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| Brer Rabbit |
Rabbits are considered to have the same nutritional requirements as humans: water, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals.
Water
This requirement is of primary importance in the diet of rabbits as they will not eat if they have insufficient water. Rabbits must be provided a constant supply of fresh, clean water.
Convenience
Commercial rabbit feed in the form of pellets were designed for convenience: long shelf life, easy storage and can be shopped for in the same manner as you purchase your household groceries. Pellets are a balanced composition of carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals, formulated for optimal rabbit nutritional health in agricultural production conditions. Similar to the human diet, fresh food is required for good health of the rabbit. Gathering fresh rabbit feed from your backyard also allows you to spend less on pellets.
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| Rabbits eating pellets |
Plant-based diet
Rabbits are herbivores and as such their diet is derived from plants. These provide essential water and fibre. Fibre is especially important. Digestive problems may develop out of insufficient fibre intake, escalating to serious illness and even death. In addition, rabbits' teeth are constantly growing. Constant chewing of fibrous plant material maintains rabbits' teeth worn down to a proper length. Malocclusion- a painful dental disease in which teeth are overgrown and do not match up- develops out of inadequate chewing which fibre provides. Watergrass (local name: zeb gwa), pumpkin leaves and Ipomoea tiliacea Ipomoea tiliacea(Willdenow) Choisy (local name: lyenn dous)
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| Rabbits eating watergrass (local name: zeb gwa) |
Sweet Treats
By this we do not mean human treats such as chocolates, sweet biscuits and sweets. Instead, fruits are the best treats-fruits which are high in fibre and and fed in small amounts. Mango, guavas, papaya, bananas and coconuts are suggestions. Rabbits also enjoy vegetables such as sweet peppers. A rabbit cannot "see" the food placed before it as its eyes are positioned to either sides of its head. Instead it uses it sense of smell to identify and locate the food. The scent of guava is enough to send the rabbit into an excited search for the tasty morsel. Witnessing the fervour with which the rabbits receive this tasty favour, one may be inclined to feed bigger portions. It is important to remember to feed fruits in small amounts.
Minty Fresh
At the end of every meal, humans like to have a minty treat or indulge in a cup of tea. Likewise, rabbits are said to enjoy fresh herbs such as mint, basil, rosemary and anise in small amounts. I have witnessed eager appetite towards basil.
What not to feed your rabbits
Also important to know is what NOT to feed your rabbit. This list includes beans, cabbage, corn, green beans, nuts and spinach!
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