indoor/outdoor rabbit

[Only4theOlympics]

I am thinking of getting me dd a rabbit when we move house.

I want to get a set up which works well for the rabbit and for us. Both dh and I work all day but someone will be around from 4 ish. I am not keen on bunny having the run of the whhole house unrestricted while we are out so would it be best to house it outdoors or to invest in some kind of indoor pen?

Is there an ideal breed? Also we seem to have a rescue fairly near us but how do you know if the rescue is genuine or not (They seem to have an awful lot of baby bunnies, are not a registered charity, charge a significant amount for adoptions and request donations on their web page so I am a bit )

I'm not a bunny person but WRT the rescues charging-

most rescues will only rehome bunnies in pairs and they have to be neutered (not only to stop them breeding like rabbits) but it prevents problems with male aggression and female uterine cancer.

I've no idea how much this costs, and a rescue would have a subsidised deal with a vet- but it would be ££.
Also they need injections -which if they have before you get them would be ££.

(Worms/parasites/teeth and nail checking/clipping too)

Most will ask for a donation to show your intentions are honourable.

When I adopted my guinea-pig boars (who didn't need neutered) I found out how much a petshop charges and gave £30 for the pair.

Go and have a look at some rescues, you'll probably need an appointment. Go with your instinct.
And check if they'll take the bunnies back if you can't keep them.

BTW- guinea-pigs are much nicer. No kicking or biting. And a lovely array of noises. Especially if they are in the house and you open the fridge or rustle a bag

Oh it is not that I have a problem paying it was the fact that the costs were almost the same (more than for your pair of piggies) for a neutered, non nutered, old and young etc.

I could be persuaded to the piggie side - can you have house piggies???

would a guinea pig (or pair - they like company dont they?) get freaked out by having an indoor and outdoor home? I was thinking that maybe we could have a big outdoor hutch and run for the milder days so they can have some space. Then have a standard cage indoors for the rest of the time.

Could you let them roam?

Honestly, I want a pettable animal (or 2) that I know we can make happy. There is no chance we could do that for a dog as we are out so much. Cats tend to freak me out a bit. Hamsters are too nocturnal. I like the idea of gerbils but I am not sure how easy it would be to teach dd the firm but gentle hold needed to pick one up. Where as a rabbit or guinea pig wouldn't need her to pick up to pet it and even if she did it is more of a scoop action. Am I over thinking this???

A HAPPY animal is my primary concern.

I had house piggies when I was a child (free range when we had all sows). When I had a boar and sows (I didn't buy a boar, he was sold as a girl, so we got piglets) - he lived in the front room, the girls in the back room. Had to have a very sophisticated door open-don't let the pigs out- regime

They do chew (but so do rabbits) - wires, carpet, books, shoe laces. And pooh everywhere.But you can litter train a rabbit.

Then my dad did an enclosure under the stairs when we had just the sows (2 were pink eyed so didn't mind the dullness) it was a big understair. (We had 4 girls by then).
They had an outdoor cage as well.

Lots of GP owners on here have C&C cages- made up of grids so you can adapt them. Make different levels, change shape , add on. Easy to clean and airy.
Some are inside 100%, some out some mixed.

My present GPs live out in Spring/Summer/Autumn (at night in their Pighouse which is my DC old wooden playhouse so roomy and safe).
In winter they are in at night, out during the day.

I saw some rescue that had neutered boars and IIRC they charged £40-£50. Neutering costs £ 45-£80 depending on vet.

I'd imagine rabbits are more due to size and females more as more complex.

I feel a bit sometimes that my DD has missed the 'baby piglet' stage. But I didn't want to put money in the pocket of a petshop.
In the great scheme of things, it doesn't make a whole lot of difference.
But it made a difference to 2 little fur bundles who are now my little boys. Though they were in a rescue, being cared for, not stuck in a cardboard box.
But they've got their Fur-Ever home.

I did read on one website about a rescue guinea who used to live in a bucket . A bucket It beggars belief

They need company (another GP. Not GPs + rabbits).

I've got a brother pair, they've always had each other.

I don't let mine free range (they've got a 7'x4' rabbit run).
Cats and foxes (chased one of the blighters today).
And I'd never find them.

I know lots of rabbits go Free Range if the garden is escape proof. But GP are woefully pathetic when it comes to self defence.

I got mine in October , so we started bringing them in at night in December (it was mild last winter) but they had loads of heating (hotwater bottles in fleece covers, deep hay, Snuggle pads) and I put a fan heater in for 15 minutes before they went out.
If they don't get too hot/too cold/no draughts/no damp and no extreme changes of temperature, they are fine .
2 pigs will sleep together (but boars keep distance).
Their house was always lovely, the hay really snug. Mine got a bit meh indoors, they like their space. But some nights I wouldn't want them to be out.

Rabbits aren't really considered good pets for DC.Strong, tend to kick, can bite. Some don't like being lifted.

GP need gentle handling , so depends on your DC age and how confident they are.
We always put ours on a towel on DD lap to begin. But she catches them and carries him about (but I don't lt her carry the 2. They go in a washing basket for her) She's 10 yo.

she is nearly 4 but very gentle. The aim is to encourage petting rather than picking up. I think GP may be the way forward. They will have each other for company. I will ensure a nice big hutch and run outside and another cage inside.

I have had rabbits before (when little) but never GP. Dont have much experience so will need to do some reading. But I have never heard a GP owner with a bad word to say about them.

Thank you all for your help.

I have 2 GP's and a rabbit, all of whom live indoors. The GP's live in their cage and go out in a run on good days (they do an excellent job of mowing the lawn and get to all the tricky bits my mower can't). If it's bad weather they run around in the conservatory for a bit, but have to be watched cos they chew everything and poop everywhere. The rabbit is fully litter trained and did live in the kitchen but has now moved to the dining room and conservatory which he has the run of during the day. At night he's put to bed in his cage. He has never chewed furniture (so far) but we give him cardboard to chew on and he has plenty of chew toys to throw about.

The GP's are cuddlier and very funny to watch and listen to - they never shut up. The rabbit does not like being picked up at all, but loves you to sit with him and stroke him. I would say GP's are better with smaller children. Also if you're out most of the day, the GP's won't mind but a rabbit might. You would have to get 2 of whichever you got. (I know I only have 1 bunny but he was a rescue and was on his own). Our GP's are rescues and we made a donation. These are our first GP's and I would recommend them - very entertaining!

Gpigs are the best , such fun loving little beasts. :)

but not when they escape and hide behind the washing machine, which involved practically taking apart the kitchen to get the little fecker back

Hey there Bonkey what have your guinea-pigs been up to?

Am I hedging a bet this'll be Little Pig?

Ohh GPs sound fun. Can anyone recommend any good books so I can read up a bit before we take the plunge.

There's loads of good cavy websites which will give you info and I'm sure 70 can remember the names of some of them cos I can't.

Got it in one 70 .

Little sod jumped out of the washing up bowl during bathtime yesterday and buggered off behind the washing machine. It took 3/4 of a hour, 2 adults and a child and a bunch of parsley, to get the fecker out. Next time he will be in the bath!

I almost rue the day we got him...almost .

Only This is a fab forum, loads of info :)

Try www.guineapigwelfare.org.uk/ or www.guineapigrehome.org.uk/.
Both have sections on GP care. Your library will probably have some books especially if you're looking for a book which is aimed at children to give your DC an introduction to them.

There are loads (I sometimes Google in a phrase and see what comes up)

Guinea Lynx
Rodents with Attitude

Barmy 4 Boars (one of my favourites, but I'm biased with being a Boars' Mum)
If you type in Guinea-Pig Rescues they all have advice pages (information is the same by and large)

Cambridge Cavy Trust (membership per year IIRC £35 for all your guineas)

And Peter Gurney for health pages.

Bonkey - If he likes the washing machine so much then next time .....

I have to bath mine soon and am dreading it. Last time I ended up wetter than them. I am hoping for dry weather and will put the bowl in their run and climb in with them, so at least they can't run far. Just hope the neighbours aren't watching.

Fernie

Not a bad idea....

Little Pig.

Bath is where we wash our hogs (though GP2 tries to jump out out. I have to pin him down place a steadying hand on his rump)

They better not try any jumping behing my washing machine, I don't think I could physically shift it.

And you luffs Little Pig. Keep telling yourself.

I did it in the bath last time, but Big Pig (who hates water) kept running away, and Little Pig (who likes water although you wouldn't think it after yesterdays escapades ) just zoomed up and down popcorning.

I figured the washing up bowl maybe more manageable...

fernie Just smile and wave to the neighbours, smile and wave .

I luffs Little pig...I luffs Little Pig.....

Top rack of the dishwasher for you boys, if you give me any aggro.

GP2 peed on DS boxer shorts and tried to look blamey and pearl-clutchey.
Easy for him with his fatty eye.
Sweetest pig in creation but he doesn't have his brother's cast iron bladder

Went to the local petting farm yesterday and dd got to cuddle a gp. She was impressed. Mentioned to dh who is not totally averse to the idea!

So am going to spend between now and moving house researching!