Learning From The Experts! DIY Best Rabbit Feed Mix

[@countrieboyz2009]

50 pounds of Rabbit Pellets 10 pounds Alfalfa 10 pounds Whole Oats 3 pounds Rolled Oats 10 pounds of Black Oil Sunflower Seeds 5 pounds of Calf Mana (unsure on spelling, never heard of it)

[@BrentGould]

Is the alfa a pellets

[@WillowCreekHomestead]

Yep :)

[@deplorableinyogapants]

I have a colony of meat rabbits and I feed nothing but what can be sourced on our farm with what we raise. I do a grain mix of (3:1:1/2) in volume of oats:field peas:BOSS. In weight with the yogurt container I used it results in oats=21.81 ounces, peas=45.22 oz and BOSS=11 oz. For gestational, lactation and grow outs I have increased the field peas to two parts of volume (not weight). They also have free choice grassXalfalfa hay, and are fed minimum of 5 different species of greens daily for balance. Do they pound out as fast as grow outs on commercial feed? No, they are slightly slower, however, I know and have control over what is fed to them and Ultimately my family. I do get and understand that this is not a feed regiment that everyone can do. Hope this helps someone out there!

[@kmundwiller3936]

How did I miss this for so long? Lol Wonderful video! Thank you for the shout out!

[@jacquelinebarlow5732]

Seeing you mix in a barrow I've seen it done with a cement mixer which was easier and with a clean mixer that is.

[@gentlegiants04]

I just pour things together in my feed barrel and use a big scoop to stir it around.

[@pamelamorgan5491]

Thank you I picked everything up today and mix my rabbit pellets with the new so hope that's ok I just couldn't get the rolled oats at my farm and tractor supply

[@kmundwiller3936]

Let me add we omit the BOSS during the summer. We will give BOSS fodder on the side once in a blue moon but sunflower is a hot feed and the rabbits in our state need to blow their coats to stay cool. BOSS is really for coat growth and shininess.

[@thinkingofothers353]

~~~ Friends your videos and your family are such a lovely joy....We see your children are polite and very helpful . And people we know around have their children watch your channel..We Thank you for being a great family for this internet...❤.

[@gentlegiants04]

I do something similar but simpler. Whole oats, BOSS, little bit of field peas, and alfalfa and grass hay. Everyone gets a block of horse mineral too.

[@deplorableinyogapants]

Same here!

[@wildedibles819]

Calf mana and alfalfa are high in alfalfa and its the same thing in a pellet They calf mana and alfalfa are higher in some nutrients and not totally like the pellets I seen a breeder do a whole video on rabbit food for does bucks and kits This is when i started feeding sunflower seeds and oats :) ive had great results from it

[@CecilliaDB]

Yeah! I've been waiting for this one. I've been throwing the idea of whole or rolled oats and BOSS. Calf manna is an interesting add to the mix, never considered that one.

[@runaboutfarm2996]

Do the rabbits eat all the ingredients equally or do they pick through and leave certain grains that might not be their favorite? Good to hear they are doing well on the mix!

[@WillowCreekHomestead]

Only once have we seen them leave just the sunflower seeds. Other than that they eat it all pretty equally! :) I was worried they would be picky

[@yknowgirl]

My four picked out the alfalfa pellets when I gave them free feed access. Now, I forage for them and only feed 1/3c a day and they eat it all. I do not put calf manna in my buck's portion, only the does. I will be feeding future kits the full blend for maximum weight gain.

[@callowaycreekfarm848]

Mine pick out the calf manna and the BOSS.

[@CecilliaDB]

Picked up ingredients and started grow outs on this recipe, with some slight adjustments. Thank you for sharing!

[@WillowCreekHomestead]

Great! What did you adjust?

[@CecilliaDB]

​@@WillowCreekHomestead the pellets we use are 18% complete with alfalfa base, so I omitted the alfalfa. I went with 1 type of oats, steamed crimped. The exposed hull is supposed to have high nutrition and I've had good luck using it in horses. Everything else and the ratio's I kept the same with a slight bump in oats since we're using only 1 type.

[@Hannah-xx7ou]

@@CecilliaDB thank you I'm new to farming & had never heard of steamed crimped oats

[@tiggam9911]

@@CecilliaDBbeing new to rabbits, I would like to know how this has worked out for you over the last year or so. I went ahead and crunched numbers and the feed I used comes to $34/80lb and with your recipe it's $39/80lb, but with the added sunflower seed and especially calf manna, I'd say it's super charged. Love to hear if it's working well!

[@wildedibles819]

We use sunflower seeds and whole oats so we can sprout some too for cat and rabbit and dog grass lol

[@aliciamcnamar8203]

If you were to soak your grain you could use even less and up the nutrition by fermenting it.

[@kmundwiller3936]

Funny I come across this comment. As thats what I was searching earlier. Im happy with our mix (no BOSS in the summer) but Im always trying to lessen cost while increasing quality. Im not sure my rabbits would go for wet alfalfa tho. Itd have to be just whole grains. They do love fodder and sprouted grains. But only as a treat. Because rabbits wont have babies on fodder alone.

[@Hannah-xx7ou]

How long does it need to soak for fermentation?

[@jermee2001]

Looks like a great blend. I'll ha e to save this video. I hope to start with rabbits in the spring.

[@MGDCrown559]

55 gallon drums hold three bags of grain for storage, I only have two bags per but I access the feed daily so I can have them in there open.

[@youcefguaizi9094]

Thank you and by the way you have a beautiful and cute daughter

[@thegardner80]

You don't say in the video, I assume the rabbit pellets are 16% protein. (MFA also sells a 17% pellet)

[@WillowCreekHomestead]

I’ll have to pop out to the barn and look :) I know i do the “mini” pellets.

[@jamestr1051]

We do something slightly similar but with just pellets, BOSS, and whole oats. However, we mix it in each time so we can fluctuate how much of each thing they get

[@countrieboyz2009]

We are trying to start a fodder system for ours. Almost have it set up and start feeding with it

[@MrCard031584]

I like to mix hard red wheat, whole oats, whole barley, whole corn, brown flax seed, black oil sunflower seeds, and peas. Sometimes when I've got some extra money burning a hole in my pocket I'll get fancy and add other seeds and grains like milo, safflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, etc. I feed the mix to my rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, ducks, coturnix quail, and gamble quail. And the wild birds who think they are part of the farm though they have their own feeders with a wild bird seed mix they still fly down to eat off the ground with the chickens, ducks, and quail. They all seem to enjoy it over pellets as i feed them both at the same time and they typically eat all the seeds and grains before the pellets. Some pick out what they like, while others are happy with anything they can find. Over all if you like to spoil your livestock I'd say a good seed and grain mix is a great addition to more traditional feeds like hay and pellets or as a stand alone feed if mixed properly for the animals nutritional needs such as protein, fat, and nutrient content. I feed all of my animals their species specific pellets, the seed and grain mix, unlimited orchard grass and alfalfa hay, and any kitchen scraps they can eat. If you choose to use it as a stand-alone feed, there is a big learning curve to be sure you don't create a nutritional deficiency. I'd personally recommend using a seed mix in addition to pellets and hay rather than a stand alone feed.

[@crae1972]

We give all our rabbits 16% rabbit pellets and supplement our does with babies or while pregnant extra hay and once in a while a few Boss seeds in the J Feeder. I would only feed this to grow outs

[@FunnyFarmHomestead]

Great video thx. I’m going to try this with my Rex rabbits.

[@koolranchasmr3316]

What percent of protien fiber and fat is the high. Quality pellet?

[@kmundwiller3936]

17% protein

[@schnauzerranch9048]

Thank you so much for sharing.

[@WillowCreekHomestead]

Happy to!

[@bart2obrero]

Year 2024 here in CA. 50 lb pellet is $28

[@WillowCreekHomestead]

That's awful! I know ours has gone up but not that much I am so sorry!

[@joannthompson765]

Been adding black sunflower seeds lately and do calf Mama for kindle mama's.planning growing the black sunflower seeds this summer.

[@kellygabel7640]

May I ask what breed of rabbit you are feeding for meat purposes? Also how much of this blend per day that you are feeding?

[@WillowCreekHomestead]

We have a mix of pure Rex and mutt :) we were given the mutts we think they are Rex and lion head mix. We give free choice feed with nursing moms and growing kits. If we have rabbits separate we feed a tuna can portion per day to the adults that aren’t pregnant or nursing :)

[@kellygabel7640]

@@WillowCreekHomestead thank you!

[@sheriharvey2778]

I want to know where you got those buckets with the spinning locking lids!!!!

[@WillowCreekHomestead]

Amazon! But they were NOT cheap lol we have enjoyed them though! We got them 5 years ago maybe? And they lived outside for a couple of those years in Idaho :)

[@819lindagirl1]

here in Vinton Quebec Canada it's $22 for rabbit feed!!! so I'll try this! thanks

[@WillowCreekHomestead]

Yikes!!! We have been VERY happy with this mix. One thing I honestly haven’t looked at though is what’s in the calf manna. It might be soy? So check the label and decide if it’s right for you. :) happy mixing!!

[@zainudinaja3194]

We hope all the mixed ingredients are liked by the rabbits, we are from Indonesia

[@The131037]

Is barley, wheat, or corn a more pricier option in your area?

[@WillowCreekHomestead]

I haven't been able to find a good source for whole grains yet here in Missouri. I had a wonderful place in Idaho... SO I am still working out my sources :)

[@MinnieAcresFarm]

This is amazing and so useful 😍

[@WillowCreekHomestead]

I’m so glad! I have been so happy with it

[@gilbertos1984]

Thank you. Love it

[@WillowCreekHomestead]

Our pleasure!

[@Cityhomesteaders727]

Do you have to feed the pellets with this mix? Is there a nutritional reason or is it just to be on the safe side?

[@kelleyfamilyhomesteadofmai4592]

How many pounds of the commercial rabbit pellet goes into the mix? I must have missed that part

[@WillowCreekHomestead]

50 lbs :)

[@haleytate1]

I swapped out calf mana for soybean meal 👍

[@ruths3316]

Human going to try these ingredients out.

[@allieisadancer16]

So do you mix the whole 50 lb bag of rabbit feed with the rest of the items or leave them separate?

[@WillowCreekHomestead]

We mix it all in :)

[@richiesy9081]

Im So Happy watching your video... i learn a lot... i want to try it to my Rabitry 😁

[@WillowCreekHomestead]

we have been VERY happy with this mix!

[@gailpettee7906]

I store my feed in metal trash cans that way the rats and things can’t get in. My friend uses an old freezer and the trash cans inside

[@WillowCreekHomestead]

What a great idea! So far we haven’t had issues in our plastic bin but I think I would prefer metal. Someday we will upgrade :) I would love an old freezer!

[@jesusreallydoesloveyoudotc7384]

My rabbits HATE pellets, I've tried so many different brands, they won't eat any of them. All of mine are pets, but they hate pellets and I can't find food that doesn't have it in there.

[@charlottemund684]

Super cool

[@amandaharness6125]

What else do you feed your rabbits? Like what kind of hay? Also, how much do you tend to feed per rabbit with this mix? Getting meat rabbits, and definitely want to try this mix!

[@WillowCreekHomestead]

They get some alfalfa from what the goats waste but I don’t feed a lot of hay just because I don’t no other good reason :) Timothy hay is great :) when I feed hay I like to do free choice hay and if they are breeding and growing then I give them as many pellets as they want. If they aren’t breeding then they get a smaller portion. Like a tuna dish can full a day.

[@amandaharness6125]

@@WillowCreekHomestead thanks for the reply! Do you still use this mix? My last breeders always seemed deficient and I am ready to take their feeding into my own hands this time! Also, do you find the babies having trouble eating this mix while weaning? Is this also what you feed your buck? Love your rabbit set up! We have too many aerial predators for an open top, but we built our colony an outdoor gorse stall basically. We've had great success with deep bedding and allowing the mama's decide when to be bred, except for winter when be separate the boys.

[@daz8172]

Hi, do you perhaps track your feed conversion ratios? I'd be very interested to see some quantitative data. I'm trying to reduce my costs as opposed to increasing prices on the meat.

[@WillowCreekHomestead]

I am sorry but I don't have any data :( It would be a great thing to figure out! Haven't gotten that far yet unfortunately.

[@tiggam9911]

I'm trying to figure out the same thing, it came to $5 more / 80lbs for me. I think with the manna, and oats added that their supercharged in terms of growth. I just off pellets and hay get 6.5-6.75lb at 11wk. I'm thinking for $5, I'd be crazy not to see if I could get 2 more pounds across what 6-8kits, (.25-.33lbs heavier is a win with meat prices) I'll try it tomorrow!

[@daz8172]

@@tiggam9911 I'm probably going to do a little test in the near future. Feed may end up being more expensive but if it's justified by the feed cost conversion ratio it still might end up being cheaper overall if it allows us to get the rabbits to market faster in terms of overall feed and cage space. I'm more interested in the feed cost conversion ratio instead of the feed conversion ratio, but I'll track for both.

[@WillowCreekHomestead]

@@daz8172 i would Love it if you would share your findings :)

[@callowaycreekfarm848]

I wouldn't reccomend feeding whole oats to rabbits, due to the research I've done, so I only feed rolled oats to my rabbits in very small quantities so they don't get GI stasis. Other than using less oats than this recipie (and only rolled at that) I have been basically using this recipie for a few months, and I've seen huge changes in their coats ( BOSS helps with that) and their weight gain. They also seem to enjoy their feed more and wolf it down rather than nibnle at it.

[@WillowCreekHomestead]

I appreciate you sharing your findings and opinion!

[@yknowgirl]

I can't find barley at any of my feed stores, what would you substitute?

[@WillowCreekHomestead]

I would have to rewatch the video but I don’t recall saying barely? We don’t do barley in this mix :) we just do the whole oats, rolled oats, sunflower seeds only in the winter and not as much as this recipe suggests and calf manna with a 50 lb bag of rabbit pellets. I hope I didn’t miss anything :)

[@WillowCreekHomestead]

Oh and alfalfa pellets

[@gilbertos1984]

My rabbits are my pets. Just wanna feed them a little better

[@HARVIELL1]

Extension office says No grains or seeds for rabbits. Alfalfa pellets and hay (ROUGHAGE ).... Don't overthink it

[@skylyrolson9108]

no no no as a rabbit owner and someone who wanted to be a vet and also studying rabbit nutrition pls dont add alot of sunflower seeds,rolled oats,or whole oats.seeds can actually be very bad for them especially since seeds are very fatty.oats should only be fed as a treat aswell as whole oats plus they should only be fed in moderation. i highy reccomend even though its more expensive to just by sherwood adult rabbit pellets,oxbow essentials garden select adult rabbit pellets,or small pe select rabbit pellets by them selves or just dont feed them pellets in there diet at all rabbits dont technically need pellets in there diet

[@cameronbethea123]

Its for meat production rabbits. Large high performance breeds that are constantly producing litters and growing at fast rates. Those things would be bad for a pet rabbit, but not a meat rabbit that needs more nutrition.

[@lionsoulhomestead]

How much and how many times do you feed your bucks, does not in milk and in milk, as well as babies - for butcher and/or babies you'll sell? Also what hay mix do you feed as well, do you grow your own hay and if so do you have a video on how to grow it? Thanks so much !

[@WillowCreekHomestead]

Moms and babies get unlimited feed and the bucks we do about a tuna can full once a day. Moms not pregnant or nursing the same thing :) we have done alfalfa straws the goats leave behind for hay or we have done Timothy hay. I haven’t seen a difference with either type. We don’t grow our hay YET! We hope to someday!!

[@markpennella]

I missed how many pounds of rabbit pellets you used with the other feeds.

[@WillowCreekHomestead]

just one bag I believe it’s 50 lbs

[@blaykeolson8479]

and to much alfalfa is bad