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Original poster

Convince me that keeping rabbits is lovely....

38 replies

WhenMarnieWasThere · 17/02/2015 17:37

because DH has accepted a pair of female rabbit babies (ready to leave their mum) because the bloke is giving them away and DD is desperate for 'bunnies'.

I'm not convinced. We've had gerbils, hamsters of several varieties, fish both in the pond and the aquarium and a cat. But I've never fancied a rabbit.

Project rabbit-house is underway as DH and DD are converting the wooden playhouse for them. And I'm phoning vets tomorrow for quotes for innoculations and spaying (if that's the right term for bunnies).

Are we making a mistake?

OP posts:
Original poster
WhenMarnieWasThere · 22/02/2015 19:21

We have rabbits!

Lino is in, secure bolts etc in place. Litter tray in, a cosy bedding box and lots of hay and food all provided.

At first handling the pair are easy to handle, calm and seemed happy exploring their new home. :)

Thanks for all the advice. It was too dark to take photos, will update when they are settled.

OP posts:
fiverabbits · 22/02/2015 22:12

Thanks for the update. Have you got names yet? As your DD is 10 you could get her to sit on the floor and let the rabbits come up to her, they will soon get used to her. What are you doing for outside space ? One thing I do is to grow grass in litter trays, cheap grass seed from Wilkinsons and grow bag, one inch deep, sow seed, cover with a little bit more compost, water and put somewhere up high so the rabbits can't have it until ready. This is handy for rainy days to give indoors and helps give the lawn a chance. Most people when they see them say why are you growing grass when my lawn is 25 by 14 feet, answer because the rabbits don't like to come out in the rain to eat it. Enjoy your rabbits, at least they don't bark, meow, or say MUM.

fiverabbits · 22/02/2015 22:16

I FORGOT TO SAY I THINK MY rabbits are spoilt in their housing, they have a heater for the winter, electric light and have 2 fans for the summer. They even have their own letterbox ! Yes I am known as the crazy rabbit lady.

TheCatAteMyTaxReturn · 22/02/2015 22:36

Fluffy bunnykins! Enjoy them while they last Marnie

Renew yer shotgun licence in case omnicidal foxy comes calling.

Buttholelane · 23/02/2015 21:39

The most important thing is to get them spayed.
Cannot emphasise this enough, female rabbits are very prone to uterine cancer, so much so that left undone they will likely be dead by four (they can live up to 12)

You need to handle a lot to ensure they grow up friendly.
When we'll socialised they are wonderful cheeky affectionate little animals

Original poster
WhenMarnieWasThere · 23/02/2015 21:45

DD has spent the afternoon out there, just sitting with them and getting them used to her. Gentle stroking but no picking up.

She's enjoying them.

They WILL be spayed. Once they are used to being handled then we will bundle them off to the vets. I'm wondering about what age that's best done at. And whether we should get them done one at a time or both at the same time.

OP posts:
fiverabbits · 23/02/2015 22:29

Ask at the vets NOW about spaying, they like to do them at different ages. I have always had 2 and a 3 done at the same time, because while you are looking after one after the operation you might as well look after 2. If you pick them up from the vets at 4 pm you will find they will still be doped and need to be kept in the warm and you need to make sure they are eating, drinking, weeing and pooing before being put outside again. Rabbits need to eat all the time so they need to poo all the time so it helps if they are in separate boxes. I have many a conversation with the vets about rabbit poo ! So glad your DD is getting a chance to get to know them.

Original poster
WhenMarnieWasThere · 24/02/2015 23:28

Not the best photos, but here they are.

OP posts:
Slingclutter · 25/02/2015 10:52

Glad your dd is enjoying your rabbits!

You may find this website helpful Look under 'information leaflets and advice'.

Rabbits get such a bad press, but that is because they are usually bunged in a hutch at the bottom of the garden and ignored which (imo ) is tantamount to locking up a puppy in a hutch all day. Rabbits are curious about everything, intelligent and athletic and their habitat has to reflect that. Sounds like you are doing everything right op!

The spaying operation is usually performed when the rabbits are five or six months old. Would recommend getting them spayed together. See 'RWA guide to having your rabbits neutered' via link above.

Btw, don't be put off by the horror stories about keeping two females together. (A castrated male and a spayed female is meant to be the ideal combination.) I have a pair of femals (they had bonded before we bought them) and they get on very well.

fiverabbits · 25/02/2015 20:32

Nice pictures, any names yet ?

Have you got a pet carrier ?

If No get one so it's ready for the trips to the vets. Put the pet carrier in with rabbits so they get used to it. Will you be going to the vets by car ?

If you manage to get both rabbits in the pet carrier take them out in the car for a little ride as many times as you can so that when you go to the vets they are not stressed out by the car and the vets. My rabbit Dolly has been every week for 5 weeks for weepy eyes and loves it in the vets as all the staff smooth her head including the vet !

Original poster
WhenMarnieWasThere · 25/02/2015 21:13

No names yet.

We have a cat carrier that we used to transfer them from next door to their new home.

Love the name Dolly. :)

OP posts:
fiverabbits · 25/02/2015 23:04

Dolly is from Dolly the cloned sheep as she is exactly the same as our foster rabbit, Milky Way who has gone back to his Dad.

Dolly has a husband called Star from Milky Stars.

Summer was because we didn't know if a boy or girl.

Biscuit is because he is ginger and white, i.e. ginger biscuit.

Rosie is from Roses and her husband is Wispa Gold.

Can you see we have a food theme going on ?

fiverabbits · 08/03/2015 22:16

When Marnie was there

How's it going with the rabbits ?

Have you sorted out the neutering yet ?

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