Rabbit Thread

[Skye'sDucks]

Ah, yeah, I didn't think of that. I forgot about the difference in blockages. It is a good idea! I always like to look up and research as much as I can when one of my animals gets sick before rushing them to the vet, first, to see if there's anything I can do here at home or go up to the store and buy for much cheaper. Sometimes a vet visit is needed, but it's nice when you can save money, even if you can afford a vet.

 

[igorsMistress]

Hi all. I'm happy to have found this thread, I'm seriously considering a couple of rabbits but not for breeding or meat, I guess more as pets. Honestly, I want rabbit poop for my garden!

I have a ton of questions about housing and such. Do you all leave the bunnies in a hutch or pen all the time or do you let them out to run around the yard? If you let them out, do they return to their pen to sleep?

I'm sorry, I'm totally dumb about them. I really don't dig keeping my animals in a cage so doing that would be a problem for me.

 

[igorsMistress]

PS- how do you guys deal with high temperatures? And what are the bunnies that look like siamese cats called? I love those!

 

[CoturnixComplex]

Hi all. I'm happy to have found this thread, I'm seriously considering a couple of rabbits but not for breeding or meat, I guess more as pets. Honestly, I want rabbit poop for my garden!

I have a ton of questions about housing and such. Do you all leave the bunnies in a hutch or pen all the time or do you let them out to run around the yard? If you let them out, do they return to their pen to sleep?

I'm sorry, I'm totally dumb about them. I really don't dig keeping my animals in a cage so doing that would be a problem for me.

Imo, a secure hutch for nighttime with an attached run/yard for daytime running (and plenty of hiding spots from hawks) is perfect. I wish that could be my setup; too many predators here. As is mine still get taken out for playtime outside, but only when I'm there to supervise.

They REALLY don't like being picked up and their kicks can be something else so having a hutch you can just herd them in and out of instead of picking them up to do it would be great. I think you'll probably have to ensure they make it in there every night like with (some of the dumber) chickens.

I noticed an immediate difference in my plants when I started watering them with 'rabbit poop tea'. At least they love it!

As for the Siamese bunnies, "Himalayan" is the color I think you like. A bunch of breeds can come in it, but Himalayans (smaller) and Californians (meatier) should always look that way.

That said, I would not get a straight meat bunny breed if you want them to be friendly. There will always be exceptions but on the whole they are not bred for their temperament.

 

[AltonaAcres]

We keep our rabbits in hutches, but when I'm home all or most of the day, I let them out into 12 by 12 ground pens so they can exercise, eat grass, and dig around. I always put them back into their hutch at dusk, because we have tons of predators. High temperatures are definitely harder for rabbits than cold temperatures. We put our hutches in the shade, and give our bunnies frozen water bottles. As for the siamese cat looking bunnies, do you mean Californians?

 

[pintail_drake2004]

I have several rabbits for meat and fur. Standard Rex for fur and NZW's for meat. I have put 30 in the freezer this year so far.

A batch of feeders:

My Black Otter Rex rabbits are almost of breeding age. When they are, I will try to get a litter by the end of the year. I have found that my Rex and NZW/Rex cross grow out about 2-4 weeks slower than my NZW's.

As for high temps, I freeze water bottles and give them one every day. I also have an industrial fan circulating air around the cages.

 

[igorsMistress]

Imo, a secure hutch for nighttime with an attached run/yard for daytime running (and plenty of hiding spots from hawks) is perfect. I wish that could be my setup; too many predators here. As is mine still get taken out for playtime outside, but only when I'm there to supervise.

They REALLY don't like being picked up and their kicks can be something else so having a hutch you can just herd them in and out of instead of picking them up to do it would be great. I think you'll probably have to ensure they make it in there every night like with (some of the dumber) chickens.

I noticed an immediate difference in my plants when I started watering them with 'rabbit poop tea'. At least they love it!

As for the Siamese bunnies, "Himalayan" is the color I think you like. A bunch of breeds can come in it, but Himalayans (smaller) and Californians (meatier) should always look that way.

That said, I would not get a straight meat bunny breed if you want them to be friendly. There will always be exceptions but on the whole they are not bred for their temperament.

Thank you! Californians, I couldn't remember that, although my DIL said she thinks Holland lops or mini rex would do well here with shorter fur. Not looking for meat rabbits, I don't care for the taste. Good to know they might not be exceptionally bright lol. I would provide a covered run for predator protection but keeping them in a hutch 24/7 doesn't appeal. I'm also not a cuddler, except with my dogs, so not liking to be held works for me.

We keep our rabbits in hutches, but when I'm home all or most of the day, I let them out into 12 by 12 ground pens so they can exercise, eat grass, and dig around. I always put them back into their hutch at dusk, because we have tons of predators. High temperatures are definitely harder for rabbits than cold temperatures. We put our hutches in the shade, and give our bunnies frozen water bottles. As for the siamese cat looking bunnies, do you mean Californians?

Yes, Californians, I love the way they look thank you! I have lots of shade available here and I've read that the frozen water bottles work well.

I've found some Holland lops locally for $25, youngsters, so I'm contacting the seller

 

[CoturnixComplex]

If you're not planning on breeding, I'd also check your local rescues. Your best bet for a happy pair is a spayed female and a neutered male and that can be expensive to get done. Rescues usually come pre-done and might even have bonded pairs already.

 

[igorsMistress]

If you're not planning on breeding, I'd also check your local rescues. Your best bet for a happy pair is a spayed female and a neutered male and that can be expensive to get done. Rescues usually come pre-done and might even have bonded pairs already.

I was looking at bunnies on the Humane Society pages here. Their fees include spay/neuter and they aren't much more to rescue than buying on CL from a breeder so I'm going that route. My DIL told me they, the HS, recently rescued about 100 rabbits. Poor little buns.

 

[Skye'sDucks]

My two pet rabbits live in a hutch that's above the ground, and if we were to move or once I have my own place I would probably rather build them a covered run for exercise. I let mine out in connected dog pens and I just sit outside and watch them. As for heat, I leave a fan out for them in the summers and put out frozen blocks of ice (made in old yogurt or sour cream containers), since where their hutch is set up the dripping water doesn't make a mess. That or frozen bottles, like other people do.

As for cold weather, I live in FL so it hardly gets cold here. 40s is about as low as it'll get, so I just throw down blankets for mine. Sometimes we'll put out a heat lamp, too. I know other people stuff cages with straw or hay or add boxes, but in my experience the rabbits just peed and pooed in the boxes and made a mess...

Another fun optional thing for exercise is to buy a little dog/cat leash and harness. (I would stay away from just collars since their necks are delicate) Not all rabbits tolerate them, but I think if you have a generally calm rabbit it should work. I bought one not too long ago, but it's a size too big so we need to fix it so my one bunny doesn't squirm out.

I like the idea of rescuing for pets, there are so many sad cases out there! My current rabbit was found in a parking lot, poor girl. My other rabbit that died wasn't through a rescue but he was saved from being dumped near a dog park. Sweetest pets you could ever ask for.