I have been giving my rabbits mustard greens, turnip greens, and collard greens because they are cheap and easy to find in the store. I have been reading conflicting information about these greens. Some information I read say they are fine for rabbits, and others say they are too high in calcium. Are these greens alright for my rabbits? I only give my rabbits 1/2 cup alpha based pellets per day to be shared by two 6 1/2 pound rabbits, because they have tons of timothy and meadow grass hay to feed on. I know rabbits need to have some calcium in their food.
Spinach is quite high in calcium and oxalates, however, it is also a very nutritious vegetable. Spinach, kale, and mustard greens should be limited to 1 - 3 times/week. This frequency should not result in toxic levels.
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com
Thanks. So maybe I should buy a bigger variety of greens instead of always going with what is cheapest. I have to buy greens in a bunch, and then I end up feeding it to them the same two kinds of greens for about four days in a row (I don\'t like them myself), and then I try to buy two bunchs of some other type of greens. I give one type in the a.m. and the other in the p.m..
Greens are good for you too.
Could you mix spinach, etc. with iceberg lettuce for a salad?
Carrots (and their tops) are good, alfalfa, raddish, and clover sprouts, beet greens, collard greens, parsley, romaine lettuce, pea pods, and watercress are all good veggies that are high in Vitamin A and can be given a little more frequently.
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com
There is a detailed article on the HRS website about calcium in a rabbit\'s diet, with lots of suggestions, etc.
Can someone tell me what is wrong with giving rabbits regular iceburg lettuce? It seems to be a no-no, and I can\'t seem to find out why.
Petey is very picky. He does not like collard, mustard, or kale. He will nibble parsley, but doesn\'t really l-o-v-e it. He prefers his carrots, leaf lettuce, and raisins (are they bad?). He doesn\'t like banana or apple either. What about alfalfa sprouts?
Alfalfa Sprouts are great.
The main reason iceberg lettuce is a poor choice, is that it has VERY LITTLE nutritional value and a HUGE amount of water content. It is largely empty calories. It takes up valuable real estate in the digestive system that could be better occupied by foods higher in nutritional content.
Raisins are OK in moderation (as are all treats). Leaf lettuce like butter and romaine are good sources of Vitamin A.
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com
Iceberg lettuce-it has a substance in it that causes bloat in horses and is probably what gives rabbits a problem. I don\'t recall the substance, I have it written down somewhere.
As for calcium in the diet, I never go by what rabbit \"rescue\" groups say, they don\'t seem to rely on real data to come up with their recommendations.
Rabbits Only mag online had an article, not sure the date probably 2 or more yrs ago, that discussed how rabbits with calcium issues aren\'t helped by limiting it in their diet. I have a feeling that the warnings about limiting calcium in most rabbit\'s diets is wrong. It is likely a predisposition thing in some. I\'ve fed alfalfa based pellets for as long as I\'ve had rabbits. And I feed it as the main component of their diet and haven\'t had problems with calcium, sludge etc.
Those feeding a veggie/hay diet better be sure you\'re providing enough variation in foods to ensure the rabbit is getting all the nutrients they need.