What grains can be fed to rabbits. What is the best grain for rabbits and how to prepare a grain mixture? Vitamin and Mineral Supplements for Rapid Growth

Right choice grain crops for feeding rabbits is the key to successful feeding of livestock and minimizing the risks of gastrointestinal diseases. The use of grain as the basis of the diet significantly reduces the cost of growing and provides animals with important nutrients. Another advantage of cereals is their low price.

The benefits of cereals

Grains are very well absorbed by rabbits, so the presence of cereals in the diet is a vital necessity for these animals. Feeding on hay and vegetables does not lead to rapid weight gain and creates nutritional deficiencies. The most popular grains for feeding rabbits are:

  1. Barley. It has the highest calorie content among cereals that are used in rabbit breeding. Also, this grain has a beneficial effect on the digestive tract of animals and contains essential amino acids. Such advantages make barley an excellent option for feeding rabbits after the birth of offspring, as well as young animals during the transition to a general diet. In order to facilitate the assimilation of cereals, it is pre-crushed.
  2. Oats. It contains pantothenic acid, which helps to improve the functioning of the reproductive organs, helps to keep the body of rabbits in good shape, and has a high energy value. Despite the fact that the share of oats in the diet can account for up to 50%, this does not lead to obesity.
  3. Wheat. It is rich in vitamins of group B. It is added to the feed mixture in a proportion of no more than a quarter of the total volume. The use of only feed wheat for feeding rabbits can provoke metabolic disorders and malfunctions in the digestive tract.
  4. Corn. Suitable as one of the components of the grain mixture and is not used as the basis of the diet. Beneficial features maize are due to the high content of vitamin E and carotene, high calorie content and high fat content. The latter factor can cause obesity with a regular high content of corn in the diet. Before adding corn to the feed mixture, grain for rabbits is crushed.

The beneficial properties of cereals are very diverse, so the grain mixture for rabbits may vary depending on the age and purpose of growing.

How to cook?

Some breeders use cereals to feed animals exclusively in dry form. However, many rabbit breeders disagree with this method of feeding, as they believe that such feed is much worse absorbed by the rabbit's body compared to pre-treated grain. The most common methods of preparing grains are steaming and yeasting.

Steaming

To prepare a grain mixture or a single cereal by steaming, the product is poured into a large container (8-10 liters in volume) and poured with boiling water so that the water covers the grain with a margin of 5-10 cm. After that, salt is added at the rate of 1 tablespoon per 1 bucket of feed. The product is ready for use after 5-6 hours of infusion.

Yeast

To prepare the feed mixture by yeast, the following steps are performed:

  • the grain is first carefully ground;
  • nutritional yeast for baking (35 grams) dissolves in clean water;
  • grain is filled with water at the rate of 1:2;
  • let it brew for 6-9 hours, performing periodic mixing.

Reference. The yeast mixture accelerates the weight gain of rabbits, therefore it is most often used for meat breeds.

It is convenient to prepare the yeast mixture in the evening: it can already be given to rabbits for morning feeding, mixing with dry cereal mass. As a rule, 2-3 tablespoons of yeast mash are added to each feeding for 3-5 days, after which regular feeds are given for 5-10 days. This diet plan can be used for rabbits older than 4 months.

How to feed

Feeding rabbits with grain is carried out on the basis of the following recommendations:

  1. For young animals, the share of wheat is 50% of the entire grain mixture. The other half is made up of varying proportions of corn and barley.
  2. Rabbits, after the birth of rabbits, are given a mixture with increased nutritional value, which consists of equal parts of oats and barley.
  3. Breeding rabbits grain mixture is given in the form of wheat and oats, combined in a ratio of 1:3.

Feeding rabbits according to the Zolotukhin method

Feeding livestock according to the Zolotukhin method provides for the supply of grain in dry form or prepared by soaking. Rabbits during the dormant period are introduced into the diet of whole oats, and before mating and during the birthing period, crushed barley is added to food. For young animals that have switched to independent nutrition, the diet is formed on the basis of steamed oats, after which ground barley is gradually added. It is optimal if new roughage is introduced to the menu in the summer. After the rabbits reach 4 months of age, ground corn is added to the diet, and adults who have reached 6 months are transferred to oats and barley, which are served dry. Also, adult rabbits are given a little corn grain at each feeding.

When using the above methods for preparing cereal mixtures and choosing which grain to feed rabbits, the age of the animals must be taken into account. It is important to start accustoming rabbits to grain feed with a soft and easily digestible crop - wheat, which will provide the animals with nutrients and give great start For rapid development and gaining muscle mass. In the future, the breeder independently selects the diet, in accordance with the availability of other types of feed: grass, compound feed, vegetables.

Rabbits are raised for tasty, healthy meat and high-quality fur. In order for the breeding of these animals to always end successfully for their owners, they must be properly looked after. One of the most important factors in correct content is feeding.

If rabbits get enough wholesome food, then there is no doubt that they will grow up healthy and large.

Grains in the diet of rabbits

Every experienced farmer knows that grain must be present in the diet of his eared wards.

It brings undeniable benefits to the organisms of rabbits, and their full development without it becomes something almost unattainable. Therefore, the question of whether it is possible to give wheat to rabbits becomes irrelevant. But another one becomes an edge, which is how to give them grain, because only proper feeding brings benefits, not harm.

Not all types of grain bring benefits to rabbits, so you should immediately find out which one will contribute to the development of animals and will not harm them. The most useful for these rodents are grains of barley, wheat, oats and corn.

Wheat in its composition has a lot of B and E vitamins, as well as 15% protein, but in terms of energy value it is inferior to corn. R

It is recommended to use fodder wheat in the diet of rabbits. As a mono-feed (in its pure form without any additives), it is not recommended to give wheat to rabbits.

In this case, bloating will be provoked, and if this is done for a long time, the natural metabolism of minerals will be disturbed.

Barley is able to improve the digestive processes in the body of a rabbit, saturates it with nutrients. If the farm has a lactating rabbit or young individuals, then the farmer must have this grain, since barley is of great benefit for such animals.

Barley is rich in choline, lysine and essential amino acids. If we compare it with oats, then it is 20% more nutritious than the latter. But, despite all the advantages, this grain has one serious drawback, which is the presence of a film shell, namely, its heavy digestion. In this regard, experienced rabbit breeders recommend crushing it before feeding in order to facilitate the digestion process as much as possible.

Oats contain a sufficient amount of pantothenic acid. It has a positive effect on both general state health of rabbits, and on their reproductive function. This food is very nutritious for eared, but at the same time does not provoke obesity in them. It can be used in an amount that is half the mass of concentrated feed.


Feed made from corn grain belongs to the category of high-energy. It contains a lot of fats, vitamin E, carotene and carbohydrates. Protein and calcium, on the contrary, are relatively small. Before feeding, it is recommended to grind the grains, but you do not need to do this with a margin, as the product quickly goes rancid.

This happens due to the large amount of fat in its composition. You can grind together with the rods. Corn is recommended for fattening rabbits, but should not be used as mono-feed, as the animals may become obese.

How to feed grain to rabbits?


It is necessary that the diet is balanced, otherwise the animals will receive a lot of some vitamins and minerals, and not enough others. This approach will soon lead to a deterioration in the health of pets.

In order to prepare a grain mixture, it is necessary to take into account the physical condition of the animals and their age.

  • 30% oats;
  • 30% corn;
  • 15% barley;
  • 15% wheat bran;
  • 15% wheat.

Many farmers do not bother much with preparing food for their pets, and feed grains to rabbits in a dry, uncooked form. In principle, this can be given, but experienced rabbit breeders still recommend paying a little more attention to the diet of animals. It depends on how well they will develop and how they will feel.


It is better to grind barley with a grain grinder, as the grains are too hard and covered with a film coat. The same should be done with corn grains, which, after grinding, can also be steamed.

Wheat with oats can be fed dry to rabbits. These cultures are soft and animals chew them easily. In addition, there are several ways to cook food that need to be alternated with each other.

Steaming

The amount of steamed feed depends on the number of animals that are kept in a particular farm. For example, if the output should be a bucket of feed, then the grain or mixture is poured into it in such an amount that approximately 10 cm remains to the edges. Then the contents must be poured with boiling water, add a tablespoon of salt and mix thoroughly.

After that, the bucket is covered and left for about 5 hours so that the feed reaches the desired state. During this time, the grain will absorb moisture and increase in volume.

Yeast

Feeding with a yeast mixture is used in cases where the goal of the farmer is to accelerate growth and increase the body weight of the animal. Basically, this method of feeding is used in relation to meat breeds rabbits, but this does not mean that it is impossible to give a mixture to other species.

The food is prepared in the following order:


It is best to prepare the mixture in the evening, and in the morning start feeding it to animals. It is added to dry cereal food about 2-3 tablespoons at a time. After a few days, the yeast mixture is removed from the diet and the animals are given their usual feed. It is recommended to introduce it into the diet of rabbits that have reached 4 months of age.

germinated grains

This type of food is one of the rabbit's favorite treats. It is not only tasty, but also very useful. Sprouted grains are rich in vitamins B, C and E, as well as several enzymes.

Basically, this delicacy is fed to females and males before mating, breeding stock, rabbits before parting and during lactation.

To prepare food, do the following:


It is not recommended to cook large volumes of such feed at once, because as the stems grow, the usefulness of the grains decreases. Also, before feeding, it is necessary to ensure that rabbits do not come across moldy food. If animals eat such sprouts, they can get sick, and ultimately, a possible death.

Many rabbit breeders know how important diversity in the diet is for their pets. And in order to ensure it, it is necessary that the rabbit menu contains as many diverse products as possible. The fact that rabbits are herbivores and you can feed them grass is understandable to a child. But what about grains, is it possible to give wheat to rabbits? Read the details below.

Wheat in the diet of rabbits

Grain feeds, and this includes the wheat we are interested in, are very nutritious, so they are sometimes also called concentrates. The energy value of 100 grams of wheat is 360 kcal or 1505 kJ. And in its composition this cereal contains:

  • Proteins - about 14 g;
  • Fats - 2-2.5 g;
  • Carbohydrates - 68-71 g;
  • Vitamins of groups B and E;
  • Protein.

When supplementing your eared pet's diet with wheat, pay attention to his age requirements and the nutritional level of other foods he consumes. Wheat should generally be fed in combination with other grains such as oats, barley, and corn.

Most rabbit breeders agree that the amount of concentrated feed should not exceed 30-40% of the total amount of food consumed. This figure may vary in some specific cases. For example, during the period of intensive fattening, the amount of wheat in grain mixtures is increased, since it has a high calorie content and promotes rapid weight gain.

Wheat bran is also good for fattening. More concentrated feeds can be given during periods of lactation and pregnancy. However, it is not recommended to feed wheat alone, due to the fact that it can cause the animal to bloat the intestines and disrupt the mineral balance of the body. This is due to the high content of gluten in it.

How to properly feed

Different wheat is fed to domestic rodents: raw, steamed, sprouted. unanimous opinion as to which one is better. They are recommended to combine and alternate. As we have already mentioned, it is not advised to give wheat in the form of independent feed, it is better to include it in the composition of grain mixtures or animal feed. You can buy them ready-made, or you can cook them yourself.




Below is a recipe for universal compound feed (which contains the cereal of interest to us) in percentage terms:

  • Cereals (wheat, oats, corn, barley) - 60%;
  • Cake and meal - 15%;
  • Wheat bran - 15%;
  • Fish and meat and bone meal - 3%;
  • Salt, chalk - 2-3%;
  • Premixes.

Before feeding your pets, it is recommended to grind and thoroughly mix the ingredients together. In order for rabbits to eat it with great appetite, many breeders recommend preparing wet mashes from it, in which potatoes can also be added. How else can rabbits eat wheat, we will consider further.



Raw

Raw wheat rabbits eat quite willingly. But, again, we repeat, it is better to give it in tandem with other grains. Grain is fed both whole and crushed into smaller fractions. Include wheat in the diet of home decorative rabbits, since, while gnawing on this fairly solid product, the animal wears down its teeth. Many breeders note that it is very convenient to feed rabbits with dry grain, as it requires minimal labor - just pour the grain into the feeder and you're done.

In steamed

It is believed that steamed grains are better absorbed by eared pets and contain less fiber that is difficult to digest. In order to steam wheat, it is poured into a specially prepared container, poured with boiling water at the rate of 1: 2 and a tablespoon of salt is added (1 spoon per bucket of cereal). Then cover and leave for 5-6 hours.

Both whole and crushed grains are steamed. Some breeders also use the yeast method for wheat. Yeasted grain contributes to an extremely rapid weight gain by animals, up to 30% of fiber in grain processed in this way is more easily absorbed.





But you can give it only during fattening and with some frequency to avoid obesity. For yeast, only crushed wheat is used. It is steamed in the manner described above and baker's yeast diluted in warm water is added to it. Yeast should be approximately 1-2% by weight of the grain mixture. The resulting slurry is thoroughly mixed and left in a warm place for 6-9 hours. It is optimal to carry out yeast in the evening, then by morning you will have a “dish” ready for your rabbits, which you can safely feed them.

In germinated

Sprouted wheat will be especially useful for your pets. This is an excellent vitamin supplement that contains vitamins B, C, E and a number of enzymes. As a rule, germinated grain is given to breeding stock, males and females before mating, during lactation, before parting. The germination procedure is as follows. Dry grain is soaked for a day and left in a warm place.




When it has absorbed moisture and swelled, it is laid out on baking sheets, pallets, special boxes with low sides, as it suits you. Cover with a damp clean cloth and leave in a warm place. When little sprouts emerge after a few days, your seed is sprouted and ready to eat! It is recommended not to germinate a lot of grain at once. Since, as the sprouts grow, the usefulness of the grain decreases. Make sure that rotten and moldy sprouts do not come across; you can’t feed them to rabbits.

Video "Feeding rabbits with cereals"

In the presented video, you can see how the rabbit breeder offers his pet grain in raw and steamed form!



Wheat for rabbits is included in the basic diet, as it is an indispensable source of vitamins, proteins, fats and carbohydrates. And abrasive particles contribute to the undermining of teeth during feeding, thereby preventing their excessive growth, and prevents the development of such a disease as malocclusion, which is very dangerous for animals and can lead to death. And in order for wheat to bring the greatest possible result when feeding, it is necessary to take into account some points.

Feeding

Wheat can be given in sprouted form, raw, steamed, you can choose as you like. Since each of the methods of preparing wheat has its own advantages. Raw wheat is given to rabbits as part of compound feed and in combination with other grain crops in the amount of 30% of the total diet. Pregnant and lactating animals, as well as rabbits in the fattening stage, should consume wheat in greater quantities.

Young rabbits are introduced to wheat gradually, as they have not yet strengthened the digestive system. But you need to start with a small amount in crushed or bran form, combining with green mass or vegetables. Wheat is not used as a single feed, since it contains a large amount of gluten, and it promotes gas formation, causes tympanum and disrupts the mineral balance of substances in the body. Steamed wheat is well absorbed by the body of animals, both as a whole and in crushed form. For rabbits, it is a very simple food for harvesting.

Prepared as follows:

1. Grain and boiled hot water are taken in a ratio of 1:2, a kilogram of grain is added, one tablespoon of salt;
2. After that, the bucket is covered and the mixture is cooked for 5 hours.

In addition to such grain, vitamins and various premixes for rabbits can be added. You can use wheat yeast for this, baker's yeast is added to the crushed steamed grain in an amount of 2% of the total volume. All this is mixed, after which it is left to cook for 7 hours. The resulting feed is very nutritious, especially during the period of fattening rabbits for meat. Feeding with germinated wheat has a beneficial effect on the body of sucrose and lactating rabbits.

germinated grain

The composition contains a wide variety of vitamins and enzymes that affect Good work metabolism and the condition of the organism of animals will improve, immunity will increase and appearance rabbits. And in order to germinate the grain, it is necessary to soak the wheat and keep it for 24 hours in a warm place. After the grains swell, they are laid out in a large container with small sides or on a pallet, and a cloth is placed on top. Keep in a warm place until the first sprouts appear.

How to feed rabbits with wheat? Many rabbit breeders know how important diversity in the diet is for their pets. And in order to ensure it, it is necessary that the rabbit menu contains as many diverse products as possible. The fact that rabbits are herbivores and you can feed them grass is understandable to a child. But what about grains, is it possible to give wheat to rabbits?

Wheat in the diet of rabbits Grain feeds, and the wheat we are interested in, are very nutritious, so they are sometimes also called concentrates. The energy value of 100 grams of wheat is 360 kcal or 1505 kJ. And in its composition this cereal contains: Proteins - about 14 g; Fats - 2-2.5 g; Carbohydrates - 68-71 g; Vitamins of groups B and E; Protein. When supplementing your eared pet's diet with wheat, pay attention to his age requirements and the nutritional level of other foods he consumes. Wheat should generally be fed in combination with other grains such as oats, barley, and corn.

Most rabbit breeders agree that the amount of concentrated feed should not exceed 30-40% of the total amount of food consumed. This figure may vary in some specific cases. For example, during the period of intensive fattening, the amount of wheat in grain mixtures is increased, since it has a high calorie content and promotes rapid weight gain. Wheat bran is also good for fattening. More concentrated feeds can be given during periods of lactation and pregnancy. However, feeding wheat alone is not recommended, due to the fact that it can cause the animal to bloat the intestines and disrupt the mineral balance of the body. This is due to the high content of gluten in it. How to properly feed Different wheat is used as food for domestic rodents: raw, steamed, germinated. There is no consensus as to which one is better. They are recommended to combine and alternate. As we have already mentioned, it is not advised to give wheat in the form of independent feed, it is better to include it in the composition of grain mixtures or animal feed. You can buy them ready-made or you can make your own.

Below is a recipe for universal compound feed (which contains the cereal we are interested in) in percentage terms: Cereals (wheat, oats, corn, barley) - 60%; Cake and meal - 15%; Wheat bran - 15%; Fish and meat and bone meal - 3%; Salt, chalk - 2-3%; Premixes. Before feeding your pets, it is recommended to grind and thoroughly mix the ingredients together. In order for rabbits to eat it with great appetite, many breeders recommend preparing wet mashes from it, in which potatoes can also be added. How else can rabbits eat wheat, we will consider further. Raw Raw wheat is eaten quite readily by rabbits. But, again, we repeat, it is better to give it in tandem with other grains. Grain is fed both whole and crushed into smaller fractions. Wheat is also included in the diet of domestic decorative rabbits, since, while gnawing this fairly solid product, the animal grinds its teeth. Many breeders note that it is very convenient to feed rabbits with dry grain, as it requires minimal labor costs - just pour the grain into the feeder and you're done. Steamed It is believed that steamed grains are better absorbed by eared pets and contain less fiber that is difficult to digest. In order to steam wheat, it is poured into a specially prepared container, poured with boiling water at the rate of 1: 2 and a tablespoon of salt is added (1 spoon per bucket of cereal). Then cover and leave for 5-6 hours. Both whole and crushed grains are steamed. Some breeders also use the yeast method for wheat. Yeasted grain contributes to an extremely rapid weight gain by animals, up to 30% of fiber in grain processed in this way is more easily absorbed. But you can give it only during fattening and with some frequency to avoid obesity. For yeast, only crushed wheat is used. It is steamed in the manner described above and baker's yeast diluted in warm water is added to it. Yeast should be approximately 1-2% by weight of the grain mixture. The resulting slurry is thoroughly mixed and left in a warm place for 6-9 hours. It is optimal to ferment in the evening, then by morning you will have a “dish” ready for your rabbits, which you can safely feed them. Sprouted wheat will be especially useful for your pets. This is an excellent vitamin supplement that contains vitamins B, C, E and a number of enzymes. As a rule, germinated grain is given to breeding stock, males and females before mating, during lactation, before parting. The germination procedure is as follows. Dry grain is soaked for a day and left in a warm place.