Getting bunnies...help!

[SpotTheCat]

Really? I had rabbits for many years. They were kept on wire floors. Nothing else. I never had a single case of sore hocks. Never. Not a one. Now I had New Zealands. If you have some of the giant breeds that may not be the case. I wouldn't know because I have had no experience with them. You can always put a board in the cage for the rabbit to sit on if you think it is necessary. Personally, I think heredity might be the biggest factor in the development sore hocks. It certainly is in a lot of other health issues.

I have a rex coated cross who had sore hocks when we got her, she had no hair over her hocks, I have been keeping her on bedding and now she has a bit of hair but still not a lot her, daughters (one of them is normal coated other ones are rex coated) have more hair on their hocks then she does but still not a lot so I definitely think it can be hereditary, they have never been on wire so that is definitely not the cause.

 

[EarthView]

I have a rex coated cross who had sore hocks when we got her, she had no hair over her hocks, I have been keeping her on bedding and now she has a bit of hair but still not a lot her, daughters (one of them is normal coated other ones are rex coated) have more hair on their hocks then she does but still not a lot so I definitely think it can be hereditary, they have never been on wire so that is definitely not the cause.

Rex furred rabbits are more susptable to sore hocks, as well as the heavy breeds (like flemish giants). I've only had one rabbit with sore hocks and it was my mini rex. Her feet got better once she moved into the colony.

 

[SpotTheCat]

Rex furred rabbits are more susptable to sore hocks, as well as the heavy breeds (like flemish giants). I've only had one rabbit with sore hocks and it was my mini rex. Her feet got better once she moved into the colony.

What I have read is you can breed for better furred feet, some rex coated rabbits don’t have enough fur on their feet.

 

[HorsesRMe123]

Really? I had rabbits for many years. They were kept on wire floors. Nothing else. I never had a single case of sore hocks. Never. Not a one. Now I had New Zealands. If you have some of the giant breeds that may not be the case. I wouldn't know because I have had no experience with them. You can always put a board in the cage for the rabbit to sit on if you think it is necessary. Personally, I think heredity might be the biggest factor in the development sore hocks. It certainly is in a lot of other health issues.

That’s interesting. Could be heredity like you mentioned.

For OP though I would highly recommend something to get off of the wire to keep the rabbit from any discomfort, a simple board will do.

 

[SpotTheCat]

That’s interesting. Could be heredity like you mentioned.

For OP though I would highly recommend something to get off of the wire to keep the rabbit from any discomfort, a simple board will do.

I think the placement of the feet also has something to do with it. Normally rabbit feet should be like this l l ,but if they have pinched hips their feet will be like this v .The bottom of the v is where the hocks are, so if they are like that then the weight of the rabbit won’t be evenly distributed over the feet like it is supposed to be.