Is it possible to feed rabbits fresh (raw) zucchini

You can give zucchini to rabbits from 1,5-2 months. First, a small amount is introduced into the diet, then it is increased to a daily norm of 150-200 g. Moreover, zucchini is mixed with other vegetables, for example, pumpkin or carrots. Nutrition should be varied – this will improve the condition of animals, which will have a good effect on their health, wool, and also the taste of meat.

Do rabbits eat zucchini

Rabbits are not only allowed, but should be given zucchini. This is a juicy food, which, along with pumpkin, carrots, cabbage and other vegetables, should be included in the regular diet.

Thanks to this, the animal’s body is saturated with vitamins and minerals, the menu becomes more diverse. You can give raw zucchini to both agricultural and decorative rabbits.

Vegetables are especially important during these stages:

1. The period from 2 to 6 months when the animals are actively growing.
2. In the process of pregnancy and feeding new offspring by females.
3. At puberty, mating males, when they are distinguished by maximum activity.

Experienced breeders note that due to the inclusion of vegetables in the constant diet during this period, the immunity of rabbits is strengthened, and the meat becomes tastier. This is due to the fact that the body receives a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals, thereby improving metabolic processes in cells.

Thus, it is possible to introduce zucchini into a permanent menu. But at the same time, one should take into account at what age it is better to do this and in what periods of development. It is also important with which vegetables to combine zucchini, and how many times a week to give them. The answers to all these questions can be found below.

The benefits of zucchini for rabbits

It is useful for rabbits to give both the pulp and the peel of zucchini. Plants contain quite a lot of useful substances, including:

• vitamins of group B, K;
• ascorbic acid (C);
• nicotinamide (PP);
• magnesium;
• zinc;
• molybdenum;
• chromium;
• cobalt;
• selenium;
• phosphorus;
• copper;
• potassium and other components.

Thanks to the rich vitamin and mineral composition, zucchini is of great benefit to rabbits.

Vegetables contain dietary fiber (fiber). Thanks to this, raw zucchini is able to give decorative and other rabbits great benefits:

• strengthening immunity;
• increased endurance, including to the weather;
• stimulation of hematopoiesis;
• improving the work of the cardiovascular system;
• increasing the digestibility of trace elements, including iron;
• strengthening of the walls of blood vessels;
• protection of cells from destruction by free radicals;
• stimulation of tissue repair processes.

How to give zucchini to rabbits

In order for the vegetable to give the maximum benefit, it is important to figure out how to feed decorative and other rabbits with zucchini, i.e. at what age to introduce into the diet and in what form. There are a few general rules that are important to always follow:

1. Accustom the rabbits to the new food gradually. First, puree is prepared in small quantities, then the flesh is cut without peel. Only after that it is permissible to feed animals with vegetables with a peel.
2. Thoroughly wash the fruits from dirt, earth.
3. It is advisable to mix the pulp with corn silage.
4. Do not give zucchini on a daily basis – you need to ensure that the food is varied. Enter into the diet only 2-3 times a week.
5. Ensure that animals always have access to clean water, change it daily.

At what age can you feed

You can introduce zucchini into complementary foods from 6-8 weeks, i.e. from the age of 1,5-2 months. At this point, the rabbits’ digestive system is largely formed, so they can take raw vegetables, juicy food.

Can rabbits eat raw zucchini?

Feed vegetables to animals only in raw form. It is enough just to clean them from dirt, wash them under running water. It is not necessary to cut the peel from zucchini – it will also be quite useful for rabbits. If the fruits are slightly unripe, they can be put into complementary foods. Overripe specimens with well-formed seeds can also be given to animals. If the rabbits are small, then the peel and hard seeds should be removed.

Is it possible to give rabbits tops from zucchini

It is not only possible, but also necessary, to feed rabbits with zucchini leaves, since this is a useful supplement. It also contains vitamins, dietary fiber and other valuable components.

Before use, the tops are washed, crushed and infused for several minutes in boiling water.

During feeding, it is recommended to act as follows:

1. Rinse the greens.
2. Finely chop it with a sharp knife.
3. Fill with hot water.
4. Let stand 15 minutes.
5. Drain the water, let the greens cool.
6. Mix with staple food such as potatoes or bran.

The mixture can be fed to rabbits several times a week. Juicy food should be alternated with each other, combining different products, such as carrots, pumpkins and others.

Is it possible to give zucchini with pumpkin

This combination is considered one of the most successful, since the mixture of vegetables serves as a good vitamin and mineral base. Zucchini is given fresh, because after heat treatment, many useful substances are destroyed.

As for the pumpkin, it is allowed to boil it and then turn it into a puree. In this form, it is especially useful for rabbits under the age of three months. It is permissible to feed adult animals with raw vegetables. They are also advised to give pumpkin seeds. This is an excellent remedy for the prevention of worms.

Thanks to the constant inclusion of pumpkin in the diet, it is possible to improve the quality of wool. In addition, it enriches the body with vitamins and stimulates digestion. Pumpkin is also useful for pregnant females for the synthesis of milk and increasing the viability of offspring.

Vegetables are also used during fattening of rabbits. This period just coincides with the harvest (from September to October). Moreover, farmers use not only the fruits themselves, but also the tops. First, it must be washed with water, chopped, pour boiling water and let stand for 10 minutes. Leaves are best given gradually, starting with small amounts.

Harm and contraindications

It is important to observe the daily dosage of zucchini. For adult rabbits – no more than 200 g per day. Moreover, this is the total daily amount of succulent feed. The composition should contain not only zucchini, but at least one more component, for example, carrots, pumpkin or potatoes.

To avoid dangerous consequences, it is permissible to give zucchini no more than 2-3 times a week.

If you regularly violate the dosage or introduce complementary foods to too small rabbits, you may experience:

• indigestion;
• bloating;
• poor weight gain due to low digestibility.

To prevent such phenomena, it is recommended to introduce vegetables into a constant diet gradually. Zucchini has no contraindications. However, with digestive disorders, for example, when recovering from an illness, it is temporarily not worth adding them to the menu.

Conclusion

Giving zucchini to rabbits is not only possible, but also necessary. Vegetables saturate the body well, enrich it with vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber, which improves digestion. However, they should be introduced into the diet gradually, monitoring the well-being of animals. This is especially important in the case of small rabbits.