Like raspberry leaf, blackberry is a useful foraging plant that can be fed to meat rabbits. It can be fed as a foraged food, or it can be used to treat and support rabbits in the case of illness or depressed immunity.
Blackberry is nearly interchangeable with raspberry for meat rabbits, for the different uses it is used for.
Where blackberry grows, it is typically abundant, making this a good food or supplement to forage, dry, and save.
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Good Uses for Blackberry for Meat Rabbits
Blackberry is considered one of the “tonic” weeds for meat rabbits. It supports overall good immune support and bodily function. No single plant, including blackberry, will cure all that can ail a meat rabbit, but it is a good tool to include in your arsenal of nutraceutical foods and forages.
Blackberry is something that is good to feed regularly as part of a supportive diet. Keep in mind that no single plant or food should be fed on its own (except for pellets, because they are a combination diet, not a single plant).
Rabbits naturally would forage several different plants in a day, so think of blackberry and other foraged foods and supplements as just that -- a part of the diet, but not the whole.
The best uses for blackberry leaves and other parts of the plant are:
- For pregnant does for general good tone and reproductive muscle tone/support
- Cool rabbits in summer heat (has cooling effects)
- Stimulates appetite (feed when rabbits are not eating or are off feed)
- Prevent diarrhea
- Treat diarrhea
- Increased circulation
- Increased circulation can increase flow to the ears and thereby increase cooling in hot weather
- Good support and cooling for pregnant does in summer heat
- Good source of vitamins and nutrients
- Soothing
Blackberry is a highly tolerable food or supplement. It is a good first introductory green for young rabbits that are being transitioned onto foraged feeds. Few, if any, issues would be expected with blackberry leaves, especially when dried. The sticks and twigs would be similarly expected to be non-problematic.
Blackberry and raspberry are probably two of the safer foraged feeds you could give to your meat rabbits.
How to Feed Blackberry to Meat Rabbits
Blackberry is simple to feed to meat rabbits. Here are some options for feeding blackberry:
- Feed 3 to 5 leaves over feed
- Dry the leaves and feed about 1 tablespoon over feed
- Feed short sticks and twigs as you would other wood for chewing and boredom
- Make a tea and add the tea water to a watering dish
- Berries may be fed 2 or 3 at a time on top of food
Introduce blackberry gradually
As with any new food for meat rabbits, introduce blackberry gradually at first.
Keep an eye out for changes and observe your rabbit for any adverse effects. Look for things like
- Listlessness
- Discomfort
- Loosened stools
- Diarrhea
- Reduction or stoppage of fecal production
These reactions are not expected, as blackberry treats problems like these, but it is always smart to watch your rabbits anytime a new food is introduced.
That said, blackberry should never make up more than a couple of tablespoons of feed. It is not a complete feed in and of itself.
Finding, foraging, or sourcing blackberry for your meat rabbits
Blackberry is not typically too hard to find. It grows prolifically (almost invasively) in many places. If you do not have blackberry on your property, you can also purchase blackberry products that can be fed to your rabbits.
You can find blackberry in the wild or in your yard or garden, if you have it. Here are some tips for finding and foraging for blackberry for your meat rabbits:
- Forage leaves, berries, and stems from untreated plants
- If foraging roadside, be reasonably assured that there is nothing sprayed or toxic on the plants, like herbicides for roadside weed control
- Do not feed seeds of any plant that are intended for planting (they are often treated)
- If you cannot find blackberry on your land to forage from, see if you can find it in a public wood or garden (but make sure it is legal to take it)
- Or, ask a friend, farmer, or neighbor if they might have blackberry to forage
- Blackberry grows quickly and is easy to establish, so you might consider planting a stand for yourself at home
- You can also buy dried blackberry leaf from tea suppliers and herb companies in bulk
- Blackberry tea bags can be broken open and spread over rabbit food, as long as there are no other ingredients included that are not good for your rabbits
- Loose-leaf blackberry tea is also a good option
- If you are feeding dried blackberries, make sure they have not been coated in a sugar syrup or dipped in sugar prior to preserving (read the ingredient list)
- You can also feed frozen blackberries as long as nothing has been added to them
Preserving leaves for future use
Young, tender, fresh leaves are the best part of the blackberry plant to use. When in season, they will be abundant and you'll have no problem finding plenty.
Blackberry can be a good immune and dietary support at all times of the year, though, so it’s smart to save some to have on hand for feeding and supplementing throughout the year.
To save blackberry leaves, simply dehydrate them by air drying or in a home dehydrator. A low setting below 140°F will preserve the best health qualities.
Another good way to preserve blackberry for off-season use is to dry stems of blackberry with the leaves on, and then feed the whole section of leaves and stems to your rabbit.
Berries can also be dehydrated as a treat, but feed sparingly (just a berry or two at a time).
Parts of the Blackberry Rabbits Can Eat
For the most part, all of the blackberry plant, with the exception of the roots, can be fed to your rabbits.
These are the parts of the blackberry plant that meat rabbits can eat:
- Berries -- blackberries offer vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants, but they should be fed sparingly and only as a treat or minimal supplement
- Stems (the smaller, greener, more thornless stems are best)
- Sticks (if feeding older, larger canes, it’s best to strip thorns)
- Blackberry leaf (probably the easiest to feed and the most beneficial with the fewest potential issues)
VIDEO: Uses and Benefits of Blackberry for Meat Rabbits
Disclaimer: Use Herbs and Foraged Foods at Your Own Risk
Although blackberry is considered very safe for meat rabbits, it must be said that the risk of feeding anything to your rabbits is your risk to take. This author and this website cannot be held liable for any ill effects, illness, or death to your rabbits.
Much research has gone into this article, all of which points to the safety and usefulness of blackberry for meat rabbits, but there is always a risk that an individual rabbit may respond in an unexpected manner. Much of the best information comes from breeders who have used blackberry for their rabbits.
As with all herbs, foraged foods, and even commercial pellets and feeds, observe your rabbits and understand that the liability rests with you, not with this website.
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