08/30/2026
This is the rabbit pellets and hay I use.
Kent Show Hutch Deluxe Extruded 17% I use this for the English Angoras; it is really good for the fur.
By choice, I free feed, so no measuring them out portions. I have found for the most part they will not overeat, but they do have pellets readily available to them anytime they are hungry.
Oxbow Simple Harvest for adult. I use this one for my retired Hollands and they absolutely love it. For years they had been picky eaters, and to me not ate as much as I would have liked them to. But once I swapped over to this food, they can't get enough of it. Gained weight and now having to watch that so they don't end up too fat to keep themselves clean. I have noticed since being on this for them, they now eat more hay as well. They both weren't big hay eaters before.
I so far still free feed and watching the weight. They are now healthier than I have ever seen them thru the years, both are over 5 years old now and spoilt rotten, and they know it too!
As a food topper I use YQ+ I will make a different post all about that and the benefits of... But it comes with a scoop. I use that scoop daily and place that on top of the pellets to be eaten first. They absolutely love this stuff, and it smells really good too.
The hay I use is Standlee Timothy Hay from Tractor supply in the green plastic wrapped bales. The only time I ever change from this is when they are out of it, so I get Standlee Timothy/Orchard Hay in the same green plastic bales. Another time I switch is if I travel with them, I use Oxbow Western Timothy Hay. The only reason for this is it comes in a smaller bag to travel well with plus it is a lot less dusty to deal with on a trip. If I have a new bunny come in that isn't big on hay, I will buy the small bag of Oat Hay to mix in with the one I am using to get them started on it.
I do not ever change off of this, even with the babies. I don't give then the young pellets, they eat moms' same pellets and hay. I do not ever switch pregnant does or babies over to Alfalfa Hay either. The reason for this; because it is a sweet feed type of hay and they get used to that (junk food) and it is super hard at 6 months old to switch them off of it to Timothy. They cannot stay on the sweet Alfalfa hay as the sugary content can cause bladder sludge, this is not a good thing!
I have not lost babies or had any not grow and be healthy on the plan I have, it works well so I stick with it.
I do add bunny crack to pregnant moms and babies' pellets which is Old Fashioned Oats and Calf Manna. This in moderation because it can cause them to dehydrate, you will notice by drier poops and begin to get smaller over time. They aren't drinking enough for the dry oats... So, I do watch them when they are on this. I think I monitor poops more than anything around here. š¤£
As a treat each day they get a bunny salad, either Romaine Lettuce or chopped curly Kale. Rare treats like dried banana chips, this mostly when they get nails clipped. Another rare treat is baby carrots. Those 2 have sugar content so not a whole lot of those.
However, no one gets anything treat wise until 4 months old and then slowly introduced in tiny amounts so I can watch if it changes the tummy or balance of the gut flora. By the time they are 6 months old, and all looks well with the tummy they get the normal amount for every adult.
Not saying anyone else's ways are wrong by no means, this is just what works for me. Each Rabbitry is different; I am sure no 2 are the same at all. So, whatever is working great for you stick to it!
