In order for rabbits not to get sick, to reproduce properly and gain weight, it is important not only to feed them correctly, but also to choose the right products. Therefore, animal owners are required to know whether oats can be given to rabbits, how they should be prepared, and how to give them correctly. It is also necessary to obtain information about the harm that the use of oats in the diet of rabbits can cause.
Is it possible to feed rabbits oats?
For full growth, development and weight gain, rabbits need to be given grain. One of the best grain options for animal feeding is oats.It is distinguished not only by high nutritional characteristics, but also by excellent taste, so it is readily eaten by rabbits.
Oats make up a significant part of the animal's diet. It is especially useful for feeding rabbits, as it is easily digestible and promotes rapid growth without the accumulation of excess fat. This is a high-energy food, because 100 grams supply the body with 330-360 kilocalories. The cereal is also rich in microelements, containing magnesium, zinc, silicon, copper, as well as vitamins A, E, F, group B. The grain contains the following components:
- Carbohydrates – 55%.
- Proteins – 10%.
- Fats – 8%.
This type of cereal is beneficial for rabbit breeders, as it grows well even under unfavorable conditions, produces high yields, and is perfectly stored without changing its organoleptic and nutritional qualities. Another advantage is the fact that it can be given to animals in dry form. This reduces the cost of preparing feed and saves rabbit breeders time.
Methods for preparing cereal for feeding
Adult rabbits can eat oats in any form, including dry. But the grain can be steamed, crushed, mashed, added to other feeds, including given together with granulated or green products, and mixed feeds. The groats for rabbits need to be specially prepared, since young animals are not yet able to cope with whole grains, even such soft ones.
In addition, crushed foods are easier to digest and are better absorbed by the delicate digestive systems of growing organisms.
Germination
This method is considered one of the best, as it helps increase the usefulness of cereals.During germination, the percentage of useful substances, especially vitamins, increases, which is important in cold weather and for rabbits in need of increased nutrition: pregnant and lactating females, growing rabbits.
For germination, the following procedures are performed:
- Whole, undamaged, long grains are selected.
- Pour into a container in an even layer and cover with water 2 centimeters above the grain level.
- Leave the cereal to swell for half a day.
- The finished product is transferred to plastic bags with holes to drain excess liquid.
- When the grain sprouts, it is fed to animals.
It is necessary to accustom rabbits to a new type of food gradually, gradually adding a little to their usual food. If this is not done, the animals may become ill due to bloating and flatulence.
Steaming
When steamed, the cereal becomes especially soft and tender, retaining its beneficial properties, so it is excellent for feeding baby rabbits. With it, they grow vigorously, and the prepared product improves digestion and absorption, due to which the rabbits gain weight faster.
Prepare the porridge as follows:
- The grain is poured into the container, leaving up to 10 centimeters of free space from the edge.
- Pour boiling water.
- Add a tablespoon of table salt to the mixture and mix thoroughly.
- The container is closed with a lid.
- Keep for up to 6 hours.
The prepared product is given to rabbits 4-5 times a day.
Yeasting
To increase the nutritional value of oat feed, yeast is used. This product is most often used for feeding meat breed rabbits - with it they gain weight more energetically. You can feed fermented oats to adult animals and rabbits older than 4 months.
The process consists of the following steps:
- A kilogram of selected grain is ground.
- Dilute 35 grams of yeast in 2 liters of warm water.
- Crushed oats are poured with the prepared solution with yeast.
- Leave to ferment for 6-9 hours.
The composition must be stirred during fermentation so that the process proceeds evenly. For morning feeding of animals, it is convenient to make the mixture at night.
How to give oats to rabbits
Animals regularly eat oats in any form, so it is worth storing them in large quantities along with other foods. The dry product is given in grain mixtures with other cereals, whole or crushed. Steamed oats are great for baby rabbits, who can be gradually transitioned to dry, crushed grain. When rabbits reach six months old, they can already give them whole oats.
Cereals are given to babies up to 4-5 times a day, to adult animals – 3 times. Rabbits should always have free access to drinking water. Yeasted feed is more suitable for adolescent and adult rabbits of meat breeds, as they promote rapid weight gain. Overfeeding animals is harmful.
Contraindications and possible harm
Oats are a healthy and easily digestible food, but they can also be detrimental to your health if not prepared correctly or if given in too large quantities. Grain contains 8% fat and a lot of protein, so its excess will lead to obesity if the diet is incorrectly calculated. In summer, the amount of grain feed should be reduced, focusing on greens, grass and juicy root vegetables.
In winter, when it’s cold, rabbits’ need for high-calorie food increases, so the proportion of oats in their food needs to be increased.
Small rabbits are not fed oats or other grains until they are a month old. Crushed and steamed food is given to animals older than 1-2 months, 1-2 tablespoons as part of the mash.Rabbits older than 4 months can receive yeasted oats in small quantities.
When feeding, it is necessary to pay attention to the behavior of the animals and their state of health. They may react differently to the product. If bloating and diarrhea appear, this means that the rabbits are fed too much oats or the type of oat processing is not suitable for these animals. With a properly formulated diet, feeding oats is beneficial. The animals look great, they are vigorous, strong, with shiny fur and excellent health.
