Is it possible to give pumpkin to rabbits: feeding rules and how to introduce them into the diet

Breeding rabbits is considered a rather complicated and time-consuming process. In order for animals to grow and develop normally, they need complete and high-quality care. A balanced diet plays an important role in it. Many farmers are interested in: is it possible to give rabbits to eat pumpkin? This is a useful product that is allowed for animals. But when feeding animals, there are important features to consider.

Can I give rabbits pumpkin?

Pumpkin is a he althy product that must be in the diet of rabbits. It has excellent taste and brings great benefits to animals. At the same time, pumpkin should be only part of the diet. It is forbidden to constantly feed animals with it.

If rabbits often eat pumpkin, you can get the following effects:

• saturate the body of animals with useful substances;
• stimulate milk synthesis in lactating rabbits;
• improve the condition of the coat, making it more silky;
• normalize male reproductive functions;
• make better rabbit meat.

Useful properties for rabbits

This product is considered very useful. It has many advantages:

1. There are many vitamins and microelements in the pulp. Thanks to this, it helps to improve the reproductive capabilities of males, increases the production of milk in queens, and has a positive effect on the condition of the coat. Also, the product provides a rapid increase in growth.
2. Excellent digestion and absorption.
3. Includes plenty of beta-carotene. Orange varieties of pumpkin contain more of this substance than carrots, beloved by animals.
4. It has a long storage period and at the same time retains a maximum of useful properties. Thanks to this, the vegetable can be used to feed animals for a whole year.
5. Crushed pumpkin seeds, when added to food, help prevent and eliminate helminthic infestations.
6. Improves the palatability of rabbit meat.
7. Strengthens the musculoskeletal system of animals. The product also improves the condition of their teeth.

Thus, pumpkin is definitely recommended to include in the diet of rabbits. At the same time, other products must certainly be present in the menu of animals.

Male

Pumpkin has a great effect on the he alth of males. If males systematically receive this product, it is possible to improve the quality characteristics of their sperm and make their offspring he althier.

Feeding rabbits

This vegetable has a positive effect on the amount of milk and the quality of lactation. Adding pumpkin to the diet of lactating females helps to saturate their milk with useful substances. As a result, it becomes fatter and more nutritious. Thanks to this, the rabbits do not experience a lack of vitamins and other important substances.

Meat breeds

It is especially useful to use pumpkin for representatives of meat breeds. The fact is that this product has a positive effect on the quality of meat and contributes to its saturation with protein components and microelements.

At what age and how to introduce into the diet

Introducing pumpkin complementary foods to rabbits is allowed at 4 months. It is not recommended to do this in the past. Only at this age, the stomachs of animals are already ready to digest this vegetable. Up to this point, they should eat mainly mother's milk. Also, animals are allowed to give greens.

In what form to give

There are several options for introducing pumpkin into the diet of rabbits. Each of them has certain features.

Raw

Rabbits can eat the product in different ways. However, to get the maximum benefit, they should be given fresh pumpkin. It is recommended to finely chop or grate it. In the first case, the vegetable pieces should be approximately 0.5 centimeters in size.

Thanks to this vegetable grinding, animals will be able to chew the product normally and eat the required amount over a long period of time. This will help them stay full for quite some time.

Boiled (mashed)

It is perfectly acceptable to feed mashed pumpkin to rabbits. For this, it is recommended to bake the vegetable in the oven. No s alt or spices are required. When the product becomes soft, it must be well kneaded. Before giving the dish to rabbits, it is important to cool it well.

Adding to compound feed

The combination of compound feed with vegetables is considered an excellent solution. In this case, pumpkin can be added fresh or dried. For the prevention and treatment of helminthic invasions, it is worth periodically introducing pumpkin seeds into the diet of animals.

Important points

To give a pumpkin to ordinary or decorative rabbits, it is recommended to prepare it well:

1. Wash thoroughly in running water and remove seeds and skins. Young vegetables can not be peeled. But the maximum of useful elements is present in the pulp. Therefore, it is better to remove the bitter peel.
2. Pulp cut or grated.
3. Mix the resulting mass with corn silage and give to the rabbits.

At the same time, it is important to control the amount of such food - an excess of pumpkin in the diet can cause serious digestive disorders.It is permissible to feed rabbits with gourds no more than 1 time per day. Pumpkin pulp should be given to animals in the morning or in the afternoon. It is not recommended to use the product in the evening, as it will only harm the animals.

With an excess amount of melons in rabbits, an upset stomach can begin. In this situation, it is recommended to immediately remove the product. At the same time, chamomile and oak bark should be added to the diet. It is permissible to prepare a decoction from plant materials and give it to animals instead of water until their condition improves.

Sometimes animals are given shoots and pumpkin leaves. To do this, they are recommended to grind and pour boiling water. When the tops soften and cool, it must be added to the mash with potatoes and bran. However, it should not be given separately. This product is not able to meet the fiber requirement of rabbits, which can lead to disease and reduced productivity.

Farmers are interested in the collection and storage of gourds. No special conditions are required. At the same time, a long and short workpiece is distinguished. In the second case, it does not exceed 10 days.

To prepare the product for a short shelf life, it is recommended to wash and cut the pumpkin, remove the seeds. Then wrap in cling film and place in a cold place. To prepare a vegetable for a long period of time, it is recommended to do the following:

1. Select medium fruits. They must have stalks.
2. Wash and dry each vegetable.
3. Leave until the stalk dries. When it changes color, move the vegetables to a cool place.

Experts do not recommend storing gourds on concrete or plastic. It is much better to use wooden crates. For long-term storage, a place with a minimum level of illumination, optimal parameters of humidity and temperature is suitable.Pumpkin is a very he althy and tasty product that rabbits eat with great pleasure. In order for the vegetable to bring them only benefit, it should be introduced into the diet carefully, strictly following the recommendations of experts.

Recommended