Can anyone recommend a good rabbit website?

[Jix]

Hi, we are getting a new rabbit this week. We already have guinea pigs (don't worry, they're going to have separate hutches!) and have loved the Rodents With Attitude website that I found recommended on here. Is there anything similar for rabbits? Also we've been told to get a male bunny first, get him neutered and then introduce a female rabbit later. Does that sound like good advice? I'd have thought it would be better to get 2 at the same time as then they'd already know each other and you wouldn't need to worry about bonding?
Thanks for any advice or tips.

I like to type into Google, random Guinea-Pig phrases and see what comes up.

(Would work with rabbits too, no reason why not)

But the conflicting advice . I know some sites are USA ones ,some of their advice is different.

Keep male GPs alone, neuter them before they are paired, don't neuter them unless medical reason....aaaaaahhhh!

It whiles away a few hours.
But have you been through all the bunny threads on here? I read avidly before I got the boars because it'd been years since I had them (not that there has been a major re-design in GPs, but certainly in the way they are kept, and the perils of Pet Shop animals)

If you get male bunny first, would he be very territorial ?
Would he be happy to share with another rabbit? I'd imagine they need company like GPs do.

Where are you going to get your rabbits? You might be able to get a ready matched pair? Maybe brother and sister if the buck is neutered?

Good luck>

Best to get a male and female already neutered and paired if you can. There are hundreds in rescue centres all over the country. The other option is to buy a pair who have been together since birth but you will need to neuter them both (even if same sex) before they reach maturity.
If you get a single rabbit then neuter both rabbits before they are introduced.
The bonding process can be difficult and if inexperienced you should probably not attempt this yourself.
A very good website is www.rabbitrehome.co.uk. It has a very good forum as well as a nationwide list of rescues/rehoming centres.
Best of luck!

Thanks everyone! We picked up our new rabbits today. We decided to go with 2 at once rather than trying to bond them later. They're already very happy with each other and licking and grooming one another. Fantastic to see! Thanks for all your tips!
My guinea pigs are kept inside (except for going in the run during the day) so I'm feeling very sorry for the rabbits as they are outside and it's starting to rain. It just doesn't feel right to leave them there, even though the hutch is obviously waterproof! Wish I had an indoor cage to bring them in, but don't have a spare one and anyway, I guess it's difficult to get one big enough!
Does anyone else feel sorry for their bunnies outside? Or will I just get used to it?!
Also is it possible to over-feed rabbits? They've finished all their food already and I want to give them some more..

I have kept indoor rabbits before, but I really don't think it's ideal for them.

Nor is keeping them in a hutch outside. They need lots of room. The best thing to do, if you can, is keep them in shed, with lots of levels, hay, toys, etc, with an outside run attached (that you can control and shut off at night).

Sorry if this sounds mean, but I really do think that keeping rabbits in a hutch is cruel.

The hutch is 6 ft long and 3 foot wide and has 2 levels. There's also a massive run for them to go into during the day.
Any tips on the food question?

Rabbits diet should be mainly hay!
Lots and lots of hay!

Their diet needs to mimic that of wild rabbits. Wild rabbits eat one thing: grass. That means your two should eat 90% grass (which they've grazed themselves - not clippings, which can ferment in their stomachs and make them ill) or good quality hay - either fresh meadow hay from a farm or Timothy hay (pets at home sell this). Most pet shop hay is poor quality. In addition, they need fresh veg - the best are broccoli, greens, herbs, beetroot etc. Carrots are a special treat as they're fattening, not for every day. Other treats are apples and strawberries. Rabbit mix isn't as good as pellets (excel are a good brand) as they can get picky with it. They only need a small bowl each day - if they don't empty it within a few hours, they're getting too much. You really don't want to overfeed as they will rapidly get obese and also get teeth problems (another reason why hay is vital - it grinds their teeth down). Dried food was invented for farmed rabbits to make them gain weight quickly - a diet based on hay is much better for them.

You need to check them daily for flystrike, do you know what that is?

Yes u can easily over feed them. Make sure u follow he weight advised on the pack and don't be tempted to over feed them. Lots of hay is what they need and chew toys wooden blocks etc for their teeth. They are tough creatures and perfectly happy to be outside - mine last year in the heavy snow was in his hutch watching the snow even tho he had a huge nest of warm hay to snuggle in!

Thanks so much everyone. I guess I'm used to my guineas who stop eating when they're full! Especially interested to see not to over-do the carrots! Yes familiar with fly strike - and will definitely keep an eye out for that.
And Thanks for the reassurance on the weather! My heart Was sinking as I closed the curtains on them tonight.

Mine used to sit in their run 24/7. In the vilest weather they would deign to enter their hutch at night, but even then they would camp out in the living area, not go in the bed part. You can litter train them
easily which makes the hutch easier to clean - put just newspaper in the hutch (no shavings) then a litter tray with shavings in it in a corner - they will probably use it for all wees and most of their poos. Put a bit of hay in to encourage them - rabbits like to munch while they poo!

Not a rabbit question really but on the question of flystrike.

What time of year does it start? And is it bluebottles or any kind of flies?

I noticed a group of those small, fly-round-in-a-circle ones today (I think they'd found some 'treat' left on the grass.There was a dead baby bird there)

I've got 2 guineas and I knew rabbits can suffer this, but never heard of it in GPs. (These are my 13 & 14 th GP, mainly female before ,these are 2 boys)

I know dirty,damp cages and dirty bottoms increase the risk. They don't groom each other either, but are clean themselves. (Eyes, ears, paws, bottoms and balls)

Re the litter training.. I've been diligently putting any poos in their litter tray in the corner to encourage them to use it. This afternoon I just saw them go in there to eat the poos and then hop happily out! Thanks for the tip on adding straw though.
As for fly strike I'm afraid I'm no expert. It seems to just be keeping the cage very clean and checking your pets regularly. Maybe worth starting a new thread to get some of the expert advice available out there?? I will read it with interest!