Is Calf Mana Safe?

Question

one of my 4-H leaders told me that it was safe to give baby rabbits a small amount, where as the other told me that it would kill them. I realize that it is called CALF mana, but i gave my pregnant does a few pellets and they were fine, i'm just confused as to whether or not i can give my 6 week old baby rabbits some.

Answer 1

Manufacturer's site says it's safe for rabbits including young kits, but looking at the ingredients, I wouldn't give it to mine. It's loaded with rich ingredients: Soybean meal, corn, oatmeal, oils, and has a calcium supplement in it.  Rabbits shouldn't have excess calcium in their diets, it can cause some serious issues with sludgy urine and kidney stones, etc.  I would also be concerned about the amount of fat in it and the dairy products (also contains whey) causing diarrhea as well.  If you do feed it, use caution and watch for cloudy urine and diarrhea.  Discontinue if either of those things occur.  

If you need to supplement for weight gain, etc. I would check out something like Doc's Rabbit enhancer that's made specifically for rabbits instead, it has no added calcium, and although it does use cereal grains, it doesn't have added oil.  It also has papaya and other ingredients added specifically to aid digestion in rabbits.

Answer 2

Of course their site is going to say it is safe.

Though it may not be deadly, it is filled with animal by products and oats/grains. It's typically used for fattening up show/meat rabbits quickly. Not what we want for our pet rabbits.

http://www.rabbit.org/