Before the prevalence of big box stores, old timers typically fed their rabbits a diet consisting primarily of fresh forage, such as grasses, weeds, and leafy greens. Rabbits are herbivores, and their natural diet consists of plant material. Old timers would often allow their rabbits to graze on pastures, fields, or gardens, where they could access a variety of fresh vegetation.

In addition to forage, old timers supplemented their rabbits' diet with other available food sources. These might include:

1. Hay: High-quality hay, such as timothy hay or alfalfa hay, was commonly fed to rabbits. Hay provides essential fiber for proper digestion and helps wear down their continuously growing teeth.

2. Garden produce: Vegetables and leafy greens from the garden were often given to rabbits. Examples include carrots, lettuce, kale, cabbage leaves, dandelion greens, and beet tops. These provided additional nutrients and variety in their diet.

3. Kitchen scraps: Leftover vegetable scraps, such as carrot peels, tops of root vegetables, and trimmings from leafy greens, were often given to rabbits as a supplement. However, it's important to avoid feeding rabbits foods that are toxic to them, such as onions, garlic, or certain fruits and vegetables.

4. Grains: Some old timers would provide small amounts of grains, such as oats or barley, as a supplemental feed for rabbits. However, grains were typically given sparingly, as rabbits have a delicate digestive system that may not handle large amounts of grain well.

It's worth noting that the specific diet and feeding practices may have varied depending on the region, climate, and availability of resources. Practices could also differ among individual rabbit owners based on their personal knowledge and experiences.