Buying a rabbit

[kreamkrackers]

Just bought this
hutch

What else do I need to know?
I'm a begginer to the bunny world and all help/tips/advice needed please.
I was thinking of trying a local rescue centre or if there isn't any pets at home, anyone got a bunny from there?
Also would this hutch be ok for 1 or 2 bunnies? and what type is best?

TIA

If you're keeping it in a hutch you need 2, they are very sociable and get lonely. Ask at the rescue centre. Ours trains them to use a litter try and will match up 2 that won't fight, yours may also. Choose carefully!

When picking your rabbit, check your rabbit/s have clean eyes (no eye boogers or red rims), are clean, especially under their tail/back legs

Are you planning to freerange them around your garden when out of the hutch? If not, sorry to say but you'll probably need to get a freestanding pen like this as the runs included in cages are usually on the small side.

Try to get mini lops/lionheads and other small breeds because some of the lops etc can grow huge!

Feed them a good quality food like excel as its all in one and not nuggetted food where they can pick out their favourites. Offer timothy hay daily to keep their guts moving. In the summer, check their bottom's daily to prevent flystrike happening - this grim for rabbit, owner and vet to deal with.

They can be spayed and neutered at 6m. I'd highly recommended it as it keeps boys nice and friendly as a rule, and can prevent the girls from getting mammary masses and other nasty things.

I'll add other things as I think of them. Hope that helps a bit.

Vaccines for myxomatosis and HVD - contact local vets for prices and advice on these. Depending on area and risk level myxy vacc may be every 6-12 months, HVD usually once a year.

As above correct diet is by far one of the most important things to get right - for digestive system but also particularly for teeth.

Make sure runs/hutch are fox proof too. Saw a bunny this week that was damaged through the hutch by a fox and ended up with broken leg - but luckily still alive and can be treated. Don't forget foxes can dig.

They are better off as house pets as then they are safe from predators.

If you must keep them in a hutch, make sure that they have a decent size run to go into as well and have access to during the day. only lock them into the hutch at night.

also, you'll need 2 rabbits as 1 rabbit would be extremely lonely and it is cruel IMO. a male and a female (both neutered of course) would be perfect as they usually get on better than 2 males or 2 females.

also, you'd be better off getting your rabbits either from a rescue or a breeder rather than a pet shop as pet shop animals are usually poorly bred and can be sickly. most of them don't live very long unfortunately.

Our darling rabbit aged 6 died on Wednesday and we have decided to get another one.

There are a pair at our local rescue centre we are going to be introduced to tomorrow. The rescue centre are very particular and asked lots of questions regarding feeding, size of run etc. and also come out to see your set up. They recommend a 6' run that the bunnies can stand up in (2' high) and a hutch that is off the ground. They offer their rabbits in bonded pairs that are neutered and have had a myxy jab. For that you pay £70 for the pair. The process takes a few weeks from what I can make out.

I feel happier getting them from there than anywhere else.

I changed my mind on that hutch and got a 6ft x 4ft x 2ft hutch instead, again 2 tier (here)

I'm getting my rabbit next week from a breeder, he's an agouti butterfly french lop and I'll be getting him a girlfriend once he's been neutered. As they're big rabbits I'll be adding more to the run of the hutch next month.

I've heard french lops get on better with children and dogs and as they're bigger rabbits the children won't be tempted to try picking them up. They're also meant to enjoy sitting on your lap for cuddles unlike most rabbits. I'm so excited, he's 10 weeks old and the pictures she's sent of him are lovely.