Pet shops sell rabbit pellets under many brand names. The advantage of rabbit pellets is that they are consistent in quality with complete nutrition and can be stored for a long time. Another advantage is that the cage is always clean. Pellets also do not have a strong ammonia odor.
Rabbits can eat non-vegetable feed if their nutritional and energy needs are met. Adult rabbits need feed that can produce about 2,500 calories/day of energy. The pelleted feed must be easily digested above 75%.
The use of rabbit pellets needs to pay attention to protein levels. Rabbit pellets products vary in protein content between 15-20%. The protein content will differ in its utilization. When pregnant rabbits need to feed pellets containing 18% protein, lactating females 20%, and for daily maintenance 15-16%.
Specifically for fattening rabbits, pellets with 18% protein can be used to increase the rate of weight gain. With this level of protein, rabbits can reach a minimum weight of 3 kg at the age of 5 months. Without pellets, the same weight is not achieved until the rabbit is over 7.5 months old.