Is it possible and how to properly give wheat to rabbits, harm and contraindications
Experienced livestock specialists always know whether it is okay to give wheat to domestic rabbits or not. Novice rabbit breeders first need to read the theory. After all, if animals are fed incorrectly, they can get sick and even die. It is allowed to feed the animals with wheat, but only in small quantities. The requirements for grain feed are the same as for other food elements (quality, absence of pests).
Is it possible to feed rabbits with wheat
Grain feed is the staple food for pets such as rabbits. Wheat is an integral part of compound feed or cereal mixtures along with oats, corn and barley. It is allowed to feed domestic animals with this grain. Indeed, cereals contain many useful vitamins and elements, and there is also vegetable protein and carbohydrates.
Rabbits, although herbivores, but for normal development they need protein feed. Thanks to the carbohydrates contained in cereals, animals gain weight faster. And the wheat grains themselves are good for the teeth of rabbits. After all, when animals gnaw on something hard, they grind down the front incisors.
The problem is different - sometimes the animals simply do not want to eat wheat food. The taste of raw grains is inferior to sweet fruits, succulent grass or fresh vegetables and root vegetables. The animals more willingly eat salted and steamed or sprouted wheat. Grain feed is introduced into the diet of domestic animals, mainly in winter and early spring. During this period of the year, there is a shortage of fresh fruits and vegetables. Animals eat only hay, so they eat cereals with great pleasure.
Pets are taught to feed grain from infancy. The animals are fed with cereals after being removed from the mother. During this period, grain is the only source of protein for them. First, the animals are given crushed cereals, then they switch to whole grains. The main thing when feeding is to observe the dosage.
Important! You cannot give animals only one wheat. In addition, the grains of rabbits are fed with other cereals. Dry feeding is practiced in the morning and evening. The grain mixture should contain an equal amount of different grains. If the animals are given dry grains, then a container with water for drinking must be placed in the cage.
How to feed properly
It would seem that there is nothing difficult in feeding rabbits with wheat food. Poured grain into the feeders - and no more hassle. It turns out that not everything is so simple. Animals may not even look at such food. You need to know how to properly feed the animals with this useful cereal.
Raw
Animals willingly eat raw wheat grains.True, it is necessary to accustom them to grain feed from the first months of life. First, the animals are given crushed grain. Rabbits can eat such food at 1.5 months. Whole grains are best for older animals.
Wheat is fed to rabbits every day. True, mixed with other crops. The dry mixture should also contain equal proportions of barley, oats, corn. It is not recommended to feed the animals with wheat alone. An excess of such a grain crop negatively affects the health of animals. It is advisable to give one animal no more than 10-30 grams of wheat feed per day.
Germination
Animals love germinated wheat grains. Such food is given to animals in winter, when their diet is poor in vitamins. Sprouted grain is recommended for pregnant rabbits and females lactating young. It is very easy to prepare food. You need to take some dry grain from the bag, pour it into a wide basin and pour just a little bit of ordinary cool water. The container must be covered with a cloth and placed in a warm place for several days.
When the grain sprouts, you can feed the animals with it. The main thing is not to give too much wheat germ at one time. The recommended amount is 10-30 grams per animal per day.
Steaming
Wheat grains can be steamed first and then fed to rabbits. Steamed cereals are better absorbed by the animal's food system. Preparing such food is very simple: you need to take some grain from the bag, pour it into a saucepan or bucket, pour boiling water so that the water completely covers the wheat. It is recommended to add a little salt to the food for the animals. For half a bucket of wheat feed, take a spoonful of salt.
The cereals are steamed under a closed lid for 5 hours. Then the cooled grain is poured into animal feeders. For one rabbit, 10-30 grams of such wheat per day is enough. Both whole and crushed grain are steamed.
Harm and contraindications
There are many benefits from feeding rabbits with wheat food: the animals are full and quickly gain weight. In addition, grain is not so expensive, it can be bought whole or immediately crushed. Labor costs are also reduced: feed is simply poured into the animal feeders. However, in addition to the unconditional advantages of dry feeding, this method has several disadvantages and unpleasant moments.
The fact is that sometimes animals are allergic to wheat food. The body of animals simply does not tolerate such food. True, this happens extremely rarely. However, before you put grain into the trough, you need to first see how the animal reacts to this cereal. To begin with, the animals are given 10-20 seeds. If rabbits do not vilify, they do not have bloating, there is no foaming at the mouth, then wheat will be good for them. Otherwise, it is better to exclude this cereal from animal nutrition.
If rabbits are fed with wheat alone, they will quickly gain weight and gain weight. The use of such a grain feed must also be dosed because a large amount of cereals can lead to bloating. In order to avoid eating disorders, zootechnicians recommend mixing wheat with other grains, and giving no more than 10-30 grams of this crop per day.
Important! It must be remembered that the rate of any cereal crop per day depends on the age of the animal and its well-being. If there is an excess or lack of wheat in the diet, then rabbits can get sick. Animals in a state of physiological rest need no more than 10 grams of wheat feed per day. For pregnant rabbits, the dose can be increased to 35 grams. In winter, grain feed is always given more than in summer.
