Just been given a rabbit! Guidance needed please>

MrsDrink

Foodwise make sure she has plenty of hay available. Apparently they are supposed to go crazy for timothy hay but ours has never been that interested. We use a burgess excel nugget which he loves. I think the general consensus when I was researching was the 'old style' rabbit food of mixed things like squashed peas etc isn't the greatest. (Especially if she is a selective eater). The biggest thing though is you need to find out what she was being fed, and feed her this to begin with and slowly introduce whatever you want her to be on in the end. Bun's have very sensitive digestive systems so it's best to make a gradual change to her diet.

I'd also recommend providing her with things to entertain and occupy her as well as providing her with a run to stretch her legs. (I remember reading that a cage/run must be tall enough to allow rabbits to 'periscope' where she'll stand on her back legs and raise herself up to look up high). We have a house bun so most of my advice won't apply, but if she's going to be in her cage/run most of the day on her own, I would advocate giving her something to entertain her. Our sausage loves shredding paper, and his yellow pages is his favourite toy. He also has a 'kong' (one of those red rubber nobbly things) that we hide some of his food in. It keeps him entertained batting it to release the goodies.

rosie383

MrsDrink wrote: »

Foodwise make sure she has plenty of hay available. Apparently they are supposed to go crazy for timothy hay but ours has never been that interested. We use a burgess excel nugget which he loves. I think the general consensus when I was researching was the 'old style' rabbit food of mixed things like squashed peas etc isn't the greatest. (Especially if she is a selective eater). The biggest thing though is you need to find out what she was being fed, and feed her this to begin with and slowly introduce whatever you want her to be on in the end. Bun's have very sensitive digestive systems so it's best to make a gradual change to her diet.

The previous owner is no longer around to ask about diet unfortunately. So far, she has had carrots and dandelion leaves. She's hoovered them up!!!!!

cte1111

Shopping list for today: rabbit pellets (not the muesli type), water bottle, 2 ceramic bowls (less likely to tip over although she might well still tip it over for fun), hay. I'd also get a second water bottle at some point, as in the winter they freeze quite easily so best to swop them round in the morning and evening so you've also got a defrosted one ready.

For a run, you can make one with wood and chicken wire or have a look and see how much they cost. I would definitely put the run on the grass so she can enjoy destroying your lawn and feel the grass under her feet.

They do like to play so maybe put some empty plastic plant pots in her run to play with, mine also like to play with the kids' balls (jumping on them sometimes much to visitors' amusement).

I wouldn't feed her too many dandelion leaves as she might get a runny tummy with too many of these.

We've got 2 rabbits and they are the apple of my eye. For the future I would think about getting a neutered male to join your girl as they do love to live in pairs. If you have a look for local rabbit rescue places they will be able to help with bonding.

Good luck with your new addition.

rosie383

Thank you very very much. Will have a quick look online and see if it'll be cheaper in B&Q or Wilkos for today.
Good idea about the 2 water bottles for the winter. Wouldn't have thought of that one!!

MrsDrink

Oh and you must share a piccie of her

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Protection against foxes is very important.

A fox is a wild animal that is programmed to find food, and at this time of year, this year's litters are being cast out to find their own territories. Many die in the process, and an unsecured bunny could mean the difference between survival and death for a young fox.

As a result, if it's at all possible, if you build a permanent run area so bun can be out without supervision, sink it 18 inches below the surface.



But after their safety (don't give lettuce and check online for other plants that are bad for them), a rabbit's most important thing is company - people, other rabbits, they need time. Which I am sure you will give her - and if your teenager can't/won't do it, even if you put a pair of gloves on, take an antihistamine and stick some vaseline around your nostrils to catch any fluff, you will need to give her attention every day.

rosie383

Judging by the kids today, I'm hoping she will get lots and lots of attention.
I will try to persuade my husband to let us have a patch of lawn to put the run on! He put a lot of money and effort into redoing the whole garden a wee while back so isn't too keen, will have to work on him!

PasturesNew

The wire we used for our rabbit was like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CHICKEN-WIRE-MESH-COOP-AVIARY-FENCE-RUN-HUTCHES-PET-RABBIT-FENCING-BIRD-POULTRY-/280900919808?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Poultry&var=&hash=item4166ffe200

For a run - make it free standing (bottomless) and plonk it on the grass, then move it round every time so the rabbit's always munching on new grass.

They also like dandelion leaves, which are free.

You'll need to protect the front of the hutch in wintertime, we used to have an extra bit of the roofing felt that we dropped down over the wire front.

gettingready

THread not valid without a photo.....

cte1111

Warning non MSE post!

This is the rabbit cage and built in run (otherwise known as the bunny palace) that we splashed out on for my little angels:
http://www.animalsource.co.uk/natura-rabbit-hutch-made-of-glazed-pine-wood-2756-p.asp

We added extra sliding locks as the ones on it are a little flimsy and I was worried about them being left open by mistake. We've also got a winter cover for it, to keep them warm when it is freezing.