Rabbit questions

helping_hubby

lbt wrote: »

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.
We have runs which our rabbits have 24/7 access too, but I have paving slabs on the base. We tried having wire mesh buried under grass, but one of our bunny digs too much and in the winter it becomes a mud pool. I constantly worry she'll escape. So now we have slabs, they are easy to clean, and I don't have to worry about them escaping. They also get free time to roam the garden when supervised.

As mentioned already they are easily litter trainable. At least the 3 buns I've had have been.

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

Something to think about might be pet insurance. It generally costs £10 a month, depending on post code. Some people just like to save some money each month for emergencies.

BridgetJones_2

annie123 wrote: »

Is there any reason why I cant use shredded newspaper in the litter tray?
I have loads of free paper from work.

I use megazorb, £4 for a massive bag from Hay Experts. No smell. Plus it's soft and retains heat so keeps them warm in winter.

For cheap toys, try stuffing a toilet roll stuffed with hay. Mine love them!

And to the OP - if you don't have the funds for hutches you do not have funds for vet bills, the constant supply of hay etc etc. If you love animals you'd rescue not breed. Simple.

Tarry

I agree, toilet rolls stuffed with hay makes great toys Mine always enjoy them.

lbt_2

BridgetJones wrote: »

Hello hello

You'll also need another hutch for when the rabbits have to be separated. They can breed from a very very young age. The breeder should have spoken to you about this really.

To be honest, it was the breeder who recommended a boy and a girl and suggested getting the boy neutered at three months. Following these posts, I have spoken to the practice where I will take the rabbits for treatment etc, and they said the same ... they will need separating until the boy is neutered. But that doesn't sound like much fun for them!!! As much as I am going to spend plenty of time with them, when I am not there I don't want them to be lonely, and I would like them to be able to snuggle up together at night. I am getting two for that reason.

The breeder I spoke to said that two girls together are not as lively in his opinion. Does anyone else have two girls? Are they quite friendly and lively?

Sorry to ask such basic questions, but I want to know exactly what I am doing before I get them home ... my bunnies deserve the best!

Tarry

I've kept two does together in the past and it worked well It was a pair of Calis, I've got a good photo of them together:

BridgetJones_2

lbt wrote: »

To be honest, it was the breeder who recommended a boy and a girl and suggested getting the boy neutered at three months. Following these posts, I have spoken to the practice where I will take the rabbits for treatment etc, and they said the same ... they will need separating until the boy is neutered. But that doesn't sound like much fun for them!!! As much as I am going to spend plenty of time with them, when I am not there I don't want them to be lonely, and I would like them to be able to snuggle up together at night. I am getting two for that reason.

The breeder I spoke to said that two girls together are not as lively in his opinion. Does anyone else have two girls? Are they quite friendly and lively?

Sorry to ask such basic questions, but I want to know exactly what I am doing before I get them home ... my bunnies deserve the best!

Rabbits should be kept in pairs or groups so I'm not telling you to get just one...as I have said you will need to have space to keep the rabbits separate up until the operations and then for 6/8 weeks afterwards. If you don't have the space don't get two baby rabbits....get two rescue rabbits already neutered and bonded.

The breeder is talking nonsense regarding the sexes. Some people claim that males are friendlier but mine are fairly equal.

lbt_2

Thanks Tarry - they are gorgeous.

I am not sure what the idea pairing is. I keep reading different things - some books say a boy (neutered) and a girl, and others say same sex is better. :huh:

lbt_2

BridgetJones wrote: »

Rabbits should be kept in pairs or groups so I'm not telling you to get just one...as I have said you will need to have space to keep the rabbits separate up until the operations and then for 6/8 weeks afterwards. If you don't have the space don't get two baby rabbits....get two rescue rabbits already neutered and bonded.

The breeder is talking nonsense regarding the sexes. Some people claim that males are friendlier but mine are fairly equal.

Thanks BJ, I looked at our local(ish) RSPCA sites and at the moment they don't have any pairs of bonded small rabbits ... hundreds of cats and dogs though which is really sad. I agree that a neutered and bonded pair would probably be the best way to go so I am going to ring round them to see if there are any that aren't on their websites. I do have the space for two hutches etc., it's just that I would rather for their sake that they could stay together. If I can't find a neutered and bonded pair, perhaps I'll get two does?

BJ, how many rabbits do you have? And what sexes are they?

Thanks for everyone's help.

feelinggood_2

LBT - I went to an RSPCA Branch 50 miles away to get my BunBun, and he was well worth the trip All my branches have bonded pairs, and I wanted a single rabbit. As I'm home all day, I thought I'd be able to offer a good home to a bunny who doesn't like other bunnies.

BridgetJones_2

lbt wrote: »

Thanks BJ, I looked at our local(ish) RSPCA sites and at the moment they don't have any pairs of bonded small rabbits ... hundreds of cats and dogs though which is really sad. I agree that a neutered and bonded pair would probably be the best way to go so I am going to ring round them to see if there are any that aren't on their websites. I do have the space for two hutches etc., it's just that I would rather for their sake that they could stay together. If I can't find a neutered and bonded pair, perhaps I'll get two does?

BJ, how many rabbits do you have? And what sexes are they?

Thanks for everyone's help.

I have a girl & a boy, both neutered obviously! They are so cute together but blooming messy!! I tidy up their hutch then 30 seconds later she's pushing all the hay out of the door. Luckily they were both easy to litter train so they only go in the little private area of the hutch so I just clean that bit out every couple of days then big clean once a week. I spend more time sorting them out than I do dealing with the dog which was a surprise.

Here's a list of all rescues in the UK - http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk/centres.asp