The Bunny Chat Thread - For Bunny Owners

[igorsMistress]

Oh yeah, I did forget to mention it but we most certainly will get an estimate before making a decision like that. Probably within the next few days, and then go from there. I think they will be doing a check-up call anyways so we can always ask then. I certainly hope it won't be too expensive. I really want to give her the biggest chance I can.

I’ll definitely be thinking of you both! She’s a beautiful girl

 

[A Peacock called Penelope]

I'm very conflicted right now...It's looking like I may be having to have one of my rabbits put down.

Just the other day I noticed Pumpkin, one of my bunnies, had an abscess on her jaw. I had another rabbit who had to be put down because of one of these, so I know all about them...

Knowing that, we don't want to put her through extensive surgery and treatment, one because I know what it was like for our other rabbit (not fun...for bunny or us...) and two because it's very expensive. My only options at this point is to put her on antibiotics (we went to the vet today and they already gave us some to start her on) and have the abscess drained and hope for the best, or let her live out her life for a while and then put her down when it gets too bad...

It's such a tough decision -- I love all my pets and work very hard on giving them good lives. But this is the sad side of owning animals. My mom is against putting Pumpkin thru having the abscess drained, although I'm leaning toward that option, although I have my own decisions to make, considering I don't have a job, only have a little saved money (and need to continue to save from future odd jobs for once I'm out of college) and I would be paying for most if not all of the treatment, which is probably costly itself. I don't think we got a direct estimate for a lancing, though.

Sorry for the sad and long post... Sometimes it's nice to rant though lol. Here's an older picture of my cute Pumpkin to brighten things up a bit:
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What a precious bunny. Hopefully she will get well soon. U are a great owner and ik u will do everything u can to save her.

 

[ChocolateMouse]

So I don't have a picture yet but Tiny Tim is in his new digs, a 2x5 cage with a big box he's already started to gnaw on and push around. I moved 3 6 week rex kits from Donuts litter into his cage for just a week or two - the small cage and its elevated position makes touching the rabbits easier which is ideal for socializing them to my hands and all three of these are going to be keepers so they need it. They're really easy to spook right now and they need to warm up to me. This is an opportunity to make that happen, though they're going to outgrow that cage FAST.

Tiny Tims time spent socializing in that cage payed off in a big way. Even though he's in a larger floor cage now, I can reach down to pet him without him spooking. In fact he even raises his head up to ask me to pet him. The cages on the floor that open from the top tend to make the rabbits a bit spook-y because you reach down into the cage a lot, so the fact that he's not spooking means that the small cage where it's easier to interact with him was worth it. I hope it plays out at least as well for the three new weanlings.

 

[A Peacock called Penelope]

So I don't have a picture yet but Tiny Tim is in his new digs, a 2x5 cage with a big box he's already started to gnaw on and push around. I moved 3 6 week rex kits from Donuts litter into his cage for just a week or two - the small cage and its elevated position makes touching the rabbits easier which is ideal for socializing them to my hands and all three of these are going to be keepers so they need it. They're really easy to spook right now and they need to warm up to me. This is an opportunity to make that happen, though they're going to outgrow that cage FAST.

Tiny Tims time spent socializing in that cage payed off in a big way. Even though he's in a larger floor cage now, I can reach down to pet him without him spooking. In fact he even raises his head up to ask me to pet him. The cages on the floor that open from the top tend to make the rabbits a bit spook-y because you reach down into the cage a lot, so the fact that he's not spooking means that the small cage where it's easier to interact with him was worth it. I hope it plays out at least as well for the three new weanlings.

I made bugs used to me by hiding carrots in my pockets and laying down on a mat and letting him out in a enclosed area this was the only way that made him come to me. U can try this too idk if it will work for u. He did make a hole in my jeans to reach the carrots.

 

[Fishychix]

I made bugs used to me by hiding carrots in my pockets and laying down on a mat and letting him out in a enclosed area this was the only way that made him come to me. U can try this too idk if it will work for u. He did make a hole in my jeans to reach the carrots.

How’s he doing?

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Penelope, that'd be great but I don't have the time/secure area to wait about for hours for them to come nibble my pockets through. It's much easier to put them in a smaller space and pet them every time I feed them and make them take veggies from my hands at snack times 'til they're not as scared. It's not quite as nice, but these are livestock not pets. I have 23 rabbits on my property right now, not to mention 31 chickens and 3 dogs. There's just no way to give them all that level of attention. They all get a couple minutes of petting a day at feeding time, if they'll let me, and more attention if they need grooming or get moved. But I have other things to take care of most of the time.

So our hand-socializing tends to be more of a crash course than a proper bonding time.

 

[A Peacock called Penelope]

How’s he doing?

He's doing great except his eating habits are kinda messed up he doesn't eat his bottle gourd cucumber and zucchini and that's all I can find in the nearest store I add mint barley oats wheat and chickpeas carrots a fruit but these are in small amounts. He is now bonded to me and trusts me and tolerates being picked up but only by me he doesn't even let other people touch him. Didn't introduce him to my dog yet.

 

[A Peacock called Penelope]

Penelope, that'd be great but I don't have the time/secure area to wait about for hours for them to come nibble my pockets through. It's much easier to put them in a smaller space and pet them every time I feed them and make them take veggies from my hands at snack times 'til they're not as scared. It's not quite as nice, but these are livestock not pets. I have 23 rabbits on my property right now, not to mention 31 chickens and 3 dogs. There's just no way to give them all that level of attention. They all get a couple minutes of petting a day at feeding time, if they'll let me, and more attention if they need grooming or get moved. But I have other things to take care of most of the time.

So our hand-socializing tends to be more of a crash course than a proper bonding time.

That's alot of animals the care must be very time consuming. I took online classes with him for 6 hours spent alot of time with him since I have nothing to do

 

[ChocolateMouse]

Yeah, when I had pet rabbits I spent a lot of time with them too. They're GREAT companion animals, especially if you live a quiet life. But ours is a small farm and they're farm animals. It's time consuming, but it's not hard to keep them mostly happy, even if they're not pet-level socialized. If you spend even just a few minutes around them and observe carefully you get a feel for their personalities. We make a lot of simple toys for them and the gardening work leads to lots of bonus snacks for them. Their favorites are the thorny things - quince, thistle and blackberry. Kinda funny like that.

Turns out Tiny Tim doesn't like apples. He takes a little nibble then ignores it. Most of the rabbits can't get enough. He likes his greens better. Some rabbits are just picky, or maybe get upset tummies from what they eat and don't go back to it again. My experience is that rabbits self regulate well. But given that bugs is underweight, I'd be worried about him not eating too. Not sure what you can do but offer more of what he DOES like to eat.

 

[A Peacock called Penelope]

Yeah, when I had pet rabbits I spent a lot of time with them too. They're GREAT companion animals, especially if you live a quiet life. But ours is a small farm and they're farm animals. It's time consuming, but it's not hard to keep them mostly happy, even if they're not pet-level socialized. If you spend even just a few minutes around them and observe carefully you get a feel for their personalities. We make a lot of simple toys for them and the gardening work leads to lots of bonus snacks for them. Their favorites are the thorny things - quince, thistle and blackberry. Kinda funny like that.

Turns out Tiny Tim doesn't like apples. He takes a little nibble then ignores it. Most of the rabbits can't get enough. He likes his greens better. Some rabbits are just picky, or maybe get upset tummies from what they eat and don't go back to it again. My experience is that rabbits self regulate well. But given that bugs is underweight, I'd be worried about him not eating too. Not sure what you can do but offer more of what he DOES like to eat.

He seems to be eating other stuff. Hay oats grass carrots and his favourites