Jim bunny loves carrots, including the tops, but possibly not more than apple cores. Dr. Harry, the guinea pig, has stronger tastes – parsley, fennel and lemon balm. He has very sweet breath and a large tummy. They both enjoy the bitter greens of sorrel, dandelion, puha, plantain, minutina, silverbeet and chicory. Rabbits need sticks on which to work their teeth. I couldn’t find much information about what NZ natives they like (apart from observing what the wild rabbits had nibbled down to the ground) so I took my lead from the trees that the cows chew over the fence. I give Jim mahoe, coprosma and pittosporum branches daily. No ngaio, pohutukawa or karaka (although I think it’s the berries rather than the leaves that are the problem). I grow a bed of herbal ley for grazing animals in winter which I pick, a few leaves at a time, to give them fresh greens all year. Chicken greens would be good too. Wellington Feed and Saddlery sells rabbit pellets for which Jim and Harry go mad. Not sure what they put in the formulation but whatever it is, it hits the spot.
The Wellington SPCA has some beautiful bunnies and a couple of gorgeous guinea pigs ready to find a forever home. They are de-sexed and just waiting for cuddles, love and a spacious hutch.
Looking for some wintertime reading? I’ve categorised my book recommendations into gardening books, food for thought books, biographies and memoirs and cookery books.