Fattening Up Rabbits, Part 2

As you read in the first post of this three-part series, I need to fatten Muddy Buddy up to meet the minimum show weight for senior French angora rabbits.  I have been weighing him every day to make sure he is eating enough.  In addition to his normal feed, I have also been giving him strawberry leaves and a slice of homemade molasses oat bread every day.  He loves the sweeter bread, so he will eat more. 

Last Wednesday Muddy weighed 5.15.5.  Today he weighs 6.6.5.  I think the bread is working!

Here is the recipe for Molasses Oat Bread, in case you would like to give it a try.


Molasses Oat Bread

Yield:  3 loaves

4 cups boiling water

2 cups old-fashioned oats

1 cup molasses

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/4 cup sugar

1 tablespoon salt

1 package yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)

9-10 cups flour

In a mixing bowl, combine the first six ingredients.  Cool to 110-115 degrees.  Add yeast; mix well.  Add enough flour to form a soft dough.  Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes.  Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top.  Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.

Punch dough down and divide into thirds; shape into loaves.  Place in three greased 9x5 inch loaf pans.  Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.  Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.