What would the pro's and con's of feeding a dairy {cows} ration to rabbits ? Alfafa pellets could be added for roughage .

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@hotmail.com), March 12, 2002

Answers

Unless you are a nutrition specialist and are familiar with the differences between the required nutrition of dairy cows versus rabbits in order to supplement what is needed or to counteract what is NOT needed or desired, I wouldn't advise it!

-- Pat Lamar (fuzyfarm@3-cities.com), March 12, 2002.

OK I am not an idiot , this was suggeted to me by my local feed mill .I was not easy with it that is why I asked.

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@hotmail.com), March 14, 2002.

Patty, I actually tried using an all purpose 15% utility feed. Cost wise it was 1/2 of what peelets cost. Here is the problems. Not enought fiber. Well that was easy to fix. I have horses and plenty of hay. The problem was that most ended up on the floor. The other problem was they started digging out the feed, looking for the good stuff. Half ended up being spilled. So I was feeding twice as much. Ultimatley I went back to pellets.

-- tracy (murfete@stargate.net), March 14, 2002.

Patty... I did not mean to imply that you are "stupid!" Actually, your question is a fairly common one and you are wise to consider asking others about it, as many don't, then wonder why they run into problems. I know of a group in Canada currently feeding hog feed to their rabbits... as recommended by their own Agricultural representative! Ack! There are other "approved" methods of cutting corners on expenses without having to mess with the type of feed.

-- Pat Lamar (fuzyfarm@3-cities.com), March 14, 2002.

Pat. fill us in on the other "approved" methods for citting costs

-- tracy (murfete@stargate.net), March 14, 2002.

No I am calling myself stupid Pat .I guess I should explain things better to begin with

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@hotmail.com), March 14, 2002.

Sorry for the delay... busy putting the new PRMA Journal together for printing.

"Approved" methods of cutting corners? Oft times, it's only dependent upon your own ingenuity! For example, if you don't have enough rabbits to buy feed by the ton for qualifying for discounts, get with other breeders and buy together! Or, buy "bulk" (w/o bags) and save the most on the feed! Buy feed direct from the mill instead of a feed store. Use a timer for lights (saves on electricity). Recycle wood from old barns or even wooden palletes for building, making nest boxes, etc. Learn to make your own cages. Learn to replace cage bottoms when needed instead of the whole cage. Buy hay and straw direct from the farmer instead of from the feed stores, and so on.

-- Pat Lamar (fuzyfarm@3-cities.com), March 15, 2002.