Is it possible to feed dill rabbits

Rabbits are omnivores, although in the wild they feed mainly on green fodder. Often the owners of these animals, which contain them for both decorative and industrial purposes, the question arises whether it is possible to feed rabbits with dill and parsley. More about this later in the article.

Can rabbits be given dill and parsley

The composition of this green includes a large number of biologically active substances, some of which are considered beneficial for animals, while others can harm their digestion. Allergic manifestations to rabbits are not peculiar, but an excess of one or another substance can lead to its individual intolerance and, as a result, death of the animal.

Important! Pregnant uterus is allowed to feed dill no more than twice a week. After okrol, it is recommended to increase the feeding of this green to once every two days, as it improves the chemical composition of rabbit milk.

Benefit

The diet of rabbits is an important component of their health, as these hare-like ones are very sensitive to changes in the quality and structure of the feed. Parsley is a rich source of vitamin C and luteolin bioflavonoid. These substances are considered natural anti-inflammatory drugs and stimulate digestion.

• The positive effect of parsley on the body of ornamental rabbits lies in the following properties:
• Prevention of allergic reactions, strengthening the body's own immunity.
• Destruction of external bacterial and fungal microflora.
• Excretion of salts from the body, reduction of swelling, normalization of the urinary system.

Did you know? The world's largest rabbit named Ralph lives in Sussex, UK. Already at the age of one year, his weight was 25 kg, and the body length was 130 cm. He was entered in the Guinness Book of Records in 2015.

The composition of dill includes such beneficial substances as magnesium, iron, vitamins A and B.

It is to its vitamin and mineral composition that dill owes a host of beneficial properties:

1. Strengthens the cardiovascular system.
2. Prevents the occurrence of stones and sand in the urinary system.
3. Relieves of eating disorders.
4. It alleviates the symptoms of allergic reactions.

Harm

Most often, parsley and dill have a negative effect on the rabbit body due to their excessive feeding, so the percentage of basic feed and vitamin greens should be monitored. Fresh parsley freshly picked from the garden should not be included in the rabbits ’diet.

Firstly, it may contain bacterial cultures harmful to the rabbit-like. Secondly, the high content of essential oils in parsley can provoke intestinal disorders when consumed in uncontrolled quantities, so you need to be very careful with the dosage and include parsley in the diet gradually.

If greens has led to digestive upset and loss of appetite, then it is not recommended to continue feeding it to animals. Just like parsley, fresh dill is not suitable for feeding rabbits. It must be preliminarily dried so that the predominant amount of essential oils evaporates and the bitter taste of greens does not discourage rabbits from eating other foods.

See also if rabbits eat melon crusts.

At what age can I give

It is not recommended to feed such greens with a rabbit that has not reached six months of age. The essential oils contained in it in large quantities disrupt the digestive processes and the microflora of the rabbit intestine, which finally forms only by the sixth month of life.

How much and how often to give

The stems of such greenery cannot be the main foodstuff. Young individuals under the age of one year can be given in a branch once every two days, and for adults - one branch daily, alternating parsley and dill. It is necessary to introduce greens into the diet gradually, starting with several leaves once a week.

Basic feeding rules

Before serving the greens to the pet, it must be washed under running warm water, shaken off moisture and allowed to stand at room temperature until the foliage begins to fade. Being a rich source of vitamins and minerals, both parsley and dill should be fed with nettles, dandelions, coltsfoot, radish tops, plantain and carrots tops.

Important! The mass fraction of vitamin greens should be no more than 5% of the daily diet, so you need to determine its amount based on the total mass of feed that the animal receives.

What products can be combined

Best of all, a green vitamin supplement is combined with cereal feeds such as oats, barley, peas, corn, as well as bean hay, grass seeds, and special feeds. The use of feed mixtures artificially enriched with nitrogenous substances is not allowed - they lead to a disorder in the digestion of rabbits.

How to collect and procure

Those who plan to harvest summer greens for the entire autumn-winter period should remember that only quality greens grown without the use of fertilizers can benefit rabbits. When harvesting, you need to carefully monitor that plants with parsley or dill-like leaf plates that are poisonous to rabbits do not get into the fodder mass.

The procurement procedure is as follows:

1. The collection must be carried out in dry and warm weather. The green mass in this case will dry out much faster and will not rot.
2. After collection, the resulting leaf mass must be sorted, removing all wilted and damaged leaves.
3. Selected stems should be thoroughly washed, shaken and dried by unfolding on paper or terry towels.
4. Then the greens need to be disassembled into small bundles, tie them with a thread and hang them down with foliage in a warm and dry room. Do not allow direct sunlight to fall on them.
5. The greens must be dried to a state of fragility - it usually takes from three days to a week.

The permissible shelf life of dried herbs does not exceed twelve months.

Did you know? In the wild, rabbits live from one year to two years, but some individuals that are kept in captivity significantly exceed these indicators. So, the world's oldest rabbit was officially recognized as a beast named Flopsy. Caught in August 1964 on the island of Tasmania, Australia, he was a pet for 18 years and 10 months.

In order for the greens to be stored well and preserve their useful properties, it is necessary:

• remove from drying in bundles;
• pack in canvas or fold into a glass container;
• hide in a dry place, protected from sunlight.

It is allowed to feed dill and parsley to rabbits, but this should be done in moderation. The diet of rabbits must be full, therefore, in addition to vitamin greens, it is necessary to include other feed crops and monitor changes in the health of the pet.