On Monday I'm picking up new feed. We decided to go with Purina Show, which a lot of breeders with amazing herd and award-winning rabbits are feeding with very good results.
Purina Show has more fat than Albers does. It's an increase of 1.50%. This is something my rabbits might have to get used to. I have heard many people say that the increase in fat gives their rabbits greasy-looking poop. We'll have to see if it does the same for my rabbits. The people in my area that are feeding it haven't noticed anything like that.
Once again, for a refresher....WHY Am I Switching Feeds?
I have been happily feeding Albers 16% Rabbit Pellet since I started breeding and showing my rabbits, back in 2013. Just these past few months I've noticed that there have been corn contaminants, when the ingredients say it doesn't contain corn. Someone said that it didn't used to contain corn but they started processing it with corn, and the online ingredients list still hasn't been updated with the new ingredient. I keep forgetting to check the label on the bag. Even so, corn is one of my top no-no's for rabbits because I believe they cannot process it well. These past few bags of Albers have been practically dust, with over 5 tablespoons of fines each day being wasted. This not only is a waste of money, but it also makes their feeders very dirty and collects on the ground (fines fall through their J-feeders), and sometimes molds in areas of the J-feeder I can't easily clean daily. Besides corn contaminants (whole kernels of corn), there has also been weird tan pellets that I have to pick out. I don't want to have to pick out questionable pellets out of my rabbits' feed.
Many people think that when you switch feeds, you can just stop feeding one type and begin the next type the following day. That is incorrect. Rabbits have very sensitive digestive systems and it's always recommended you mix feeds for at least a week before completely switching over to the new feed.
On Monday I will begin the switch, mixing the feeds half and half for about a week. During the transition I will be offering an endless supply of hay, which helps with gut function, for any rabbits who's bodies reject the feed (which is highly unlikely).
Lance and Hazelnut were both fed Purina Show before they lived with me. Gracie was fed Albers. Elsie was fed a different pet-store brand when I first got her. My homegrowns have always been fed Albers.
To be continued....check back soon to see what I think of the new feed when I purchase it, add it to mine, and begin feeding it to the bunnies!