Supplements are a controversial element of the diet. Basically, a supplement is something that can be added in small amounts to a rabbit's diet to improve their body condition, coat condition, or fertility. For these reasons, some breeders give supplements. Other breeders do not supplement, but instead rely feed a high quality feed.
NOTE: With all supplements, check with the manufacturer and do your research as to how much is safe to feed. With certain supplements, overfeeding could be deadly.
Flax seeds and Black Oil Sunflower Seeds (BOSS) are readily available from many feed stores, and aid in improving coat condition. Calf Manna and Doc's Rabbit Enhancer can be purchased from KW Cages and other retailers. These improve body and coat condition. Oxy-Gen is a popular supplement that I have used on occasion. I like it, just not as much as BOSS. Oxy-Gen is supposed to increase fertility, improve body and coat condition, and help rabbits out of molts. I used it in the past but didn't really have any success with it. I have used Barbi Brown's Conditioning Mix in the past, and they love it!! It works wonders for their condition as well. The only reason I no longer use it is that I switched to Cirqulate and like the results on that even more.
Organic rolled oats can be fed in small quantities, and help in improving general condition. Many people feed them to young kits, saying that it helps lessen fatalities in weaning kits, but other people say the opposite is true of rolled oats. I have no experience feeding them so can offer no advice either way.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is another popular supplement, which is added to water in small amounts to improve fertility of breeding rabbits. I have never used it myself as I prefer to select for the most fertile rabbits.
Dried papaya is a very popular supplement, as it helps prevent GI stasis, which is a very common cause of death in rabbits. The enzymes in the papaya break down the hair and help it pass through easily. GI stasis is caused by fur building up in the gut and causing a blockage. The blockage becomes very very dangerous because rabbits can't throw up hairballs like cats do. The blockage causes the rabbit to refuse to eat. Because rabbits' digestive systems are so sensitive, if they don't eat for even a short amount of time, they can die. Surgeries can be performed, but most often the surgeries aren't successful.
Another popular supplement is Immunize. You can get it from many vendors at rabbit shows, or order it online from KW Cages. I give 1/3 - 1/2 a scoop of it per day to any rabbits that need a boost to their immune system, such as rabbits that are about to go to a show, have recently come back for a show, or are recovering from an illness. It also boosts their appetites at longer shows like Nationals and Convention.
Personally, I give two kinds of supplements. I feed my show and grow-out Hollands about 1/3 of the small scoop of Cirqulate per day to keep them in top show condition. The other supplement I give is Immunize, but I only give it to rabbits that need an immune boost.
NOTE: With all supplements, check with the manufacturer and do your research as to how much is safe to feed. With certain supplements, overfeeding could be deadly.
Flax seeds and Black Oil Sunflower Seeds (BOSS) are readily available from many feed stores, and aid in improving coat condition. Calf Manna and Doc's Rabbit Enhancer can be purchased from KW Cages and other retailers. These improve body and coat condition. Oxy-Gen is a popular supplement that I have used on occasion. I like it, just not as much as BOSS. Oxy-Gen is supposed to increase fertility, improve body and coat condition, and help rabbits out of molts. I used it in the past but didn't really have any success with it. I have used Barbi Brown's Conditioning Mix in the past, and they love it!! It works wonders for their condition as well. The only reason I no longer use it is that I switched to Cirqulate and like the results on that even more.
Organic rolled oats can be fed in small quantities, and help in improving general condition. Many people feed them to young kits, saying that it helps lessen fatalities in weaning kits, but other people say the opposite is true of rolled oats. I have no experience feeding them so can offer no advice either way.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is another popular supplement, which is added to water in small amounts to improve fertility of breeding rabbits. I have never used it myself as I prefer to select for the most fertile rabbits.
Dried papaya is a very popular supplement, as it helps prevent GI stasis, which is a very common cause of death in rabbits. The enzymes in the papaya break down the hair and help it pass through easily. GI stasis is caused by fur building up in the gut and causing a blockage. The blockage becomes very very dangerous because rabbits can't throw up hairballs like cats do. The blockage causes the rabbit to refuse to eat. Because rabbits' digestive systems are so sensitive, if they don't eat for even a short amount of time, they can die. Surgeries can be performed, but most often the surgeries aren't successful.
Another popular supplement is Immunize. You can get it from many vendors at rabbit shows, or order it online from KW Cages. I give 1/3 - 1/2 a scoop of it per day to any rabbits that need a boost to their immune system, such as rabbits that are about to go to a show, have recently come back for a show, or are recovering from an illness. It also boosts their appetites at longer shows like Nationals and Convention.
Personally, I give two kinds of supplements. I feed my show and grow-out Hollands about 1/3 of the small scoop of Cirqulate per day to keep them in top show condition. The other supplement I give is Immunize, but I only give it to rabbits that need an immune boost.