them off of the old, slowly enough so that they can adjust to the new. How to transition bunnies from one type of food to another. Feeding your goats rabbit pellets is a great way to ensure that you always have a backup protein source for your livestock in case there's a shortage in the home garden or something happens with one of their regular sources of food. I havent seen them do it but Im worried about them kicking their food out of the cage and the goats eating it. Birth to 8 weeks – Mostly nursing, mother's milk. The following list is a guideline of supplemental items that make up a nutritious diet for your rabbit. Therefore it's up to you to limit it! Of course, they can eat it, but there are things to know about doing so. The idea of serving goat with rabbit feed might sound good if it happens that they contain alfalfa. Can goats eat rabbit pellets and water. Alfalfa hay is also popular for feeding goats and has more protein, vitamins, and minerals than grass hays, typically.
Offering herbs for both medicinal and supplemental reasons keeps a herd healthy. Beautiful Red Raspberry, Red Clover, and Nettle are natural helpers, and we added Lemon Balm and Chamomile to help calm and de-stress. As I said, typically, rabbit pellets are made with alfalfa. They only eat vegetable and vegetable materials and need high fiber diets to maintain good digestion. These both ensure that there's a good source of protein and fiber which all types of livestock need. However, since fodders are extremely nutritious they can be provided daily in place of offering pellet feed. Do rabbits have to eat pellets. Similarly, the rabbit's teeth may never fully develop and mature. Goosegrass (cleavers) but may stick to coat! Continue with unlimited quality hay (not Alfalfa). Michigan State University.
Most farmers supplement with grain feed when necessary—such as does who are raising multiple kids or in bad weather—but foraging and browsing is the foundation of good goat nutrition. Feeding Rabbits Naturally | Reduce Pellet Feed. Complete diets for rabbits and other small pets. By the time they have been weaned, this, alongside hay, should be all that they are eating. Your rabbit that prefers rich pellets over hay will become hungry and will eventually eat the quality hay that you provide. Green, Lisle R., et al.