What kind of cereal can be given to rabbits: the benefits and harms of different types, what not

In addition to grass, hay, twigs, root crops and silage, cereals must be present in the rabbit's diet for the full development of the body. What kind of cereals can be given to a rabbit, and which ones are strictly prohibited? Barley, pearl barley, wheat, corn and oatmeal must be present in the diet of a rabbit, but grains of rice, millet and rye are not only not useful, but can harm the animal's body.

What cereals can I give rabbits?

Whole and cooked grains are the basis of a balanced and he althy rabbit diet.It is necessary to add them to the diet wisely, combining with other varieties of feed. Many rabbit breeders are interested in the question of what kind of cereal can be given to decorative rabbits and meat breeds. Only certain cereals are suitable for animals - wheat, barley, corn and oats.

Wheat groats

Cereal, due to its nutritional value, contributes to weight gain, as well as an increase in the growth of rabbits, which will be an indispensable addition to the diet of growing individuals and underweight animals. Wheat contains selenium, manganese, phosphorus, copper, folate, fiber, B vitamins and a huge amount of nutrients.

Pearl and barley groats

These cereals are rich in vegetable fiber, vitamins B, PP, E, H, choline, phosphorus, chlorine, sulfur, sodium, calcium and potassium. Barley contains iron, iodine and zinc, chromium and fluorine, copper, selenium and molybdenum, silicon and manganese, aluminum, titanium and zirconium. The grain in the diet is needed to maintain the necessary intestinal microflora and overall he alth of rabbits, as well as to stimulate active growth.

Corn grits

The product, due to its nutritional value, forms the basis of many combined mixtures. Cereals contain phosphorus, calcium, iron, zinc, sodium, potassium, magnesium, as well as antioxidants, he althy fiber, vitamins E, C, D, A, B1, B2, B6 and PP.

The presence of corn in the diet of rabbits helps stabilize metabolism, improve digestion and accelerate weight gain.

Oatmeal

Cereal crop will help rabbits improve metabolism, increase immunity, tone the body of individuals and remove harmful substances from it. Oats are a good source of carbohydrates, fiber, and beta-glucan. Grains contain the highest amount of proteins and fats compared to other cereals. Oats are rich in manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc, thiamine, folic acid and pantothenic acid.

Benefits and harms

The benefits of certain types of cereals are invaluable. Wheat, pearl barley, oat, barley and corn grits can be safely given - when rabbits eat any of these cereals, their body receives the necessary amount of vitamins, useful micro and macro elements. If these cereals are excluded from the rabbit menu, this can lead to a slowdown in their growth and deterioration in he alth. On the contrary, rice, rye and millet cereals should not be present in the diet.

Due to a weak digestive system, the use of such cereals in rabbits increases the amount of mucus secreted in the stomach and provokes further inflammation of the mucosa.

What not to give?

Due to the characteristics of the gastrointestinal tract of rabbits, their diet should exclude the following foods:

• food from your table;
• frozen and stale foods;
• chemically grown roots;
• crops affected by fungi;
• too much s alt;
• sprouted or green potato tubers;
• mango, avocado, persimmon, quince, orange, fig;
• rice, rye, millet;
• varieties of fava beans, red beans and green peas;
• any dairy products;
• pastry and sweets;
• poisonous plants;
• compound feed not intended for rabbits.

List of conditionally allowed foods that can only be given occasionally and in limited quantities:

• tomatoes;
• cucumbers;
• bow;
• red cabbage;
• beetroot;
• eggplant;
• unroasted sunflower and pumpkin seeds;
• dried fruits.

Feeding rules

Basic rules for feeding rabbits:

1. Exceptional quality food.
2. Balanced diet.
3. Mandatory constant presence in the water bowl.
4. Invariable meal schedule.
5. If the portion is combined, cereals are given first, then succulent types of food, grass or hay last.
6. New foods should be given in small portions at first, gradually increasing the volume. The transfer of an animal from summer to winter food is done in the same way.

Daily Value

Serving size should take into account the breed, weight and he alth of the animal:

• for ornamental breeds, 20 grams of cereal will be enough;
• growing individuals should be given 50 grams;
• for adult animals you need 60 grams;
• 100 grams is the recommended daily allowance for pregnant and lactating rabbits.

No matter what grains you give your rabbits, you can feed them only by alternating different types of cereals, otherwise you will not be able to avoid such negative consequences as bloating and indigestion.

The table contains the required norms for the consumption of cereals:

Growing young1510 Adults 20201040 10Meat breed 4020151510

	Barley %	Wheat %	Corn %	Oats %	Bran %
		30	30	15

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