Rabbit questions

millypede

The Big value cat litter stuff from Pets at Home, both inside and outside, its wood based and expands when wet, so it goes in the compost heap once done, its cheep and smells nice too.

Sammie0782

I think it is important to point out that the female may already be pregnant again - she will have been fertile immediately after the babies were born.

So make sure that for now she is kept in a place that would/will be safe and appropriate for her to have another litter. Then if she is pregant, you avoid the need to move them soon after the birth.

Take the male out a few days before they would be due, just in case.

Once you are sure there are no babies on the way, or once they have left the mum, the buck can either go back in with the doe for a planned mating, or be neutered first and then rejoin her.

I don't think, btw, that there is anything wrong in breeding without prior experience - every experienced breeder lacked experience once! New breeders just make sure to read up first, and to take advice from more experienced breeders if they are unsure of anything. And of course, if in doubt, the best port of call is always the vet!

Hope that helps!

Sam.

louise_1981

I have already come up with a bit of a list, but what can you money savers suggest..

1.)
I went to the farmers market today for the first time as a rabbit owner.

Lots of veg stalls, I ended up with a bag of greens (carrot tops, some with carrots attached, beetroot+ leaves, and cabbage leaves) all which were going to be thrown away at the end of the day.

there was nothing wrong with them, they were just at the bottom of the crates, unsold. I did ask before taking too. Im sure if people mentioned they were a charity, more may be donated.

I also managed to get myself some potatoes,, as the guy just said help your self! Ill be using some of the cabbage too

Parsnipbun on rabbitrehome suggested these
2.)
Buy bales of hay from a (good) saddlery; Even if you have to invest in a small 'shed' to keep it in it will save you a fortune in the long run:

Our hay bill went from £30 a fortnight to £5 a fortnight!!! and I gave them 10 times as much hay and its scrumptious.

3.) Whilst there (at the farmer/saddlery) you may be able to buy carrots at £1 for a sackful!!

4.) Buy readigrass in bulk from same place

5.) Rent an allotment - and don't bother to weed it - apart from when you want to feed the buns:

On the small bit of allotment you do weed - grow rabbit friendly veg and things like raspberry bushed and a small apple tree - for the yummy leaves!

6.) Use cheap Tesco's (or similar) towels for lining sick crates etc.

7.)demand multipet discount wherever you can!!

8.)If having to get Baytril etc from vets ask how long it will last in the fridge - if it will last a long time ask for LARGE bottle at same price - next time a rabbit needs Baytril say to the vet 'actually i already have some - just tell me the dose'.

9.) My final hint for living cheaply is . . . dont end up with 12 rabbits !!! (but I love them all and would not part with one for the world)

Can anyone add on this list, obviously shopping around and buying in bulk are a given, my bunny food is around 8 pound for 20kg (Allen and page)

simontheiceman

All these are very good ideas, partic about the hay and the veggies.

The only sticking point would be the Baytril - Baytril will last for ages in the fridge - up to its expiry, however it can only be dispensed or prescribed for a specific condition and only in the amount necessary to treat that condition. As the drug carries a conditional license to treat small mammals, having your own stock would be very much in contravention of the rules of good prescribing.

If you could get a vet to prescribe a full bottle then it would be better to ask for a script (yes even with charges for scripts due soon), and buy online as costs will be significantly less. If its any help I only use Baytril in respiratory cases now and everything else gets probiotics and all the gut problems get better on those.

BridgetJones_2

Check ebay before buying ANYTHING! I bought most of our rabbits things there.

Also we use vet bed rather than woodshavings, just needs to be chucked in the washing machine once a week - only really an option if your rabbit is litter trained though.

In the litter trays we use Megazorb from HayExperts. I got a MASSIVE bag for £4. It will last me until xmas I think!

Rather than buy an overpriced small hutch get a childrens play house or a shed. Far more secure and if you put up shelves you also have storage space!

Jellicat

If your bunny or other small critter tips his/her food bowls, invest in a Lixit lock crock (companions choice sell them) which fixes to the cage to prevent spillage.

Feed your bun mostly off hay (with veg) and keep pellets down. It is the most natural diet, helps their teeth and helps prevent flystrike.

DIY cages for bunnies are pretty easy to make...just a wooden box and a wire front!

Megazorb and Easibed are designed for horses but are great for small animals and without the problems of woodshavings...you get them in huge bales so they tend to work out cheap!

ClareEmily

Unfortunetely our bunny is spoilt so spend a small fortune on her (she is also very fussy on what veggies she eats) but money saving ideas:

Her fav thing to play in/on/chew is a large cardboard box.

She also likes to play with pine cones.

Her toliet in a deep cat litter tray with newspaper covering bottom and lots of hay on top, loves to dig and eat this, keeps her amused for ages.

She is an indoor rabbit and bought cat bed for her but she prefers an old towel, so just wash when dirty.

emweaver

Do rabbits need to run on grass? we bought a hutch with a built in run but the base is wood, should we put them in a different run straight onto grass aswell every day?

mrcow

I've found that letting them run on grass/patio etc instead of just a wooden base helps to keep their toenails in much better shape as they can overgrow easily and you have to clip them (or get a vet to do it if you're not experienced).

Bunnies love charging around gardens outside of a run. Is your garden easily rabbit proofed? (ie no gaps in fences etc) as it's nice for them to have somewhere that they an explore.

emweaver

ours in partly bunnyproof but weve a step which im worried theyll fall down. weve got them outbefore and let them run around but then spent over an hour trying to catch the one to put him back!