Broccoli rabe or rapini is a green cruciferous vegetable that has a striking resemblance with broccoli but doesn’t form large heads, and it is slightly bitter. People eat heads, leaves, flowers, buds, and stems, and it is common in Mediterranean cuisines. Read more.
Should I give it to my rabbits?
Yes. Rabbits can eat broccoli rabe leaves, buds, stems, head, and flowers in moderation. It has minerals like manganese, phosphorus, zinc, iron, calcium (109mg per 100g) as well as vitamins A, C, and K, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B6, vitamin E, among others.
1. Leaves
Rabbits can eat rapini leaves as a part of their leafy greens. A cup of 5-6 different veggies, including it, is enough for your two-pound rabbit. However, since it is slightly higher in calcium, don’t include other veggies high in calcium.
Therefore, please don’t feed them together with dandelion greens, turnip greens, Yu choy, carrot tops, collard greens, among any other high in calcium together with rapini.
2. Stems
When giving them the fleshy stems, given them only a small amount in moderation as a treat, once or twice a week. Treat them more or less like non-leafy veggies.
3. Flowers or flower head
When feeding broccoli rabe flowers and flower heads, please give them a small amount. Mix it with the leafy greens you feed to these pets
Correct diet
Rapini is safe for your rabbits. However, ensure you gradually introduce it to give their sensitive tummies time to adjust and go for organic sources. Also, don’t forget to stick to the right diet. Too much of any greens will cause gas, bloating, and diarrhea.
Therefore, ensure your pets have at least 80% grassy hay, 10-15% greens, 5% high fiber pellets, and 0-5% treats. Treats will include any fruit, flower, non-leafy vegetable, herb, or commercial ones.