Feeding

To remain in the best of health, all animals require a balanced diet, and rabbits are no exception. Rabbits are what is termed herbivorous, which means that they normally subsist on a diet of plant origin. Wild rabbits feed on grass, other green plants, seeds and roots. The domestic rabbit is given a similar, albeit modified, version of that which the wild rabbits are accustomed to. A balanced diet is one which contains sufficient amounts of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals — plus a constant supply of fresh drinking water which is vital to body functions. Water may be provided in a heavy dish, which the rabbit cannot tip over, but for cleanliness a water bottle is recommended. This consists of a large bottle with a glass or metal tube extending from the stopper. The water filled bottle is suspended from a bracket on the wire front of the hutch, and the drinking tube passed through the mesh so that the rabbit can lap water whenever it is thirsty. The bottle should be cleaned daily as it is refilled otherwise green algae will be evident on the inside as a result of exposure to sunlight.

A balanced diet for rabbits in the form of pellets is available from most pet shops and agricultural merchants. Commonly known as rabbit pellets, they are manufactured from mixtures of ground grain, straw, hay and other materials. Animal protein and calcium may be added in the
form of fish or bonemeal and the correct amounts of vitamins and mineral salts are included. As these pellets contain all the constituents of a balanced diet, they are really all that is required to keep rabbits in the best of health, providing fresh water is constantly available. However,
many fanciers (and perhaps the rabbits) consider such a monotonous diet is boring, and like to add a little more variety to the menu of their pets. Pellets are an excellent staple diet and a fistful per rabbit per day, plus a few extra tit-bits will keep your pets happy. It is interesting to make up a number of menus {or your rabbits in order that there is a slight variance each day. The following ideas are given as guidelines:

MORNING
Menu A
25g (1 oz) crushed oats 1 OOg (4oz) greenfood
bog (4oz)pellets lOOg (4oz) hay
75g (3oz) roots
(carrot, turnip etc)

Menu B
50g (2oz) wheat grain 75g (3oz) pellets
50g (2oz) brown bread 25g (1 oz) roots
1 OOg (4oz) greenfood 1 OOg (4oz) hay

EVENING
Menu A
1 OOg (4oz) greenfood
lOOg (4oz) hay

Menu B
75g (3oz) pellets
25g (1 oz) roots
1 OOg (4oz) hay

The quantities given in the table will be adequate for one medium sized rabbit which is fed morning and evening. Menus A and B constitute meals for Iwo days and it will not take too much imagination to invent others which will give your animals a different meal each day for a week. All
pellets or grain should be placed in earthenware dishes ratherthan those made of plastic, and which the rabbit seems to enjoy tipping over.

It is always advisable to give a little extra hay in case the rabbit feels hungry between meals. A few green twigs from non-poisonous trees (apple, plum, beech or oak for instance) will give the animal something to gnaw at and exercise its teeth, as well as helping to relieve boredom.
There is hardly any limit to the variety of food which can be offered to rabbits, particularly during the summer months, and many offcuts (washed) from domestic vegetables as well as wild greenfoods can be given. Cabbage, carrots, celery, kale, leeks, lettuce, parsnips, peas
(including pods and foliage), and turnips are just a few examples.

The type of wild greens available will, of course, vary from country to country, and it will be wise to consult other rabbit (or even poultry) keepers in your area to see what they are using as well as what to avoid. In Europe, favorite greenfoods include chickweed, clover, dandelion,
groundsel, hedge parsley, knotgrass, plantains and sow thistle, as well as freshly cut grass complete with its seed heads. Care should be taken when gathering wildfood, not to include items which may have been polluted by traffic fumes, or by domestic animals such as dogs or cattle. Also, take care not to mistakenly collect any poisonous plants, the identification of which will have to be researched locally. You are not recommended to feed lawn mower clippings to your petand all greenfood not consumed in a short period should be removed otherwise it will become sour and attract unwanted insects and similar pests.