Can rabbits be given oats: rules for preparation and feeding, harm

In order for rabbits not to get sick, regularly breed and gain weight, it is important not only to feed them correctly, but also to choose the right products. Therefore, pet owners must know whether it is possible to give oats to rabbits, how to cook it, how to give it correctly. It is also imperative to obtain information about the harm that can be caused by the use of oats in the diet of rabbits.

Can rabbits be fed oats

For proper growth, development and weight gain, rabbits need to be given grain. One of the best cereal options for animal feed is oats.It is distinguished not only by its high nutritional characteristics, but also by its excellent taste, which is why it is readily eaten by rabbits.

Oats make up an essential part of the diet of animals. It is especially useful for feeding rabbits, as it is easily digested and promotes rapid growth without the accumulation of excess fat. This is a high-energy food, because 100 grams supply the body with 330-360 kilocalories. Also, cereals are rich in trace elements, contain magnesium, zinc, silicon, copper, as well as vitamins A, E, F, group B. The grain contains the following components:

1. Carbohydrates - 55%.
2. Proteins - 10%.
3. Fats - 8%.

For rabbit breeders, this type of cereal is beneficial, as it grows well even under not the most favorable conditions, gives high yields, is perfectly stored without changing its organoleptic and nutritional qualities. It is also an advantage that it can be given dry to animals.This reduces feed preparation costs and saves rabbit breeders time.

Methods of preparing cereal for feeding

Adult rabbits can eat oats in any form, including dry ones. But the cereal can be steamed, crushed, mixed, added to other feeds, including giving along with granulated or green products, compound feeds. For rabbits, cereals need to be specially prepared, since young animals are not yet able to cope with whole grains, even such soft ones.

Furthermore, shredded foods are easier to digest and better absorbed by the delicate digestive systems of growing organisms.

Germination

This method is considered one of the best, as it helps to increase the usefulness of cereals. During sprouting, the percentage of useful substances, especially vitamins, increases, which is important in cold weather and for rabbits in need of enhanced nutrition: pregnant and lactating females, growing rabbits.

For germination, do the following procedures:

1. Select whole, intact, long grains.
2. Pour an even layer into a container, cover with water 2 centimeters above the grain level.
3. Leave the cereal to swell for half a day.
4. The finished product is transferred to plastic bags with holes to drain excess liquid.
5. When grain sprouts, it is fed to animals.

It is necessary to accustom rabbits to a new type of food gradually, gradually adding to the usual feed. If this is not done, the animals may become ill due to bloating and flatulence.

Steaming

When steamed, the groats become especially soft and tender, retaining their beneficial properties, so they are great for feeding rabbits. With it, they grow vigorously, and the prepared product improves digestion and assimilation, so that the rabbits gain weight faster.

Cook the porridge as follows:

1. The grain is poured into a container, leaving up to 10 centimeters of free space from the edge.
2. Pour boiling water.
3. Add a tablespoon of table s alt into the mixture, mix thoroughly.
4. The container is closed with a lid.
5. Maintain up to 6 hours.

The prepared product is given to rabbits 4-5 times a day.

Yeasting

To increase the nutritional value of oatmeal, yeast is carried out. Such a product is most often used for feeding rabbits of meat breeds - with it they gain weight more vigorously. Yeasted oats can be fed to adults and rabbits over 4 months old.

The process consists of the following steps:

1. Crush a kilogram of selected grain.
2. Bred 35 grams of yeast in 2 liters of warm water.
3. Crushed oats are poured with a prepared solution with yeast.
4. Leave to ferment for 6-9 hours.

The composition during fermentation must be stirred so that the process goes evenly. For morning feeding of animals, the mixture is convenient to make at night.

How to give oats to rabbits

Animals regularly eat oats in any form, so it should be stored in large quantities along with other feeds. The dry product is given in grain mixtures with other cereals, in whole or crushed form. Steamed oats are great for rabbits, which can be gradually transferred to dry ground grain. When they reach six months, rabbits can already be given whole oats.

Grains are given to babies up to 4-5 times a day, to adult animals - 3 times.Rabbits should always have free access to drinking water. Yeasted feeds are more suitable for adolescent and adult rabbits of meat breeds, as they contribute to rapid weight gain. Overfeeding animals is bad.

Contraindications and possible harm

Oats are a he althy and easily digestible food, but they can be detrimental to he alth if not properly prepared or given in too large quantities. The grain has 8% fat and a lot of protein, so its excess will lead to obesity if the diet is not calculated correctly. In summer, the amount of grain feed should be reduced, focusing on greens, grass and juicy root crops.

In winter, in the cold, rabbits have an increased need for high-calorie food, so the proportion of oats in food should be increased.

Little rabbits are not fed oats and other grains for up to a month. Crushed and steamed food is given to animals older than 1-2 months, 1-2 tablespoons as part of the mash. Young rabbits over 4 months old can receive yeasted oats in small quantities.

When feeding, it is necessary to pay attention to the behavior of animals and their state of he alth. They may react differently to the product. If bloating and diarrhea appear, this means that the rabbits are given too much oats or the type of processing is not suitable for these animals. With a properly composed diet, feeding oats is beneficial. The animals look great, they are cheerful, strong, with a shiny coat and excellent he alth.

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