Rabbit help — food

[Xouie]

Sitting waiting for my son to finish his class, when a lady comes to the car asking if we have lost a rabbit! Now we have this:

We’ve posted on lost pet forums, and talked to employees of the store. s/he can live in the house or brooder shed in a cage at night.

We have an appropriate waterer, but not FOOD! What can s/he eat for now until 7am when Walmart opens?

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Weeg]

Rabbits should get about 1/4 cup of rabbit feed per 6lbs of body weight I believe. Otherwise, free choice Timothy hay is necessary. Until then, let her forage on grass if you can keep her outside, or grass clippings if you can't. Maybe lettuce, I know thats a good treat and will probably due for the night.
Assuming you weren't prepared for rabbit keeping haha, I'll post a few links to my thread on getting rabbits, and few other threads I have found helpful. Congrats on your new addition!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/rabbit-purposes-other-than-meat-or-fibre.1450676/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/im-interested-in-getting-rabbits.1468158/page-9

 

[chickentrains]

@EverythingDucks

 

[Weeg]

@EverythingDucks has a lot of good info on rabbit keeping as well. I read her info in a post, and thats actually what made me start thinking about getting rabbits.

 

[EverythingDucks]

Looks like you have a Florida White bunny. Probably either escaped from a hutch or was an Easter bunny that someone dumped.

I suggest you keep him/her in the house. You can use a dog kennel, cage, or playpen for now. Playpens are the best though, since they provide enough space for all their needs while still allowing space for exercise.
Their diet should consist of 1/4 a cup of pellets a day, about a handful of spring mix veggies for breakfast and dinner, and unlimited timothy hay. And of course plenty of fresh water from a bowl.
If you are still unable to get food you can give him some lettuce, bits of grass, herbs, fruits like apple and bananas, just be sure that he's eating. If a rabbit goes without food in it's system for over 12 hours, it'll go into GI stasis and can die within 24 hours. Keep a close eye on him but give him some space to be sure he eats.

Do you plan on keeping him if you can't find his owner? If so, I have lots more information on keeping rabbits. If not though I recommend you check out the House Rabbit Society, you can look for a rescue location near you. I would go with them over any animal shelter because they know how to find good homes with people who know how to properly care for rabbits. They always match the right rabbit with the right owner. If they do not have a location close enough to you, look for animal shelters that take rabbits. Personally, I would look for the requirements needed to adopt a rabbit to be sure they will go to a good home. Or you could rehome him yourself. Just don't post on places like craigslist, where there are lots of scammers.

Hope this helps. If you have any more questions just let me know

 

[Xouie]

Looks like you have a Florida White bunny. Probably either escaped from a hutch or was an Easter bunny that someone dumped.

I suggest you keep him/her in the house. You can use a dog kennel, cage, or playpen for now. Playpens are the best though, since they provide enough space for all their needs while still allowing space for exercise.
Their diet should consist of 1/4 a cup of pellets a day, about a handful of spring mix veggies for breakfast and dinner, and unlimited timothy hay. And of course plenty of fresh water from a bowl.
If you are still unable to get food you can give him some lettuce, bits of grass, herbs, fruits like apple and bananas, just be sure that he's eating. If a rabbit goes without food in it's system for over 12 hours, it'll go into GI stasis and can die within 24 hours. Keep a close eye on him but give him some space to be sure he eats.

Do you plan on keeping him if you can't find his owner? If so, I have lots more information on keeping rabbits. If not though I recommend you check out the House Rabbit Society, you can look for a rescue location near you. I would go with them over any animal shelter because they know how to find good homes with people who know how to properly care for rabbits. They always match the right rabbit with the right owner. If they do not have a location close enough to you, look for animal shelters that take rabbits. Personally, I would look for the requirements needed to adopt a rabbit to be sure they will go to a good home. Or you could rehome him yourself. Just don't post on places like craigslist, where there are lots of scammers.

Hope this helps. If you have any more questions just let me know

Thank you. I’ve been reading up on previous rabbit care advice you’ve given on other threads as well. We fed alfalfa leaf, some long grass and Swiss chard immediately based on @Weeg ‘s post. I just got out of class and heading to get the Timothy hay now.

This is a very young, very tame rabbit who is comfortable with kids. We hope an anxious owner will answer on the local lost pets Facebook page or ask around the stores. But its age and location (community market parking lot) make me fear that this is indeed a dumped Easter bunny.

While we do have space for a rabbit, I’m always hesitant to bring in a new little critter. That is going to require some SERIOUS family discussion. This is obviously a pet rabbit, not a meat type — so we would be talking about YEARS of care. I think the next step after setting up a comfy spot (XL dog crate for now) is to get in touch with a rabbit rescue that can match the baby with an appropriate home. If there’s no local rescues, I will definitely consider having a new house pet. At least then I know she won’t be dumped again. That seriously makes me cry.

Again, thank you for your help!

 

[Xouie]

Rabbits should get about 1/4 cup of rabbit feed per 6lbs of body weight I believe. Otherwise, free choice Timothy hay is necessary. Until then, let her forage on grass if you can keep her outside, or grass clippings if you can't. Maybe lettuce, I know thats a good treat and will probably due for the night.
Assuming you weren't prepared for rabbit keeping haha, I'll post a few links to my thread on getting rabbits, and few other threads I have found helpful. Congrats on your new addition!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/rabbit-purposes-other-than-meat-or-fibre.1450676/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/im-interested-in-getting-rabbits.1468158/page-9

Thank you! You got us through the night and the bunny is doing well.

 

[Weeg]

Thank you! You got us through the night and the bunny is doing well.

I'm so happy to hear this! I really hope you can keep her, I think she would be a great addition to the family. You sound like a great home for her. Keep us posted.