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Yes – Turnips including turnip greens can be fed to your rabbit in moderation.
What are turnips?
Turnips
Turnips are a cruciferous vegetable that are members of the Brassica family. It is so closely related to the cabbage that it is sometimes referred to as a ‘white turnip, bitter white cabbage or rutabega’. They come in a variety of colors like white, purple, and yellow and have a mild and somewhat sweet taste.
Turnip greens
Turnip greens are the leaves of the plant and they are most often used as a leafy vegetable.
What are the health benefits of turnips?
Turnip and turnip greens is also a good source of antioxidants making them good for your rabbit’s immune system. They are also a great source of Vitamin C and K, potassium, folate and calcium.
How to prepare turnips for a rabbit
Turnips
- Wash the turnips under running water.
- Peel the skin of the turnips.
- Slice into smaller pieces then serve in your rabbit’s dish.
Turnip greens
- Rinse turnip leaves thoroughly removing any discoloured or dead bits.
- Remove any thick stems and chop the remaining turnip greens into smaller pieces.
- Drain the water and add the greens to your rabbit’s bowl.
How much turnips to give to a rabbit
Turnips
The recommended amount of turnips is about 1 tablespoon per 2 pounds body weight.
Turnip greens
For turnip greens, the recommended amount is to give for a rabbit is about ½ to 1 cup per 2lbs body weight.
How to store turnips
To store turnips or turnip greens, they should be kept in the refrigerator in a plastic bag. They can be stored this way for up to three days.
Where can I buy turnips?
Fresh turnip and turnip greens can be bought at grocery stores and farmers markets and can even be grown in your backyard. Tip: They are known as a “cool season” crop, which means they grow best in the spring and fall.
FAQ’s
Yes – Turnip greens contain relatively high levels of calcium.
