Planning the diet of pets is an extremely important point on which the health and development of pets depends. The article is devoted to the topic of rabbit nutrition, namely: the benefits and harms of potatoes, including peeling and tops.

Can rabbits be given potatoes

Potato is useful in that it contains vitamins, as well as minerals that the body needs. The important thing is what part and in what form is fed to the animal. The properties of each variation are discussed below.

Raw

It is worth remembering that the root crop is rich in starch, which in its original form is poorly absorbed, causing dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract, therefore it should be excluded from the diet of young animals under 4 months of age, as well as females during lactation (to avoid blockage of the milk ducts) .

For other groups of animals, the proportion of potatoes should not exceed 10% of the total. Before serving, it is important to wash the potatoes, peel them and cut into small pieces. When entering a vegetable into the rabbit’s daily menu, it is important to monitor its condition. Any deviations from the norm indicate individual intolerance to potatoes. It is completely excluded from the diet. It is recommended to train it gradually, rabbits respond better to root crops in winter, in the absence of a large amount of fresh feed.

Boiled

After heat treatment, potatoes are considered a full-fledged component of the diet. In this form, the starch contained in the vegetable is easily absorbed, contributing to a set of live weight. Based on this, a portion of the root crop is calculated according to the activity of the animal: for cell keeping without walking - no more than 50-70 g / day (if the rabbits move a lot, the dose can be increased to 80-100 g / day).There are also no restrictions for age and gender groups; It is suitable for both rabbits and sucral females. It is absolutely forbidden to use the water in which the potatoes were cooked; during the heat treatment, all the harmful substances of the vegetable pass into the liquid. Limit breeding stocks of boiled potatoes at least one week before breeding. The calorie content of the root crop and, as a consequence, weight gain negatively affect the reproductive function of animals.

Potato tops

It is not recommended to feed the green part of the vegetable to rabbits, since harmful substances accumulate in it after spraying with chemicals. The tops and potato seedlings contain solanine, which causes intoxication of the body. It should be completely excluded from the diet, preventing poisoning and death of the livestock.

Did you know? Solanin was discovered in 1820. For potatoes it has a protective function against insects and fungal infections of plants.

Peeling potatoes

As for potato waste, they are introduced into the diet of rabbits, both raw and boiled.

When using cleaning, keep in mind the following:

• wash the cleanings well;
• do not give the peel of immature, frozen and rotten vegetables.

The best use for peeling is to make potato flour. To do this, pure, pre-steamed with boiling water and dried raw materials are ground and brought into food. This way of using the product allows you to save all the beneficial substances contained in potatoes, as well as extend the shelf life.When feeding such food, it is important to monitor its quality. Damaged purifications accumulate toxic solanine, which causes poisoning. We must not forget about the calorie content of root crops: give no more than a tenth of the volume of the diet, preventing excessive weight gain.

How to feed potatoes to rabbits

When adding vegetables to the diet, remember that in the wild this product is not eaten by rabbits, and should be used as an addition to the main menu.

Young growth

The root crop can be given from 4 months of age, enter into the diet in small doses and carefully monitor the reaction of the animal to the new ingredient. It is recommended to limit the use of boiled vegetables, which are easier to digest.Feeding potatoes at an earlier age threatens indigestion caused by high starch. This supplement is best used in autumn and winter, at a time of deficiency of green feed.

Adults

When feeding rabbits with boiled potatoes, it is recommended to prepare wet mixes (by mixing crushed vegetables and crushed concentrates:

• wheat;
• oats;
• maize;
• barley;
• peas;
• legumes.

A similar mixture can be given 1 time per day, with the calculation of 200-300 g per 1 head. In its pure form, you can feed both raw and boiled potatoes, cutting it into pieces.

Important! Follow recommended doses to avoid obesity.

Feeding the rabbit with other products

A balanced diet is the key to good health, fertility and productivity. When approaching the issue of breeding rabbits, you should familiarize yourself with the list of useful products and those that are contraindicated.

Which may be useful

The omnivorousness of rabbits allows you to diversify their diet, using a wide range of products - from vegetables from the refrigerator to specialized mixtures.You can add to the menu:

1. Green feed - freshly cut herbs, alfalfa, peas, sainfoin, a mixture of vetch and barley, garden tops (except for tomato and potato);
2. Roughage - hay, straw, twigs;
3. Juicy food - beets, potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, zucchini, fodder watermelon, Jerusalem artichoke;
4. Concentrates - grain (corn, barley, wheat, oats) and animal feed.

What can not be fed

Watch what gets into the animal feeder. For example, juicy cabbage in large quantities causes bloating and indigestion; some plants are completely poisonous and lead to severe poisoning.It is forbidden to feed:

1. Green feed- buttercup, hemlock, lily of the valley, hellebore, bleached, celandine;
2. Roughage - branches elderberry, buckthorn, broomberry, bird cherry, ledum, cherry, apricot, peach, cherry, plum, as well as branches of wolfberry;
3. Juicy food - limit cabbage, turnip, rutabaga, beets, exclude fruits;
4. Concentrates - cotton cake;
5. Toxic plants - cyclout, mustard, colza, digitalis, dope, euphorbia.

Useful Rabbit Feeding Tips

When organizing pet feeding, consider the following recommendations:

• ensure that there is constant access to food and water;
• to form a diet in such a way that the share of feed containing fiber accounts for up to 2/3 of the total volume;
• observe the sequence of feed: first, concentrates, then juicy, green and rough;
• introduce a new component within a week, gradually bringing the dose to normal;
• use only high-quality feed;
• distribute food to the feeders, avoiding trampling.

Giving potatoes to your favorites or abstaining is up to you. Give preference to fresh and high-quality products, make a varied menu for the rabbit, maintaining the health of the pet.