Pellet feed became the standard for one main reason:

👉 Convenience

Since the early days of commercial feed mills (1920s), most crops like corn and soybeans have been funneled into livestock feed production.

Pellet was designed to be:

• Consistent
• Easy to store
• Simple to feed

And it works.

But here’s what to think about after watching the video:

• You don’t fully control what’s in pellet
• It’s a processed feed source
• Costs continue to rise over time

👉 Rabbits, however, are naturally built for high-fiber, forage-based diets.

There was a time when almost every household had:

• A garden
• A small meat source (rabbits, chickens, etc.)
• A level of self-sufficiency

During times like World War II, raising animals like rabbits wasn’t optional—it was necessary.

But over time, as convenience increased, that system faded.

Fast forward to recent years…

When supply chains were disrupted and prices increased, many people were forced to rethink how dependent they were on:

• Store-bought food
• Commercial feed
• Outside systems

👉 That’s when interest in rabbits, gardening, and homesteading surged again.

When it comes to feeding rabbits, one thing matters more than anything else:

👉 Hay is king

In a well-balanced feeding system:

• About 70% of the diet should be hay
• The remaining 30% can come from greens, forage, and plants

Hay provides:

• Essential fiber
• Digestive stability
• Consistency in your feeding program

Without enough hay, even the best fresh feed system can fail.

Rabbits are not like cows, goats, or deer.

Those animals are ruminants, meaning they have multi-chambered stomachs designed to break down food differently.

👉 Rabbits are hindgut fermenters

That means:

• They have a single stomach
• Their digestion relies heavily on the cecum
• Fiber is absolutely critical to their health

Because of this system, rabbits:

• Cannot extract all nutrients the first time food passes through
• Must rely on a second digestion process

Transitioning your rabbits off pellet isn’t complicated—but it must be done correctly.

👉 The biggest mistake:
Switching too fast

Rabbits rely on gut bacteria to digest food.
If you change their diet too quickly, you risk:

• Digestive issues
• Diarrhea
• Serious health problems

A simple, gradual system over 3–4 weeks allows:

• Gut bacteria to adjust
• Rabbits to adapt safely
• A smooth transition without losses

Rabbit tractors are one of the simplest ways to:

• Reduce feed costs
• Utilize natural grass and weeds
• Grow out rabbits efficiently

In the right setup, you can feed rabbits almost entirely for free during the final stage of growth.

But like any system, it must be done correctly.

This rabbit tractor is designed to:

• House an entire litter
• Be lightweight and movable
• Allow rabbits to feed directly on grass
• Reduce feed costs during grow-out

👉 This system is best used during the final month of growth

Key features include:

• Wire floor for protection
• Corrugated top for shade
• Wheels for mobility
• Access door for handling
• Parts List : https://therabbitrycenter.com/how-to-build-a-rabbit-tractor-thats-safe-from-predators-easy-to-move-around-the-yard/

Once you start using a rabbit tractor, you’ll quickly learn:

👉 The build is only half the equation

Real-world conditions like:

• Weather
• Rabbit behavior
• Terrain

…will force you to make adjustments.

Small improvements—like adding hardware cloth or modifying handles—can make a big difference in:

• Safety
• Ease of use
• Rabbit health

If you want to reduce or eliminate pellet:

👉 You need to grow a variety of feed sources

Not just one thing.

A strong system includes:

• Food plots
• Trees and shrubs
• Raised beds
• Natural forage

The goal is simple:

👉 Create a property that feeds your rabbits year after year

A complete rabbit feed system isn’t just about summer.

👉 You need a plan for:

• Hay
• Perennials (trees, bushes)
• Winter feeding

Whether you grow or buy hay, and whether you plant trees or hedges, the goal is the same:

👉 Create a system that feeds your rabbits year-round

Creating your own rabbit feed doesn’t require a massive farm or expensive equipment. In this lesson, you’ll learn how a relatively small plot—sometimes as little as 600 square feet—can produce a significant portion of your rabbits’ weekly feed.

We’ll walk through the entire process, including:

• How much space you actually need
• Why soil testing matters (and when to ignore it)
• The easiest way to clear and prepare your plot
• How to properly seed and fertilize for maximum growth
• Common mistakes that lead to poor yields

Whether you're working with a backyard setup or scaling into multiple plots, this lesson will give you a simple, repeatable system to grow consistent, high-quality feed for your rabbits.

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to produce one of the most important components of a rabbit’s diet—high-quality hay—right from your own property.

We’ll walk through:

• The best hay varieties to grow
• How much land you actually need
• Why watering is critical for success
• How to properly harvest and dry hay
• What to do (and what NOT to do) when weather becomes a problem
• How to make your own hay bales without expensive equipment

This lesson gives you a realistic, hands-on system for producing hay that can replace store-bought feed and dramatically cut costs.

In this lesson, we’re stepping back and focusing on the most important part of your rabbits’ diet—hay.

You’ll learn:

• Why hay is essential for rabbit health
• What to look for in commercial feed vs natural fiber sources
• The realities of growing your own hay (successes and failures)
• How much hay you actually need
• How to source hay affordably from farmers
• How to reduce waste with better feeder design

This lesson is all about building a system that ensures your rabbits always have access to high-quality fiber, without overspending.

Designing a rabbit food system isn’t just about planting a small plot—it’s about building a complete, sustainable feeding strategy. In this lesson, you’ll learn how much space you actually need, what a realistic yield looks like, and why diversity in your feed sources matters more than size alone. We’ll also cover property layout, sunlight requirements, and how to avoid costly mistakes when planning your food production system.

Food plots don’t have to be complicated—but they do need to be intentional. In this lesson, you’ll learn exactly what to plant, how to layer your crops for year-round production, and how to build a simple system that produces massive amounts of rabbit feed. We’ll cover proven plant options, rotation strategies, and practical harvesting tips so you can avoid overwhelm and start growing feed immediately.

What should you actually grow in your raised beds for rabbits? In this lesson, we simplify the overwhelming number of options and focus on proven vegetables, herbs, and companion planting strategies that work together. You’ll learn how to grow nutrient-dense feed, improve plant health naturally, and design a raised bed system that produces a balanced diet for your rabbits—without relying on pellets.

Herbs are one of the most powerful—and most overlooked—tools in a rabbit feeding system. In this lesson, you’ll learn which herbs to grow, how they support digestion, immunity, and overall health, and how to use them as both nutrition and natural remedies. We’ll break down the best herbs for your rabbitry, how often to feed them, and how to build a system that benefits both your rabbits and your homestead.

Comfrey might be the most valuable plant you can grow on your homestead—and especially in a rabbitry. In this lesson, you’ll learn why comfrey is considered a “super plant,” how it supports rabbit health, improves your soil, and even creates an additional income stream. We’ll cover harvesting, feeding, propagation, and practical ways to use comfrey throughout your entire system.

One of the most common questions I get is:
“How do you grow fodder without mold?”

It’s a valid concern. Mold is the number one issue people run into when growing fodder, especially when they’re just getting started. The good news is—it’s very easy to prevent when you understand the process.

Let’s walk through it step by step.

Fruit trees are one of the most valuable long-term investments you can make on your property. They provide food for your family, your rabbits, and even attract wildlife like deer. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to choose the right trees, plant them properly, protect them from damage, and manage them for consistent yearly production. We’ll also cover pruning, fertilizing, and pest prevention—including simple, low-chemical approaches like dormant oil sprays.

Fodder trees are one of the most overlooked but powerful tools in a rabbit feeding system. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to grow, manage, and harvest high-protein tree forage that can feed your rabbits year after year. We’ll cover the best fodder tree species, cutting techniques like coppicing and pollarding, and how to turn your property into a productive, self-sustaining food forest.

Shrubs, hedges, and woody browse are a critical piece of a complete rabbit feeding system. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to use bushes and vines to create a long-term, self-sustaining food source that provides both nutrition and fiber. We’ll cover the best species to plant, how to design your property for year-round production, and why variety is the key to keeping your rabbits healthy and productive.

Tree hay is one of the oldest—and most effective—ways to feed livestock, including rabbits. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to harvest, process, and store tree fodder so you can feed your rabbits through the winter without relying on store-bought feed. We’ll also cover how to combine tree hay with crops like comfrey and winter wheat to create a complete, year-round feeding system.

Providing food that you grow for your rabbits is one of the biggest steps you can take toward independence, cost savings, and healthier animals. But this doesn’t happen overnight—it happens in stages.

In this lesson, you’ll learn the different levels of feeding rabbits using homegrown feed, how to properly reduce pellets as you increase natural feed, and why starting small is the key to long-term success.

Whether you're planting your first fodder tree or working toward producing nearly all your rabbit feed, this lesson will help you understand where you are—and how to level up.