How, why and in what form to give wheat to rabbits?

This also applies to rabbits. A properly selected diet for these animals provides the supply of components necessary for their normal development.

Rabbit breeders prefer methods such as feeding rabbits using the Zolotukhin or Yukhnov method.

Features of the eared digestive system

Before composing a diet for feeding rabbits, you should study their digestive system.

With the help of incisors, they eat coarsely ground food, and the molars participate in grinding it. Then, under the influence of saliva, the food becomes soft and is sent down the esophagus to the stomach, where it is broken down by various enzymes. The stomach of furry pets is single-celled. Its walls are thin enough and equipped with flaccid muscles, so they are not equipped with gag reflexes and are not able to vomit.

The structure of the rabbit digestive system

After 1 to 7 hours, food reaches the duodenum 12, which is 12 cm long. The intestine is also poorly developed: this suggests that the further advancement of food entirely depends on fresh food that has just entered the stomach. It is she who promotes pushing, and not peristalsis, as is the case with the human body.

Rabbits should never lack food.

How to germinate wheat for rabbits

There are several technologies for germinating grain, which boil down to the fact that the wheat needs to be soaked so that it swells, and put in a dark, warm place with a temperature of about 25 ° C. The main thing is not to overdo it and prevent the processes from being more than 1.5 cm. If their height reaches 2 cm, then they will practically lose their value for the body. When they become even larger, they may generally accumulate toxins that are very dangerous for the life of animals.

Sprouted wheat

Is it possible to give zucchini to rabbits

It is a little more difficult to germinate wheat in large quantities, so you have to master a new technology. To get several kilograms of grain, you need to adhere to the following recommendations:

• The grain is poured into a large saucepan and poured over with water so that it is covered 2 cm from the top.
• Wheat until it swells, should stand in a room with a temperature regime of about 15 ° C.
• After 12 hours, the grain is poured into a warm place in plastic bags with holes. This is necessary to remove excess moisture.
• It is important to prevent the grain from overheating, so it is spread in a bag in a layer no thicker than 8 cm.

For your information! For germination, use only clean dishes and high-quality wheat. If the grain darkens and does not germinate for a long time, it means that it is pickled and cannot be used as animal feed.

Grain food for rabbits: rules of preparation and use

Grain is perfectly compatible with the digestive system of furry pets, and is digested much better than bone meal, for example. In winter, feeding the animals with cereals is a vital necessity, since the hay and vegetable diet does not contribute to rapid weight gain.

The rating of the best cereals is headed by:

• barley;
• wheat;
• oats.

The high nutritional value of the grain has made it a popular choice for furry pets.

In addition to the fact that rabbits always eat with great appetite, it is not difficult to acquire them, and they are in an affordable price category. Along with the above crops, rabbits are fed corn.

Rabbit breeders recommend mixing different crops. This is due to their different range of effects on the body of rabbits. For example, oats are digested faster than barley, and when fed exclusively with barley, rabbits accumulate excess internal fat.

Wheat is given only in small doses, in large quantities it provokes bloating

DIY greens

To diversify the ration of the livestock, professionals use fresh grass. But what can you do in the winter when you don't have access to an important dietary element? In this case, it is better to grow a tasty grain feed.

The hydroponic method produces juicy greens from cereals. The first step is to disinfect the raw material using a quartz lamp. Radiation kills fungi and diseases that can be found on the surface of the culture. Then they are poured into a container, filled with water and left in a cool room for a day for swelling.

The finished material is laid out on pallets with sides. It should be remembered that the layer should not exceed 2 cm, otherwise there will be a problem with pecking. Cover with a coarse cloth from above, sprinkle with water from a spray bottle. The containers are left for 3 days at a temperature of 24 ° C. To prevent drying out, once a day the burlap is sprinkled with liquid.

Sprouted grain is rearranged closer to natural light. During the week, watered with a special hydroponic solution:

• water - 20 l;
• wood ash - 1 kg;
• ammonium nitrate - 200 g;
• boric acid - 0.7 g;
• copper sulfate - 0.01 g;
• manganese sulfate - 0.4 g.

The liquid is mixed with ash, boiled and filtered through thick gauze. Then the rest of the chemicals are added, thoroughly dissolved and packed in glass jars. One bucket of water needs 200 ml of solution. Cereals are watered with this substance twice a day. One pallet can grow enough greens for the whole livestock

The benefits of crops for animals

Grain is one of the vital and important components of the nutritional system of furry pets. The set of valuable components varies depending on its type.

In the case of a grain-based feeding system, it should be remembered that water must be available at all times. It is recommended to change it 2 times a day: in the morning and before bedtime.

How to feed it to animals

Feeding pets only with regular whole grains is not worth it, although it helps to grind teeth, it is still difficult enough to digest and can lead to serious health problems.

Can rabbits be given bread

So what kind of grain to feed rabbits? Before buying wheat, you should inquire about its origin. You cannot buy cereals for feeding without checking the documents for them. Make sure they are not treated with harmful chemicals that could harm your animal's health. Also, rabbit grain should be carefully inspected so that it is not dirty or covered with an oily crust.

Important! No matter how clean the wheat may seem, it is still better to rinse and dry it before giving it to pets. You should also pay attention to the conditions in which the grain is stored. In no case should it be left in the open air on the street where it is raining. It will definitely deteriorate and become unsuitable for feeding.

Also, novice rabbit breeders often ask the question: which grain is better for rabbits? Today there are many species that will be acceptable to feed eared pets. Just do not abuse rye bran, it is better to replace them with wheat varieties.

And, having decided on what kind of grain can be given to rabbits, this does not mean to solve the problem. The health of animals also depends on the form in which the wheat was given. And the methods of preparing a grain crop should be different. It should be given to pets raw, sprouted and steamed. By alternating food in this way, you can establish digestion processes for the animal and provide the body with the necessary vitamins.

Animal health also depends on the form in which the wheat was given.

Feeding rules

In order to properly feed the eared grain, it is necessary to feed it correctly, and to figure out how much it is needed. Many rabbit breeders recommend feeding pets dry cereals. But experts with many years of experience believe that this method is not correct: barley, for example, should be crushed with a cereal grinder due to its solid structure.

The easiest method of feeding grain is to grind and steam with hot water

Wheat and oats are fairly soft crops, so they are recommended to be given in pure form, without preliminary crushing and infusion in water. Rabbits chew them fast enough.

In order to understand how to feed crops, you need to understand the age categories of rabbits. The younger generation is given a mixture that is half wheat. The remaining amount is formed from the same proportions of barley and corn. Females caring for their offspring are offered oats and barley in equal proportions, since these cereals are of great energy value. For breeding males, a composition of из wheat and ¾ oats is made.

Breeder males are fed oats and ¾ wheat

Grain grinder prices

Grinder for crushing all types of feed grains and seeds

Features of the diet

Experienced farmers know that grains must make up at least 45% of the total eared menu. It is not advised to use any one type of cereal. In this case, there will be a deficiency of some trace elements and an excess of others. Such negligence will instantly affect the condition of the animals.

If it is decided to refuse feeding with compound feed, it is necessary to correctly select the grain rate in each period of the animals' life.For babies, the energy value of food is important. Fattening specimens require slightly different nutritional combinations than those of breeding males and females.

The grain mixture for rabbits is made taking into account the age characteristics of the individuals. During the period of active growth, we recommend using the combination in the following proportions (in percent):

• corn and oats - 30 each;
• wheat - 10;
• barley and bran - 15 each.

Normally, adolescents increase their nutritional value by removing "fresh" varieties. Sexually mature females are advised to reduce the amount of wheat, replacing it with less nutritious grains. Excessive barley supplements cause obesity in animals. If a product is causing bloating, then it is best to get rid of it.

Is it possible to give cereals in ears? If the plant is not yet ripe and the awn is soft, then there will be no problems from such food. Dried bristles will get stuck in the throat and cause death. In this case, it is advised to use only threshing.

Feeding rabbits according to the Zolotukhin method

The essence of this method consists in feeding animals with dry or soaked grain.

Females who are not engaged in reproduction of offspring are fed whole dry oats. Just before mating and mating, they are offered chopped barley. Rabbits who have switched to self-feeding are given steamed oats. In the warm season, oats are combined with barley. Crushed corn should only be given when babies are 4 months old. Sexually mature males are fed dry oat-barley mixtures, with the addition of corn.

Drawing of cells Zolotukhin

Do-it-yourself grain mixture for feeding rabbits

In many cities and villages there is no normal high-quality compound feed. And if there is, then the price is "space". By the word "high-quality" I mean that the composition of the feed contains at least everything that is indicated in the documentation. It happens that one thing is written on a piece of paper, but the feed looks "not like". Unscrupulous manufacturers? How else to explain this? You take two compound feeds in which the composition is almost the same, but one has a pleasant smell and you can see that the granules consist of various components (pieces), and the second is just beige as a filler for cat litter and neither color nor smell. But Compound feed is a complete combined feed! But in this article I want to write not about compound feed, but about a grain mixture for rabbits, which everyone can prepare on their farm. Such feed will be of much better quality than many compound feeds. And besides, such food for the eared people will be 100% natural. The cost of such food in most cases will be lower than purchased food, but this will be written about at the end of the article.

The ABC of Eared Nutrition

So that these cute creatures with such a weak gastrointestinal tract never lack quality food, you should familiarize yourself with the basics of feeding them. Good nutrition energizes them, supplies them with useful elements and helps to maintain the desired body temperature. Plant-based foods are the starting point from which to start when choosing food for your pets. Feed of animal origin must be introduced into the feeding system of the eared in smaller quantities, mainly in the form of vitamins and other minerals.

Plant foods that are so good for the eared are found everywhere. Some baits are included in the menu as a mandatory component, like vegetables or hay, while others, like fruits, for example, are given as a dessert.

Rabbits have a variety of diets, but everyone knows how much they love carrots.

Grain feeders

How much a pet eats depends on the correct food inventory. Beginners often use factory-made ceramic bowls for food, which the animals turn over. Experienced breeders prefer to make containers on their own.

When feeding with grain and compound feed, bunker feeders are most often used.The structure is assembled in such a way as not to allow the livestock to scatter and trample food. Food is poured into boxes for several days, without thinking about the addition.

Canned food cans can be used for both bulk food and water. The compact and economical option is quickly mounted in the cage and does not cause any inconvenience to the pet. Please remember that the size may not be suitable for large individuals.

A simple trough-shaped feeder will be convenient for feeding with cereals and compound feed. Due to the length, access to food is open to all inhabitants of the enclosure. To prevent animals from overturning the product, it is important to make reliable fasteners.

Grain feeding rabbits is a cheaper and proven way to raise rabbits. Our recommendations will help you find the optimal diet for your animals. Simple techniques have been proven over time.

Types of feed

There are 4 main types of feed:

• green;
• concentrated;
• juicy;
• rude.

Rabbit food is varied

Green feed

With the arrival of spring, the problem of finding food is solved by itself: the first branches released can already serve as food for pets.

Until the end of autumn, you can stick to this type of feeding.

Green food is the basis of the menu in the warm season.

This type of feed means:

• wild herbs;
• vegetable tops.

Green grass, so beloved by eared ones, should be harvested in the place of its growth. If there is an area in the surrounding area suitable for the cultivation of grasses, they should be sown there. It is this type of feed that is so rich in fiber. In addition, it perfectly satisfies the feeling of hunger.

The diet of rabbits must necessarily include hay or tree branches.

Roughage

Branches of woody plants, hay and grass flour are the main components of this type of food. In winter, twig feed serves as an excellent aid to enrich the feeding regime of the eared. The positive thing about branch feeding is that animals stop gnawing equipment, focusing exclusively on the tasty tree shoots.

Pre-prepared branch feed is an excellent top dressing in cold weather

Find out more about the features of feeding rabbits with branches in our article: What branches can you give rabbits?

Consider the health benefits of twig food for your rabbit. How to collect, dry, harvest branches and how to feed fluffy animals with them?

Juicy feed

They are relevant in winter, when root crops and silage become sources of all the necessary elements. The variety of the diet with this feeding system depends on the region where rabbits live: in places where melons and gourds grow, eared zucchini and pumpkins are fed, for example.

Also during this period, pre-harvested silage is used.

Juicy feeds provoke an increase in the amount of milk

Concentrated feed

They are especially relevant in the cold season. This category means:

• cereals;
• animal feed;
• compound feed;
• bran.

Concentrated feeds are the most nutritious

Due to their high nutritional value, grain feeds make up the bulk of the rabbit's diet. This is especially true for the winter period. They can be added to the composition of feed up to 75% of the total mass of the mixture. Oats are considered the best feeding option for eared ones: both adults and young animals eat it with great pleasure.

The most important rule of any diet plan: balance and variety

The benefits of wheat for rabbits

Wheat is good for domestic rabbits for several reasons:

• Animals are happy to enjoy such a product.
• Culture helps meat breeds gain weight faster.
• It is a valuable source of vitamins, proteins, fats and carbohydrates. It is especially important to give it in winter, when there are no fresh vegetables in the diet and the body has nowhere to get the required amount of nutrients. Grain during this period is a real salvation for animals.
• The culture contains abrasive particles that grind the teeth of rabbits. This not only prevents their overgrowth, but also prevents the appearance of a disease such as malocclusion. And this disease can provoke serious health problems, as well as lead the rabbit to death.

Wheat

Benefits of using compound feed

Combined feeds are dry mixes that contain the bulk of the nutrients necessary for the growth and development of animals. In terms of their composition and production technology, such mixtures may differ, but the basis of any such product still includes several main components:

• grain base;
• vegetable and animal components rich in protein;
• vitamin and mineral complexes.

All of these feed components are clearly dosed taking into account the natural needs of the animals. In addition, feeding rabbits with compound feed offers other advantages:

• the optimal ratio of fiber, protein, amino acids and microelements contributes to the rapid weight gain in living creatures;
• the presence of most vitamins in the composition prevents the development of vitamin deficiencies;
• such feed is easy to transport;
• the time and effort spent on feeding rabbits is significantly reduced;
• compound feed is relatively inexpensive and allows you to save on the purchase of all other feed separately;
• such products can be stored for years, and resistance to the development of fungi eliminates the risk of contamination of animals with many infectious diseases.

Daily rate of compound feed for rabbits

There are scientifically based norms for feeding rabbits with compound feed. They are usually indicated on the packaging in which such products are sold. Dosages are calculated for each age group, and also depend on the composition of the mixture, the physiological state of the living creatures, species, and a number of other parameters.

The most generalized norms for the consumption of a complete mixture by livestock are as follows:

• for young animals aged 1.5-2 months, the fed volume is 140 g per day;
• rabbits from 2 to 3 months are given 205 g;
• a rabbit at 3-4 months eats 270 g of the mixture per day;
• young individuals from the replacement herd are fed no more than 200 g per day;
• animals used for breeding work consume about 180 g during the resting period;
• uterine rabbits during the mating period are isolated up to 230 g;
• the recommended norm for rabbits during pregnancy is no more than 180 g.

How much grain does a rabbit need per day?

The amount of feed depends on the breed of the rabbit and the period of life. The total daily allowance of cereals for a medium-sized animal weighing up to 5 kg is 50-60 grams. The rabbit eats about 50 kg of grain mixtures or compound feed per year.

During pregnancy, childbirth, feeding or mating, the daily feed rate increases to 100 grams. It is enough for small rabbits to eat about 50 grams per day. grains.

For decorative rabbits that lead a measured lifestyle and move little, 1 tbsp will be enough per day. grain mixture. The rest of the diet can consist of fresh herbs and hay.

There is a special feeding method developed by N.I. Zolotukhin

Composition of compound feed for rabbits

Both rabbit complete feed and concentrates have approximately the same composition. The difference between them lies only in the different amount of these components.

The basis for any combined feed is grain. Most often, ground corn, wheat, barley and oats are used for its preparation. Moreover, several types of cereals are usually included in one mixture at once. This allows you to make food more nutritious and wholesome.

In addition to cereals, complete formulations and concentrates can also include:

• wheat bran;
• finely chopped dried grass;
• meal;
• chopped vegetables;
• a piece of chalk;
• hay;
• salt;
• feed yeast;
• bone flour.

Reference. The food components of compound feed are often supplemented with antibiotics, which provide the prevention of various infectious diseases, and vitamin supplements.

The main listed composition of different manufacturers of products may vary greatly. There are no definite officially accepted standards for the presence of certain components in the mixture. The main document that manufacturers are guided by is GOST. But, it only regulates the amount of protein, amino acids, nutritional value and other general points.

Composition of compound feed for rabbits

Both rabbit complete feed and concentrates have approximately the same composition. The difference between them lies only in the different amount of these components.

The basis for any combined feed is grain. Most often, ground corn, wheat, barley and oats are used for its preparation. Moreover, several types of cereals are usually included in one mixture at once. This allows you to make food more nutritious and healthy.

In addition to cereals, complete formulations and concentrates can also include:

• wheat bran;
• finely chopped dried grass;
• meal;
• chopped vegetables;
• a piece of chalk;
• hay;
• salt;
• feed yeast;
• bone flour.

Reference. The food components of compound feed are often supplemented with antibiotics, which provide the prevention of various infectious diseases, and vitamin supplements.

The main listed composition of different manufacturers of products may vary greatly. There are no definite officially accepted standards for the presence of certain components in the mixture. The main document that manufacturers are guided by is GOST. But, it only regulates the amount of protein, amino acids, nutritional value and other general points.

Daily rate of compound feed for rabbits

There are scientifically based norms for feeding rabbits with compound feed. They are usually indicated on the packaging in which such products are sold. Dosages are calculated for each age group, and also depend on the composition of the mixture, the physiological state of the living creatures, breed affiliation and a number of other parameters.

The most generalized norms for the consumption of a complete mixture by livestock are as follows:

• for young animals aged 1.5-2 months, the fed volume is 140 g per day;
• rabbits from 2 to 3 months are given 205 g;
• a rabbit at 3-4 months eats 270 g of the mixture per day;
• young individuals from the replacement herd are fed no more than 200 g per day;
• animals used for breeding work consume about 180 g during the resting period;
• uterine rabbits during the mating period are allocated up to 230 g;
• the recommended norm for rabbits during pregnancy is no more than 180 g.

It is worth noting that for the period of feeding with milk, the rabbit and her offspring are isolated from 170 to 700 g of PC (the indicator depends on the number of rabbits and the breed).

When feeding pets with such formulations, it is also important to consider some rules:

The drinker must always be full.

1. Be sure to have an abundant amount of fresh clean water in the drinking bowls.
2. Young animals are fed at least 6 times a day. For adults, 2-3 meals will be sufficient.
3. When combining different types of feeding, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the schedule. Concentrates and complete feeds are given in the morning and evening, when they are more easily absorbed by the digestive tract of the animals. It is better to leave coarse and juicy food for the daytime.

How to feed properly

Rabbits eat wheat raw, steamed, and sprouted. Choosing one type is not the best option. Experienced rabbit breeders advise to combine all 3 types and alternate with each other. Sometimes it makes sense to buy a compound feed that already includes wheat. But when raising animals in large numbers, this can be costly. In this case, the food is prepared independently.You just need to mix the following products:

• Grains - 50 - 65%;
• Oilcake and meal - 12 - 15%;
• Wheat bran - 12-15%;
• Fish and meat and bone meal - 3%;
• Salt, chalk - 2 - 3%;
• Premixes.

The recipe is universal, you can use wheat, oats, corn, barley as grains or mix them all. For rabbits to eat with great appetite, grind everything thoroughly and prepare a moist mash.

Raw grains are given for grinding the teeth of animals. In addition, this is the most economical option, it is enough to fall asleep in the trough and you're done.

Make sure all wheat is clean and free of mold. Spoiled food can cause severe digestive upset and lead to the death of the animal.

Pre-steamed wheat is better absorbed by the body. The content of fiber is much easier to digest, therefore, in this form, the body perceives grain better. The steaming process itself is simple, just pour half a bucket of wheat, pour boiling water until full, add a spoonful of salt, cover and leave for several hours. Due to the ease of assimilation, such food promotes rapid weight gain and causes obesity. For this reason, the daily rate is reduced, with the exception of the period before the slaughter of rabbits.

Sprouted wheat has a high content of vitamins B, C, E. It is given for better reproduction, to females for fertility and productive lactation, before mating and breeding. Allowed even for feeding rabbits.

Read also: Vitamins for rabbits and what vitamins do rabbits need for growth

In order for the grain to germinate, it is moistened and left in a warm place. After swelling, they are laid out in boxes and pallets and covered with a cloth. After a few days, miniature sprouts appear. Wheat grain is ready to eat.

Sprouted grains need to be cooked every few days as they cannot stand for long. It begins to germinate even more, which reduces the nutritional value of the product. Sometimes it deteriorates and grows moldy, becoming unfit for consumption.

Grain mixture preparation

Feed mixtures for the breeder will be convenient because their composition can be varied at your discretion, adjusting to the specific needs of the animals, taking into account the seasonality, health and breed. Grain mixtures can be made from dry crops, or you can prepare balanced feed for rabbits by choosing one of the grain preparation options. In addition to the main cereals, it is also allowed to include bran or seeds in the grain mixture.

Oats are recommended to be mixed with barley to avoid unwanted fat build-up in rabbits. When preparing feed, the age group of the animals should also be taken into account. For young rabbits, at least 50% of wheat should be present in the feed mixture, the rest will be in barley and corn.

The optimal composition of the feed mixture for adults will be:

Types of rabbit feeding.

There are two types of feeding rabbits: grass with a predominance of green feed and grain with a predominance of concentrates.

Grass feeding.

The annual feed requirement for a herbal type of feeding per female with a litter is:

• roughage - 1 centner;
• juicy - 1.3 q;
• green - 9.0 centners;
• concentrates - 0.6 c.

Green food with this type is the main one for rabbits for a long period of the year (from May to October). In this regard, the organization of the fodder base is reduced to the full provision of the farm with green fodder. For this, a green conveyor is organized on the farms.

Grain feeding.

For grain feeding using concentrated feed, the following are used:

• grain of cereals is rich in carbohydrates;
• legumes - high protein concentration;
• oilseeds - high concentration of vegetable fats;
• food residues from technical production.

1. Proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the diet of rabbits.

Proteins (proteins), as for most animals, are the main material for the construction of the body for rabbits. Proteins are needed all the time, as cells are constantly being renewed.

Protein Sources: {amp} lt; legume grains (alfalfa, clover), herbs (in particular legumes), meat and bone and fish meal, milk, properly dried hay, various oilcakes, mixed feed with animal components.

Fats are the body's energy resource, a source of heat. From a lack of fat, the wool can grow dull, its elasticity is significantly reduced.

Sources of fats: sunflower seeds, flax, corn, hemp, oilcakes, pine needles, legumes, as well as wheat, oats, cabbage.

Carbohydrates are also an energy resource. Unused carbohydrates in the body are stored in the form of adipose tissue. Carbohydrates enter the body in the form of sugars (the highest digestibility), starch and fiber (poorly digestible).

Sources of carbohydrates: sugars - carrots, sugar beets, pumpkin, fruits; starch - potatoes, Jerusalem artichoke, various seeds, in particular corn; fiber - herbaceous food, in particular straw, chaff, stems.

The dietary fiber content of rabbits should be kept between 9 and 20%.

Composition and useful properties of barley

Barley is a source of protein, one hundred grams of grain contains 13% protein and many vitamins:

• group B, including folic acid;
• retinol;
• ascorbic acid;
• tocopherol;
• K (phylloquinone).

Barley is a useful supplement to the diet, especially in winter, when fresh grass is not on the rabbit menu. Thanks to grain feed, pets gain weight faster and receive all the necessary nutrients and trace elements:

Attention! The calorie content of barley is 360 kcal per 100 g.

Barley is especially useful in the diet of eared pets when fattening for meat. This food is well digested and has a beneficial effect on the immunity of animals. Every farmer should know the rules for feeding rabbits with grain.

Rabbit barley

Introduction.

The rabbit breeder should know the peculiarities of rabbit digestion. Rabbits have a relatively small stomach, which is only about 8 cm in cross section. But their gastric juice has increased acidity and, as a result, a high digestive capacity. For example, grass and green food go through the digestive cycle in 2-3 hours, and 4-5 hours are enough for the digestion of concentrated feed (compound feed).
Rabbit food is usually divided into the following groups:

• vitamin (supplements),
• roughage,
• green juicy,
• animal origin,
• combined (compound feed),
• concentrated,
• mineral (additives).

When compiling a diet, it is also worth relying on the characteristics of a particular breed, because their eating habits and needs may differ slightly. You can familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the breeds on our website, in the breed catalog - link.

Benefit and harm

Wheat contains a large amount of carbohydrates (up to 75%), proteins, fats, protein, dietary fiber, vitamins E, K, B, C, A, as well as a group of minerals - phosphorus, calcium, zinc, iron, potassium, manganese, magnesium and sodium. Therefore, it has the following properties:

• fills the body with energy;
• normalizes the digestive system;
• accelerates metabolism;
• strengthens the immune system;
• cleans blood vessels from cholesterol;
• removes harmful substances;
• strengthens the cardiovascular system;
• promotes the correct distribution of nutrients in the body.

Vitamins and minerals.

Enzymes, which include vitamins, are responsible for the normal functioning of the rabbit's body. Lack of vitamins leads to a malfunction in the development of animals.

Vitamin A is an essential vitamin for rabbits.With its lack, the immune system of rabbits suffers greatly, eyes watery, digestion is disturbed, fertility of rabbits decreases, babies grow poorly. Especially often inexperienced rabbit breeders are faced with a lack of this vitamin in winter, if you do not follow a balanced diet.

Sources of vitamin A: carrots, cabbage leaves, corn kernels, sprouted oats. Also, Carotene, which is a provitamin of vitamin A, is contained in fresh, short-lived hay, which was previously prepared correctly and quickly.

We offer you to familiarize yourself with: Dwarf rabbit: care and maintenance at home, video and photos

• a mixture of legumes and corn tops and leaves,

• a mixture of carrots and fodder cabbage.

Vitamin E is primarily responsible for the absorption of vitamin A.

Sources of Vitamin E: Barley Wheatgrass, Alfalfa, Fresh Kale, Wheat Bran, and Brewer's Yeast.

Vitamin D - is responsible for mineral metabolism. With a lack of it, rickets begins to develop in small rabbits, and adults are prone to softening of the bones.

Sources of Vitamin D: Fish oil, alfalfa hay, and sun-dried vetch. Also, this vitamin is actively produced in the body of sunlight (ultraviolet rays).

Vitamin C is essential for maintaining good immunity. With a lack of it, rabbits can give birth to weak or dead rabbits.

Sources of vitamin C: green plants, root vegetables, sprouted oats, mountain ash, cabbage, silage, pine branches.

B vitamins - are essential for the regulation of metabolism, in particular protein and carbohydrate. It is also essential for the normal functioning of the nervous system.

Sources of B vitamins: bran, yeast, milk, potatoes, carrots, cabbage, peas, fresh green herbs, fish and meat and bone meal (B-12).

Minerals are also important. For example, vitamin D by itself will not save you from rickets if calcium and phosphorus are not supplied to the body with it.

Sources of phosphorus: mature grasses and hay from them, meat and bone and fish meal.

Sources of calcium: legumes (alfalfa, clover, vetch), carrot tops, Jerusalem artichoke stalks.

Also, the feed should contain potassium, sodium (table salt), magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, manganese, cobalt, chlorine, sulfur.

Iron, which is part of hemoglobin, although in small doses, is especially valuable for growing babies. Iron is found in nettles, lettuce, fishmeal and blood meal.

Sulfur influences the quality of rabbit fur and is found in kale and radish.

Also, the quality of the fluff will be worse if the animals do not receive enough cobalt with the feed. It is found in legumes, aspen and willow leaves.