Veggies

So I am used to feeding herbs, forage and veggies to my guinea pigs and want to ensure my new bunnies also get a healthy diet. I have read lots of links and been through the edible sticky thread here. I am still a bit confused. I understand that leafy greens are good for buns but still not certain which ones to go for and in what sort of quantity. I have tried kale and they loved it but have been warned that it is very high in calcium so either don't feed to much or feed a walnut with it to help soak up some of the calcium. I had thought would try some savoy cabbage next.

Can anyone give me some advice on which leafy greens are best and how often/how much to feed?

a walnut? :shock: that's a new one for me!

I just give mine a small chunk of carrot, a medium leaf of spring greens, and a small knob of brocolli - about walnut sized, coincidentally Calcium's only a problem for some bunnies - if you give them water in a dish and warm it with a splash from the kettle in winter, they should drink enough to flush out excess calcium OK they don't need as much veg as piggies though - it's really just a treat for mine but it's best to give it daily as their tums aren't as strong as piggies are with new foods. Unless you're certain a rabbit has had a particular type of veg or fruit before, you must only feed a postage-stamp sized piece at first, and gradually increase this over 2 weeks if there's no tummy upset - really is better safe than sorry with bunnies

I was advised to avoid greens that can give them gas, as this can cause stasis, so basically anything like brussel sprouts, cabbage, broccoli etc. I tend to give my bun a good handful of herbs every day, especially basil, mint and coriander, and parsley not so much as it is also high in calcium. Cucumber is good too, but mine doesn;t like it (must be wondering why I'm giving him water in the shape and colour of a veggie!)

christelle said:

I was advised to avoid greens that can give them gas, as this can cause stasis, so basically anything like brussel sprouts, cabbage, broccoli etc. I tend to give my bun a good handful of herbs every day, especially basil, mint and coriander, and parsley not so much as it is also high in calcium. Cucumber is good too, but mine doesn;t like it (must be wondering why I'm giving him water in the shape and colour of a veggie!)

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you don't have to avoid giving those veggies, but you do have to introduce them slowly as I mentioned in my post above - the gas is only caused by giving too large a portion when your rabbit hasn't developed sufficient numbers of digestive bacteria to deal with it - that's why you should take 2 weeks to increase portion size, so that bacteria levels build up to a good amount and there's no problems with gas

greens are very good for wearing the back teeth down too.

that's really great news thanks! I'll definitely try broccoli as I;'m sure he'll love it!!