Herbs suitable for rabbit food:
- sowing (alfalfa, lupine, rye, vetch, green peas, borage, amaranth, oats);
- wild (Siberian hogweed, medicinal dandelion, nettle, couch grass, wormwood, clover, coltsfoot).
Legumes are added in small portions, usually given along with cereals. Nettle has a positive effect on diseases of the digestive system and improves lactation in rabbits, strengthens the immune system in young animals. Wheatgrass is endowed with diuretic properties, its rhizomes are dried for future use. They keep for about 3 years. Plantain heals wounds and contains a lot of protein. Coltsfoot treats diseases of the respiratory system, acts as a preventive measure against bloating.
As feed, you can use the tops of carrots and beets. The latter has a laxative effect, it can be neutralized if the leaves are sprinkled with crushed chalk before serving. Rabbits also eat grape leaves (along with the vine), raspberries, plums, elderberries. Tree branches are great for feeding, especially such as ash, apple, mountain ash.
For medicinal purposes, branches of oak, birch, willow, and coniferous trees are occasionally added to the feed. It is strongly not recommended to feed branches of elderberry, apricot, bird cherry to rodents. Ornamental garden plants (jasmine, poppy) and indoor plants like begonias, zinnias, anthuriums, etc. are harmful to rabbits. You can give lettuce leaves, except for lettuce. A good addition to the daily diet will be the tops of radishes, turnips, savoy cabbage, strawberry and wild strawberry leaves, Jerusalem artichoke, celery, basil.
The same greens are not fed for a long time. They are alternated or mixtures are used.
Plants wet from rain or dew are dried and then given to animals. Otherwise, a harmful effect on the microflora of their digestive tract cannot be avoided. When grass is harvested for the winter, it is well dried on stretched nets or sticks folded in a “house”.
Mow before the appearance of buds or at the beginning of their appearance. Mow plants for hay on sunny days so they are dry enough to not spoil during storage. It is not advisable to overdry the grass, as it loses its aroma and color. Store the resulting hay in a dry, ventilated area. Branches can also be prepared for the winter. Young branches are tied in bunches and hung in a ventilated room. In the spring or after a long period of feeding animals with dry food, green grass should be introduced gradually to prevent indigestion.
Young growth should be fed with greenery little by little, monitoring the condition of the animals. If herbs are not properly dried or stored, even initially beneficial ones can become harmful. Mold appeared on the hay - the raw material is not to be eaten. Of course, herbs are useful for the development and maintenance of the viability of rabbits, but care must be taken in choosing plants - in the meadows and in the garden there are instances that can harm the health of the animal.
When breeding rabbits, it is important to provide them with quality feed and a balanced diet throughout the day. Otherwise, the health of pets may be greatly affected. Plant food is given to them from the very beginning of spring until autumn. Grass for rabbits is a storehouse of useful vitamins that allow young animals to rapidly gain weight.
Some varieties of herbs even have anti-inflammatory effects and are used in the treatment of pets. Today we will tell you which herbs can be given to rabbits, and which are forbidden, we will talk about the collection and storage of this type of food.
Some rabbit owners prefer to pre-sow herbs for further feeding. However, it is much easier to use meadow plants for this purpose. This will save money on the purchase of compound feed and thereby obtain products at the lowest cost.
For pet food, young grasses are mainly used, which contain the maximum amount of protein. Later plants are oversaturated with fiber, which is hard to digest in the body of rabbits. Food should be varied. Therefore, it is not recommended to constantly feed rabbits with one type of grass. Mowed grass after rains should be dried beforehand. This will increase its digestibility.
Table 1. Useful herbs for feeding rabbits
Grass | Properties | Procurement method |
---|---|---|
Saturates the body with protein, contains fiber in minimal quantities. The constant use of such herbs contributes to active weight gain. | It is necessary to collect a plant only in environmentally friendly places that are not located near roadways, factories. After harvesting, dandelions are washed with hot water, dried in the shade, crushed for easy storage. | |
Such a grass contains not only protein, which is invaluable for the health of pets, but also calcium, phosphorus and other useful microelements. | It is necessary to collect clover for storage during the formation of buds. Because this herb contains the maximum amount of nutrients. First, it should be cleaned of contaminants, rinsed thoroughly with running water, and then dried. | |
This herb allows you to cleanse the stomach of pets from toxins. Nettle has antiseptic properties. In reasonable volumes, it is allowed to be introduced into the diet of rabbits. | It is recommended to collect nettles before flowering. Because pets still refuse inflorescences. It is advisable to grow the herb in your own garden or look in the forest. Since nettle quickly absorbs harmful components, it is strictly forbidden to collect it near roads and industrial facilities. | |
Helps improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, reduces gas formation. This is an excellent herbal remedy against helminthic invasions. Wormwood helps improve appetite in pets. | The maximum amount of useful components is found in a fresh plant. It is recommended to collect only clean grass without any pollution, traces of pests. | |
Contains malic acid, useful for pets, improves digestive processes, helps with respiratory diseases. | The leaves, flowers and roots of the plant are usually harvested. Collection begins from mid-spring to the first summer month. During this period, the grass contains the maximum amount of nutrients. | |
Contains vitamins important for health. Rabbits readily consume the plant. The grass has a pleasant honey aroma. | Harvesting begins in mid-spring. This herb is one of the first to appear in gardens. | |
The use of hogweed leaves has a beneficial effect on the lactation of rabbits. | For feeding animals, only the foliage of the plant is used. The collection starts from the first month of summer. Grass can be found in forest areas, in small clearings. The main thing is not to burn your hands on its foliage. | |
This grass is useful for both adult rabbits and rabbits. It is recommended to give pets only the first spring grass. The plant has a unique wound healing property. | In the spring season, plantain leaves can be harvested. First you have to thoroughly rinse the grass, then dry, chop. | |
The grass is rich in a whole complex of vitamins, has a urinary effect | Rabbits are given only the roots of the plant, which can be dried for the winter. In this form, they are stored for up to 3 years. | |
This herb is often given to lactating females because it improves milk production. When feeding young animals with such a plant, there is a rapid weight gain. | It is recommended to collect such grass during the formation of buds. At other times, coarse grass is not suitable for the digestive system of pets. It is advisable to give dried grass to rabbits in order to prevent bloating. | |
Such a plant has invaluable properties, contains vitamins, protein. Helps relieve pain and also has a diuretic effect. Helps to strengthen the immunity of lactating females and young animals. | It is better to collect the grass in a flattering area, and then you need to treat it with boiling water and dry it. | |
An herb that is similar in nutritional properties to clover. | The foliage of the plant is pre-collected in the garden or forest, and then dried. |
If possible, plants are recommended to be plucked by hand. Because as a result of contact with scissors or secateurs, an oxidation process occurs. Do not dry any plant for too long. So, you can lose most of the nutrients.
Herbs dangerous to the health of rabbits
Rabbits are strictly forbidden to give rotten grass with traces of mold. With special care, you should collect herbs in meadows and in forest areas. Because among wild plants you can often find poisonous specimens. The use of such herbs can be fatal for rabbits.
Table 2. Dangerous plants
Grass | dangerous action |
---|---|
Causes neurological disorders, paralysis, respiratory arrest, convulsive seizures. | |
Dangerous plant for all animals. Its use provokes a pronounced process of intoxication of the body. Pets immediately experience severe vomiting, copious salivation. | |
A wild herb that causes cardiovascular disorders, seizures in rabbits. | |
The juice of this plant disrupts the digestive system of pets, contributes to severe vomiting. | |
A dangerous plant that is easily confused with ordinary parsley. In animals, after the use of such grass, paralysis and death rapidly occur. | |
Irritates the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, provokes diarrhea, bloating, vomiting. | |
It contains a dangerous component, as a result of which the pet develops cardiovascular pathologies. Death usually occurs on the second day. | |
Poisonous herbs, due to which the rabbit's body temperature quickly drops, breathing is disturbed and death occurs. | |
It provokes an upset of the digestive system, paralysis of the limbs, nausea and vomiting. | |
Causes severe intoxication of the rabbit's body. The animal has weakness, inactivity. | |
Provokes cardiac arrest in animals, paralysis. | |
It poses a threat to pets during the formation of inflorescences. Because they contain oil dangerous to health. Rabbits have indigestion, diarrhea with blood impurities. | |
These herbs are dangerous for pets when fresh. They grow in meadows, in flattering areas. Provoke convulsive attacks, respiratory arrest. | |
The danger of such a plant is that it grows next to cereal crops and sometimes gets into the total mass with grain. After its use, rabbits experience severe convulsive seizures, limbs are paralyzed. | |
A plant that is dangerous for rabbits is fresh. When dried, it becomes safe. Grows near rivers, ponds, meadows. | |
A plant with multiple white inflorescences, which, when consumed, causes nausea, vomiting, convulsions, and indigestion. | |
An herb that corrodes the stomach linings of animals. Provokes diarrhea with blood impurities. |
Dangerous herbs in most cases grow in shady areas where dampness prevails. Some of them, after thorough drying, completely lose their undesirable properties. Therefore, when collecting any grass in an unverified place, it is advisable to dry it. Not all pets can be saved after eating poisonous plants. Such plant foods are of great danger to young rabbits.
Herb Harvesting Rules
During the harvesting of herbal preparations, the following recommendations must be observed:
The collected herbs should be enough for the rabbits for the entire autumn and winter period. However, when storing dry plants, you should choose a place that is protected from rodents, which can carry infections.
Young animals should be especially careful when introducing new herbs into the diet. It is advisable to do this gradually, adding green food in parts.
Benefits of grass feeding rabbits
The following are the benefits of feeding rabbits green food:
- plants have a beneficial effect on the digestive processes;
- using grass, rabbits have the ability to sharpen their teeth;
- on leguminous plants, young growth is rapidly gaining body weight.
Farmers start planting grass and various legumes as early as mid-spring. This allows you to quickly get high-quality green pet food without any chemical components.
Summing up
In the wild, animals eat only fresh herbs, and this does not bring any harm to their health. However, in domestic rabbits, the digestive system is susceptible to negative effects from malnutrition. Do not give pets grass with the remnants of morning dew. It is recommended to collect plants in the afternoon.
Video - Herbal nutrition for a rabbit
Hi all!
Let's talk about rabbits again today. Last week we bought two eared ears and we were interested in the question of what kind of grass should not be given to rabbits. If you are interested in this topic, let's study together.
Grass is a favorite delicacy of rabbits. But, grass for animals can be useful, or it can be harmful. In nature, there are plants that are poisonous to rabbits. It is about them that we will talk today.
Plants that are harmful to rabbits are conditionally poisonous and poisonous. They may always contain toxic substances, or they may accumulate if stored improperly or dried out.
There are plants that, when dried, on the contrary, lose their toxic substances.
I want to note right away that every animal, especially an adult, distinguishes between a poisonous and non-poisonous plant. However, there may be a situation when the owner has prepared a bunch of poisonous herbs, or mixed, and the rabbit is very hungry, then he will not choose. The rabbit eats everything, and this is fraught with consequences. To avoid such situations, it is necessary to completely exclude the possibility of getting plants harmful to the animal in the diet. And for this you need to know which plants are useful, which are harmful and how to harvest them correctly. Let's take a closer look at what you can not feed a rabbit.
In the first place are poisonous herbs: celandine, euphorbia, poisonous ranunculus, dope, hellebore, wild mustard, bindweed, horned cornflower, lily of the valley, wrestler, foxglove. These are the most dangerous herbs for the rabbit's diet. Please note that any plant that has milk on the cut is best excluded from the diet, there is a high probability that it will be poisonous.
Why shouldn't rabbits be given fresh grass?
Did you know that it is not recommended to give rabbits fresh, freshly cut or plucked grass as they have a delicate digestive system. And fresh herbs can lead to fermentation processes in the stomach. The best option is dried hay. Moreover, hay is best dried in the shade, in this case, it retains more useful substances.
What grass should not be given to rabbits?
Wet, after rain or with dew. The grass must be dried and dried.
What else can not be fed to rabbits?
Homogeneous food daily. Give the eared different herbal mixtures. They must choose what will be useful to them at a certain moment. In addition, if a rabbit has a choice in a variety of herbs, and a poisonous plant suddenly comes across in this collection, the rabbit will not eat it, he will choose something else.
What are the symptoms of poisoning in rabbits?
The first symptom is indigestion, in the form of bloating, diarrhea, vomiting, convulsions.
Poisonous herbs for rabbits
Celandine- perennial dangerous for rabbits with an unpleasant odor, yellow flowers, blooming from May to July. The whole plant, including the root, contains substances harmful to rabbits. It is dangerous both fresh and dried. Causes weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions.
Buttercups. This plant can be found everywhere: in the pasture and any lawn. They are especially common in lowlands and floodplains of rivers and lakes. They are yellow in color and bloom from spring to autumn. From buttercups, rabbits feel bad, lose weight. During drying, buttercups lose some of the harmful substances, but it is not recommended to give them to rabbits, especially young ones. They cause profuse salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, acute pain and bloating.
Backache- also poisonous perennials. Grow in open forest glades, sandy soil, in dry hilly terrain. They are more dangerous than buttercups, but can be harmless when dry. When fresh, they cause shortness of breath, diarrhea, convulsions and paralysis in rabbits, cardiac activity is disturbed and body temperature drops.
The most poisonous of the backaches for rabbits is Sleep Grass. Causes shortness of breath, diarrhea, convulsions, decreased cardiac activity.
Marsh marigold- perennial with bright golden flowers, loves floodplains and swampy areas. Marigold is dangerous, both fresh and dried. Causes bloating, colic, diarrhea, frequent urination and discoloration of urine in rabbits.
Datura- grass, from the nightshade family, poisonous to rabbits. Grows up to a meter tall. Distributed almost everywhere. Datura ordinary causes paralysis in rabbits, a violation of cardiac activity.
wild mustard- a plant with yellow flowers and fruits in the form of pods, found in fields, meadows. Dangerous when seeds appear. They contain harmful mustard oil. Causes in rabbits: bloating, diarrhea, sometimes bloody.
What other grass should not be given to rabbits?
Marsh calla. Causes anxiety, bloating, profuse salivation.
hemlock. It causes convulsions, paralysis of the hind legs, a decrease in temperature.
Veh is poisonous. Causes anxiety, bloating, respiratory paralysis, convulsions.
Cornflower horned. Causes diarrhea, vomiting, convulsions, paralysis.
Spurge. Causes vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions.
Wrestlers or aconites. They cause profuse salivation, diarrhea, slowing of the pulse and respiration, a decrease in pressure and temperature.
Hellebore. Causes trembling, convulsions, vomiting, diarrhea, profuse salivation, respiratory failure.
Colchicum autumn (winter meadow). It causes weakness, salivation, diarrhea, bloating, and a decrease in temperature in rabbits.
Avran officinalis. Causes diarrhea, vomiting, inflammation of the gastric mucosa.
Digitalis. Causes vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, rapid pulse, arrhythmia, convulsions.
Doll. It causes profuse salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, heart failure, kidney damage, paralysis in rabbits.
Rabbits are bred for tasty dietary meat and valuable fur. Individual decorative individuals feel great as pets. All owners of furry animals sooner or later become interested in the issue of proper feeding of rodents. What grass can be given to rabbits, in what quantity and with what to combine it, worries everyone who wants to have healthy and strong animals.
Rabbits eat food exclusively of plant origin. Summer is the perfect time to fully feed these animals. During this period, you can find a sufficient number of various herbs both in forests, meadows and fields, as well as in your own gardens. Owners of rabbits need to know which plants are especially useful for full development, and which can harm the weak digestive system of rodents.
Note! Including forbs in the diet of rabbits can significantly reduce the consumption of feed and grain crops. This will affect the reduction in the cost of meat and fur.
What grass can be given to rabbits
Meadow and forest grasses
It is advisable not to collect plants that grow in forests, meadows and fields near roads and harmful plants. Young grasses will bring more benefit to rabbits, so it is recommended to collect and harvest raw materials until the stems are soft and buds have appeared. Hay from a later cut is high in fiber and low in nutrients. This type of feed will negatively affect the digestion of animals and will not bring a beneficial effect to the body.
Can rabbits eat fresh green grass? Rodents are naturally endowed with a weak stomach. If animals are fed with freshly cut grass, then their stomach may swell or diarrhea may open, therefore it is not recommended to use fresh plants in the diet, first they must be dried a little. It is necessary to feed rabbits, combining forbs with roughage, so it will be possible to avoid digestive disorders.
The most nutritious and useful plants for rabbits among meadow herbs:
- Clover. This perennial plant can be found near rivers and reservoirs. It is allowed to feed small portions of clover to rabbits - it has a high protein content.
- Lupine fodder. The leguminous plant is recommended to be given to animals in combination with other feeds, otherwise it can provoke an upset of the digestive system.
- Alfalfa. It is the most useful supplement for lactating rabbits and young animals. Contains a large amount of amino acids and protein.
- Plantain. The leaves of a meadow plant are rich in protein. Dried plantain can be stored for 3 years. Regular consumption of psyllium leaves will help rodents improve their digestion.
Meadows and fields are very rich in herbs. Many of the varieties are endowed with medicinal properties. The use of forest and meadow plants by rabbits will have a beneficial effect on their development and health. Heather, hogweed, tansy, comfrey and bluegrass, burdock and horse sorrel are perfect for feeding rodents.
garden plants
It is not at all necessary for rabbit owners to go to the countryside, to the forest or to the fields for herbs, you can allocate a place for planting useful plants in the garden. It is better to give preference to legumes and cereals. Experienced breeders already know which grass is most useful for rabbits, and while processing the weed garden, they separately add the necessary blades of grass for their pets.
Such varieties of garden plants are especially preferred by rodents, such as:
- Rhubarb. The plant has a sour taste, but it is good to use for a variety of rabbit food. Contains many vitamins.
- Surepka. Appears in the garden one of the first herbs. The plant has a pleasant honey aroma.
- Stems of carrots and beets. Rabbits love carrot roots, but the ground part is also useful, contains vitamins and trace elements.
- Parsley leaves. Suitable for diversifying the diet of eared animals. It is not recommended to give a lot, otherwise there may be an upset stomach.
- Quinoa. Experts advise feeding rabbits with quinoa in combination with other herbs. The nutritious herb helps with constipation and boosts immunity.
- Celery. The plant contains a huge amount of useful trace elements. It has a stimulating effect on digestion.
- Sleep. It is one of the few herbs that are suitable for feeding ornamental rabbits.
Also, the list can be replenished with sorrel leaves, the ground part of horseradish, thistle, chamomile and wood lice. The sunflower has no special nutritional value for rabbits, and as a treat, you can diversify the menu with young shoots and hats. It is desirable to give seeds little by little, so as not to irritate the stomach.
Important! It is not necessary to feed rabbits with weeds and root crops alone. This will badly affect the digestion of animals. You should also diversify the types of plants fed.
Medicinal herbs
Varieties of medicinal plants can be harvested not only at the beginning of growth - during and after flowering, herbs with medicinal properties will also be useful for rodents. Veterinarians recommend adding no more than 35 percent of medicinal raw materials to the daily diet of fluffy pets, based on the total amount of feed.
Rabbits prefer the following types of medicinal plants:
- Sagebrush. Helps prevent intestinal problems and stimulates appetite. However, an overdose should not be allowed, otherwise the onset of excessive nervous excitability is possible.
- Dandelion. It has a beneficial effect on increasing appetite, contains proteins. An overdose can cause ear growth to stop.
- Nettle. Nutritious leaves of the plant are rich in vitamins and trace elements, have antibacterial properties.
- Coltsfoot. You can start harvesting the plant in late spring. The leaves improve the digestion of animals.
- wild chicory. It is a useful bitter herb with a pleasant smell. It will help to establish metabolism and remove harmful substances from the body.
In what form can grass be given to rabbits
Freshly cut grass is not recommended. Even the youngest and most fragrant greens need to be dried a little. In summer, you can not only feed your wards with mowed and plucked grass, but also prepare hay for future use. When carrying out haymaking for harvesting herbs for the winter, an important point will be to prevent poisonous and harmful herbs from getting into the drying mixture. To bring the maximum benefit to the rabbit's body from eating grass, you do not need to mow the plants near dusty roads.
Prepare hay for the future
What herbs should not be given to rabbits
Despite the abundance and variety of herbs suitable for feeding rodents, there is an impressive number of plants that can not only harm, but also kill animals. A significant part of dangerous herbs lose their properties after drying, which is why it is so important to feed rabbits with dry grass.
- Hellebore. In case of poisoning with this herb, animals experience vomiting, diarrhea, and profuse salivation.
- Cornflower. Despite the external beauty, the plant causes the appearance of paralysis and convulsions.
- Hemlock. After a poisonous plant enters the body of rodents, a breakdown occurs, the hind legs are paralyzed and convulsions appear.
- Datura ordinary. Violates the work of the cardiovascular system of animals.
- Marsh marigold. Causes bloating, diarrhea and frequent urination.
- Celandine. Poisoning leads to weakness and indigestion.
- Buttercup. The plant can cause acute pain in the abdomen. In case of poisoning, vomiting and diarrhea appear.
Note! Ornamental plants should never be given to rabbits. The use of jasmine or poppies can be fatal.
The list of poisonous plants is quite wide, but not all of them retain dangerous properties after drying. When harvesting green fodder, it is important to know which grass should not be given to rabbits in large quantities. Some plants are able to provoke various types of disorders, and in small quantities they can be beneficial. For example, rabbits are very fond of corn, but the high content of carbohydrates in it can provoke the appearance of excessive gases. Therefore, when including a new plant in the diet of your pets, it is better to study its beneficial properties and side effects in advance.
What to do if a rabbit is poisoned
Poisoning of animals with poisonous harmful herbs can be determined by the behavior and appearance of the rabbit: he refuses to eat, loose stools and vomiting appear, the gait becomes shaky and slow.
What should be done if the symptoms indicate poisoning? The first step is to remove the remnants of food from the feeder in order to protect the animal from a new intake of poison into the body. Then try to clear the stomach - you can induce vomiting with the help of fresh milk (2 tablespoons 3 times a day). Egg yolk or a decoction of flax seeds will help recover from poisoning. If the rabbit has convulsions, a decoction of oak or willow bark will be an effective medicine.
In order for rabbits to always please with excellent health and strong offspring, one must carefully monitor their nutrition. Food should be varied and contain nutrients and trace elements. Green herbs, fresh and dried, are an essential part of a complete rabbit diet. The main thing is to know which grass is safe for the animal and which is not.
When breeding rabbits, a significant part of their diet should be green fodder. Such food not only significantly saves the farmer's costs, it is also extremely useful for furry creatures. That's just not all plants equally benefit them, there are among them those that can cause harm. Since the question is very important, you should be able to figure out which grass can be given to rabbits without fear, and which types of it are completely excluded from the diet.
For rabbit breeding to be profitable, eared animals must eat well and be healthy. These criteria directly depend on the feed, as well as the conditions of the pets. There are many green herbs, it is desirable to consume them fresh for rabbits all spring and summer, and hay all year round.
Table for calculating feed for rabbits per day
Herbs appear in early spring, disappear in late autumn with the onset of the first frost. The benefits of green fodder cannot be overestimated. Judge for yourself:
- the herbal mass is well digested by rabbit stomachs, and therefore is quickly absorbed;
- greens, due to the fiber contained in it, have a positive effect on the digestive system of herbivores;
- the growth of animals is stimulated;
- improves the quality of their fur.
The diet of rabbits should include both herbs and other types of feed.
Fresh herbs for rabbits are a natural source of nutrients and vitamins. They are much more useful than grass cut at a later date. But in the latter there is much more fiber.
All of the above does not mean that rabbits should be fed exclusively with grass mass - too much of it can be harmful. No, the diet of fluffy animals must be balanced, and therefore the herbs in it are combined with other feeds. This is explained by the fact that:
- there is a lot of water in the fresh green mass, rabbits simply do not need such an amount;
- dry food, on the contrary, once in the stomach of the animal, absorbs excess liquid.
Yes, and the plants themselves for rabbits need to be alternated, since different types of herbs also contain useful substances to a different extent. Composing a nutritious diet for rabbits, you should strive for diversity: the more different greens, the better.
Benefits of adding herbs to feed
Rabbit breeders need to understand the benefits of using fresh herbs in feeding their pets. They are obvious:
- herbs grow by themselves, and when harvesting them, you do not spend money at all, only your time;
- the more green mass is eaten, the less grain crops and purchased dry food will have to be spent - that's the savings for you;
- in the stems of leguminous plants, in their leaves there are many proteins and amino acids. Thanks to them, the animals grow rapidly, gaining live weight;
- eating grass stalks, rabbits grind their teeth;
- many herbs can be used as a green pharmacy. In particular, they help with lactation, inflammation and indigestion.
Since the main task of the rabbit breeder is to get a strong and healthy livestock, you need to understand well which grass can be fed to rabbits and which cannot. Let's take a quick look at those and other types.
Useful herbs
First of all, we will list the herbs that are useful for your furry pets.
- Lucerne. By the amount of protein and amino acids, it turns out to be much more useful than clover. Experts recommend feeding it to young animals, as well as to lactating females - the rabbit gains weight faster, and lactation increases in rabbits.
- Clover . Contains a lot of protein.
- Wormwood. Weed is somewhat controversial, because in large quantities it can cause nervous excitement and even aggression in rabbits. But in small doses - no more than 200 grams per day - wormwood is extremely useful. With its help, it is possible to drive worms to the animals, as well as to cope with disorders of the digestive system.
- Plantain. This is a plant that grows in a variety of conditions. It can be safely fed to rabbits, and it is also very useful due to the vitamins and proteins it contains. There is little fiber in plantain.
- Coltsfoot . It begins to ripen early, so it can be added to feed as early as May. Rabbits eat it with appetite, and besides, coltsfoot improves digestion and has some healing properties.
- Wheatgrass. Doctors primarily highlight its diuretic properties. Before eating, the plant is first washed from the earth and sand, then the rhizomes are separated, which are given as food to animals. Wheatgrass keeps well for about three years, if only stored in glass jars.
- Nettle. The foliage of this plant, in addition to its nutritional properties, can also help in the treatment. It is better to harvest nettles for the winter, while fresh rabbits are fed only its stems. So that the plant does not burn, it is preliminarily scalded with boiling water. Nettle has a lot of vitamins, it also improves the functioning of the digestive system of animals.
- Siberian hogweed. The plant will be more useful not to rabbits, but to females - increased milk production during lactation is stimulated. You can collect cow parsnip for feeding almost until the beginning of July, during the flowering period. But only leaves are given for food, it is better not for rabbits to eat flowers.
- Dandelion . This plant is a favorite treat for rabbits. It is very nutritious because it contains a lot of proteins. Fiber in it, on the contrary, is a small amount. Dandelion is a wild herb, and adding it to feed increases the appetite of animals. Experts recommend bringing the amount of dandelion in the diet of rabbits up to 30%, no more.
- Sainfoin.
- Burdock, tansy, Ivan tea, yarrow - these wild species will also be useful.
- Hemp.
Dry the grass should not be in the sun, but in the shade, laying it out on sticks, folding them in the manner of a hut, or on a stretched net.
Beneficial herbs for rabbits
Other plants suitable for feeding
In addition to the grasses themselves, rabbits are also fed leaves from trees, as well as bark and shoots. In particular, these animals will willingly eat:
- leaves and bark of birch, aspen, linden, acacia, willow;
- shoots of alder, oak, elm, hazel;
- pruned branches of fruit trees (with the exception of apricot).
Is it possible to give these plants in any quantity? It is forbidden. It is imperative to ensure that the daily rate of bark and shoots is within 200 grams.
Important. There are also trees whose leaves and branches are undesirable for rabbits. These "harmful" types include:
- apricot;
- bird cherry;
- elder;
- wild rosemary.
In addition to grasses and trees, other plants that are easy to find in any suburban or summer cottage will also fit into rabbit food. The same weeds and root crops from the garden, for example, are excellent food.
Datura is one of the harmful herbs for rabbits.
dangerous herbs
Now it's time to consider what grass should not be given to rabbits, because it can be harmful to the health of your eared pets. The use of some herbs in food can cause stomach problems and other misfortunes, others are simply poisonous. During general mowing, some of the harmful grasses may mix with the general mass. There are herbs that should never be eaten by your pets.
- Jasmine and poppy are ornamental herbs that cause various ailments.
- Buttercups. Disrupt the work of the stomach. Cause diarrhea, vomiting, profuse salivation. The stomach swells when poisoned.
- Euphorbia - from him the animals have vomiting.
- Sleep-grass. There is just a complete set of negative consequences - paralysis, convulsions, and interruptions in the work of the heart. Causes diarrhea and other gastrointestinal disorders.
- Cornflower horned. Negatively affects the ventricles of rabbits. It also causes diarrhea and vomiting. If you eat too much of it, paralysis can occur.
- . In addition to paralysis, it can cause interruptions in the work of the heart muscle.
- Veh is poisonous. It also causes anxiety and convulsions in animals, as well as paralysis of the respiratory tract.
- Hemlock. A very poisonous plant, from which the temperature drops in rabbits, convulsions occur, complete paralysis can occur.
- Marsh calla. It is found predominantly in swampy areas. When eaten, it causes bloating in animals, profuse salivation and general nervousness.
- Indoor plants such as begonia and azalea, amaryllis, etc.
- Large celandine. Weakens the body of animals, reduces appetite, makes them lethargic.
- Kaluzhnitsa. Causes rabbits to urinate frequently, causing colic and vomiting.
- Avran. Inflames the intestinal mucosa.
- foxglove. It makes the heart of the animals work faster, resulting in shortness of breath, arrhythmia, and convulsions appear.
- Frozen or canned green mass.
We also add that animals can be poisoned by plants such as:
- Sudanese;
- wild clover;
- sorghum;
- black millet.
These plants are dangerous during their withering, as well as during soaking and fermentation. They contain a glucoside, which under these conditions is converted into hydrocyanic acid.
Feeding rules
But even extremely useful herbs under certain conditions can easily turn into harmful ones. In order for herbal food to go to your wards for the future, you need to follow certain rules in its preparation and feeding to animals. These general rules apply to all types of herbs:
- only young grass is allowed to be eaten, it contains more protein and less fiber. Feeding rabbits with late-harvest herbs may cause problems with their digestion;
- it is better not to constantly give grass of the same type (health problems may arise), but to organize herbal mixtures, making the diet more diverse;
- grass mass should not be freshly cut and wet, for example, with dew - this leads to digestive disorders. Fresh mass must be dried and dried before eating;
- grasses must be harvested manually, without the use of mechanical mowers. Greens mowed with the help of devices oxidize faster and can acquire toxic properties;
- if you give fresh plants after a long break, add them to the feed gradually, always after the concentrated feed. Since such food is rich in proteins, ventricular indigestion can occur in rabbits from an overabundance of them;
- you need to mow grass at noon, on sunny days, in no case at dawn and not after rain - excess moisture harms rabbit stomachs;
- do not collect herbs in places where pets are walking, near busy highways or near enterprises that work with harmful substances. The same applies to grass from street lawns;
- grass dried for the winter should not contain mold, have rotten areas;
- young animals should be accustomed to herbal food gradually, giving it in small doses and carefully observing the reaction to the new food;
- harvesting for the winter is done at the very beginning of the flowering of plants, as soon as the buds form;
- it is not necessary to dry the herbs for long, in this case the hay retains its green color and appetizing smell (for rabbits, of course);
- legumes can cause bloating in rabbit tummies, so they are fed gradually, preferably mixed with cereals.
Herbs can be planted in your area.
Sowing green fodder on the site
This option is preferable for those who do not have much time to roam the meadows and collect. On your site, you can plant all those types of herbs that are useful for rabbits:
- legumes - they are nutritious and healthy;
- red clover - when the buds begin to be tied, it will contain 21% protein. You can also use hybrid and mountain types of clover, these crops are also rich in protein. All rabbits eat such clover with great appetite;
- cultural alfalfa - it has a high content of protein and amino acids. Alfalfa for rabbits is no less useful than clover, while it grows well in different climatic zones. It should be mowed immediately after the formation of the first flowers;
- oats. It manages to be sown twice a season, planting the second batch immediately after the mowing of the first;
- borage and phacelia - they require deep planting, but are very tasty and healthy for eared ears;
- green peas - dried pods and stems are eaten;
- celery and parsley - can increase the appetite of animals;
- vetch - it must be mixed with oats when feeding;
- rye - it and vetch are given together;
- corn - young stalks are added to the diet, combining corn with legumes. Corn with legumes comes in a combination of 70% to 30%;
- sida is an ornamental plant that is pollinated by bees, and honey is also collected from it. It grows for many years, you can mow twice during the summer period. There are no less proteins in the plant than in clover and alfalfa;
- sulphia - like sida, it is rich in nutrients, it is also mowed twice in the summer;
- rhubarb - they begin to harvest it in early spring, when other herbs have not yet grown and it is too early to mow them. Rhubarb is a perennial plant, often rabbit breeders grow it specifically to feed their wards;
- fodder lupine - belongs to the legume family. Unlike yellow lupine, which causes lupinosis (poisoning due to the high content of alkaloids), there is a lot of protein in the feed version. It is not recommended to give rabbits only one lupine, otherwise they will have ventricular indigestion;
- amaranth - blooms beautifully on the site, does not require special care, has a beneficial effect on the digestive system of animals;
- dill, cumin and mint make rabbit meat palatable and more aromatic.
Summary
We tried to give a detailed answer to the question that worries many private livestock breeders: what grass to feed the rabbits. As you can see, there are much more useful herbs for your pets than harmful ones, but precautions should be observed in everything. Remember, you can harm the health of animals even if you feed them healthy herbs - if you do not follow basic safety.