Those who are just starting to breed rabbits are interested in whether rabbits can be given nettles to eat. She is useful, but she needs to be fed according to the appropriate rules. This article will tell you in more detail about whether it is possible to give rabbits nettle, how to properly feed it.

Is it possible to give nettles

This plant is well known to man. Not the least reason for this is the stinging bites of those who touched it. In fact, stinging nettle is very beneficial for both humans and rabbits. The latter can not only be given it - it is of great benefit to them.

Can rabbits give nettles

Benefit and harm

The nettle contains almost the entire complex of trace elements necessary for these animals.

When asked if rabbits can be given dandelions and nettles, an affirmative answer should be given.

In particular, the composition contains protein. Its absorption rate is much higher compared to the consumption of animal protein.

Farmers try to include animal proteins in their diet, which are necessary for life.

When raising rabbits at home, it makes no sense to refuse to feed them with proteins. This type of feed will bring the greatest benefit to those animals, the purpose of which is to obtain meat. This can also be useful in cases where animals are raised to obtain quality fur. Protein consumption is also essential for the health of the decorative rabbits.

Important!For pregnant rabbits, eating this herb will also be a good support.

To summarize briefly, the answer to the question: is it possible to feed rabbits with nettles, is as follows:

  1. The plant provides animals not only with high-quality vegetable protein, but also a rich set of trace elements.
  2. Has antibacterial properties.
  3. An additional benefit for a pregnant rabbit is that feeding on this herb has a positive effect on the gestation process.
  4. The rabbit that feeds on this plant improves lactation.
  5. Additionally, it can be noted that this plant can be used as an effective hemostatic agent.
  6. It has a positive effect on the work of the rabbit's gastrointestinal tract.

However, when using this plant, it must be borne in mind that if misused, it can not only cause burns in fluffy animals, but also damage the gastrointestinal tract. When these animals are taken for meat and skinned, the product will lose its quality.

At what age to feed

On a note!It is customary to feed pussies with such food not every day. Usually three times a week is sufficient. This should be done more often if the furry animal has problems with bowel movement. In this case, additional use can help solve the problem.

For a rabbit, nettles will also be useful, as well as an adult.

How to give a plant correctly

In order to organize proper nutrition, you must first of all pay attention to the correctness of the collection of this plant:

  • First of all, you should avoid collecting grass where it is contaminated. In particular, this should not be done near highways or industrial facilities.
  • It must be remembered that fluffy animals do not eat the flowers of the plant. For them, you need to prepare the stems and leaves.It will be better if harvested before the nettle begins to bloom.
  • It will be a good idea to collect it in the forest. It is also useful to stock up on it near the dacha.
  • Midsummer is the most suitable time for gathering. During this period, the plant has already managed to accumulate useful substances and trace elements.

Important! You need to collect this herb with gloves in order to protect yourself from burns.

  • It is recommended to harvest only dry plants. You can not do this in the rain or collect in the morning dew.
  • During the collection process, it is necessary to carefully control which plants are plucked. Unfortunately, sometimes a situation is possible when plants that are poisonous for rabbits can also be collected: hemlock, dope, lily of the valley, euphorbia, colchicum or raven's eye, which are very toxic for these animals.

It is not recommended to give it as food if it has just been harvested. From this, furry animals can have stomach problems.

Important! You can not only collect nettles, but also specially grow them for feeding.

It is often necessary to feed the animals with nettles, but it is necessary to give a little food each time. If fed immediately with plenty of grass, furry animals can have digestive problems.

If there is a desire to feed rabbits with fresh nettle, it must be remembered that these animals are no less vulnerable to its bites than humans.

To prevent the nettle from burning anymore, it must be subjected to special treatment:

  • First, the collected plants are thoroughly washed in water.
  • Now you need to pour boiling water over the plant. This procedure will destroy its ability to cause burns to people and animals. To do this, the grass is crushed, making pieces no longer than two or three centimeters. Then they are put into a saucepan, after which they are scalded with boiling water.

Important!When processing, you need to pay attention to the quality of the collected material. It should be free of rotten leaves or stems. If found, they must be removed before feeding to the animal. The nettle should have a juicy green color.

  • After this treatment, you must carefully dry the grass. Otherwise, a rabbit belly may swell from it.
  • It is recommended to grind and mix it with other plants before feeding.

It is recommended to feed furry animals in this way throughout the year. In order to prepare this plant for the winter, it must be dried. In this case, the collected herbs are dried and stored in bunches or brooms. Store the workpieces in a dark and dry place. Sometimes this herb is dried with a dandelion supplement to create a fragrant hay.

Interesting!When winter is over, the fluffy diet will be fresher. Gradually it will be necessary to reduce the proportion of dry food and feed the animals with green grass. This cannot be done in a jump. It should be taught gradually, otherwise these animals will suffer from flatulence and diarrhea.

Combination with other herbs

Combination with other herbs

Since other types of food are fed to the animals at the same time as this herb, it is important to know how well they combine.

If, at the same time as nettles, these animals are fed with branch, more solid feed, then it will be beneficial for rabbits. One of the reasons for this is that the teeth of rabbits are constantly growing, it is important for them to gnaw on solid food in order to grind them down gradually.

On a note!For addition to the diet, branches of linden, ash, birch are suitable. Branches of various fruit trees can serve as good food.

Soft food also goes well with nettle. An example is sunflower shoots or wheatgrass root. Jerusalem artichoke rhizomes or young grape leaves are also suitable. You need to pre-clean such food, and then grind it.

Fluffy animals love such a dish as a mash of nettle leaves and bran, which is recommended to be slightly salted. You can add boiled potatoes instead of bran.

When wondering if it is possible to feed rabbits with dandelions with leaves, you need to know that this plant brings them great benefits.

Nettles are good for rabbits. It is not difficult to assemble and prepare it.In order for it to bring maximum benefit to the animals, it is necessary to collect and feed it, in accordance with certain rules. If done otherwise, nettle can lead to stomach upset in rabbits.