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Small pets

Brand new bunny...

21 replies

BrandNewBunny · 21/10/2017 17:56

Hi

We're picking up our brand new bun in a couple of weeks time. I'm in the process of sorting out a hutch and run.

Any advice or recommendations would be greatly received.

There are so many that don't come close to meeting the RSPCA minimum requirements.

OP posts:

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70isaLimitNotaTarget · 21/10/2017 18:56

OK , couple of questions (and I'm a non bunny person)

When you say Hutch& Run is your rabbit going to be outside (rather than house rabbit)

Is this a new rabbit to bond with an existing rabbit?

If not, why are you getting just one?

BrandNewBunny · 21/10/2017 19:14

Intention that it will be outside but there is room in the utility to bring it and the run inside in the event of very inclement weather.

Just one because it won't be neutered when we get it. Intention is to get another and bond them when neutered.

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Wolfiefan · 21/10/2017 19:15

Most runs and hutches are really tiny. Bunnies need to be able to run and jump. Oh my can they jump!

BrandNewBunny · 21/10/2017 19:20

Looking at getting a 6 ft 2 tier hutch and adjoining large run so that it can have free run in and out when I'm at work.

Will give him/them time in the garden when I'm at home.

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Jenniferturkington · 21/10/2017 19:21

I would strongly recommend that you get two straight away. A boy & girl are fine together initially and you can get the boy neutered a few months before the girl. A lone rabbit in a hutch in the garden is not on imho.

Make sure the hutch is as big as you can afford and then some. Rabbit proof the garden and let bun run around under your supervision. A large run for when you aren't there.

Invest lots of time in it in the early days and it will become a lovely companion. I have house buns now but have always had rabbits and they make wonderful pets.

Wolfiefan · 21/10/2017 19:21

Make sure it's proper fox proof. We once had a mummy fox bring her babies up to the hutch and show them their potential dinner!

misscph1973 · 21/10/2017 19:25

We had 2 bunnies, and they were not very friendly until we started letting them free range in the garden all day. Then they became very loving, they were obviously not happy in their hutch and run. Unfortunately DH then got the great idea that they should free range at night as well. In theory that was a good idea, as they are nocturnal, and there were quite hard to get to get into bed at night. This went well until the fox got both of them. We are still heart broken 6 months later.

So my advice is to let them free range as much as possible, as they are unlikely to be happy in a hutch and run. But do keep them locked up at nigt.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 21/10/2017 19:29

Your hutch needs to be 3 hops long
Your rabbit needs to be able to lie outstretched in any direction
And he needs to be able to stand up without hinderance.
2 tier hutches working out floorspace don't include the hatch bit for the ramp.
Access to an 8'x4' run minimum.

And yes , they do need a companion. Company, grooming, interaction with their own kind.
Why not get an older ready spayed doe from Rescue? They will rabbit bond them .

Have you seen "A Hutch Is Not Enough"? Lots of good advice
Also "Run-A-Round"

BrandNewBunny · 21/10/2017 19:37

Getting two straight off is an option...

We could that.

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70isaLimitNotaTarget · 21/10/2017 19:40

In fact, I'd say that getting him at this time of year is an even stronger arguement for getting 2.
There's a lot of dark night after the clocks go back. A lot of hours on his own.
So rather than let your boy get older and get a young doe , get an older doe now. You're always going to have an age difference anyway.

I read something on a rabbit site like imagine you live in a studio flat in summer, its nice and light, you have the windows open . Then its Autumn then winter. Not so nice and light. Windows still open, you don't have warm bedding to hide under or something to that effect.

If he sits in one place his joints and muscles will cramp up, he won't groom himself.

BrandNewBunny · 21/10/2017 19:41

We do have a fox that visits intermittently. And neighbourhood cats. I wouldn't want to give them free range unsupervised tbh.

But getting a doe at the same time would be an option.

At what age would they need to be 'done' by?

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Jenniferturkington · 21/10/2017 19:43

If I recall we had our buck done at 12 weeks and our doe at about 20 weeks.

BrandNewBunny · 21/10/2017 19:43

I know, 70. I was conscious of that.

Getting a doe would be fine. Could I get one from the same litter? If he was 'done' then would they be ok for a while?

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70isaLimitNotaTarget · 21/10/2017 19:44

Rather than a hutch what about a shed? There's loads of pics of what people have done to convert a shed or playhouse (look on Gumtree for 2nd hand ones, clean with a steamer and get Bunny Safe paint)
Cut a doorway and join up to the run.

You need a 'skirt' round the run to stop digging out/digging in.

(I'm quite relieved I have guinea-pigs. No digging and no standing up. Too lazy )

Jenniferturkington · 21/10/2017 19:45

Getting a rescue doe which has been done and having the rescue centre do the bonding with a young buck would also work well (and save you quite a lot of money in vet fees)

Auspiciouspanda · 21/10/2017 19:46

If you get one now then another later your going to need two hutches as bonding isn't quick or easy.

You need to get a nice big and secure hutch.

Jenniferturkington · 21/10/2017 19:50

Yes if the buck is done they will be fine. It is a good idea to get the doe done to avoid uterine cancer though.

BrandNewBunny · 21/10/2017 20:00

Yes I read that, Jennifer I would get it one.

As long as I didn't end up with babies before I could get him done!

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BrandNewBunny · 21/10/2017 20:00

one = done

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TimeIhadaNameChange · 25/10/2017 16:53

Mine have a shed which was specially built for them. They have a shelf which houses their hayrack (shelf is about 2 feet wide, so plenty of space for them to walk about on) plus a ramp up to a hidey hole. Plus they have a large nesting box, though they tend to wee in that and sleep on top. There's electricity to the shed for a light (for me) and a heater (for them).

The shed sits in a fully-enclosed run, by which I mean DP covered the floor in field-parking material so the grass can grow but the wee darlings can't dig out.

Why don't you look at rescues? They'll often neuter the rabbits for you, and bond them. (Bonding can be nasty and difficult. The two I tried to bond ended up apart.)

dangermouseisace · 29/10/2017 13:34

Mine have a playhouse and a specially built mega run, so as to meet RSPCA standards. I laid mesh under, and slabs around the run which I am VERY pleased I did. The local foxes have been trying so hard to get in.

I'd second rescues. There are so many bonded pairs sitting in rescues, waiting for families. Ours were already tamed, vaccinated and neutered and the kids love them. We had a choice of suitable friendly bunnies there were so many.

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