The size of the rabbit was a way to help rabbit owners know they're offering enough hay as the 80% rule can be hard for people to judge.
As previously said, so long as teeth, output and general health are good then the amount of hay they eat isn't too much of a concern.
The girls vary depending on quality of hay and time of year. They'll increase eating over winter, one because there is less options & two because it helps keep them warm.
Summer they get more forage but they still eat a reasonable amount of hay. I tend to over 20kgs every 1 &1/2 months for my two and maybe discard 40% of it.
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Oh, I see. It is a more helpful guideline than the 80% rule, I think, yes, as I've always found that a hard one to judge, too, and never know whether it's about volume or weight.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, too. It's reassuring to hear that you think, too, that as long as teeth, output, and general health are good the amount of hay isn't too much of a concern. Casper's teeth aren't great, but it's been quite a while now since his last dental, so they're not as bad as they used to be, either, or maybe they're just growing more slowly because of his age now.
That makes sense that how much hay Daphne and Phoebe eat depends on some things. 20kgs every 1.5 month is more than I use, I think, and I'm pretty sure I discard more than 40%, so it sounds like Daphne and Phoebe are definitely better hay eaters than Casper and Sophie. =)
Hahaha good point! But think even when they're napping people would still stare, haven't you seen Athie's paw sucking snoozes? [emoji39]
Yea, Athie is weird [emoji1787][emoji1787] still can't really pet him, he's happy to clamber over me for snacks and getting headrubs when Zeus is next to him, but on his own he prefers to flick me off [emoji1787]
So I take back that Zeus has eaten more hay [emoji15] this evening I've actually discovered he does climb in the hayfeeder... but he snoozes in there!!! Not sure the picture is clear enough but he's actually flopped in there [emoji2356]
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That's a good point; Athie's paw-sucking snoozes are very cute, haha.
Aw, Athie's fine with head rubs when Zeus is with him, but without Zeus he just flicks you off? He has quite the personality. :lol:
I don't blame Zeus for sleeping in the hay instead of eating it. I think that's what I'd do, too, if I were a rabbit... That's a cute picture of him in his hay feeder, haha.