by Beginning farmers do not know whether it is possible to give nettles to rabbits. This plant is necessarily introduced into the animals’ diet, but it is important to know how to properly feed them this herb, in what form to offer it, how to prepare raw materials for the winter.
This article contains valuable advice for beginning rabbit breeders regarding feeding their pets with nettles.
Can you feed rabbits nettles?
Rabbits eat this grass, and very willingly, already from the 20-30th day after birth. Any breeder will say that it is useful not only for adults, but also for young rabbits, even for does after birth.
It is useful for its rich vitamin composition, as well as special nettle protein. It is absorbed better than the animal, but also helps the rabbits build muscle mass.
Therefore, the question of whether rabbits can eat nettles has a clear answer: yes, they can and even should.
It is worth starting to give it to three-week-old rabbits, but in a specially prepared form.
It is also useful for rabbits during pregnancy and lactation, as it stimulates milk production. In addition, the plant has high antibacterial properties.
Important! Only those nettle leaves that are collected from the second half of June to July have medicinal properties.
How to feed correctly?
Nettle can be given to rabbits in different forms: by itself, as part of feed, fresh, dried. The highest concentration of nutritional properties in the plant is observed in the period before flowering.
Collection
It is unacceptable to collect grass near industrial enterprises, highways and in areas with poor environmental conditions. The plant is capable of accumulating toxic substances, which can cause poisoning in animals.
It is correct to collect only the stems and leaves of nettles, and the roots and inflorescences are not given to rabbits. It is good if the collection is done before flowering begins.
Attention! Nettle, like other herbs, is not collected for harvesting after rain or when there is dew on the plants. It is best to collect at lunchtime or in the evening.
The harvested nettle crop is prepared for the winter – dried, spread in a thin layer under a canopy. The grass is also given fresh, and how to do this correctly, we will discuss further.
Fresh
Fresh plants are very useful for rabbits, as they retain the maximum amount of nutrients.
But before giving it to animals, the stinging grass must be specially prepared so as not to harm the pets. After collecting the plant together with the stems, it must be thoroughly washed under running water.
Then, to remove the sting, pour boiling water over it. When the treated nettle is well dried, it is crushed and given to animals in this form or together with other feeds or herbs.
Dried Nettles
As already mentioned, rabbits can only be given grass that has not yet bloomed.
But what to do after flowering or in winter, when the lack of vitamins is felt especially acutely? For these periods, it is recommended to dry the plant in advance in the required quantity.
The nettle grass, collected before flowering and washed, is tied into bundles and dried in a dark and well-ventilated place.
It can be crushed before drying and dried on sheets in a laid out form. Preparations are usually made from June to the beginning of July.
The dried plant is stored in boxes, since the leaves, its most valuable part, easily crumble and are ground into dust. When it is time to use the dried herb, it is enough to brew it.
Breeders claim that rabbits whose diet includes nettle grow faster, have better quality meat and fur. In addition, they are less likely to get sick, and are cheaper to care for.
Combination with other feeds
Nettle should be combined not only with other types of green fodder, as well as bran or potatoes, but also with tree branches. Rabbits are rodents, they constantly need to grind down their teeth.
Therefore, green raw materials can be offered mixed with branches of the following tree species:
- Birches;
- Linden trees;
- Ash;
- Fruit trees – cherry, apple, etc.
This food contains many useful substances and helps maintain the health of pets’ teeth.
Possible mistakes
The most common mistakes are:
- feeding unprocessed grass (may cause severe burns and digestive upset);
- overfeeding and/or poor grinding (leads to digestive disorders);
- improper storage of grass prepared for the winter (if mold appears or the structure of the leaves and stems is lost, it becomes unusable);
- capture when collecting poisonous plants (milkweed, crow’s eye, caustic buttercup, celandine, hemlock and some others), which leads to poisoning.
Conclusion
Nettle is a valuable herb that maintains the health of rabbits at the proper level. It is given to pets in fresh and dried form several times a week. The herb is collected before flowering begins.
Fresh nettles are either steamed or dried before being given to rabbits to eliminate the stinging sensation and protect the pets from stomach upset.
