What pet?

[Jurassic Wolf]

okay thanks. I think I'll keep looking into getting a rabbit. The problem is that to adopt a rabbit all the shelters require them to be kept indoors

 

[Amer]

okay thanks. I think I'll keep looking into getting a rabbit. The problem is that to adopt a rabbit all the shelters require them to be kept indoors

That's unfortunate. In my rather short experience of owning one I had an outdoor rabbit.

 

[Amer]

You could contact a breeder. They probably will sell fairly inexpensive rabbits as pets.

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

As someone that works in animal rescue, I want you to consider the following questions very carefully.

- Why do you want a pet?

- How much time will you have to spend with it - training, socializing, general care?
(You have previously stated you fear you won't have a lot of time to spend with it.)

- How much can you afford to spend on your pet each month?
(You said vet care is high in your area and you've expressed a concern about housing a pet.)

- Is your lifestyle fit for a pet? Consider how many hours you're at work/school, how often you go out in the evenings/on weekends and how frequently you travel. Are you

I know I'm coming off as an a-hole, but I want to make sure you've considered all of these things. I don't want you to get into a situation where the pet is neglected or dumped at a shelter.

You don't have to answer things questions here, but do think about them.

 

[Tortoise]

I dont want to come off as rude. However my love is for animals. You don't sound like you really have the means or time or really the care to give to an animal. So maybe don't get one and just enjoy the chickens you have.

 

[Ebony Rose]

With a 2'x3' cage, preferably the kind with the deep plastic bottom (about 6" deep tub on bottom of cage) like you'd get for a hamster, gerbil or mouse, you could very comfortably house four Japanese coturnix quail (after you consider the floor space you give up for food, water & a sand box). Ideally either all hens, or ONE cock with three hens. Males will brutally fight each other when they mature, so it's best to not have more than one in the cage. Quail take the barest minimum of time to care for, fresh food and water daily, gathering eggs daily. They really don't want to be your 'buddy', they pretty much want to be left alone to do their own thing, but still look to you for their three-hots-and-a-cot. Clean the litter out thoroughly on a regular basis, your nose knows when it's time... and you'll get used to knowing how many days between cleaning it for your flock. They require one ounce of game bird feed (not chicken feed) per bird daily. They need higher protein than chickens. If you get chicks, do NOT give them medicated feed.

 

[Jurassic Wolf]

I'm able to spend about 2 hours with the rabbit per day and spend about 1000 each year, plus 350 for spay/nueter
Is that enough time for a rabbit? I'd be able to spend more on weekends

 

[Mvan42]

Our rabbits live with the chickens. I feel they are easy to maintain. As for spay/neuter why? If you don’t want babies get all males or females or keep them apart. You can buy Timothy hey at Walmart or tractor supply for a rabbit. A few minutes a day holding and petting will keep them lovable.

 

[Skye'sDucks]

For me and my rabbits, I don't spend TOO much time with them. In the mornings and evenings when I do food/water checks I'll pet and talk to them, and both checks take no more than 10 minutes, or maybe more if I'm enjoying petting them.

I try to let them run around every few days, and I'll stay out with them for 30 minutes to an hour, since their pen is open and we have hawks. I will also periodically take them out and hold them on my lap for grooming, and that usually takes around 30 minutes or so, but I have 2 rabbits.

Price-wise in food, just ball-parking it for where we get our stuff online, its probably a little under $100 dollars for a bale of hay and (can't figure out the size and price of the hay sorry, I tried looking online but I couldn't find it) a 15 or 25 pound bag of pellets. A new bale of hay and either size of those pellet bags last them several months.

Lots of people say you have to give rabbits greens, but I don't and mine are just fine. They get them as a treat, but not a part of their diet. Rabbits also don't need check-ups at the vet, and for a lot of ailments you can find home-remedies so you don't have to take those costly trips to the vet. I've had my one rabbit for 8 years and I've taken him to the vet twice in the time I've had him. He's pushing 11 years old and is as spry and healthy as ever.

That's annoying about your local shelter. Drives me crazy when people think rabbits are only indoor pets. I hope you find the right pet soon!

 

[Tortoise]

For me and my rabbits, I don't spend TOO much time with them. In the mornings and evenings when I do food/water checks I'll pet and talk to them, and both checks take no more than 10 minutes, or maybe more if I'm enjoying petting them.

I try to let them run around every few days, and I'll stay out with them for 30 minutes to an hour, since their pen is open and we have hawks. I will also periodically take them out and hold them on my lap for grooming, and that usually takes around 30 minutes or so, but I have 2 rabbits.

Price-wise in food, just ball-parking it for where we get our stuff online, its probably a little under $100 dollars for a bale of hay and (can't figure out the size and price of the hay sorry, I tried looking online but I couldn't find it) a 15 or 25 pound bag of pellets. A new bale of hay and either size of those pellet bags last them several months.

Lots of people say you have to give rabbits greens, but I don't and mine are just fine. They get them as a treat, but not a part of their diet. Rabbits also don't need check-ups at the vet, and for a lot of ailments you can find home-remedies so you don't have to take those costly trips to the vet. I've had my one rabbit for 8 years and I've taken him to the vet twice in the time I've had him. He's pushing 11 years old and is as spry and healthy as ever.

That's annoying about your local shelter. Drives me crazy when people think rabbits are only indoor pets. I hope you find the right pet soon!

$100 for one bale of hay? Holy cow that's very expensive. The most expensive hay I ever heard of was in Arizona a few years ago when my friend was paying 15.00 a bale. Usually around my area and including Michigan a bale is 3 to 6 bucks. Not talking round bales which I dont think can ship anyway.