What Rabbits Do You Have? Show Off Your Rabbits Here!

[PrimroseMom1]

Well, it looks like our bunnies hit their max temp today.  The thermometer outside was reading 98 degrees when I got home.  DH had put a frozen water bottle in with them around noon. Their hutch is in the shade. The water bottle was still cold when I got home at 4.  However, the girls were laying next to it, panting and didn't even move when I opened the door to the hutch. (whever I approach the hutch, they usually start running in circles)  I scooped them up and brought them into the house.  They are now in our family room in an xtra large dog kennel with a litter pan. It took some time, but they look much calmer now and have been up and sniffing around exploring.  I thought DH would freak when I told him I brought them inside but he has grown attached to them too.  I don't want to keep them in my family room, so we are working on our backup plan this weekend.  Luckily, the temps are going back down to the 80's this weekend before they start climbing back up again.  It amazes me how much chickens and bunnies have changed my attitude (for the better !) over the past year and half. 

I use a fan in the hotter months. I also use frozen bottles and the fan blows on the bottles. The bunnies lie behind the bottles so it is sort of like outside air conditioning. It gets very hot and humid here for months and they have done well with that. Their hutch is also under a big oak tree.

 

[kacklinkelly]

Thanks Primrose.

 

[Shallon]

Hi guys!
I have one inside bunny as a pet, she's a Holland lop.
I also have two angora rabbits, a Satin and what I believe to be a French/German Cross.
Penny the lop:

Nickel the Amazon bunny, I mean, French/German Angora:

And Kona, my Satin Angora. She was my only bun I got young, at about 10 weeks.

I'm a handspinner, and looking forward to harvesting all that lovely fiber soon! They need that fur off for the warmer weather!

 

[rexannastar]

everyone's bunnies are so beautiful! shallon, how long have you had your angoras? I'm thinking of getting one this spring/summer, and I'd love any advice you may have. it would be my first rabbit. I'm interested in one as a pet and for the fiber.

 

[PrimroseMom1]

Thanks Primrose.  

The fan I get is from Family Dollar or Dollar General. It costs about $15 and lasts for two summers. It is on an adjustable pole so I can put it at any height. Well worth it when the heat gets still and heavy.

 

[SternRose]

Those are cheap fans

 

[kacklinkelly]

The fan I get is from Family Dollar or Dollar General. It costs about $15 and lasts for two summers. It is on an adjustable pole so I can put it at any height. Well worth it when the heat gets still and heavy.

We have that very fan. We figured out where the bunnies will be moved to. Now it's a matter of clearing and organizing. DH decided that our backyard shed is the best location. It stays considerably cooler than the outside temps just from it's location. It has ventilation. He's going to run power to it for the fan and when necessary, a small a/c unit. I am amazed that he came up with the idea. I have been secretly wanting this spot but never said anything. (power of positive thinking

) Our girls were not very happy while in the dog's kennel. They were thumping quite a bit. I haven't heard that in a long time. When I put them outside this morning, they were binkying all over the place.

They will be much more comfortable going forward.

 

[Shallon]

I've had Nickel for about eight months, and Kona since February. I learned most of what I know about Angoras from a very reputable Angora breeder. I had started reading on the Ravelry Angora forums, and then found a listing posted by a woman, and started talking to her about showing rabbits. She invited me to come to a rabbit show and learn more. While I was there I learned about the five Angora breeds and pros and cons of each, care, a little bit about color genetics, etc. I also got to handle a ton of cute bunnies and helped them move them back and forth. It's a huge exciting world. I still may consider showing rabbits someday when I have the funds to pay for all the cages and rabbits to start up with. There's also a lot of info on Angora web sites!
For angoras, low maintenance coats are the best! If you want a wooler/pet you get to pay a lot less for your rabbit! Breeders always have extra due to the prolificy of rabbits, and they'll sell their pet quality cheaper. Make sure you get a breeder that also is a spinner. They know what to look for in a nice spinning coat. French and Satins usually have very easy care coats. French produce more but Satin produce finer. Kona's is like silk, fine and strong. Germans and Giants produce the most, but they are very expensive even for pet quality. Getting a rabbit from a good breeder means that they will be friendly right off the bat, which makes grooming a breeze and social interactions delightful. Kona's a love bug.
Unless your bunny is inside the house, get two. I had Nickel by herself in the shed for a few months, and she was so shy. Now that she's had Kona for a neighbor for a couple months, she's downright friendly, asking for petting when I feed her. You do need separate cages unless you get two siblings raised together, though. Apparently you can have rabbits get along after a long drawn out socialization process, but I've yet to have time to do that.
Besides that, feed your bunny good quality pellets, I use 16% protein, and free feed hay to help move the wool along their intestines and avoid wool block. You can also give them veggie treats eventually, mine all love carrots! Get a cage plenty big enough, you can even potty train bunnies. (I haven't read this whole thread, people probably talk about it). Our inside bunny the holland lop was not good at potty training, it took her a few months and she still leaves dingleberries on the carpet eventually. But we did get her to use a littler box inside the cage. You can't have an angora use an open litter box because of their fur, but you can use a litter box with a wire top on it.
Angoras are bred to be sweet and easy to handle for grooming. They are soft and adorable! I am hoping to sell some of the fiber from mine when I get enough time to take some photos and do some listings for my Etsy shop.

 

[chicken farmer]

I tryed to breed my new zealand white rabbits(first time I've bred rabbits) but I've read,watched,and heard a lot and know about everything and I put the doe in the bucks cage but he kept trying to breed her side or he would try to breed the back than didn't successfully do it.Than I put them in the chicken pen while they were free ranging and they loved to be together and he kept tryin to breed her side and he got the back a few times and fell over but he kept hittin her leg I'm pretty sure and this is his second time breeding and the first time wasn't successful and he's about 2-3 years old and not an experienced breeder. But the doe was lifting for him and everything and he didn't do it correctly so I'm gonna try late afternoon later and see what happens.

 

[rexannastar]

shallon, thanks for the great insight! I've pm'd you with a couple more questions