To get a load of bunnies for the kids?

[JoanCollected]

Any rabbit owners who do it properly here who can advise me? I have finally agreed to get rabbits for my daughter and other kids. Mostly daughter (9) as she loves animals and has proven to be very responsible minding other pets and animals, as well as being organised and mature in general. I’ve tried googling and have a pretty good idea but it’s not the same as hints from real owners in the context of my own set up.

Ive an omlet run which I’ve bought a long tunnel and additional fox proof run off it for them to be in safely. They will be in a larger area that is chicken fenced and walled full of grass and trees. My chickens live there and I am planning to slowly introduce them to each other. (Anyone ever done this?).

Bunnies would be able to dig out of the area when let loose, but anyone know if I can get them to imprint enough on their big fenced area to at least go back or stay close when given freedom? We could only let them loose when supervised but ideally I like them to have as much freedom as possible while making sure they’re in their safe runs at night.

I think we’ve loads of space for 4 but is 2 better to make pets of? Would they be less friendly if they’ve more of their own buddies?

im planning on wood shavings in their hut as I’ve loads for my chickens. Is there anything easier for cleaning? Or better for bunnies?

I haven’t a good or water dish yet, any recommendations?

Anyone know if they are wise enough not to fall into a pond?

Thanks for any advice.

Look for small local rescues - there are lots and they are often full of bonded pairs looking for homes. It'll be cheaper than buying babies and neutering/vaccinating, plus they'll already be bonded so you won't end up with two singles.

I'd really recommend sticking to your secure fox-proof run - foxes are bold & fast, plus other predators are a risk (cats, stoats, birds of prey - even magpies have been known to attack rabbits on rare occasions).
I take the approach of better a long life in a secure enriched environment - you could attach more runs using tunnels if you aren't meeting the 60ft² with your current set up.

I'd also consider a shed for indoor space rather a hutch - more dry space in bad weather plus its far more pleasant for the humans to spend time in a dry shed with them so easier & more fun during the winter for us too!

We kept rabbits as children. They were very boring pets, which is one reason so many end up in rescues as children tire of them after about 3 weeks. My memories are of the disgusting smell of rabbit urine, having to constantly clean the hutch in all weathers, and going out to fill food bowls in the dark after school in winter. And being kicked and scratched whenever we tried to pick the rabbits up. Ours lived for many years of drudgery.

My rabbits lived until 12, these will be your rabbits as your daughter will outgrow them whilst they are still fit and healthy. Do you think she will still be into the rabbits at 15 and older?

You also have to have all the males neutered, I recall it costing more than a cat.

I would not recommend.

It’s not just about being bored. It’s about growing up! She may want to go on holidays, stay over at friends the entire weekend, leave home when she’s 18 (or younger). Are you prepared to take the full responsibility for those rabbits, OP?

these rabbits may easily live 10+ years and it isn’t fair to make your DD be or feel responsible for them during her teens and early adulthood. Because no 9 year old child - no matter how responsible, kind, mature etc. - can fully grasp the extent of it.

and what if you want to downsize? Move? After your DD has moved out? You can’t expect her to take them with her to a flatshare or student accommodation. So these will be your rabbits.

Get the rabbits if you yourself truly want them. Not your DD!

I know a girl who left school years ago and still has her pet rabbit from childhood. It lives a lonely life with not much fun or interaction. Sad.

She never really bothers with it and the mum does everything. That's probably fine for you in your case as you're the one that wants it right enough. Shame for it though. It just sits about looking bored.

As far as I can see it wasn't a very good pet as she now has a family dog and it gets a lot more attention from everyone.

I had two rabbits as a teen. They fell out, necessitating two hutches and runs. It was not how I'd imagined it would be. They didn't like my attention. They bit and scratched me despite being regularly handled and cared for kindly once their hormones kicked in.

Since then I've had mice, cats, dogs, horses and fish. I think the dogs and cats made more fun pets to keep at home.

I mean what can you do with a rabbit. Nothing. They are cute but very boring. Why do you want one? How much time will you all interact with it? What do you hope to get from it? Can you not get a small low shedding dog? You can take it with you and she'll love it more than a boring rabbit. I mean how do you even know if a rabbit is pleased to see you, happy or sad or in pain? It's expression is the exact same.

Are you planning to just have pet rabbits or have a rabbit farm for your own meat? Are you planning to get commercial rabbits to shear for angora harvesting or eating etc?

People do have chicken coops for eggs and meat.
I know a teenager who was very industrious and sold many dozens of eggs for a tidy profit.

For rabbit meat, I think you can only farm them for your own use. Your teenager could breed rabbits and sell them for pets occasionally too, I imagine.

This woman has a wealth of knowledge. Any question you have, she will have answered! https://www.youtube.com/@HooksHollands/videos

Holland is what we call Mini Lop. That is the breed I would recommend. My rabbits are friendly, can be handled, spend hours binkying around the house. I don't find them hard work at all.

Our chickens would 100% kill a baby rabbit and unfortunately seen them kill a wild one. I am not sure what they would do with an adult rabbit but think they view any outsider as a threat including outsider chickens who they will bully.

I can't agree with many of these posters....rabbits are brilliant pets. Very easy, they don't bark (you'll probably never hear them make a noise although they can shriek if really scared by a fox or stoat) and they aren't meat eaters.

My daughter had her favourite rabbit when it was very small, we always had miniature rabbits though, not the big breeds. Rabbits are very intelligent and bond with people if handled enough.....they are quite happy being handled if you start when they are small and continue. My daughter managed to train the rabbit....it would do anything for her, she could even tell it to "stay" and it would wait for her....he'd only do what she asked, never for us! Rabbit had plenty of freedom outside but came indoors, seldom made a mess indoors, he seemed to sense not to. We would also take him in the car, he would happily sit on my daughter's lap or in the footwell while the car was moving and never raced around. We'd often take him to grandma's as she had a huge garden and he could go off to explore....he loved it.

I also had a rabbit when I was a child so I suppose I grew up with bunnies. Ours was a wild one....a neighbour had gone trapping and had (rather horribly) realised he'd caught a parent with a baby......this was years and years ago. I remember bunny being handed over the hedge - the neighbour felt guilty and thought we'd look after the baby.
Being a wild rabbit, he grew into a rather large buck and wasn't so keen being picked up as an adult; however, he was incredibly intelligent, he even knew the sound of my father's car when it was at the other end of the village and would come running from the garden....it was our signal that daddy was coming home from the office! As he got very old he preferred to live at the top of the garden and was less happy coming into his safe hutch at night, which was difficult when we wanted to go away for the weekend. However, he'd hear the car when we went away and would always come running down the garden to greet us when we came back!

They are extraordinary creatures, rabbits, I'd go for it if I were you!

Would they be less friendly if they’ve more of their own buddies

As many have already said, they're just as likely to be less friendly no matter what.

Although you have said you've got a good set up and your DD knows the commitment involved in looking after animals, if you still think that they need to be 'friendly' for your DD to be enthusiastic about them then you really have to consider this is highly likely to not be the case. My DDs and I work for a local animal sanctuary. We currently have 23 guinea pigs and 30 odd rabbits in. The Guineas mostly because the children got bored with them and the parents didn't want to take on their care, but a lot of the rabbits came in because people thought they would be lovely and cuddly and their children would have a smaller, easier, more snuggly pet than the cat or dog they didn't want to commit to. The reality comes as a shock to them.

I’d go guinea pigs. As rabbits are not that friendly generally. I’d definitely go for 2 if you’re just starting out. Or visit some rescues and see if you can handle the rabbits. They are known biters where as guinea pigs are not.

I don't know where you're located but Paws for Thought in Sunderland are drowning in rescue rabbits at the minute.

I've always had bunnies both indoor & outdoor & have also worked as a vet nurse specializing in small animal care.
I always advise people that they are not good pets for children. They are very difficult for a child to handle safely as their spines are delicate & they are very easily injured if not handled correctly or if they struggle & are dropped. They suffer stress very easily too from being in a noisy, busy environment or from not having the space they need

The cost of veterinary care & insurance for a rabbit are roughly the same as for a cat or dog so your bills for 4 bunnies are going to be similar as for 4 cats/dogs. They also need regular vaccinations. There isn't as much competition for rabbit insurance so policies actually tend to be higher than for a cat/dog.

Another point is that they live for a long time. One of mine lived until 15. 12-14 is the lifespan although many rabbits die younger due to neglect & poor care, predators (cats, dogs, foxes) or escaping.

They make lovely pets for knowledgeable adults but however dedicated a 9 year old is can you guarantee they will still be as dedicated when they are 19?

If you're determined to get rabbits then a rabbit specific rescue is the best route to go. As you say you're unfamiliar with rabbits, you'll need help and advise and a specific rescue will be more likely to offer the knowledge and back up you need. If you get a pair and something happens to one of them you will need rescue back up to bond a new rabbit with the remaining one for example. And in case it needs saying - please do not buy any rabbits from the likes of Pets At Home.

My rabbits live with my chickens and ducks very happily. They have their own shed/hutch and the secure outdoor space is larger than an average garden. There was a few pecks here and there from the chickens to start with but within a week or two everything settled down. Rabbits are not actually meant to live with chickens due to a certain parasite chickens can carry (can’t remember the name but it was the main reason the RSPCA refused to let me adopt!) and are definitely not meant to share living spaces. Rabbits are very clean animals and it can be stressful to them sharing a chicken house - sharing outside space is fine.

I would also agree with others that’s they do not make great children’s pets. They take a lot of work to be friendly, even then they won’t like being held etc. They can be awfully expensive with treatments due to being an ‘exotic pet’, vaccinations are more costly than any other animal, they can live 10+ years, dwarf breeds tend have horrific dental problems etc. You can do everything right and to the book and they can still die from unexplained reasons.

My main advice would be to get a male and female bonded pair and get them neutered at 4 months old. You’ll have less chance of them falling out and fighting being opposite sexes. Once they fight and draw blood that tends to be the end of the relationship and will have to be separated for life. That’s not fun trust me. If that’s not possible then two females can have a good bond too if bonded together properly. Guinea pigs might be a better option for a children’s pet.

The pond will be fine, we have a large duck pond and no one has fallen in yet despite running around the edge of it!

I have a vet friend who told me once "rabbits do like to die"
Maybe not the easiest pets, she was even more scathing about Hamsters

Everybody always says "you MUST get rescue pets"

We tried to get a rescue cat for years. The vast majority of animals they had were extremely skittish, nervy animals who weren't suitable family cats, the only kittens they had were from trap neuter release programs, with semi feral mothers, poorly socialised cats. They insisted you take a bonded pair but bonded cats tend not really interested in their human family so don't make great family pets. My sister had had a bonded pair and both ignored the family steadily until one was killed in a road accident - at which point the other became far more sociable with people.

Rescues main purpose is not to provide sociable friendly pets. Its to rescue & care for abandoned or neglected animals, and that doesn't necessarily make for good family pets.

If the females aren’t spayed they are pretty much guaranteed to fight, especially in the company of males. You need to know what you’re doing with bonding and be prepared to take months to achieve it, and house separately if they hate each other (even litter mates can fight once adolescence kicks in).
They’re a really high maintenance pet to keep happy and healthy. I think my pair are worth it, they are affectionate and funny, but they’re not for kids.
sorry Op.

Mine are rescues and they jump into our laps, like being stroked and are easy to keep. Just remember they need lots of space.

We got ours from the RSPCA. 2 from the same litter, they were neutered before we got them.

We got them when dc was 8. They begged. Me and dh are the ones looking after the buns now 6 years later, dc will give them the odd treat but that's about it. So I'd say don't get buns for your kids unless you're happy to do all the looking after.

(Very experienced with rescue rabbits) Rabbits are feisty and I would expect serious fights between rabbits and chickens forced to share the same space.
Do not use wood clippings, they are cheap but can set off some nasty respiratory problems. I would look at sourcing megasorb at an equine supplier. they need far more long stranded hay than you can imagine. They need to have their body size in fresh hay every single day. they are herbivores so make sure you can source a good all in one rabbit pellet like sciences selective. They need vast amounts of space to stay happy and well. They ARE house destructors that can put toddlers to shame. They are happy as house pets but you need to rabbit proof. The vet bills are high….think pedigree cat kind of costs. They are also absolutely rubbish pets for children. they kick bite and need a lot of understanding. The Rabbit Welfare Association is a good source of information.

You will need a rabbit specific fox proof large hutch or secure kennel and shed for over night safety. A good rabbit kennel expect to pay £2K a good hutch £500 plus extra foot attached secure run.
Rabbits can easily clear 3 foot, need space to periscope and binky. they need annual vaccinations against VHD and myxi. it’s worth looking at pet insurance so as buns are prone to gut stasis and some other bun issues with teeth.
And they need to be cleaned out every single day to avoid fly strike and illnesses.

Rabbits can be lovely pets as long as you are realistic about their needs (often not well understood) and the amount of space and finances required to care for them properly.

A good place to start for information on rabbit care is the Woodgreen website https://woodgreen.org.uk/pet-advice/rabbit/. If you happen to live close to Woodgreen, you might be able adopt a pair or group of rabbits from there.

Briefly though, rabbits need to be kept in pairs or groups, they should be neutered and vaccinated, they need a lot of space to run around and their diet should be mostly hay or grass (supplemented with rabbit pellets and other safe green foods). Straw or hay is better than wood shavings for bedding. In the winter, a good deep bed of straw can help keep them warm. Not all rabbits like being handled, but with time and patience they can usually get pretty tame. They also need protection from predation. It is often advised that rabbits should have access to a run 24/7, but this needs to be 100% fox proof. I used to shut mine in at dusk and let them out first thing in the morning.

Hi, we are first-time bunny owners. I made my dd wait until age 11 and she has been incredible with them - she handles fly striking, cleaning, food and water, major cage clean outs (we do twice weekly), brushing, she spends at least an hour a day with them.

I have an Omlet walk-in run with a hutch they really don’t use much (prefer to keep outside!) and attached grass run via a plastic tunnel. We have transparent tarps on top to keep rain off so we can be with them all weather. They love the grass, even in summer rainIn winter, we don’t let them on the grass often as it gets them too muddy and cold.

The mess is very limited. They naturally “toilet train” for urinaation, we have a large dog toilet tray and it works fine with newspaper hay and absorbent pellets.

Poos are dry (unless rained on) and exceptionally easy to sweep up. They don’t smell outdoors. The smell is only of damp hay.

They are not “shit pets” but they are not cuddly. And they are not cheap.

My dd sits on the floor of the cage area and they will come and sit on her lap and they “know” her (very clear, as they will come to her readily but not me even if I have favourite treats.) They dislike being picked up and my dd is not confident but I have large hands so sometimes I pick them up for her and pass them carefully so she can cuddle for a minute until they scrabble away. They communicate by nudges and little kisses and together their bromance is heartbreakingly cute.

Having a bonded pair is so important. We desperately wanted to rescue a pair but due to the fact I have a toddler and no bunny experience DESPITE the fact I’d got a better-than-rspca set up for them, have successfully owned cats in the past, and spent literally two years researching it all, our rescue wouldn’t let us take them.

happily we found a breeder quitting her bunny habit due to being ill and so were able to take two mini lop bunnies she had kept for herself. It has worked out brilliantly and we adore our bunnies. They are such different personalities - one likes to jump so we have to make sure we have plenty of ways to get off the top of the two storey hutch! The other one is like a grumpy old man with a soft heart (he’s my favourite, and happier to be picked up). They don’t dig at all (we have boys; girls tend to dig due to breeding habits).

If you want a cuddly pet get a cat or a dog. Bunnies are a different kind of pet, but as long as you have space to interact.

so - you need Lots of time to be with them and socialise them, plenty of money, and prepared to put the effort in whether it’s hot or cold. They are sensitive and beautiful animals which aware lovely pets in my opinion.

Eh? Blue Cross, RSPCA have rabbits available.

I always get 3 so if one dies early you don’t have to go through the effort of introducing and bonding a new rabbit, which can be so difficult.

Ours free roam in the garden and then instantly run back to the hutch and run if we shake their food bowl. Doesn’t really take them long to work it out.

They eat out our hands and you can stroke one of them but don’t like being picked up.