is this true

i have 2 cute little nethies and feed them on oxbow 15/23,a friend of mine said i should put them on burgess excel dwarf and junior food,she say's smaller breeds need more protein it is the same ratio 16% protein and 16% fibre.I am some what confused do i need to change them or should i try giving them more protein.I do give them readigrass a couple of times a week perhaps i could up this.Is it true do small breeds need more protein,thanks in advance

amanda

Hmmm not sure about that one. I have a nethie and she has done just fine on Excel, Science Selective and is now on A&P. She had more trouble changing over than the others but I've never heard that you should give them protein. I originally changed from Excel because its high protein content was giving my buns excess caecotrophs.

I wouldn't have thought unless you have kits or lactating does that you need a huge amount of extra protein I'm no expert though.

neither am i but thanks for that my friend said because they are smaller they have a higher metabolic rate .My 2 seem fine on the oxbow have had no problems at all

amanda

I have a nethie and he's on SS and I've not read anything about needing to give him anything different. Like Buddabun, I've swapped him from Excel to SS because of the caecotrophs, and it seems to suit him very well.

As a general rule the only rabbit who need a higher rate of protein in their diets are adolescents and elderly or ill rabbits.

Normal Excel is reknowned for causing problems with excess ceacal production and sticky bottom syndrome, and it is usually excess protein which leads to this. Normal Excel contains 14% protein whilst Dwarf & Junior contans 16%.

The recommended content for an adult rabbit is 12-14%

thanks for that,panic over will stick with what they get,they seem to be fine on it


amanda

Oxbow has been the best pellet I have found for my sensitive nethie bunny.

I had excess caec problems last year with both Excel Dwarf and SS. Our buns have been on Oxbow ever since then with no probs. I use the Oxbow Bunny Basics T which is timothy hay based with a few 15/23 pellets thrown in. The 15/23 is Alfalfa based and is slightly higher in protein but the T is higher in fibre.

I do have some angst with the cost with feeding six bunnies, but touchwood I have no tummy issues, so if it ain't broke.......

I have just found out my local vet can order the Oxbow stuff in so will do that in the future. At the moment I end up spending loads with THE to justify the P+P!

Is that why Ghostie is having alot more catoraccs (can't be bothered to spell properly.)
Toffee ALWAYS eats his, but Ghostie seems to leave a few, but she used to leave LOADS but then i cut her food down so they're now like 2 or 3.
I only give them a handful!