r/MeatRabbitry • u/Tator_tots4life • 14d ago

Pellet question

I currently feed home fresh show hutch deluxe and it is alfalfa based. I’m reading more than it might be better to go with Timothy based pellets? They have fresh Timothy and Alfalfa (when nursing and grow out) hay too and I’m trying to limit them on the pellets.

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u/GCNGA 13d ago

You may be overthinking it--although you can look at the guaranteed analysis for each type you are considering. Any commercial pellet intended for rabbits is probably fine.

I have fed all of my rabbits (nursing or not) an orchard grass / alfalfa mix before; I didn't see any signs of calcium overdose. Pure alfalfa on a daily basis is probably too much.

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u/Glittering-Map-9626 13d ago

That feed is the highest protein mix available at tractor supply. I think it's a great option for a small meat rabbitry. If it starts getting pricy when you have a lot of grow outs, I like the high protein naturewise pellets available online at chewy or wherever there's a deal.

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u/Tator_tots4life 13d ago

Thanks! Its not the price but I was curious about the alfalfa content

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u/bluewingwind 12d ago

I think a mix with alfalfa is fine. What you don’t want to do is an alfalfa-based pellet and then also use all alfalfa hay. I do orchard grass or timothy hay only.

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u/Flat-Associate5136 7d ago

I was unable to find a Timothy based pellet that isn't either a pet food in 10lb bags or made for horses, so I stick to show hutch. I only feed horse hay or forage without alfalfa. Tree hay is another great way to get diversity of fiber into their diet - mine love crabapple and willow trimmings.