Growing Your Own Rabbit Food
One of the advantages of owning a bunny is that you don't even have to buy bunny food if you plan ahead and do a little work! Because rabbits are herbivores and like to eat grass, you can grow different types of grass right at home.
Here's two types of food that I can recommend to start with:
Timothy Hay - Timothy hay is actually a grass that you can grow from seed and then dry and feed to your bunny. This is a very healthy hay and a healthy grass, and can make up the bulk of your rabbit's diet quite safely.
Dandelion - Dandelion is a favorite among many bunnies, and it grows quite literally like a weed. It can aid digestion, drinking, and also moulting.
Other herbs and grasses include:
- Chicory
- Coriander
- Lucerne
Treats Include
- Alfalfa
- Clover
- Peas
(These should not be fed in large quantities as they are the bunny equivalent of junk food, and can make your bunny fat or sick if too much is eaten.)
Growing your own rabbit food is simple. You will need the following:
- Seeds
- Potting Mix
- Water
- Growing Tray/Pot/Bucket
In most cases, it is sufficient to simply fill the growing vessel with potting mix, spread the seeds over the top, cover with another layer of potting mix, water, and leave in a place which is neither too cold nor too hot, to dry or too damp. Within a couple of weeks, the seeds should sprout and begin to grow, and if you plant enough of the stuff, within just a month or two you can have a steady home grown supply of rabbit food that you can rely on.
If you don't have a back yard and your bunny is an indoor bunny you can still grow treats for your rabbit by using small pots on the windowsill. Growing your own rabbit food has many advantages, if you do it in large enough quantities, you can save yourself some money, but more likely you'll just be able to provide your rabbit with some healthy treats. Too much commercially available rabbit food is over processed, much like people food. Rabbits do best when they are fed hay and fresh grasses, and if you grow your own you will know that they are safe to feed your rabbit, and that your rabbit is getting the best nutrition possible, not to mention the fact that it can also be a lot of fun!
