We all have a soft spot in our hearts for wild bunnies. When you see a wild rabbit in your yard, you may wish to give it some food. Yes, it is vital to feed the wild bunny, especially in the winter, because they don’t have as much food as the pet rabbit.
A wild rabbit should be handled with care because she could be a disease carrier or sick herself.
You are reading: What Can You Feed A Wild Rabbit
However, I’ve covered everything you need to know about the winter food and lifestyle of wild adults and newborn rabbits right here. Let’s get on without further ado.
Can You Feed Wild Rabbits?
Since wild rabbits are known to devastate gardens and crops, many of us view them as pests that must be avoided.
People who are fond of wild rabbits, on the other hand, experience feelings of affection for them.
You might, however, feed the wild rabbits in extreme weather, such as in the winter, when natural food is scarce. As a general rule, it is best not to feed wild rabbits, as they will become reliant on humans.
So, if you see a wild rabbit, apply your common sense. It’s best to feed the bunny some rabbit-safe food if it’s in need.
The rabbit’s primary food consists of hay, pellets, water, veggies, and fruit. The dietary habits of wild rabbits and house rabbits are radically different. It is not safe for the bunny to eat any fruits or vegetables. If you’re still looking for rabbit-friendly foods, I’ve included a list below.
What Do Wild Rabbits Eat?
Rabbits eat a lot of grass, clover, weeds and crops from the fields during the spring and summer. They also eat wild vegetables, fruits and flowers. The main diet of wild rabbits is made up of the buds, bark, twigs, and other greens left over from the winter season.
We often discover rabbits in our yards, lawns, and gardens throughout the winter months. Just like deer, rabbits graze in the nearby vegetable garden and eat a lot of vegetation. This is what rabbits consume in the wild.
What to Feed Wild Rabbits in Winter?
First of all, let’s begin with the basics. In order to properly feed a wild rabbit, you must first become familiar with its eating habits.
Rabbits in the wild are masters of foraging. People’s eating patterns shift swiftly when they are unable to access their usual winter food sources such as fresh grasses, hays, clovers, leaves, vegetables, and fruits during the colder months.
After that, they’ll devour tree bark, leaves, and shrub buds.
But they can’t rely on them for their entire lives.
When feeding wild rabbits for the first time, it’s best to avoid giving them any specific food. However, if there is a lot of snow in the area and they are running low on food, you may want to provide them some special items.
Hay for wild rabbit
Providing wild rabbits with hay is the finest thing you can do for them. It’s comfortable for them, and they like it. Timothy hay, alfalfa hay, orchard grass, or oat hays can be provided.
Pellets & Grains
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It’s best to give them veggies and grains like wheat or rye instead of just plain flour. Grain attracts rodents such as rats, squirrels, and mice, so think about where you’re putting it before you put it out. For the wild bunny, a hay feeder might be useful.
Water
You may supply a water bowl. In the winter, wild rabbits frequently go thirsty because they lack access to drinking water. So, give them a sip of water.
Vegetables For Wild Rabbits
Most common vegetables, like cabbage, are safe for rabbits to eat. Wild bunnies should not be given too many veggies at once. The wild rabbit may become bloated if it eats too many vegetables.
Fruits For Wild Rabbits
Feed rabbits fruits that are low in sugar or contain none at all. Wild rabbits should not be given sweet foods. Sugary foods are a favorite of rabbits, although they tend to make them fat and upset their stomachs. As a result, sweet fruits and vegetables should be kept out of the reach of wild rabbits.
How Much Food Does A Wild Rabbit Need Per Day?
Wild rabbits eat a lot of food when they have access to it. 300 calories is the daily caloric requirement. They eat a lot of freshly cut grass. They consume less throughout the winter because of the limited supply of food. The wild bunny could be fed as much as two or three cups of a meal mixture consisting of hay, pellets, vegetables, and fruits each day. They’d be fine on that, thank you very much.
How to Feed a Wild Rabbit in Winter?
How do you feed a wintering wild rabbit now? It’s not as simple as keeping a pet in a cage indoors. To begin, be cautious. It’s also important to make sure that you don’t hurt a wild rabbit instead of helping it out.
You can feed wild rabbits by following these suggestions.
Choose A Particular Spot In Your Yard
Choosing a grassy portion of your yard could prove to be a wise choice of location for your garden. Keep your distance from the wild rabbits when they are munching on the yard’s grass or leaves. Avoid mowing the entire lawn or garden. Keep a few in a certain spot in the yard for easy access. Pesticides should not be sprayed on the lawn.
Provide Hay
Hay is the finest food for wild rabbits, as I discussed before in this essay. You can give Timothy hay to the wild rabbits and alfalfa hay to the newborn rabbits since it is richer in nutrition, protein, and fiber.
I’m assuming, since you’re a bunny parent, that you have a supply of hay on hand. As a result, if you don’t have your own, you can purchase one from the local or internet market.
Provide Vegetables for the Wild Bunny
Whether a pet or a wild rabbit, the rabbit’s favorite food is vegetables. The carrot is the bunny’s favorite veggie. However, don’t dump a lot of carrots on them at once. It could cause blotting in the wild rabbit’s digestive system.
A minimum of two or three servings of green vegetables per day is recommended, especially in the cooler months.
But this is a list of veggies that are safe for rabbits to eat in general.
- Mustard greens
- Peapods
- Brussels sprouts
- Bok Choy
- Dandelion leaves
- Swiss chard
- Broccoli
- Cilantro
- Dill
- Carrots
- Celery leaves
- Spinach
- Parsley
- Basil
- Collard greens
- Beet greens
- Lettuce
- Mint
- Bell peppers
- Cucumber
- Endive
- Escarole
- Fennel
- basil
- cilantro
- oregano
- parsley
- rosemary
- sage
- thyme
Provide Some Fruits for wild rabbit
Wild rabbits might appreciate some fruits you leave out for them. There are no restrictions on the consumption of fruits like berries, including raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and blackberries.
If you want to feed the wild rabbits bananas, go ahead, but don’t give them too much all at once. Bunnies only need a small piece of banana. Wild rabbits can eat a wide variety of fruits, including pineapple, papaya, and plums.
Wild rabbits, on the other hand, should not be fed sweet fruits. Even though wild rabbits have a shorter lifespan than domestic rabbits, sugar makes them fat and impairs their digestion over time.
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Fruits that are safe for rabbits are listed below.
- Berries: blackberries, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, cranberries
- Apple (no seeds)
- Banana
- Watermelon
- Melon
- Papaya
- Orange
- Cherries (no seeds)
- Grapes
- Peach
- Pear
- Pineapple
- Plum
Foods That You Should Never Feed To Wild Rabbits
The wild rabbits should not be fed this type of food.
- Cookies, nuts, seeds, grains, and bread
- Oatmeal
- Yogurt Drops
- Potatoes
- Silverbeet
- Avocado
- Cereal
- Walnuts
- Chocolate
- Peanut Butter
- Rhubarb
- Onions (red and brown)
- Garlic
- Shallots
- Chives
- Iceberg Lettuce
- Sugary Processed Foods
What Do You Feed a Wild Baby Bunny?
Before feeding a wild rabbit, you should check to see if she’s an orphan. Baby bunnies have been known to start exploring the area around them. To get them to come to your yard, you can try this. She is not, however, an orphan.
When a newborn rabbit is discovered to be an orphan, you should immediately contact a nearest wildlife rehabilitation organization to get it cared for.
Adult rabbits spend the most of their days foraging for food outside of their nest. During the night and the early hours of the morning, the mother bunny milks her baby rabbit.
If you don’t have a nearby rehabilitation clinic, you’ll have to look after the baby rabbit on your own.
How to Feed a Wild Orphan Baby Bunny?
To help the wild orphan baby rabbit, simply follow the directions provided.
- Warming the newborn rabbit initially is a good idea if they are cold. Conceal her in a container like a shoe box with a fresh cloth in it.
- Please take care of some hay for the horses’ bedding. Instead of hay, consider using rabbit bedding.
- For the orphan bunny, goat milk is an excellent alternative. You may be able to find goat milk at the local supermarkets.
- The newborn bunny’s size makes it difficult to feed it. Syringe feeding is an option if you like. You may be able to pick it up from a drugstore near you.
- Make sure the goat milk is free of bacteria by warming it up.
- Allow the milk to cool to the point where it can be handled with one’s fingers.
- Then, with the aid of a syringe, provide the milk’s moderate warmth.
- If you have the chance to give your kittens kitten milk, do so.
What Should Not Feed To Wild Baby Bunny
The infant rabbit should not be given cow’s milk.
It’s not a good idea to give a baby rabbit Pedialyte (human milk).
There are just two feedings a day from the mother rabbit to her youngster. It is possible to raise a litter of baby bunnies if you take adequate care of them.
FAQS
Should I Rescue A Wild Rabbit Baby?
You may be able to save the orphaned baby rabbit if it is confirmed that it is a wild bunny. When in doubt, do not save anything. It’s important to keep in mind that wild mommy bunnies scavenge for food as they go. There is a chance you’ll run into one. It does not, however, imply that it is an orphan.
Do Wild Rabbits Eat Carrot?
Carrots are a favorite food of all rabbits, domestic or wild. Carrots are also a popular bunny meal around the world.
Carrots are a favorite food of wild rabbits. In terms of carbs, carrots aren’t the best choice for a bunny’s diet.
The wild rabbit, on the other hand, runs hundreds and kilometers every day.. For them, this extra carbohydrate has no effect on their workout.
The pet rabbit on the other hand will not have the luxury of running daily distances, thus you should avoid giving him carrots on a daily basis.
Do wild rabbits eat bird seeds in winter?
When food is scarce, it is OK to feed the wild bunny bird seeds. It is unusual for a bunny to eat bird seeds that fall to the ground. Winter rabbits benefit from high-fat, high-carbohydrate birdseed, which is available in many places.
Conclusion
A pet rabbit is very different from a wild rabbit, and the two are not nearly as similar. As a result, their actions differ greatly. Now that you know what wild rabbits consume in the winter, I hope you have a better understanding of their dietary requirements going forward. But this is not just a list of things to do during the winter months. These meals are available year-round to wild rabbits.
Source: https://petstutorial.com
Category: Rabbits
