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Willow Branch advice please

weeble

Moderator
Someone with a local allotment has offered me some willow tree branches. Is all of the tree rabbit safe or are there bits they cant have?
 
i would like to know this too, my mom and dad have a potted willow tree and some of the branches die off each year (apparently thats normal) can i give these branches to the buns? are there different types of willow? does it have to be treated?
 
i feed mine fresh and dried, ( im still waiting to be able to get to my mums to collect aload to send for members on here )

Provided you know its not treated, they can eat it all, store in a cool dry place, ( it dries really quick this way ) fresh new growth bits are better for them more so if they are old or are dental buns, young buns will enjoy thicker bits,

Ive got the traditional weeping willow, im pretty sure all varities are safe


keeps them busy for hours just giving whole branches, :D

Oh remove any green/purple/yellow fungi ( small crisp type looks a lil like mould ) some older branches have before giving, just cut it away :D
 
Yep all varities of willow are safe, there are over 200 species, the issue is that the levels of salicins differ between species, and also between younger and older growth.
However, no one really knows what levels of salicins could cause toxicity in buns... certainly buns with a bit of a wild instinct will often choose to eat willow if they have pain. Salicin being a starting point for salicylic acid (aspirin) a NSAID like metacam.

The farmer who grows my hay is also a specialist willow grower and he told me once to test the willow I give to my buns by chewing it myself first! :shock: If it makes your mouth go dry it's ok... if it makes your mouth die from the most disgusting parching dehydrating taste then the levels are probably too high to feed! :lol:. He suggested feeding young growth if possible. When they make their willow toys for buns he will peel some of the species first to reduce the salicin levels, but other willows he uses he will leave unpeeled for buns.
 
:lol: mine hate hazel, agree if its the first time give sparinly, my lot produce huuuuuuge golden poops when they have been eating it.

I only give frosty young thin twogs due to her jaw problems,

I personaly try not to buy the shop one they look shiny and not even the same colour as the ones i dried,

But yes I ask if its treated if so avoid
 
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