Can You Feed Meat Rabbits Pine Trees?

[@David-kd5mf]

Apple tree pruning were something I gave rabbits and the shaved all the bark off and ate it. Ever experimented with sprouted barley grown to a decent blade of greenery?

[@westmeadowrabbits]

My rabbits love pruning's from my apple trees. I haven't messed around to much with sprouted fodder. I have so much fresh food available it never seemed worth the effort. It also doesn't strike me as terribly efficient. Why waste good grain (that could be fed to chickens, pigs, or people) to grow sprouts when a few black locust trees could provide better fodder for free?

[@David-kd5mf]

@@westmeadowrabbits I like your perspective. Sprouted barley can be fed to pigs and horses and most livestock. I saw one guy say he doesnt feed his horses hay anymore due to better nutrition and performance on barley fodder and another big draw us reduction in feed costs for hay heavy eaters. Especially if there is ever another hay shortage due to drought in the midwest and South causing cattle farmers to turn to hay to save cattle and get them off the grass. Having barley seed stored up is good prep. But tree hay is great. I am getting my willow, hybrid poplar and black locust trees established. Will be taking cuttings on hybrid poplar to spread more of it around for coppicing.

[@nicko978]

Cool channel. Stumbled on your website looking for NZ reds, email sent. I've always fed rabbits pine without issue. I did read a study a few years ago about negative effects pine potentially had on pregnant goats but also haven't experienced any issues there either. All things in moderation I suppose.

[@TheSmally31]

How about the old Christmas trees and wreaths

[@westmeadowrabbits]

They should be good as long as they weren't sprayed with any flame suppressants or preservatives.

[@TheSmally31]

Ok. Thanks

[@scubarpirates]

We have some old walnut trees around.

[@jeanbergeron4112]

🤙🏻

[@sylviemaniscalco256]

What are those plastic things in the bottom of your cages? What is the purpose?

[@westmeadowrabbits]

They are resting boards to give the rabbits a break from the wire if they want it. The slots are so manure and urine can pass through

[@Shaker_Hill_Sugarworks]

Do you feed your rabbits a fixed amount of pellets each day or do you keep their feeders topped up all the time?

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Rabbits under 12 weeks and Does with litters get free feed. Everyone else is on rations.

[@chickenlover657]

Can rabbits safely eat persimmons and persimmon leaves?

[@westmeadowrabbits]

Good question. That plant doesn't grow near me so I couldn't tell you for sure.

[@chickenlover657]

@@westmeadowrabbits I googled. And googled. And googled. And as always some people say yes, some say no. **le sigh**

[@carlschleg5918]

Mine love Kudzu(deep south)

[@westmeadowrabbits]

I have heard Kudzu has a similar nutrient profile as alfalfa. Glad to know you are making good use of it!

[@zone4garlicfarm]

I look at what the wild rabbits are eating as an indicator that it's safe for domestic rabbits. It probably isn't 100% accurate but it's never poisoned any of my rabbits.

[@westmeadowrabbits]

I agree with that as well!