Willow's Meadow :
Here is a list I go by to feed my rabbit:
Alfalfa, radish & clover sprouts
Basil
Beet greens (tops)*
Bok choy
Broccoli (mostly leaves/stems)*
Brussels sprouts
Carrot & carrot tops*
Celery
Cilantro
Clover
Collard greens*
Dandelion greens and flowers (no pesticides)*
Endive*
Escarole
Green peppers
Kale (!)*
Mint
Mustard greens*
Parsley*
Pea pods (the flat edible kind)*
Peppermint leaves
Raddichio
Radish tops
Raspberry leaves
Romaine lettuce (no iceberg or light colored leaf)*
Spinach (!)*
Watercress*
Wheat grass
(!)=Use sparingly. High in either oxalates or goitrogens and may be toxic in accumulated quantities over a period of time
* = good source of vitamin A.....feed only one type a day.
I posted almost identical to this one a few weeks ago but would have had to go find the link so thank you Willow for getting to it first!
As for outdoor hutches, as long as they have a solid roof and at least one solid side they will do okay. Better to have the entire back end solid for weather protection or at least some sort of box that they can fit into comfortably that is weather proof. If you get hot weather be prepared to bring them inside as rabbits get heatstroke easily. If it's not too bad, frozen 2 liter bottles of water will help them stay cool. Make sure the hutch is in the shade since even though the roof makes shade, being in direct sun will make it like an oven inside.
For indoors, this can be either just when it's too hot for them or permanent if you want them to be indoor bunnies. I just discovered a new type of homemade cage that is fabulous. It's called a C & C cage which stands for cube & coroplast. The cubes are wire grids that you can build storage boxes from and the coroplast is like plastic cardboard (you can get at a sign shop). It is much less expensive than store bought cages and give you more room for the price.
http://guineapigcages.com/cubes.htm
This link shows many different types of setups as well as instructions for building your own. It started with guinea pigs but if you look around, the design can be modified for most small animals. There are examples for rabbit ones as well, you just have to look at the other pets section. Basically, for rabbits, it needs to be two panels high so they can't jump out.
Rabbits are great pets, this is a good time of year to start them outside if that's where you want them to be. Gives them a chance to grow their winter coat before it gets cold.
Oh, just a quick question, are the rabbits for kids or more of a family pet? The reason I ask is rabbits do require a bit of maintenance that most younger kids can't do without help. All the animals in our house get looked in on once a day by me even if they are the kids' pets. Good luck with your bunnies and keep posting pictures!
Here is a list I go by to feed my rabbit:
Alfalfa, radish & clover sprouts
Basil
Beet greens (tops)*
Bok choy
Broccoli (mostly leaves/stems)*
Brussels sprouts
Carrot & carrot tops*
Celery
Cilantro
Clover
Collard greens*
Dandelion greens and flowers (no pesticides)*
Endive*
Escarole
Green peppers
Kale (!)*
Mint
Mustard greens*
Parsley*
Pea pods (the flat edible kind)*
Peppermint leaves
Raddichio
Radish tops
Raspberry leaves
Romaine lettuce (no iceberg or light colored leaf)*
Spinach (!)*
Watercress*
Wheat grass
(!)=Use sparingly. High in either oxalates or goitrogens and may be toxic in accumulated quantities over a period of time
* = good source of vitamin A.....feed only one type a day.
I posted almost identical to this one a few weeks ago but would have had to go find the link so thank you Willow for getting to it first!
As for outdoor hutches, as long as they have a solid roof and at least one solid side they will do okay. Better to have the entire back end solid for weather protection or at least some sort of box that they can fit into comfortably that is weather proof. If you get hot weather be prepared to bring them inside as rabbits get heatstroke easily. If it's not too bad, frozen 2 liter bottles of water will help them stay cool. Make sure the hutch is in the shade since even though the roof makes shade, being in direct sun will make it like an oven inside.
For indoors, this can be either just when it's too hot for them or permanent if you want them to be indoor bunnies. I just discovered a new type of homemade cage that is fabulous. It's called a C & C cage which stands for cube & coroplast. The cubes are wire grids that you can build storage boxes from and the coroplast is like plastic cardboard (you can get at a sign shop). It is much less expensive than store bought cages and give you more room for the price.
http://guineapigcages.com/cubes.htm
This link shows many different types of setups as well as instructions for building your own. It started with guinea pigs but if you look around, the design can be modified for most small animals. There are examples for rabbit ones as well, you just have to look at the other pets section. Basically, for rabbits, it needs to be two panels high so they can't jump out.
Rabbits are great pets, this is a good time of year to start them outside if that's where you want them to be. Gives them a chance to grow their winter coat before it gets cold.
Oh, just a quick question, are the rabbits for kids or more of a family pet? The reason I ask is rabbits do require a bit of maintenance that most younger kids can't do without help. All the animals in our house get looked in on once a day by me even if they are the kids' pets. Good luck with your bunnies and keep posting pictures!
