Grass

Lessie · Apr 10, 2009

Hi,

I was just whondering, as I haven't done this because I wasn't sure if it was allowed as I'm sure I read it somewhere that we shouldn't give rabbits or rodents grass which are cut by lawn mowers, but I can't remember where I read it from!

So my question is have you ever or do you give your rabbits or guinea-pigs grass from lawn mowers, instead of chucking it away?

Brinsley Bunnies · Apr 10, 2009

You can providing it is very freshly cut otherwise it will start to ferment quite quickly especially when it is warm.

the bunny girl · Apr 10, 2009

I have read this too , i only ever hand pick fresh grass . Fresh grass should be fed gradually to rabbits and guinea pigs if they have been without it all winter because it causes bloat

Milo+Fizz · Apr 10, 2009

I would never risk giving mine grass cuttings. Can you pick it fresh by hand for them.

*Spider* · Apr 10, 2009

Hmm, I really wouldn't, I've heard of someone putting their lawn cuttings into a horse's paddock and the horse actually died.

Emm-Jane76 · Apr 10, 2009

I wouldn't take the risk either. I hand cut mine. I actually got caught by me neighbour last night. There I was in the front garden thinking it was all clear (i was in my pink fluffy dressing gown torch in hand) cutting away at the grass for the buns and my neighbour passed behind me grinning with his dog and said "Evening" with a glint in his eye

I fed it to the buns saying to them, "the things I do for you lot!" :roll:

Lessie · Apr 10, 2009

Milo+Fizz said:
I would never risk giving mine grass cuttings. Can you pick it fresh by hand for them.

Hi there,

Just to make it clear for myself as I still cannot find the website where it says grass cutting is not allowed for pets with reasons. But I can't remember what the reasons were - do any of you know?

Also what is the different of cut grass or hand picked grass, as they both are the same?:? It just that when I hand pick them, the roots come out and I'm not sure if they are safe?

I just want to be fully aware of this so sorry for asking lots of questions!

Santa · Apr 10, 2009

Grass that has been mown starts to ferment straight away, because the speed of the cutting blades damages the grass and causes it to start rotting very quickly - also the speed of the blades heats it up and this also makes it start to rot. This means that there is a high risk that it will give your bunnies bloat.

You can feed grass cut by hand, or grass cut with scissors though. I just use a pair of scissors and I'm sure my neighbours must think I'm crazy

My two nethies also have a basket in their run which has grass growing in it. I have covered the top with mesh so they can't dig in it or get to the roots, but it allows them to eat fresh grass when the blades get longer than the mesh

Sparkle x · Apr 10, 2009

*Spider* said:
Hmm, I really wouldn't, I've heard of someone putting their lawn cuttings into a horse's paddock and the horse actually died.

Someone did that near our fields. Dumped a load of freshy cut grass, one of the ponies ate it all and later died :shock:

janice · Apr 10, 2009

Milo+Fizz said:
I would never risk giving mine grass cuttings. Can you pick it fresh by hand for them.

hand picking or cutting with scissors is fine. Problems occur when it has been mashed together with a lawn mower

Lessie · Apr 10, 2009

Santa said:
Grass that has been mown starts to ferment straight away, because the speed of the cutting blades damages the grass and causes it to start rotting very quickly - also the speed of the blades heats it up and this also makes it start to rot. This means that there is a high risk that it will give your bunnies bloat.

You can feed grass cut by hand, or grass cut with scissors though. I just use a pair of scissors and I'm sure my neighbours must think I'm crazy

My two nethies also have a basket in their run which has grass growing in it. I have covered the top with mesh so they can't dig in it or get to the roots, but it allows them to eat fresh grass when the blades get longer than the mesh

Thank-you for your detailed answer!!!

Thank-godness I've always cut fresh grass using scissors and I've never given my rabbit and guinea-pig grass from lawn mowers, as I wasn't sure.

That is frightnening hearing animals have died because of this, it really does make us think about the hazards.

:wave:

amycraig66 · Apr 10, 2009

Emm-Jane76 said:
I wouldn't take the risk either. I hand cut mine. I actually got caught by me neighbour last night. There I was in the front garden thinking it was all clear (i was in my pink fluffy dressing gown torch in hand) cutting away at the grass for the buns and my neighbour passed behind me grinning with his dog and said "Evening" with a glint in his eye I fed it to the buns saying to them, "the things I do for you lot!" :roll:

LOL thats sounds like the kind of thing that happens to me all the time. The grass in my back garden isn't growing very well so i go out front for it. I make my OH come with me so we both look silly. I'm sure the neighbours think we are barking.

Grass

Lessie

Alpha Buck

Brinsley Bunnies

Alpha Buck

the bunny girl

Warren Scout

Milo+Fizz

Mama Doe

Spider

Wise Old Thumper

Emm-Jane76

Mama Doe

Lessie

Alpha Buck

Santa

Wise Old Thumper

Sparkle x

Wise Old Thumper

janice

Wise Old Thumper

Lessie

Alpha Buck

amycraig66

Warren Scout

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