What cereals can and can not be given to rabbits, the benefits and harms of different types

In addition to grass, hay, branches, root crops and silage, cereals should be present in the rabbit diet for the full development of the body. What cereals can be given to a rabbit, and which of them are strictly prohibited? Barley, pearl barley, wheat, corn and oat groats must be present in the rabbit's diet, but grains of rice, millet and rye are not only not useful, but can harm the animal's body.

What cereals can be given to rabbits?

Whole and cooked cereals of a certain type form the basis of a balanced and healthy diet for rabbits. They should be added to the diet wisely, combining with other types of feed. Many rabbit breeders are interested in the question of what kind of cereal can be given to decorative rabbits and meat breeds. Only certain grains are suitable for animals - wheat, barley, corn and oats.

Wheat groats

Cereal, due to its nutritional value, contributes to weight gain, as well as increased growth of rabbits, which will prove to be an indispensable supplement to the diet of growing individuals and underweight animals. Wheat contains selenium, manganese, phosphorus, copper, folate, fiber, B vitamins and a huge amount of nutrients.

Pearl barley and barley groats

These cereals are rich in vegetable fiber, vitamins of group B, PP, E, H, choline, phosphorus, chlorine, sulfur, sodium, calcium and potassium. Barley contains iron, iodine and zinc, chromium and fluorine, copper, selenium and molybdenum, silicon and manganese, aluminum, titanium and zirconium. Grain in the diet is needed to maintain the necessary intestinal microflora and the general health of rabbits, as well as to stimulate active growth.

Corn grits

The product, due to its nutritional value, forms the basis of many combination mixtures. The cereal contains phosphorus, calcium, iron, zinc, sodium, potassium, magnesium, as well as antioxidants, useful fiber, vitamins E, C, D, A, B1, B2, B6 and PP.

Oat groats

The grain crop will help rabbits to improve metabolism, increase immunity, tone the organism of individuals and remove harmful substances from it. Oats are a good source of carbs, fiber, and beta-glucan. Grains contain the highest amount of protein and fat compared to other grains. Oats are loaded with manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc, thiamine, folic acid, and pantothenic acid.

Benefit and harm

The benefits of certain types of cereals are invaluable.Wheat, pearl barley, oatmeal, barley and corn groats can be safely given - when rabbits eat any of these cereals, their body receives the necessary amount of vitamins, useful micro- and macroelements. If you exclude these cereals from the rabbit menu, this can lead to slower growth and worsening health. On the contrary, rice, rye and millet groats should not be present in the diet.

Due to the weak digestive system, the use of such cereals increases the volume of mucus secreted in the stomach in rabbits and provokes further inflammation of the mucous membrane.

What shouldn't be given?

Due to the characteristics of the gastrointestinal tract of rabbits, their diet should exclude the following foods:

• food from your table;
• frozen and stale food;
• root crops chemically processed during cultivation;
• cereals affected by fungi;
• excessive amounts of salt;
• sprouted or green potato tubers;
• mango, avocado, persimmon, quince, orange, fig;
• rice, rye, millet;
• horse beans, red beans and green peas;
• any dairy products;
• pastries and sweets;
• poisonous plants;
• compound feed not intended for rabbits.

Take a look also

Causes and treatment of bloating in rabbits, medicines and folk remedies

List of conditionally allowed foods that can only be given occasionally and in limited quantities:

• tomatoes;
• cucumbers;
• onion;
• red cabbage;
• table beet;
• eggplant;
• unroasted sunflower and pumpkin seeds;
• dried fruits.

Feeding rules

Basic rules for feeding rabbits:

1. Exceptional quality food.
2. A balanced diet.
3. Mandatory constant presence of water in the drinker.
4. Unchanging meal schedule.
5. If the portion is combined, cereals are given first, then succulent types of feed, last - grass or hay.
6. New foods should be given in small portions at first, gradually increasing in volume. The transfer of an animal from summer food to winter is done in a similar way.

Daily rate

The serving size should take into account the breed, weight and health of the animal:

• for decorative rocks, 20 grams of cereals will be enough;
• growing individuals should be given 50 grams;
• for adult animals, you need 60 grams;
• 100 grams is the required daily intake for pregnant and lactating rabbits.

Regardless of what kind of cereal to give to rabbits, they can only be fed by alternating different types of cereals, otherwise it will not be possible to avoid such negative consequences as bloating and indigestion.

The table contains the necessary norms for the consumption of cereals: