Can rabbits be given peas: feeding rules and contraindications

Beginner rabbit breeders have many questions about feeding animals, in particular, is it possible to give peas to rabbits. Doubts are caused by the fact that legumes provoke flatulence, and rabbits are not distinguished by excellent he alth and often suffer from overeating and eating inappropriate food. However, peas are he althy, they are full of nutrients that promote rapid growth and weight gain.

Can I feed peas to rabbits

Beans are a valuable source of easily digestible proteins, vitamins and minerals. Despite the fact that they can provoke bloating and colic if consumed excessively, they are indispensable as food for rabbits, especially in the cold season.

Peas are especially useful. This is an affordable useful crop that is easy to prepare for the winter in sufficient quantities. But in order for rabbits to receive only benefit from peas, animals must be fed strictly according to the rules. In this case, feeding with peas will only benefit, the rabbits will be strong, he althy, resistant to diseases. They will be active, gaining weight superbly, with silky smooth skin.

Green peas

Fresh, just from the garden, green peas are contraindicated for rabbits. The presence of moisture in it can enhance the fermentation processes in the digestive organs, which will cause the development of the disease and the deterioration of the well-being of animals. But if the pods or peeled green peas are dried a little, withered, the risk of flatulence can be reduced to zero.

During the drying process, the amount of liquid in the pods and peas decreases, but the nutrients do not become less.Such peas are better digested and beneficial, especially as a green supplement for winter feeding, when there is an acute shortage of nutrients and vitamins.

Holes

This product is no less he althy and tasty by rabbit standards. After growing green peas, a lot of green mass remains on the beds. The most competent way of harvesting is drying for the winter, since at this time of the year colic especially needs high-calorie and vitamin nutrition. Fresh tops are not given to animals due to excessive moisture, which provokes pain and colic in the abdomen. The collected tops are dried, then given to rabbits as an additive, but not the main food.

Dry peas

Stocking on dry peas is a great way to make your rabbits winter food rich and varied. This is especially important for feeding pregnant and lactating females, as well as when raising animals in unheated rooms or on the street.However, dry peas in an unprocessed and unprepared form are not given to rabbits. Unlike green foods, which are pre-dried, hard dry peas are soaked, processed, and fed in a specific pattern.

It is imperative to follow the recommendations for preparing pea feed, as non-compliance will cause food refusal at best and death of rabbits at worst. In addition to peas, other legumes can be included in the diet of rabbits - beans, soybeans, lentils, and beans. At the same time, the principles of feeding and processing are preserved, that is, the stems, pods and other greens from plants are dried a little, removing excessive moisture, and the fruits are steamed, crushed or mashed. In this case, legumes are perfectly eaten and digested without problems.

However, it is impossible to abuse such food, especially to make it a staple food. Legumes should be a he althy supplement, not a staple.

Alfalfa greens are also fed to rabbits from plants of the legume family, including in the form of hay in the cold season. This is a very he althy food that helps to increase body weight and improve the he alth of animals.

Feeding rules

Any pea food needs to be cooked before serving to rabbits. If drying is enough for green peas in pods and harvested fresh tops, then dry and peeled peas must be turned into gruel and added to other feeds. To receive the product, proceed as follows:

1. Dry or green peeled peas in a clean, washed form are placed in a large container with the expectation that the volume of the finished product will at least double.
2. Pour twice as much boiling water as the number of legumes.
3. Add half a tablespoon of table s alt for every liter of liquid.
4. Leave to swell and infuse for 2 hours.
5. Dried swollen peas are mixed with bran, grated root vegetables - carrots, beets, silage.
6. Green peas are pureed and added to grain or animal feed.

In winter, adult rabbits and pregnant rabbits are given 50-60 grams of pea puree or steamed grain per day, nursing mothers are given up to 100 grams. Babies older than 1-2 months are given 20 grams, three-month-olds - 30 grams, four-month-olds - 40 grams, rabbits older than 4 months are given an "adult" portion - up to 60 grams.

In the summer, peas in various forms, including tops, are added to regular feed no more than 2 times a week. Pods, after drying them, in minimal quantities can be used as a treat for domestic rabbits living as pets in the house.

Possible contraindications and harm

Because peas and other legumes can cause bloating, their quantity and frequency of use should be limited. They should not be the main food for rabbits, otherwise they will begin to have digestive problems.

If a rabbit overeats properly cooked peas a little, nothing dangerous will happen to him. He will have colic, leading to discomfort and restlessness, possibly bloating and indigestion. It will pass after a while. It is important to immediately draw conclusions and stop overfeeding animals with legumes.

It's another matter if peas are given without prior preparation. This can cause serious he alth problems and even death of rabbits. This is especially dangerous for pregnant and female rabbits, as well as small rabbits.

It is believed that giving peas and other similar foods can be given to babies older than 1-2 months, little by little at first, observing their he alth.If there are signs of malaise, peas should be removed from the menu for a while. Pea mash and puree are useful for lactating rabbits, as they help increase lactation and improve the quality of milk. But here, too, moderation and the correct preparation of the compositions are important for success.

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