Rabbits eating mushroom waste

Does anyone know if rabbits can eat spent mushroom substrate? We grow some oyster mushrooms here, and we have a lot of spent substrate, which is basically wheat straw that has been pre-digested by the oyster mushrooms. The pigs eat it just fine, but I wonder if rabbits can? It could be a big step towards integrating the 2 systems.

I couldn't find anything on the internet, the closest was feeding rice straw to ruminants. I can conceive of mushroom waste as silage without the bacteria, but I don't see it as a whole enough food. There is good hay and bad hay, I don't see it as great silage but a reasonable binding and bulking agent.
If I had some I would definitely like to try it, rabbits are mini ruminants there just not as grand on eating gruel forage perpetually without getting ill.

Abe Connally wrote:Does anyone know if rabbits can eat spent mushroom substrate?  We grow some oyster mushrooms here, and we have a lot of spent substrate, which is basically wheat straw that has been pre-digested by the oyster mushrooms.  The pigs eat it just fine, but I wonder if rabbits can?  It could be a big step towards integrating the 2 systems.

I see it's been awhile. If you're still around can you share your experience? Did you feed them some mushroom waste?

Rabbit are herbivores. In my opinion, mushrooms and mushroom waste are not natural for them. Keep that for yourself, your pigs, your garden, your food forest or your compost...

Raphaël Blais wrote:Rabbit are herbivores. In my opinion, mushrooms and mushroom waste are not natural for them. Keep that for yourself, your pigs, your garden, your food forest or your compost...

Mushrooms are consumed by many herbivores in nature.

I plan to start introducing some to one of our next litter upon separation. Its not something I want to bulk feed but if they can get some extra protein in the cooler months why not?

Melonie, I doubt that the OP will respond and let us know the results of rabbits eating mushroom waste.

From what I have read rabbits get Mycotoxicosis poisoning from eating mushrooms.

If you plan to furnish them with the mushroom waste make sure there are no mushrooms present.

To me, it would be best not to give the rabbits mushroom waste though if you decide to do that please let us know how that turned out.

Anne Miller wrote:Melonie, I doubt that the OP will respond and let us know the results of rabbits eating mushroom waste.

From what I have read rabbits get Mycotoxicosis poisoning from eating mushrooms.

If you plan to furnish them with the mushroom waste make sure there are no mushrooms present.

To me, it would be best not to give the rabbits mushroom waste though if you decide to do that please let us know how that turned out.

I'll definitely come back to report.  From what I've read the problems arise when that is their only food source.  I don't plan on forcing mushroom waste,  just offering. They'll also have plenty of other food options to choose from. I don't plan on breeding again until late winter so maybe by this time next year I'll have some more information.
Thank you for all the insights.