How long are rolled oats good for?

[Mosherd1]

So the guy that I bought my 3 rabbits from yesterday gave a shot glass full of oats every morning. I went to tractor supply and they only had a 50 LB bag. It would obviously take me forever using 3 shot glasses/day to go through the bag. I just do not know if it would be worth buying, having no idea how long they will remain good for and not wanting to feed spoiled food? Thanks!
One other thing, treats like carrots, cow corn, etc. how often should these be given?

[oregon woodsmok]

If you can keep bugs and moisture out, oats last a long time.

For people, eventually they start to smell stale. I doubt that the rabbits would care.

Oats are harvested once a year and sold all year, so they last at least a year.

[scpankow]

I have 15 rabbits and a 50lb sack of crimped oats keeps better than rolled oats. If you want to try the rolled ones, get a couple big containers of Quaker Old Fashioned Rolled Oats. They are only about $2-3 each and you can see what you think. I give mine 1Tblsp per day each. Much more and it is too much starch/carbs for them. Rolled oats is an excellent first feed for babies coming out of the nest box, though.
Shannon

Originally Posted by oregon woodsmok

If you can keep bugs and moisture out, oats last a long time.

For people, eventually they start to smell stale. I doubt that the rabbits would care.

Oats are harvested once a year and sold all year, so they last at least a year.

[Mosherd1]

Good to know. Would 50 lbs be way too many for 3 rabbits each getting a shot glass per day? I can get crimped oats for $14 or whole oats for $19. Sounds like crimped oats are a better way to go.

[MaggieJ]

There is an advantage to whole grain if you are planning to supplement your rabbits' diet with greens. Whole grain can be grown quickly and easily in dollar store plastic dishpans for winter greens. It takes about 10-14 days to get a harvest but you can grow them in succession so the supply keeps coming. You can generally get three cuttings before the plants get too spindly. I grow mine in only 2-3 inches of soil (no drainage needed if you don't swamp them) and by the time it is finished the roots have bound everything together in a mat. Just pull it out and start fresh. The root mat can be composted or given to the chickens to scavenge from.

I generally use whole wheat rather than oats, but either will give you a good crop if feeding greens is something you intend to do anyway.

[Mosherd1]

Thanks Maggie, this would be in addition to the pellets I give them at night. The oats would be a small amount in the morning.

[scpankow]

Originally Posted by Mosherd1

Good to know. Would 50 lbs be way too many for 3 rabbits each getting a shot glass per day? I can get crimped oats for $14 or whole oats for $19. Sounds like crimped oats are a better way to go.

Do you have a feed store locally? They may sell you just a few pounds at a time. 50lbs seems a lot for only three....I have many more and it still takes a while to go thru it at only a cup or two a day....

@Maggie: I need to find whole wheat berries to sprout some greens for my buns....thanks!

Shannon

[MaggieJ]

Any health food or bulk food store should have them... I just use the wheat from the critters' feed bin but then I buy it anyway since I have chickens and a couple of geese as well as rabbits.