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Safe Garden Weeds

Beapig

Mama Doe
Hello everyone :wave:

I'm sure that this sort of post has been done many times but I'd like to know from other people which common garden weeds are safe for bunnies? The new house we've just moved into is has a large garden full of bramble, hawkweed and dandilions. There are other weeds too which I haven't identified. I figure it will be a good way to mix up the variety in their diet and also handy if we're ever caught out low on veggies.

Just checking that all of the above are safe (tried Ham on a hawkweed leaf today and he seemed to like it despite the fuzziness!), also are there any more weeds in UK gardens that people would recommend? I might even make an intentional weed patch so I can grow a good supply of them. Just checking as well, is feeding a handful of say bramble or dandilion as beneficial as spinach/kale/herb leaves? Or should there always be a mixture of everything?

Thanks so much for the advice :love:
 
Hello everyone :wave:

I'm sure that this sort of post has been done many times but I'd like to know from other people which common garden weeds are safe for bunnies? The new house we've just moved into is has a large garden full of bramble, hawkweed and dandilions. There are other weeds too which I haven't identified. I figure it will be a good way to mix up the variety in their diet and also handy if we're ever caught out low on veggies.

Just checking that all of the above are safe (tried Ham on a hawkweed leaf today and he seemed to like it despite the fuzziness!), also are there any more weeds in UK gardens that people would recommend? I might even make an intentional weed patch so I can grow a good supply of them. Just checking as well, is feeding a handful of say bramble or dandilion as beneficial as spinach/kale/herb leaves? Or should there always be a mixture of everything?

Thanks so much for the advice :love:


Hi there :wave:

Some links I find useful - sorry if you've already seen these :D

http://www.therabbithouse.com/blog/2014/06/04/rabbit-safe-weeds/

http://www.therabbithouse.com/blog/2017/06/06/foraging-for-rabbits-5-more-weeds/

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?303114-Plant-Images

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00dis/toxic/biotoxin/Plant_Toxicity_Lagomorphs.htm

https://riseandshinerabbitry.com/2012/02/12/poisonout-plants-to-rabbits‏/

Safe plants etc

http://www.kanin.org/?q=node/193

http://www.actionforrabbits.co.uk/Plants toxic to rabbits.pdf

http://www.actionforrabbits.co.uk/Toxic & Safe Plants v2.pdf

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/gallery/Rabbit food/plants-to-avoid

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/media/plants/rabbit-with-snowdrops/view

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/articles/free-food-for-rabbits

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/articles/free-food-for-rabbits/foraging



And a very good book written by Twigs Way called 'Foraging for Rabbits' which can be purchased from the RWAF bookshop


Plant toxicity:

https://www.harcourt-brown.co.uk/articles/free-food-for-rabbits/lant-toxicity-the-problem-with-lists
 
Very in depth response MM. :)

I'll make a very simple response.

Bind weed (hedge variety), brambles, dandelions, plantin are the most common I believe. All safe :)

Mine are pellet free and we only give 1 or 2 different types of fresh a day.

Sent from my SM-G903F using Tapatalk
 
Very in depth response MM. :)

I'll make a very simple response.

Bind weed (hedge variety), brambles, dandelions, plantin are the most common I believe. All safe :)

Mine are pellet free and we only give 1 or 2 different types of fresh a day.

Sent from my SM-G903F using Tapatalk


Mine are completely spoilt then, as they have 10/12 different forage and veg a day :lol:
 
Thank you so much, MightyMax and daphnephoebe :love: I feel like I have so much to learn about caring for my new rabbits and want to do what's best for them. This information is all really helpful :)
 
You've been given loads of links to look through and I would endorse MightyMax's recommendations. I would especially encourage you to get the foraging book by Twig's Way. It's a very useful compact book, which I keep in my kitchen and refer to quite often. I have a large garden and find that weeds, aka food for the rabbits, will pop up everywhere. I can go out early morning most times of the year and pick several different types of plant. I don't deliberately give a large or small variety of different fresh food. They tend to get what I find, but it's usually a large mixture of wild plants, herbs and vegetables. The plants you mentioned, in your post, are all safe for rabbits.

I think you will find it fun identifying plants to feed and if you're unsure you can always ask here. I find that Red Deadnettle will grow almost 12 months of the year here and others, like Cow Parsley will appear in the Spring and have a second show of leaves at this time.

Don't forget tree leaves as well :thumb: Once you've got to grips with which trees are OK, the rabbits will benefit from munching away on the leaves, as well as nibbling the bark. MightyMax gave you the www.kanin.org link, which I use for confirming which are safe for the rabbits.
 
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