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Rabbits can eat dandelion as soon as green grass appears. According to experienced rabbit breeders, bright leaves, flowers and stems of the plant should be included in the animals’ diet, as they have beneficial properties. Although there is another reasoning. Some people believe that this plant is harmful to rabbits.
Can rabbits have dandelions?
There are different rabbits: ordinary, purebred and decorative. Beginning rabbit breeders are interested in the rules of feeding animals, in particular, what kind of greens and in what quantities can be given to animals at different times of life.
It should be noted that dandelion is considered the best food for all these pets. The fact is that greens appear very early and are an excellent vitamin boost after winter vitamin starvation. Just give grass and flowers carefully, in small portions, so as not to harm the animals.
Ordinary and thoroughbred
There are different rabbit breeds. You can give dandelions to both ordinary and purebred rabbits.
Dandelion is an amazing plant, each part of which can be called a storehouse of useful qualities:
- calcium, iron and phosphorus;
- vitamins A, B2, B4, C, E;
- terpenoids, glycosides and carotenoids.
Thanks to these substances, young animals grow faster, and adults do not get sick.
As already noted, the leaves, flowers, stems and roots of the plant are useful. But the stems and leaves are considered the most nutritious. Dandelions are given to ordinary and purebred rabbits from the moment greenery appears. At this time, females give birth to cubs, they need a large amount of milk. It is this flower that promotes lactation. Small animals can be given leaves or stems when they are 3 weeks old.
Rabbits, ordinary and purebred, are first given 1-2 leaves or flowers. After the animals adapt to the new food and there are no consequences, the amount of food can be gradually increased.
Decorative
Regular and purebred rabbits are raised on private farms or farms. But many people like exotic or ornamental animals that are kept in cages at home. For these small animals, greens, flowers and dandelion roots are also a necessary part of the diet, because they differ from ordinary and purebred rabbits in size and color.
The only condition is to choose the right amount of food. The fact is that excess of this greenery can negatively affect the health of decorative rabbits:
- The animals stop growing.
- There may be urinary retention, which can cause cystitis.
Feeding rules
Dandelion is not only a food crop, but also a medicinal wild crop. That is why you need to know the feeding habits, at what time and in what quantities greens are given.
Feeding Features:
- In spring and summer, dandelions are given to rabbits 3 times a day: at 6 o’clock in the morning, at 3 o’clock in the afternoon and at 7 o’clock in the evening. As for the norm, in the morning they give half the daily portion, then a third, and in the evening the remaining norm.
- In winter, rabbits are fed dried dandelion grass at 8, 12, and 17 o'clock. Feeding rates do not change.
Is it possible to give dandelion flowers to rabbits?
Dandelions bloom for a very long time. There are 2 phases of flowers - yellow and white, when achenes with parachutes are formed. Baskets with bright yellow petals are used for feeding. They are very useful for rabbits, but produce limited flowers. After all, at the site of separation there appears a liquid similar to milk. It tastes bitter, so not all animals like it.
Baskets that have just blossomed are chosen for food. During harvesting, you need to be careful not to shake off the pollen; it is in it that the beneficial properties are stored. Pollen contains calcium and mineral salts, which have a beneficial effect on the formation of teeth.
Dandelion flowers can and should be given to rabbits at all stages of life. Adult animals will need 100 g of inflorescences per day.
Can rabbits eat dandelion root?
Dandelion roots are an excellent food. They contribute to:
- increased appetite;
- normalization of digestion;
- prevention of coccidiosis;
- saturating the rabbits’ body with glycosides, carotenoids and terpenoids.
Dandelion roots have choleretic properties and increase the amount of milk in lactating females, especially since rabbits happily chew dandelions.
Is it possible to give dandelion leaves and stems to rabbits?
Green matter should make up the majority of the diet from spring to autumn. Dandelions begin to grow earlier than other grass, which means that the main emphasis is placed on them. Animals really like the leaves and stems of the plant; they eat them with great appetite. These parts of the dandelion are given separately or added to the general mixture after chopping them.
Leaves and stems should be given to animals, as they contain substances that stimulate the activity of the kidneys and liver, therefore, they quickly remove toxic substances from the body. Adults are given up to 800 g of green dandelion food per day.
Features of feeding
Rabbits enjoy eating dandelions at any time of the year. This plant can be fed to animals no more than 3 times a day. But we must remember that these plants should not be more than 30% of the total daily diet.
For one adult animal, one plant with roots or 800 g (leaves, stems, flowers and roots) per day is enough. As for flowers, no more than 100 g per day. Feeding rates for young animals according to age.
Dandelions should be fed to rabbits, but the norm should not be exceeded. A large amount of this herb can cause cystitis. Therefore, experienced rabbit breeders recommend combining several types of herbs:
- with plantain and wormwood to enhance the antiparasitic effect;
- with tansy to increase lactation and improve bowel function;
- with spicy and wheatgrass;
- with carrot and cabbage leaves;
- with hay;
- with potato-bran mash.
Feeding rabbits green grass is not only healthy, but also cost-effective, since you do not have to pay for this supplement in the diet.
With adults everything is clear. Now you need to figure out how to feed baby rabbits dandelions:
- Green food begins to be given on the 21st day from birth.
- Greens should be introduced carefully, in small portions. The first complementary foods should not exceed 100 g per day.
- The baby rabbits are fed dandelions 3 times a day, just like adult rabbits.
How to give dandelions to rabbits
It is not recommended to give picked dandelions right away. Plants are specially prepared. To get rid of earth and excessive bitterness, dandelions are dipped in hot water and washed well. After this, they are laid out in the shade so that the future food dries completely. When all the moisture has evaporated and the leaves, stems, roots and flowers have withered a little, you can feed them to rabbits.
Beginning rabbit breeders, seeing that the urine turns reddish after feeding the plants, get scared. There is nothing wrong with such a change, it is normal.
How to prepare and store dandelions for rabbits
Harvesting green mass for food for rabbits needs to be done in environmentally friendly areas: far from highways and railways, plants and factories. This is an important condition, since dandelions quickly accumulate harmful substances, and the concentration can be dangerous for animals.The ideal option would be grass from your own garden.
Many rabbit breeders specifically leave these plants in a certain area so that they are always at hand. This is ideal.
In the summer, if conditions permit, they put up special fences and give the animals free range. Rabbits themselves eat dandelions and other plants. But before letting animals into the fence, you need to make sure that there are no herbs that are poisonous or harmful to rabbits. When there are no plants left, the paddock is moved to a new place.
Rabbits living in cages are fed fresh dandelions daily. Plants are cut in the daytime in dry weather, then washed, dried and dried. Experienced rabbit breeders prepare green mass in the evening.
Dandelions are harvested for the winter from May to September. Dried greens should not have mold, otherwise the rabbits may die. When preparing feed, you must follow these rules:
- For drying, pick plants with barely blossomed yellow baskets.
- Procure raw materials in clean places.
- The grass is washed and dried, then laid out in a well-ventilated area without access to light to dry.
- To prevent the grass from becoming moldy, it must be stirred so that drying occurs evenly.
- For storage, choose a cool place with good air circulation.
If the amount of prepared food is small, you can put it in a fabric bag.Plastic bags are not suitable for this, as the dandelions in them will melt and become moldy.
Conclusion
Rabbits can eat dandelion, which is now known for sure. This is an important aid in the diet of animals, rich in vitamins and nutrients. But dandelion can only be beneficial if you follow the rules of preparation and storage, and also adhere to the dosage for rabbits of different ages.
