We are getting a rabbit!!!!

[violentvioletx]

So.... Managed to convince DH that DC would like a rabbit. Have purchased;
Two tier Hutch, hay, sawdust, food bowl, hanging food container, water bottle, baby rabbit food, grooming kit, hutch cleaner and sanitiser, book vet appointment to get rabbit health checked and arrange for neutering. Is there anything we are missing? Hopefully pick rabbit up tomorrow and excitement is really kicking in now!

Thanks for the advice Trionic I don't think I'd like her to have to go elsewhere, I might see if one of her siblings is still available

So did I when I was looking on line in the days leading up to collecting her. I don't know though

Thank goodness the breeder is on hand to advise

As I just said the breeder has said she will advise on reintroduction when I collect number 2.

Hownotto less than an hour until we collect eeeek

So exciting!! can you post a pic? I'll try to get one of Lila in a mo, they can virtually meet!

You'll be fine you'll learn as you go along, it is part of the joy of being a pet slave.
glares at piggies sitting inside empty boot box and fortune wasted on 'toys' for them

Although I do always giggle when I see NDN trying to corral their bunny into a corner to catch .. using tennis racquets.
Have fun and post pictures.

violent it's much better to get everything ironed out then you know what to expect.
And yes, everyone will throw their opinion into the hat, but if it's for the good of the rabbits, take it on board and read up as much as you can.

I don't have rabbits, never kept them but I do know every time I've got a new guinea pig I've thought "Should I ? Really?" but these doubts are normal ( DD and I have 5 of the little lovelies )
You will make some little rabbits very happy , but their needs come 100% first.
Good husbandry goes a heck of a long way to good health.
If you can cater for their behavioural,emotional,physical and nutritional needs they'll be healthier and save you ££ at the vets in the long run.
With bunnies you need to factor in neutering male and female plus their injections and dental checks.
RAW (Rabbit Awareness Week) offers check ups at vets .
(I knew there was a reason I picked guineas, far less complex )

Enjoy your new snuggly lagomorphs.

If you're worried about bonding, some rescues offer a bonding service :)

We have the bunny yay!! Very sociable! Voluntarily hops over to sit on our lap! Still seems a bit unsure of the hutch, has eaten well (same food as at breeders) but looks slightly scared in the hutch. Think this may be as it's the first night away from mum and siblings. Any advice to help him settle would be appreciated

Welcome to bunny. If he's happy to be handled, then keep handling him as much as possible - it'll make life with him easier in the long term. If he seems to be missing his siblings, try sticking an old cuddly toy or some balled up socks in with him so he has something to snuggle up to. Make sure there's nothing he could choke on (glass eyes etc) as he may also decide to chew it. Just lots of attention and fuss and time to explore. Encourage him to move round his hutch by placing toys or treats in different places (a loo roll tube stuffed with hay is good).

Yay how exciting!! Glad to hear she's friendly, does she have a name yet?

Top tips from long term bun owner!

1. as others say handle a lot when young so they dont over react to it
2. yep! Get a pal for bun
3. yep to others re. lots of space and hay
4. and this is the one I struggled with a bit - you only have a good relationship with bun if its entirely on their terms and in accordance with their natural insticts. Much as bunnies look like they should be picked up and snuggled they dont like it. Always get down on buns level and let them come to you. If they not big on human interaction (one of mine is, one isnt) then you just have to accept that and enjiy them from afar. Feel free tk hit me up for any health advice. Mine have had most things over the years! X

Thank you lemon I may well take you up on that. He's very affectionate at the moment even came and sat on DC lap earlier

Welcome to the new bunny! I have a house rabbit that I love to bits. He is totally free range in the house but hardly ever goes out of the living room really. He used to chew things as a baby but never does now. Can we see a picture of your bun? Have fun bonding - there's nothing better than bunny snuggles!

Congratulations on your new arrival!! All I can add on top of what has been said is regular yearly check ups with vaccinations at a good rabbit savvy vet, handle only to health check as bunnies are prey animals and will naturally hate being off the ground although some are better than others. Neuter as soon as possible if not done already and bonding to be done after a good length of time after neutering. If you haven't already have a look a the RWAF website, they have everything you will need to know about rabbit welfare on there.

Expect a fair amount of thumping from them in their hutch in the first few weeks as they get to know their surroundings. Keep new foods down to a minimum and start a new veg one at a time if not had before in case they react to anything. Learn all about gut stasis, it may well save their lives if they become ill and don't ever hesitate speaking or visiting a vet if you see a change in eating habits or behaviour, bunnies unlike their reputation are not easy pets to keep happy and healthy all the time, they are categorised as exotic in the vet world for a reason.

They are fantastic animals to keep but as you know not suitable for children so adult care required at all times, keep on top of cleaning out their hutch in the summer and check for dirty bums for fly strike.

Id also say dump the bunny bowl, bunnies love to forage for their food like in the wild and it will help with boredom as well as fresh hay everyday to keep teeth down (their body size in amount everyday)

phew ....think that it but can add anything if you need advice. Good luck and very jealous, would love more bunnies myself but two enough for now. x

...oh and shavings not saw dust.

Find a good hay supplier too - they'll eat loads and sleep in it too.
If you have storage then well worth buying in bulk, just keep it dry and protected.

Get newspapers from your family and neighbours to line the hutch.
If you use Megazorb , the bags are huge (its a horse bedding).

I use clean new (bought for the piggies) lockable dustbins for our hay/bedding. One bag fills a bin and at the moment lasts me a week (in winter they have more). We have a concrete garage (car doesn't use it) where I keep their things.

Markets or grow your own/pick your own for veg,

Shredded newspaper instead of hay/straw for bedding is recommended for post-op bunnies as less dust flying around.

A bit of parsley or coriander now and again will keep their tummies happy.

If bonding is long and stressful a quick resolution is to take them in the car for short drive whilst in the same travel box. This resolved the long month long bonding problem I was having with my two. Rubbing banana behind their ears makes them suddenly find each other highly likeable.

Make inexpensive toys by filling kitchen roll/loo roll tubes with hay.

A soft toy helps them when they are alone...or an item of old clothing with your scent on.

Try not to let your bunnies steal your food, stasis is a very distressing ailment, for both of you. Coriander is a life saver their too.

Most of all, stop worrying and enjoy them. You soon pick it up and it sounds as though you have provided a lovely environment. Hopefully you won't have to re-bond your rabbits and keep them in seperate runs/hutches. It's only a couple of weeks.

Don't know what area you live in but worth checking if they need the jab for the new strain of VDHD when you see your vet.

*there