Experienced farmers know how delicate and sensitive the digestive system of rabbits is, so a reasonable question arises whether rabbits can be given vegetables, such as zucchini. It is known that you cannot feed rodents with dry food alone; the menu must include succulent food: fresh vegetables, root vegetables, potatoes, leafy greens. Zucchini is a source of nutrients and fiber for rabbits that provides nutritional benefits.
Can rabbits have zucchini?
It is possible and even healthy to treat rabbits with zucchini. This vegetable is one of the succulent green foods that must be present in the diet of rodents.The nutritional value of zucchini is low; per 100 kg of vegetable pulp there are only 6.8-9.6 feed units. Therefore, this product is given to rabbits not as a source of calories for fattening, but as a supplement rich in vitamins and nutrients that strengthens the animal’s body.
Both food and feed varieties of the vegetable are suitable as rabbit food. The nutritional value of fodder squash is approximately the same as that of fodder beet.
Zucchini supplies the animal’s body with:
- ascorbic acid (vitamin C);
- fiber, which has a positive effect on digestion;
- B vitamins (B3,B6,B9);
- phylloquinone (vitamin K);
- mineral elements - calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium;
- malic and other organic acids.
You can treat both ornamental and meat-haired rodents to this juicy vegetable. It is readily consumed by both adults and young individuals. As a rich source of vitamins and minerals, zucchini is recommended to be given to rabbits intended for mating, pregnant and nursing rabbits. It is believed that the succulent culture enhances the production of breast milk in the female.
Thanks to the beneficial substances it contains, zucchini in the animal’s body:
- normalizes the functioning of the heart and vascular system;
- stimulates hematopoiesis;
- has an antioxidant effect;
- normalizes the functional state of the nervous system;
- increases tone and activity;
- improves the functioning of the reproductive organs.
At what age can it be introduced into the diet?
You can treat zucchini to baby rabbits as early as 2 months of age. However, experienced farmers advise introducing vegetables into the diet when the animals are 4 months old.By this time, the young animals’ digestive tract has already begun to function fully, making the assimilation of new food easier. The introduction of zucchini into the diet, like any new product, should be gradual. Each time the portion is increased a little.
For young individuals, the vegetable is cut into small pieces to make it easier to eat. Or they are crushed on a grater with large holes and added to a grain or vegetable mash. It is recommended to give the vegetable mixed with corn silage to adult pets.
In what form can it be fed?
Rabbits are usually given raw zucchini. You can also give a boiled vegetable, but it will contain much less nutrients. The young fruit, which does not yet have seeds, can be given to rabbits whole without cutting off the skin. An old vegetable has a hard skin that needs to be cut off. Seeds also need to be removed.
Since rabbits are herbivorous mammals, they happily eat not only the juicy pulp, but also squash leaves. Tops can be added to the rabbit's diet throughout the growing season; both leaves and shoots are suitable as food.
Greens are also given fresh, but so that the rabbits’ digestion is not impaired, they are dried and crushed, and less often turned into silage. It is advisable to mix squash tops with mixed feed, legumes, bran or greens from other vegetable crops; you can also add them to the wet mash. Usually, rabbits' bodies accept squash tops well, but it is still not worth feeding your pets with it every day.
If you want your pets to feast on zucchini not only in the warm season, but also in winter, then you can prepare it. For this:
- select fruits of a winter variety of medium size without scratches and signs of rotting (the length of the fruit stem must be at least 5 cm);
- vegetables are cleaned of sand and dirt, placed in a warm and dry place so that the fruit stem dries out;
- transfer the zucchini to a cellar or other dry and cool place where the temperature is kept at +5 to +10 °C;
- folded so that the fruits do not touch.
Are there any harms and contraindications?
Although zucchini is a source of nutrients for rabbits, it should not be included in the diet daily or in large portions. The juicy vegetable is full of fiber, which normalizes digestion when consumed in moderation, but causes diarrhea, excess gas formation and an imbalance of intestinal microflora if the rabbit consumes it in excessive quantities.
To avoid problems with digestion in pets, you should follow the daily consumption rate - 200 g of succulent food per adult. For rabbits, the daily portion should be even less. Moreover, this amount can include either one zucchini or a mixture of different vegetables. Much more useful for a rabbit, using vegetable mash: zucchini, pumpkins, carrots, potatoes.
Experienced livestock breeders do not recommend treating rabbits with zucchini every day. It is enough to give treats 2-3 times a week. It is strictly forbidden to make up a diet of juicy food alone. It should be remembered that the rabbit should eat 70% of dry food per day. And only the remaining 30% are vegetables and herbs.
The fruit prepared for food must be cleaned of sand and soil, otherwise the pets will experience digestive upset. Also, rotten areas are cut out of the pulp, otherwise the rabbits will be poisoned.
Zucchini is a healthy food for rabbits.The substances contained in it correspond to substances obtained by rodents in their natural habitat. Therefore, the inclusion of vegetables in the diet ensures the full development of the herbivore’s body.
