Ex just bought 6yr old DD two bunnies

[Birkenshock]

It's her birthday tomorrow - he has bought her two 8 week old bunnies as a present (to live here )

What do I need to know? He bought them off gumtree, doesn't even know their genders or if they have been vaccinated or even what type of rabbits they are. Hugely irresponsible, I know - but I know nothing about rabbits, and now I'm about to be the owner of two - what do I need to know?

Foxes can open hutches, I discovered this too late. A hutch is best in a shed for safety and for winter.

Eventually mine were all house bunnies, hutch was in an old conservatory at the back of the house and they spent their days with me and in the garden in a run. Easy to housetrain as they use the same place all the time.

If my xh did that I'd put them in a pie.

I made the mistake of buying 2 rabbits when my first ds was younger. He was desperate for a pet and rabbits seem to be the thing for children, I have no idea why! They are a lot of work to keep. I had them as house rabbits because I didn't have the heart to keep them outside. I got them both from the same pet shop, they had been in a pen together, but when I brought them home one became very aggressive. They were young, and I was told they were both female, but I'm not so sure. I let them roam the house and they chewed a lot, which I wasn't too bothered about but it was annoying. They didn't like to be held, and trying to get them back in their cages was a nightmare. The one good thing was I bought them a litter tray and they did actually use it for peeing, not poos though, they went everywhere, but again doesn't really matter because they are easy to pick up. My ds was too nervous to hold them because one was so aggressive, and I don't blame him. It would bite the other rabbit and chase it around, and also bite me. Also because they were indoor I had to clean them out every couple of days. I lasted about 2 months and had to re-home. I felt very guilty but it was the best thing for them.

So you're going to keep them despite so many experienced bunny owners like me saying that it's unfair on the rabbits because they need a level of care and commitment that you have not prepared for?

I appreciate you've been through hell with this man and that's awful but you are going to be taking on two living breathing little animals and you are underprepared and havent actively chosen to do so.

If you really won't refuse them then you need to ring some rescues before they arrive so you have somewhere safe lined up for them to go.

Baby bunnies need SO much care and attention but don't like being handled. Kids get bored of them because of this. They're a huge commitment, huge.

Please reconsider taking them in, it's not the right thing to do.

I'd gush over them, as suggested, then give them straight to a shelter and get your DD something nice to replace them. Something she'll really, really love. And just say absolutely nothing to him.

@Birkenshock
Please visit the rabbit welfare website I linked earlier - it has all of the care info you need

No way. Tell him no. I was about 8 when my dad arrived home with 2 rabbits. They are very difficult to sex and we ended up with 5 babies in a very short time. Again trying to separate them sex wise was difficult and at one point we had over 20! No joke. We ended up keeping 7. As well as cleaning them out everyday, making sure they have a secure run for daily exercise and fresh food and water daily. It was too much for a 8 year old. These are living creatures and should not be thrust upon anyone without thought and agreement.
A good hutch probably isn't cheap and then consider the vets bills. Tell him No, if he hasn't collected them don't and if he has to take them back to where they came from.
Your 6 years old will not manage. It will be down to you.
What an inconsiderate man! Just like my dad!

You also may want to start thinking about what DD could buy for her dad at Christmas time or next Father’s Day.
( something which would only cause him suffering, obviously)

Take them straight to the vets and get them checked over.

ie, a bungee jump or something that incorporates his worst fear, with stress on how much your daughter wants to see him enjoy his gift from her.
🤣

Also their piss stinks and males spray ! I love rabbits but would never have them as a pet for my kids after my experience.

I have to agree with @TeeBee I would "take them to the vet" but in reality take them to a shelter.

Darling they were sick.

Do you own your home OP? I'd check with the landlord or at least say I had done and sadly they're not allowed because they will burrow next door (true).

I really hope that DD does not want them.

Why is ok to demand money but not say no? Will he actually give you the money?

These are "my" 2 rabbits. They have a huge amount of space because I believe pets should have a good life, not just exist. If I am in the garden I let them out of the run s well. Their house and run are fox proof and in the colder months the house is insulated with foil bubble wrap. They are a huge amount of work, eat loads and I will not be having more once these two are over the Rainbow Bridge. My 2 DC have now left home and left these two behind as no space for them.

Honestly I would say no. It's not just the looking after them costs, it's the vets bills that go with it. My rabbits cost me a bloody fortune. And if you want to go away whose going to look after them? He's not got the right to dump that extensive responsibility onto you. Tell him no.

No way. He's the bad guy for not checking. What a dick

I very much doubt he will pay for them and you need to stop moaning about it if you are stupid enough to accept them. You'll be doing all the work and paying all the costs.

Send them to his house. He shouldn’t have got them without your permission, he cannot simply expect to absorbe the costs and do the work required to keep them healthy (or alive).

Ducking Disney parenting...

As you say, it's another way to control you. So your best bet isn't to allow that. It's to say no. If the rabbits have a miserable life/ are drowned this is not your problem.

1 Male/1female will continuously mate.

Like, er...

As others have said - they need a big big run, the 2 floor hutch is not enough.

Annual flu and Mixy jabs

Learn to clip their nails or take them to the vet for nail clipping.

Get a book on rabbit care, and join a Rabbit Forum.

Handle them and socialise them as much as possible every day.

What a shame he did not get guinea pigs. Sorry, but rabbits are a terrible pet for 6 year olds .

Would he know if you got guinea pigs instead?

I think saying they were sick is a brilliant idea. 'I don't know where daddy got them from but they were very very poorly. We'll get you a pet when you're old enough to take good care of them and learn all about how to look after them properly'. Don't play his game.

You don't have a rabbit problem, you have an abusive ex problem.