What kind of bread is better to feed rabbits and is it possible
Rabbits are bred on many farms and are often raised as pets. As a rule, the basis of the diet is made up of special food, vitamin supplements, vegetables, herbs. You can treat animals with fruits as treats. Many owners have questions - is it possible to feed rabbits with bread crumbs or bread, what types of bakery products are suitable as feed.
Can rabbits be given bread and crackers
There is no unequivocal opinion about the benefits of bread or the need to introduce it into the diet of animals. When compiling a diet, several factors are taken into account: the breed of the rabbit, age, conditions (home or on a farm). There is an opinion that in case of mass breeding of animals, it is necessary to add bread to food in order to fatten them up faster and get a beautiful strong skin.
Bread is not recommended for decorative pets in food. In conditions of housing, animals move little, so excess carbohydrates will contribute to unnecessary weight gain and decreased activity.
The benefits of bread for rabbits
It makes sense to talk about the advisability of its introduction into the diet of animals only when growing meat breeds, since carbohydrates contribute to a quick weight gain. There are also other positive aspects of the consumption of small portions of bread by animals:
- the quality of skins improves;
- immunity increases;
- the activity of both the digestive system and the cardiovascular system is normalized.
Bread is an inexpensive and readily available feed. Of course, baked goods should be introduced into the diet of rabbits gradually. It is important to monitor the condition of the animals.
Diet introduction rules
Rabbits are not considered fussy animals in terms of feeding. However, it is recommended to use bread mainly as an infrequent delicacy. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the peculiarities of the digestive system of animals. Weak rabbit stomach muscles are unable to digest large portions of food.
Advice! The rabbit is treated with bakery products 1-2 times a week at the rate of 10 g per 1 kg of animal weight.
It is necessary to introduce bread into the diet gradually, carefully observing the condition of the rabbits and their behavior. It is undesirable for very small pets to add bread to food. In toddlers, eating baked goods can cause diarrhea or even death. The optimal age of the animal is over one and a half months.
You need to start complementary foods with small crusts soaked in milk, warm water. The portion is increased gradually - every 10-12 days.Because bread increases thirst, it is important to keep water in the drinker at all times.
Cooking methods
The best quality and harmless for rabbits will be bakery products specially prepared at home. A suitable option is cookies made with grated carrots. You will need oatmeal, flour, water, and grated carrots. The cooking process is simple:
- Mix equal portions of flour, flakes, carrots and water (it is recommended to take half a glass of products).
- Roll out balls with a diameter of 2.5 cm or small sticks from the dough.
- Cookies are baked for 15 minutes in the oven at 175 °. The finished product should cool for 30-45 minutes.
It is recommended to store cookies in a separate container, which is placed in the refrigerator. If it is not possible to make cookies on your own, store bakery products are used. It is only important to pre-dry the skibochki.
For this, the loaf is cut into medium-sized slices and laid out on a wooden board. For natural drying of the bread, the board is placed in a place well-lit by the sun. The croutons are placed in a resealable container, which is stored in a dry place.
What bread can and can not be fed to rabbits
Among the wide variety of baked goods, you need to choose the right product that can be introduced into the diet of animals. What is absolutely forbidden to feed rabbits:
- any kind of buns, since baking provokes indigestion, bloating, diarrhea. Also, soft buns can cause blockage in the small intestine;
- rich products containing all kinds of chemical additives, sugar, starch, fats. These substances impair the health of rabbits;
- products with the slightest signs of mold - can cause diarrhea, poisoning, internal bleeding.
The best choice is homemade cakes. As a treat, you can treat fluffy homemade crackers. In small quantities, it is allowed to use self-prepared oatmeal cookies (without sugar) containing vitamins and minerals.
Potential harm
Bread, like any product, has advantages and disadvantages. Negative effects of feeding rabbits with baked goods:
- obesity of animals, leading to dangerous results: activity decreases, disruptions in digestion appear, life expectancy is reduced;
- the dental system is destroyed, since there is no need for prolonged chewing. At the same time, the rabbit's teeth do not grind and begin to grow incorrectly;
- lack of vitamin D and a small amount of calcium. With regular use of bread, the muscle tissue of the jaws is weakened, which leads to loosening of the teeth.
You also need to take into account the likelihood of the appearance of the disease enteritis (inflammation of the small intestine). Animals refuse to eat and lose weight quickly. Rye breads or poor-quality, moldy crusts can cause fermentation in the intestines, provoke excessive gas formation.
When keeping rabbits, you need to remember that the basis of the diet should be vegetables, herbs, special food. And bread is great for training pets, as an incentive treat. In order for the animals to always be healthy and active, it is recommended to prepare cookies or crackers on their own.
