02/03/2026
RoseOak Rabbitry
TAMU-K Composite Meat Rabbit
FEEDING Protocol REV5: 2/3/26
IMPORTANT NOTE for young rabbits less than three (3) months - no fresh greens as their gut flora is still in transition.
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(For our HOW TO WEAN protocol see the end.)
PER WEANLING (5-6 weeks AND ~2-3 #)
MORNING
Alfalfa: large handful (stem and leaf)
Timothy: large handful
EVENING
Alfalfa: large handful (stem and leaf)
Timothy: large handful
Coastal: medium handful
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PER YOUNGSTER (7-8 weeks and ~ 4 #)
MORNING
Alfalfa: large handful (stem and leaf)
Timothy: large handful
EVENING
Alfalfa: large handful (stem and leaf)
Timothy: large handful
Coastal: medium handful
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PER JUNIOR (9-12 weeks and ~ 5-7 #)
MORNING
Alfalfa: small handful (mostly stems)
Timothy: large handful
EVENING (before grain)
Alfalfa: medium handful (stem and leaf)
Timothy: large handful
Coastal: large handful
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PER SUB-ADULT/ADULT (13 weeks plus)
EVENING (before grain)
Timothy: medium handful
Coastal: large handful
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PELLETS (aka "grain")
Brand: Purina
Type: Complete (16%)
(NOTE: A higher percentage can cause diarrhea and increase internal fat.)
*****IMPORTANT NOTES*****
The pellet portion below is based upon the COMBINED use of the above listed hay regimen.
The majority of rabbits UNDER four months should clear their pellets before morning.
ANY change in feed consumption (particularly a lack of) is cause for checking the rabbit's health and managing such accordingly.
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PER WEANLING (6-7 weeks AND ~2-3 #)
Amount: 2 oz. (by weight, not volume) per rabbit
When: Evening ONLY (after hay)
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PER YOUNGSTER (8-9 weeks AND ~ 3-4 #)
Amount: 3 oz. (by weight, not volume) per rabbit
When: Evening ONLY (after hay)
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PER JUNIOR (10-12 weeks AND ~ 4-6 #)
Amount 4 oz. (by weight, not volume) per rabbit increasing slowly to 5 oz. during this time period.
When: Evening ONLY (after hay)
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PER SUB-ADULT (12 weeks+)/ADULT Buck
Amount: 5 oz. (by weight, not volume) per rabbit
When: Evening ONLY (after hay)
PER SUB-ADULT (12 weeks+)/ADULT NON-LACTATING Doe
Amount: 5-6 oz. (by weight, not volume) per rabbit
When: Evening ONLY (after hay)
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LACTATING Does:
IMMEDIATELY upon kindling, implement the following changes in their feeding protocol:
-ADD Alfalfa hay (large handful) morning and evening for the first 5 days after kindling, after that, only once a day (in the evenings);
-Increase pellets to 7-8 oz.;
-Double the amount of timothy hay;
-Add the following:
--1-2 Tablespoons of whole Quaker Oats
(or crimped oats)
For does with LARGE litters (or who tend to lose condition when nursing) also add
--1-3 teaspoons of BOSS (black oil sunflower seeds) in the evening for the first TWO weeks then discontinue.
DECREASE
At 21 days (three weeks) after kindling, remove nest boxes and make the following feed changes:
- Timothy and coastal hay MORNING and EVENING
- Alfalfa - double the amount and feed in the EVENING
-INCREASE: Pellets to 12 ounces
-CONTINUE: Whole Quaker Oats (or crimped oats) until weaning.
28 days (four weeks) after kindling - kits can be weaned.
*HOW TO WEAN KITS - at FOUR weeks*
DOE: Relocate to new cage in the morning, feeding protocol returns to pre-kindling amount (coastal and timothy hay in the evening, followed by 5-6 oz. of pellets.)
HAY
MORNING
Alfalfa: large handful (stem and leaf)
Timothy: large handful
Coastal: medium handful
EVENING
Alfalfa: large handful (stem and leaf)
Timothy: large handful
Coastal: medium handful
PELLETS
*** Important point . . . feed 15-20 minutes AFTER hay AND ONLY in the evening. ***
AMOUNT of Pellets:
--First FIVE days after weaning (1 oz. of pellets per kit, per day - EVENINGS ONLY
--Days 6-10 after weaning - 1.5 ozs. of pellets per kit, per day - EVENINGS ONLY
--Days 10-14 after weaning 2 ozs. of pellets per kit, per day - EVENINGS ONLY
*****IMPORTANT NOTE****
Remove any pellets not consumed overnight during this two week stage.
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CONTINUE using the feeding protocol as listed above for weanlings.
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(Previous Versions -REV4: 10/30/24; REV3: 6/8/24; REV2: 7/1/23; REV1: 10/7/22; Original: 5/3/21)
