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Care Behaviour Have questions or comments? |
Hay
Because alfalfa has more protein, calories and calcium than adult rabbits generally require, adult rabbits should be given an unlimited amount of grass hay, such as timothy, brome or orchard grass, etc, to graze on each day. Rabbits up to approximately 7 months old can be fed unlimited alfalfa hay, although grass hay can be fed, too. Good hay should be green, rather than brown, and should
smell like grass. Never feed moldy hay, because it can make your rabbit
seriously ill. Moldy hay may contain white dust, or black and/or white
spots on the bale. If you drop the bale and a lot of white dust flies
up, it could be a sign of mold. Thistles and other weeds should be picked
out of the hay before serving, because some weeds, such as milkweed (a
thick, fibrous stemmed plant with broad elongated leaves) are toxic. Hay can be purchased at any pet store. It is more economical, however, to find a farmer who specializes in growing hay for horses. If you have three or more rabbits, you will use a bale pretty quickly. Hay grown for cows is generally not suitable for bunnies. Where can you find hay in your area? It isn't always easy to know which farmers grow hay, especially when you live in the city. Farmers in various counties across Ontario describe the type and size of bales of hay that they are selling in local papers or on-line. If you are lucky, you will find a farmer in your county that is selling small square bales that you can purchase. If a whole bale is too much for your bunnies, consider purchasing a bale and sharing it with other rabbit owners in your area or with your local shelter. For more information: |
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Hay
is the most important part of your rabbit's diet. It is high in fibre,
which keeps the digestive tract moving, helping to prevent blockages and
stasis. In addition, hay helps to sustain healthy teeth 