New rabbit questions

[lucy7]

Ok I just recently got a rabbit , like today recently . I've done a lot or research before deciding to get one but I have a few questions that I was hoping someone could help me answer...
Ok my rabbit will be staying in my chicken coop in her own hutch , at the moment I'm using pine shavings is that ok? I know you are not supposed to use it for bedding for rabbits . She wouldn't be touching it or anything . I will also be switching my chickens to sand in a few months .

My second question is how can I stop her from chewing material ? Can I ? I would like to litter box train her so that I can put fleece down during the winter . She is only 3 months old , will she outgrow that ?

Any help is greatly appreciated thank you!!!!!

 

[GitaBooks]

Congrats on the rabbit!

The scent of pine (at least cedar) can be dangerous to small mammals livers, but if she can't touch it then it should be okay for a little while.
Our rabbit loved to chew on paper, not wood, but paper. She just always chewed on paper (books, money, ect) her whole life but never wood. She also loved her hay, it kept her teeth worn down.
Our rabbit was litter trained. She was a house rabbit and did well with run of the whole house, using litter boxes in the corners. Sometimes she missed, particularly with number 2. However, she did well most of the time.

I hope this helps. Best of luck with your new rabbit!

 

[lucy7]

Congrats on the rabbit!

The scent of pine (at least cedar) can be dangerous to small mammals livers, but if she can't touch it then it should be okay for a little while.
Our rabbit loved to chew on paper, not wood, but paper. She just always chewed on paper (books, money, ect) her whole life but never wood. She also loved her hay, it kept her teeth worn down.
Our rabbit was litter trained. She was a house rabbit and did well with run of the whole house, using litter boxes in the corners. Sometimes she missed, particularly with number 2. However, she did well most of the time.

I hope this helps. Best of luck with your new rabbit!

Thank you!! I am planning on switching the chickens to sand hopefully soon. Thanks !

 

[Ozarkhomesteader]

Congrats on the rabbit!!

My rabbits have never had a problem using pine shavings as litter, though i discontinued it since i am actually allergic to it. I would not use ceder though, i can harm them (i wouldn't actually recommend it for any animal personally).

Litter box training is something i would definitely do, even though your rabbit is in the coop. It keeps things much cleaner. I use paper towels or newspaper piled with hay for my rabbits bedding, mostly because i don't really have any money, lol. Works great for me, but has to be changed almost daily. My little sister buys nice rabbit pellet bedding for her rabbit, and it lasts a lot longer. My rabbit bucky was raised in a barn as a breeding rabbit for my herd, but i fell in love with him so i retired him recently (he is only 1 1/2 with only 2 litters) and he is now an inside pet. He always uses the box for pee and most of the poo, but sometime forgets on the poop...thankfully its nice dry little pellets.

on the chewing, you could try putting some bitter apple on the fleece. It dosen't work for all animals, but it has a really bad taste and may teach him not to chew on it. MAke sure to provide some appropriate chewing items to replace the blanket.

Good luck with your new buddy!!