Rabbit questions

Mely

I did type quite a long message earlier in reply, but its vanished into the ether...arggghhh! So annoying!:mad:

But thanks for all the fantastic advice....much appreciated

lbt_2

Hi all

I am new to the pets board but some of you may know me from Money Saving Old Style

We are going to get two rabbits (probably a neutered boy and a girl), and I have found a hutch I like: http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/rodents/cages/rabbit_hutches/natura/53359 and the cheapest I can find it is with zooplus. Can anyone recommend zooplus? It's a lot of money to spend with a company I have never heard of.

Also, we are going to get our rabbits from a breeder and he mentioned that he didn't like the hutches with the run underneath because the ground becomes soured quickly. Has anyone else found this, or it is because he has so many rabbits? I thought rabbits usually toilet in the same place.

I love the idea of a large hutch and pen like this one for two small rabbits. They will have run of the garden when I can (need to get it secured first) but it would be nice to know that when I am not in for long I can let them have the access to a nice big hutch and run without having to worry about catching them before I go out!!!

Also any tips for a newbie rabbit owner would be great. I think I am quite prepared - I have bought the RSPCA care book and a fantastic book for my daughter which is written as though the rabbit is speaking to the child, but any advice would be so welcome. I want to make sure I am really prepared and can make a welcome transition for them when they come home.

Thanks

Threadhead

I've bought from Zooplus and had no probs. The delivery was pretty quick, and the product (rabbit run) is better than i had expected.

Can I suggest you check out the rabbits united forum http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/
Very friendly and helpful people on there.

Enjoy your bunnies!

spankymonkey_2

to be honest that hutch looks ideal...... they are easy to move too when the grass gets a bit thin...

Loopy_Girl

The earliest bunnies can be 'done' is 6 months but they can be sexually active from 12 weeks so please make sure that they have been done or else you will have more bunnies than you know what to do with!!!

And yes, bunnies are clean animals so tend to do their business in the one area.

Breeders will tell your their opinion but at the end of the day, it's up to you.

I would recommend the site Threadhead has mentioned and we both have bunnies too so am sure would be happy to answer any questions:)

VALM

I'd have a shop around for another hutch if I were you. We have a natura one and I'd agree with your breeder on this one. We have four Netherland Dwarves. Initially we had a buck and doe but unfortunately we didn't realise that the dwarf bunnies mature sexually earlier than others and although we had Max neutered Millie got pregnant hence why we have four. We initially bought the natura hutch to house Max as we had to separate him from Millie and the kits.

We have ended up "customising" this hutch in that we have had to build a base for it as we have the hutches on the patio and Max was getting damp off the cold floor. We have boared up three sides of the run as otherwise the bunnies (now the babies are housed in it) were susceptible to rain getting in all around. We had to re-enforce the insides of the run's base as Max had practically eaten his way though it - one day he actually got himself stuck in between the bars at the bottom and we had to prise him off. Also, the security on the hutch is lacking. There is one very cute heart shaped knob on the front that "locks" both doors. We have added bolts and padlocks to this as our garden is open at the back and otherwise anyone could have got in and released the bunnies.

The run is difficult to clean without moving the whole hutch as the opening is small.

Saying that, I like the storage that the natura one provides in the roofing area.

We bought this hutch on impulse from pets at home due to us needing to rehouse Max quickly and it was on special offer at the time. Our other hutch was made by my husband, the design of which he copies from Thistle Hall.

Re: zooplus. I have ordered a rabbit run from them which we have separately on the grass. Service was brilliant.

VALM

Hi, I have just posted on another thread entitled Rabbit Advice regarding my experience of the Natura hutches.

lbt_2

Hi

Thank you so much for all of your advice - and the rabbit forum looks great - and I am heading there for a better look in a minute.

We saw the most beautiful Dutch rabbits today. I have told the breeder which ones we would like and I think he is going to keep them for when our building work finishes in about four weeks. Otherwise I'll hang on until he has some more ready to leave because I really liked how well they were cared for and he knew their history and temprement and expected size because he had bred them from his own bunnies.

Valm, which hutches would you recommend? I have read the reviews about this hutch and I knew they would need more locks - hubby is a locksmith so that shouldn't be a problem!!!

Thanks

1sue23

I have a female rabbit and she has a great hutch ,the only problem is she does not use it as she has the run of the garden she has made herself her own home beneath the summer house nice large burrow fully lined by her in hay and leaves etc dread to think how deep the hole is now but she seems very happy ,she has lived like this for 3 years now even in the winter runs round all day or suns herself then back under the summer house .
What worries me is if the worst was to happen will have to dismantle the summer house just to get to her.

linda.b_4

The hutch looks great. One thing I would do is, put in a cat litter tray. Put in some wood chips or whatever bedding u are going to use. If they use another part of the cage, keep putting the soiled bedding in the tray. Eventually they will use the tray and it saves a lot of mess all over the hutch. Another thing, use hay and not straw for bedding as straw can cause eye injuries and has no nutritional content if they eat it, whereas hay is full of goodness. En joy your bunnies but be aware that as cuddly as they seem, a lot of rabbits prefer all four feet on the ground and only like to be petted when on terra firma. They are quite territorial and sometimes will "go for you" when trying to fill their food bowl and such. Best thing to do if they are like this is to fill the bowl when they are out in the run. I've had loads of rabbits over the years and they are all very different. Some very tame and cuddly, some the devil incarnate, especially when they hit the hormonal age. The most laid back breed I have found is the dwarf lop. Although I have now got a netherland dwarf who is lovely and they are supposed to be very moody! Never had a dutch so cannot comment, but if you are getting 2, please make sure they are either the same sex or you keep them seperate until they can be neutered or there will be bunnies a plenty!