Getting a baby Rabbit in a couple of weeks - have some questions- can any one help?

[Jaynerae]

We are getting a baby Rabbit in a couple of weeks and I wondered the following

1. our lawn is infested with black and red ants - can they hurt the rabbit if the run is on the lawn?
2. can I leave the run on the block paving and not put it on the lawn at all - easier to clean up and no worry with ants - but do they need grass?
3. Can I leave it in the run whilst out at work and just put it back in hutch at night? Run would have covered area in case of rain.
4. People who have bred Rabbit say it has been brought up on Tesco's Rabbit food - should I keep it on this or switch to Russel Rabbit? if I switch do I need to phase in new food and phase out old so as not to upset it's stomach?
5. what fresh food can or can't they eat? and how often should they have fresh food?
6. should you top it's food bowl up all the time - or just once a day? worried about over feeding?
7. Do Rabbits need any injections?

Can't think of any thing else right now!

Any help most gratefully appreciated!

I don't think ants will hurt the rabbit, but you are usually advised not to let them out of the hutch for a couple of weeks anyway (depending on how old it is)

you can leave the run on paving, it'll be good for keeping the rabbit's claws nice and short but they do need to go on grass as well, easy enough if you have a small easy to move run

yes, you can leave it out in the run and just shut it up at night, as long as it's nice and secure

keep to the same rabbit food to start with. rabbits have very sensitive tummies. you can change to russel rabbit if you want, but do it gradually

they can't have potato, lettuce, rhubarb, evergreen shrubs erm, theres prob more but that's all I can think of atm
you should give them some fresh food every day

I used to feed my rabbit once a day, sometimes give a top up in the evening if he had eaten a lot though.

yes, they need injections. myxamatosis and one other (can't think of name right now) jabs at least once a year- probably twice a year if you are in a rural area and there are wild rabbits around

1. not sure
2. i put mine on block paving occasionally to keep claws down
3. yes 4)you can but gradually introduce, mix them up and then increase new fod and reduce old 5)no greens until they are a little older, carrot and apple find from 6 weeks on
4. bowl should always have something in it so check it regularly, i usually have to feed morning and afternoon, then little top up at night 7)yes, they need 2, one is for VHD i believe and the other for mixamatosis hth

1. our lawn is infested with black and red ants - can they hurt the rabbit if the run is on the lawn?

Red ants can cause irritation so try to sort that out before you get the rabbit. Remember though that any treatment you get to ge rid of the ants could be dangerous to the rabbit.

2. can I leave the run on the block paving and not put it on the lawn at all - easier to clean up and no worry with ants - but do they need grass?

They don't 'NEED' grass but they really like it. You could always put fresh pulled grass in the run. There is hay that you can get for them to eat, my mums love it)

3. Can I leave it in the run whilst out at work and just put it back in hutch at night? Run would have covered area in case of rain.

Depends on the foxes in your area. My mums rabbits have complete run of the garden all day but there are no foxes near her house and if there is the garden is very secure with 6-7 foot brick walls and fences.

4. People who have bred Rabbit say it has been brought up on Tesco's Rabbit food - should I keep it on this or switch to Russel Rabbit? if I switch do I need to phase in new food and phase out old so as not to upset it's stomach?

Yes phase it in. A mixture of rabbit pellets, veg and eating hay is good.

5. what fresh food can or can't they eat? and how often should they have fresh food?

We give fresh greens and carrots every day.

6. should you top it's food bowl up all the time - or just once a day? worried about over feeding?

We feed once at night but also have fresh hay and access to grass all the time.

7. Do Rabbits need any injections?

There are injections for rabbits but it's personal preference. We don't inject but thats just our choice

Thanks very much for all your info ladies - you've answered all my queries! Will go on a hunt for a Rabbit run and hutch now!

Thanks again.

Jaynerae

Please look at a complete pellet food rather than a mix - rabbits are selective feeders from mixes and prone to dental problems as a result of mineral imbalance. Excel rabbit for example is a good one. Also ensure you get a good quality timothy hay - not all hay is the same and likewise can affect teeth. Your vet should be able to give you more feeding info and vaccine info - myxomatosis vaccs every 6 months are recommended round here where we have outbreaks regularly, and HVD vaccines once a year (not at same time as myxy though)

JayneRae - Pets At Home do good big double decker hutches, with wire runs that extend from the front, so you don't have to keep moving the rabbit back and forth. But you can detatch the run and put it somewhere else fro the day, if you want to give them a fresh patch of grass. OUr rabbits are very very agile and active - it would be miserable to have them too cooped up.

I have been v anxious about our rabbits digging out of their run, so I dug down, laid a layer of chicken wire and then put down a layer of earth and turf on top. Alsoi have pegged the run down with tent pegs as we have loads of urban foxes on the prowl near us.

Our rabbits eat Excel rabbit pellets, hay, grass in thier run and an occasional carrot.

They are not at all grateful for any of this care and attention, and hate being stroked or picked up!

Also - Jayne - can you get two rabbits? they are very social animals and much happier with another for company.

also..have it neutered!!

Ours lives in the house - much easier than when he was in the hutch. Goes out for a play on the lawn once a day.