In addition to Rabbit Foods, you will
need to provide plenty of fresh, clean water, good management, and
proper housing. Because each of our rabbit foods are formulated to
meet the nutritional needs of rabbits at various levels of
production, an understanding of the rabbit’s nutritional
requirements can be helpful.
The rabbit’s digestive process is highly effective in utilizing
available food sources. The upper part of the rabbit’s digestive
tract is similar to other single-stomach (monogastric) animals.
The rabbit’s digestive tract, however, includes a large cecum: a
portion of the large intestine which can hold up to one-third of
the digestive tract’s volume. Within this cecum are located
bacteria which help the rabbit utilize undigested food
ingredients.
Rabbits produce two types of feces: one is a hard, dry pellet
commonly seen under the cage, and the other is a soft,
high-moisture form which is not ordinarily seen because the rabbit
“reingests” it during the night. This practice of consuming the
“soft” or “night” feces is referred to as “coprophagy,” and is a
vital source of nutrients to the rabbit.
PROTEIN
Protein is made up of amino acids which form building blocks for
muscle, blood and fur. Protein is very important in all stages of
growth. Factors such as litter size, weight gain and hair coat
appearance are directly affected by the quality of protein
consumed. For this reason, a higher protein ration, such as
Professional 18% or Professional 16%, is recommended when more
litters per year are desired or when rabbits are being conditioned
for show.
The rabbit’s opportunity to utilize its protein sources is
increased because of coprophagy. The bacteria in the rabbit’s
cecum produce proteins which are of high nutritional value to the
rabbit. In fact, about 25 percent of the adult rabbit’s daily
protein intake (DPI) comes as a result of this process. Although
the rabbit makes very efficient use of protein sources it
receives, the protein must be of high quality to start with. This
means that it must provide the essential amino acids for the
rabbit. Having these essential amino acids in the diet assures
that young, growing rabbits and high-producing does will receive
proper nutrient fortification for rapid growth, development and
lactation.
CHANGING FEEDING PROGRAMS
Rabbits should always be changed slowly from one feeding program
to another (over a five to seven day period), mixing new food
gradually with old food. This allows the rabbit to adjust to new
food.
NEVER add oats, straw, barley or other food stuffs to your rabbit
feeding program unless properly advised by a competent
nutritionist. This will dilute the intake of nutrients in Rabbit
Foods and could depress rabbit performance.
For More Information contact
AN_RabbitHelp@adm.com
ADM Alliance Nutrition, Inc. 1000 North 30th
Street P.O. Box C1 Quincy, IL USA 62305-3155
