Just chosen 2 bunnies, looking for some helpful tips please.

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We have just signed up for a couple of rabbits from the RSPCA.

DD3(16) has been ill for 2 years now and is recovering slowly. She has been desperate for a rabbit for ages, but we waited until she was going to be well enough to help care for it.

After reading threads on here we have decided on 2 rabbits and have been to the shelter today. DD fell in love with one who has been paired with another for the past 6 months, so thats the two we have chosen.

We have a 5foot hutch coming tomorrow and plan to have a run for them 15 foot by 4 foot, with access to the hutch.

Is ther anything I should ask the shelter about them before they arrive? I will ask what they are normally fed, but anything else?
I have picked up the fact that thye need lots of hay as a diet, no lettuce. Anyone have any tips for us?

TIA.

PS they are called Marbles and Sue, but we will have to change Sue's name as our crazy next - door - neighbour is called Sue and I cant imagine what she will do if we are calling "Sue" in the garden!!!

Hello, how lovely for your poor DD.
The RSPCA should give you good advice. As far as diet goes, maintain the diet they are already on, I imagine the RSPCA would have them on a diet of limitless hay, a small portion of pelleted food and some veg. The trick with rabbit diet is introduce new foods very slowly, their guts are prone to stasis and so they tend to thrive on the same boring old diet. Think hay and more hay and they'll be fine. Keep an eye on poos, should be plentiful, dry, round and brown.
Clean them out regularly, if you place a litter tray where they wee they will use it. Check them over for fly strike, the RSPCA will advise you. Minimise chances of this by regular hutch cleaning, keep rabbits slim, use Rearguard from the Vet.
They will need twice yearly Mxyi and yearly VHD vaccination.
If they're not spayed get them both done or hormones will get in the way and they may fight. Plus females are highly prone to uterine cancers. Whenever one needs to go to the Vets take the other with, never seperate abonded pair.
Make sure the hutch doors are fitted with bolts, foxes can undo the twisty locks. Keep the run on concrete / slabs and not grass as foxes can dig in (or rabbits out) in minutes.
All I can think of for now, just ask if you have any Q's.

Thank you very much Spacedog. Really appreciate that lot of info.

They have been neutered already. I will certainly check about the feeding regime.

The hutch has got bolts (proper metal lock things, not swivel bits of wood). We were planning on putting the hutch inside the run, so that they can have access to both throughout the day. The area is 15 foot by 4 foot and is against the house and the 3 other sides are concreted patio areas, will that be ok? A fox could not dig in at all and the rabbits couldn't dig themselves out because of the concrete, but what would happen if they started to dig under, but with no-where to come up (IYSWIM????)

Will they be ok sleeping in the same area together? They seem to only have one compartment where they are now. Do a bonded pair actually interact with each other, or do they just tolerate each other's company? We ahve been told that they had been handled a lot in the past, but have been with the RSPCA for 6 months and are now less handled. If we up the handling will they get used to it again, or should we not handle as much?

Think thats all for now. Many thanks.

Oh one more thing .... do they respond to their name, or not? Need to change "Sue" and wondered if we should keep the "S" at the beginning to make it easier. (I kinow cats apparently recognise a "S" sound better than any other, so do you know if it is the same-ish??)

Make sure they have water in this weather & access to shade.

I think fly strike is something in this weather also so make sure their bottoms are kept clean!

Oh and put some pics up-I love rabbits!

The hutch and run combo sounds great, they are very lucky bunnies. One sleeping compartment is fine.
Most bonded pairs are very close, rabbits thrive in groups. You'll observe them grooming each other, they will sleep and snuggle together lots. There will sometimes be minor spats and occasional bous of establishing dominance, where one will mount and 'hump' the other. This is particularly seen during early Spring.
I'd be very surprised if they 'recognised' their names. The RSPCA workers would be too busy cleaning hutches to chat away. Mine recognise my voice but I've no idea if they would respond to their names. So feel free to change 'Sue', lol. Handle frequently but keep hands off for a week when they first arrive, let them settle in their new home. If, once they are settled you sit in the run with them they wll first ignore, then come up and eventually you will be able to stroke them, they might nudge you, etc. Be warned that many rabbits never 'enjoy' being lifted off the ground.
Have fun and good luck

Thank you both very much.

Hutch is now made and run being made. RSPCA are going to come and do a home visit, so it wont happen for a week or two. All very excited here.

thanks for your help, I know where to come if we have any problems.