Home dried veg and shop bought veg - buns don't like home dried. What's the difference?

[Bunny Lovely]

Does anyone dry veg at home? my buns love shop bought dried veg, which I give as a treat during day and sometimes to forage. I have tried drying my own veg and it came out really well, but they won't even try it. It looks the same as shop bought.

The shop bought says it is 100% veg but wonder if they prepare it in some way so to make it more palatable. Maybe they part cook it, or something similar.

I am trying to cut down on all the packaging, due they come in such tiny amounts, so lots of plastic!

I am looking at new ways. They are ok with me drying leaves from apple, pear and hazel trees. They love them, so this is fine. Just the veg now to work out.

Any thoughts? Thanks

 

[Graciee]

How are you drying it? Strange they aren't a fan!

 

[Bunny Lovely]

I dry the veg in an air fryer that has a food dehydration cycle ability. It is great! Tried carrot and beetroot.

They sniffed it but don't want it. They are fussy with any change though.

Might mix it in with hay and see if they eat it that way.

 

[Bunny Lovely]

Thanks very much. It seems unusual then?

I thought I'd show a photo of the veg

You will see beetroot, carrot, carrot tops, and dandelion leaves, just dried to see if they will eat it, but don't at present. I have mixed a tiny amount in their hay and will mix some in their usual treat dried veg to see if it works. I'll let you know.

If they don't eat them, I'll eat them. They smell scrummy


Thanks

 

[Graciee]

Thanks very much. It seems unusual then?

I thought I'd show a photo of the veg

You will see beetroot, carrot, carrot tops, and dandelion leaves, just dried to see if they will eat it, but don't at present. I have mixed a tiny amount in their hay and will mix some in their usual treat dried veg to see if it works. I'll let you know.

If they don't eat them, I'll eat them. They smell scrummy


Thanks

They look amazing!

Ah my airfryer has that setting but I've never used it, is it good?

I've only done my own bunny treats, carrot and apple but I did it in one of those dehydrators that takes like 24 hours to dry them, I wonder if it makes it taste different!

 

[Bunny Lovely]

Ah, now. I have just got this air fryer that can be put to a low temperature. I dried them at 60°C for about 3 hours (90mins at a time, but always checking them) depending on the veg. The herbs, dandelion leaves, carrot tops etc are much quicker, can be under an hour and found I needed to cover with lid. Not much instructions with the machine. There are grill lids with mine so put it over the veg high up to stop them flying up. Veg can be done without, but put lid on towards end. I did try banana but they took ages and are very sticky, not crisp, so gave upon them. I will have them on my meusli

I've just been shopping and got parsnips, cabbage, broccoli, and apple, so will have a try of these.

They don't eat much fresh veg (very fussy). They only like kale, basil and parsley. Trying to grow these, but will dry some kale.

Are corn kernels OK for rabbits? The bought mix I get has this in but thought it is not good for buns. They love them though.

I wouldn't know of difference in taste from an air fryer and oven (maybe I should try both myself and see). Might effect it by the air fan. (Edit - not used a dehydrator, so unsure of difference)

Edit - think it might be the smell. Mine smells scrumpy, but he shop bought smells like, er, cardboard, or packet. It doesn't smell like carrot or beetroot, or veg at all.

I will keep trying anyhow. As with any change it might take time.

 

[Graciee]

Ah, now. I have just got this air fryer that can be put to a low temperature. I dried them at 60°C for about 3 hours (90mins at a time, but always checking them) depending on the veg. The herbs, dandelion leaves, carrot tops etc are much quicker, can be under an hour and found I needed to cover with lid. Not much instructions with the machine. There are grill lids with mine so put it over the veg high up to stop them flying up. Veg can be done without, but put lid on towards end. I did try banana but they took ages and are very sticky, not crisp, so gave upon them. I will have them on my meusli

I've just been shopping and got parsnips, cabbage, broccoli, and apple, so will have a try of these.

They don't eat much fresh veg (very fussy). They only like kale, basil and parsley. Trying to grow these, but will dry some kale.

Are corn kernels OK for rabbits? The bought mix I get has this in but thought it is not good for buns. They love them though.

I wouldn't know of difference in taste from an air fryer and oven (maybe I should try both myself and see). Might effect it by the air fan. (Edit - not used a dehydrator, so unsure of difference)

Edit - think it might be the smell. Mine smells scrumpy, but he shop bought smells like, er, cardboard, or packet. It doesn't smell like carrot or beetroot, or veg at all.

I will keep trying anyhow. As with any change it might take time.

Ah that's interesting, I've done banana in the dehydrator and it took ages til they weren't sticky!

Yea you could try oven to compare I've used that before when making bun treats that took ages too til they weren't sticky (had banana in them, I wonder if that's why)

I'd be interested in how the kale does, I assume it would become really like thin, crispy and fragile tho. Bit like seaweed!

Ah maybe its the smell, mine wouldn't try anything if they didn't like the smell

Dried corn kernels is usually considered unsafe for rabbits as they can cause blockages, I don't feed them at all. It's annoying tho because it's included in lots of mixes you can buy!

 

[Bunny Lovely]

I'm drying cabbage at mo. Seems is harder to break down to dry, but will keep going. It might be better to part steam cabbage.

So, it looks like banana takes longer. I may try it again at 70°c - next time.

Sadly my buns love the shop bought stuff. Might stop the mixed veg kind though.

Why bunnies don't like mine must be due to the junk food effect. This bulk drying by the company must strip it of its healthy properties probably from how they store the veg before packing it that causes to lose its smell and health properties.

It is clear I will have to change over to my healthy kind of treats instead of shop bought.

I will Slowly change over by mixing mine with the bought kind to hopefully get them used to tasty treats.

Looking forward to trying the kale, due I end up throwing out some of it each time. I hope they like dry kale.

I will continuing experimenting with my Air fryer and hope they come round.

 

[Omi]

Can you post a link to the dried veg that you have been buying and that your bunnies have liked please? I'm finding this interesting First thoughts are that it's a difference in retained moisture issue.

 

[Bunny Lovely]

Hi Omi,

Yes it is interesting to see of its difference in home dried and shop bought and my buns loving the shop stuff. I'm not sure I'm allowed to name where I get this from on here. Can I?.

I go into a store to get it, not online.

 

[Omi]

Hi Omi,

Yes it is interesting to see of its difference in home dried and shop bought and my buns loving the shop stuff. I'm not sure I'm allowed to name where I get this from on here. Can I?.

I go into a store to get it, not online.

Yes, it's OK to name the shop where you buy it

 

[joey&boo]

My buns are the opposite, they are distinctly unenthusiastic about forage I buy but love the stuff I dry (but I do tend to drive favourites which arent typically available to buy. I only feed fresh veg I'm inclined to blame the air fryer...you could dry something that dries easy (herbs / carrot tops / dandelions) near a heat source such as radiator & see if it makes a difference

 

[Bunny Lovely]

OK Omi The fried food packs are from Pets at home. It is their own brand. It is their carrots beetroot/parsnip pack and their mixed veg pack.

It was the carrot that doesn't smell of carrot.

You say it might be a retaining moisture issue. What are you thinking and do you have any idea if it is able to be corrected? Should I be drying them for longer, for instance?

Any veg, either shop bought or home dried does go soft when left out of air-tight container. So moisture from the air would be related to quality ofter kept out.

I secretly mixed MY carrot with the shop bought carrot, when gave a treat earlier today. They did leave my carrots and ate Everything else. I left the carrot there though. When I wasn't in the room one of them secretly went back and ate them

I will try again with carrot first to see if they will change to it.

But, difference outcome when I put my beetroot with their hay and they scraped all beetroot out of hay so all is by the side now and is soft.

Hi Joey&Boo, they seem to be happy with dried herbs I do and the dandelions, so as long as keep it in air-tight container this is fine.

They don't eat fresh veg, other than kale, parsley and basil. I have tried but always need to remove it. They seem still getting used to food. They are only 8 months old.

Maybe I need to lower the temperature of air fryer. I Will keep experimenting.

 

[joey&boo]

ahhh, if they like the dandelions it can't be the fryer. I shall be following your thread with interest. Rabbits can be fickle beasts

I'm sure you're careful anyway but I'd keep the high sugar foods to a minimum (carrots, beetroot etc) - its surprisingly easy to create bunnies that are fat + / or food snobs

 

[Omi]

OK this is purely my opinion and others will have other views. I have looked at the Dried Vegeatble Mix at Pets at Home on their website. I would not buy it. Have a look at the ingredients and also the nutritional analysis. Most of the veg is root veg and so it is starchy/sugars. Haha I've just seen j&b's post saying something similar. I certainly would not feed potato or corn. I'm confused also how they can rate the nutritional analysis as being so high in protein and absolutely no sugar or starch. Quite apart from all of this, the product is expensive for what it is (my view again).

Rabbits do best when their diet is as close to that of a wild rabbit as possible. So I very much agree with feeding tree leaves, fresh or dried. I would also feed fresh green herbs or fresh green leafy vegetables in preference to anything that has grown beneath the ground. Kales, Parsley and Basil are very good. I do not feed fruit.

Also this time of the year it's difficult to find much to forage outside, but come end of March-time you might like to search for some forage outside for them. There's a thread on the forum https://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/index.php?threads/my-foraging-diary.455755/post-7335410, which you might like to dip into. Lots of us forage for rabbit food too, so we are here to help with identification if you need it. You could probably find some Blackberry leaves outside at the moment. If they like tree leaves, they might enjoy these and they are excellent for bunny digestion.

Returning to why your bunnies are avoiding your dried food, the only reason I can think is that it is the drying process which is different. The P@H product is probably dried speedily, which will make it taste slightly different. The speed of drying could also affect the moisture content I imagine.

If you want to get some dried treats then have a look online at this company https://www.naturesgrub.co.uk/collections/rabbits. It will be far better value than P@H.

Can you list what they do like to eat and then we can offer similar alternatives for them

 

[Bunny Lovely]

Thanks Joey&Boo. And Omi,

Yes it is only as a treat, but I am reducing it for them too. They are starting to try and train me for treats, rather than the other way round. I am reviewing things all the time. Now trying to make treats healthier. They are a bit diva-ish around food. This requires to keep reviewing.

Luckily they love their hay and drink well too and poo well. They love their space and run and are active and play. They love me talking to them, they are at present very glued together and this is great. Bonding is good, but now am looking at next stage of their young life at 8 months old. Would love eventually to get them on fresh fresh veg at some stage, but are not interested yet. Any pointers will be great

I have recently had them checked by a rabbit savvy vet (expert) and they were very happy with weight and how they are fed and their present health and their teath. At present all is good. They said just keep doing what I'm doing.

Treats are given as part of socialising and stroking them and trying to check them over. It is te only ime they will let me touch them.

Hope can change to healthier options and get te same response.

As I write, ShuShu has got up on their usual spot to let me know she wants a treat. Trying to ignore her, but she is hard to resist. They are both there now, just looking at me with their soppy eyes. Diva behaviours starting. It is like they need their fix, which is why I'm looking at it, like addicted to junk food, chocolate or macdonalds.

I will have a look at the links you have given.

Omi, thanks for your time you spent having a look at the products. This is great!! I seem to be on right track. Yes, they are expensive and it is a lot of packaging for such a little. They don't smell like veg at all, just found out. The scents of the food feel also is part of it, due they sniffed my dried veg and then left it. Not a smell they recognise yet. I will reduce the temperature to see if this helps too.

So, what they like? They love dandelion roots, which is another item from pets at home. ShuShu loves all dandelion parts.
Both love fresh basil, kale, some parsley. They will eat home dried apple, but they do have pets at home apple at present. Not a lot.
They do like all the veg in the packets, but at present only that kind, so not fresh or home dried.
I do give them bramble, apple, pear and hazel leaves fresh or dried. Obviously now scarce. They love fresh grass. I give them more than one type of hay and is mixed. They love to forage for what they like. I give them dried flowers too. They do have some pellets, but only mixed with the hay. Also 'natures touch' foraging mix, which a little is mixed in the hay.

They are happy, active when they should be. Rebonded well after neutering, Health check shows to be good for teeth and weight and digestive system etc., so all good so far and trying to keep them this way now as they get older. But looking at things now, without affecting their own structure they have found, which seems to be working so far.

A long post but great to have your thoughts on this.

Thanks so much.

 

[Omi]

The most important food for any rabbit is hay and it's excellent that your bunnies like to eat it. Fresh grass is also excellent and yes mine love that too. Any other foods are a small part of the rabbit's diet and so I like to ensure that they are as healthy as possible. They seem to eat a large variety of foods and so it should be easy to focus more on the healthier ones.

If I've understood correctly, they will eat fresh Kale, Parsley and Basil? If so you could try them with other fresh herbs eg Coriander, Thyme, Sage and other green veg such as dark green cabbage, the outside leaves of Cauliflower and Carrot tops. You are probably already aware that any new food should be fed very minimally at first until they are used to it. There are, amazingly for the time of year, still Dandelions growing here too.

Apple sticks or any rabbit safe twigs are good also to give as they will enjoy spending a long time nibbling them.

It does sound very much that they are doing all the right things and I'm glad that their health check went well

 

[Bunny Lovely]

Aww thanks both maanmallik and Omi,

M, your list of possibilities are great. Wow! I feel the same with suspecting these areas, but you put it in words that makes sense and maybe connects to all you mention to some degree. The packaging does say its 100% veg, but I know there are hidden additives in processing that might not be areas needing listing. Not sure if listing as would for humans is required for animal products either.
Yes, freeze drying is possible. Since you have highlighted this I now feel could be what affects it. I do feel there is something in home drying being different in texture to shop bought. With home drying I'm aware that storing this is better in sealed glass jars, like kiln jars, rather than plastic sealed bags. Being packed in plastic does not preserve well and may affect food nutrition and shelf life too, which I want to get away from plastic anyway. I think in glass jars keep it fresh as long as any other foods.

I'm unsure if the same quality of food for animals are followed the same as would be for humans? This is beyond my knowledge.i haven't a clue.

I think, from what has been identified, home drying I see as the best way forward for me, as long as I store it accurately. I now just need to work out if to stick with the temperature I am using, or reduce it. I need to experiment with this. Also how I cut veg. Finer maybe better for some veg for home drying, I don't know yet. Thank you so much. I will give all you have mentioned some thought.

Omi,
you are right about kale basil and parsley. I have tried them on other veg and herbs but they don't touch them. I have broccoli and cabbage out for them now, but just don't touch it, so will need to remove it tomorrow. As they get older this may change so will keep trying. I don't think they feel ready for other things yet. I am surprised they won't touch cabbage though, but will eat kale. Carrot tops they didn't eat and it deteriorates so quickly, so now I dry them and mix in their hay.

I am lucky to have an apple and pear tree in my garden so have got an apple branch for them to help with teeth.

Yes dandelions are in abundance, seems to be growing madly out there, which is why I dried some while still could.

I need the dried veg that they see as a treat to satisfy them with feeling attention and safety and trust with what is seen as treat food only. They get so excited when I open the container, so have to continue with something. Carrot in small amounts is fine. Might give this and the dandelion roots, and alternate with other things like beetroot and parsnip just so we have time together that they seem to want. Not sure what else there is as treats, but will work on this to reduce shop bought. I think the only thing I would continue to buy from shop is the dandelion roots.

Edit - and the dried flowers

It also is if I can find something else that satisfies their attention needs, other than treats.

Thanks again. I will do my experimenting

 

[Bunny Lovely]

OK this is purely my opinion and others will have other views. I have looked at the Dried Vegeatble Mix at Pets at Home on their website. I would not buy it. Have a look at the ingredients and also the nutritional analysis. Most of the veg is root veg and so it is starchy/sugars. Haha I've just seen j&b's post saying something similar. I certainly would not feed potato or corn. I'm confused also how they can rate the nutritional analysis as being so high in protein and absolutely no sugar or starch. Quite apart from all of this, the product is expensive for what it is (my view again).

Rabbits do best when their diet is as close to that of a wild rabbit as possible. So I very much agree with feeding tree leaves, fresh or dried. I would also feed fresh green herbs or fresh green leafy vegetables in preference to anything that has grown beneath the ground. Kales, Parsley and Basil are very good. I do not feed fruit.

Also this time of the year it's difficult to find much to forage outside, but come end of March-time you might like to search for some forage outside for them. There's a thread on the forum https://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/index.php?threads/my-foraging-diary.455755/post-7335410, which you might like to dip into. Lots of us forage for rabbit food too, so we are here to help with identification if you need it. You could probably find some Blackberry leaves outside at the moment. If they like tree leaves, they might enjoy these and they are excellent for bunny digestion.

Returning to why your bunnies are avoiding your dried food, the only reason I can think is that it is the drying process which is different. The P@H product is probably dried speedily, which will make it taste slightly different. The speed of drying could also affect the moisture content I imagine.

If you want to get some dried treats then have a look online at this company https://www.naturesgrub.co.uk/collections/rabbits. It will be far better value than P@H.

Can you list what they do like to eat and then we can offer similar alternatives for them

Hi Omi,
Your Links
I have had a chance to look at your links you gave. The online shop is amazing! This is definitely worth looking at. It's too late coming up to Christmas for me, but will look at the items more thoroughly in the new year.

I see they do camomile flowers . I've been looking for these. My buns ate my camomile tea flowers and so now see I can buy in bulk is great! They loved them so will look at introducing them again. Their carrots look different, so thicker and natural. I will look at this too. Many amazing choices.

Especially good for over winter.

Your link to the foraging post is great. Very long, so will look over this in own time, but the page you linked to is great! Thank you

 

[Bunny Lovely]

Update!

Well, seems root veg keeps well drying in my air fryer. I have changed to grate my root veg that works better. Not at stage can change over yet, but on the right track.

Now, veg above ground is another matter amd doesn't work well and so back to the drawing board for these. I will try a much lower temperature and for much longer so to dry them out thoroughly. Won't do it yet. Happy with the root veg. Dandelion leaves work well too. Happy so far with my plan to replace shop bought.

Also tried out apple. It works really well at 60°C for about 4 hours, but checked and turned through it. These are thin slices. Buns do eat these, so I can stop buying the tiny cubes of apple straight away and give this instead, which is great!