French and German Lops - Come Tell Me About Them!

[johnworf]

Ours are coming tomorrow. A doe (French) and a buck (German). Both around 6 months old.

Will be kept apart until spayed/neutered. One not handled very much so nervous. Best way to make her feel secure?

Live outside currently but with view to making them house rabbits. Best way to litter train?

Hi - I'm very jealous of the new rabbits. I have a bun who we believe may be a French Lop but no-one really knows for sure . We got him at 7 months old and he'd already litter trained himself. Prior to that I had a doe who I litter trained by observing where in the house she liked to make her deposits and then placing her litter trays there. She soon got the message. Rabbits like to eat while they poop so if you put some hay or a chew stick in the litter tray they'll be happy. Glad you're getting them neutered as it's essential for health and also is supposed to help with litter training.

A lot of rabbits don't like being handled (mine hates it) but they do like to be stroked and will approach you. Go slowly at first and let them settle. They'll soon get used to you.

Enjoy them - rabbits are wonderful company.

Thanks for the info.

Do you have any problems with destructive behaviour around the house?

Not with Current Bun normally although he was responsible for a hole in the bottom of the sofa. Give them plenty to chew - cardboard boxes, inside of kitchen rolls etc. protect or move cables out of reach. They do also love to try and dig in carpet. I used a water spray to train my previous bun (warm water). If you give them plenty that they can chew they should be okay. If they start chewing something else, just give them an alternative. Rabbits are fairly clever and can be trained. My previous bun understood several voice and hand commands (only from me) and was very obedient. Current Bun is less intelligent but he knows when it's bedtime and understands the word 'biscuit'.