Topic: New to rabbits...questions? (Read 3519 times)

BarbzGoatz_Infinity · « **on:** August 13, 2006, 03:51:40 AM »

Do rabbits require "rabbit only" feed,or can they eat goat grain? And do they need vaccinations,worming,etc.? Dumb questions,I know..but I'm brand new at this and trying to learn. We're getting at least 2 for my daughter's birthday. The ones we're going to look at tomorrow are Havanna's..and I can't even find pics of that breed!

Pepper · « **Reply #1 on:** August 13, 2006, 04:16:50 AM »

I had a rabbit when I was a kid, we fed rabbit pellets, they like salt wheels. I don't remember much else about them.

I posted a link to a site with pics, but it's not working. If you go to Yahoo! and do an image search for Havana rabbit, alot of pics come up.

goatladie · « **Reply #2 on:** August 13, 2006, 02:18:08 PM »

How cool 4 you and your daughter!~ You two will love them I'm sure!~ Too bad you aren't closer - I have a Havana that's looking for a home, she is the nicest rabbit I have ever met, not skiddish, loves to be held, the perfect pet rabbit. My DH is allergic, otherwise I would like to keep her - I had trouble figuring out what kind she was too when I got her, they don't seem as common.....
... as far as food, they do have the special rabbit chow, but I have used the goat pellets that my goats are on for quite awhile and she along with some of my other rabbits have done quite well on them! Little hay and grass/veggie every little while and you will have one happy rabbit! Just be sure to avoid tomatoes and the like (it will kill them) and not too much lettuce/iceberg lettuce - actually will make them sick contrary to what everyone says about rabbits..... oh, and when it gets really warm during the summer, try this: fill 1 liter soda or water bottles with water, freeze, then put in the cage with them, as they lean up against the cold bottles, it cools them off and they really appreciate it!~

Make sure you have a cage large enough for them to get exercise, buy special rabbit bowls with clips or fasten their feed bowls to the cage wall, rabbits love to "rearrange" and will waste A LOT of feed if you skip this step.

It is also good to get chew treats for them, helps keep their teeth from growing too long - they usually sell cute little compressed minerals in fun little shapes that is good for this, along with the salt wheel. My favorite treat to get for them though is this clip, with a rod atached to it, with a bell on the end; this hangs fro mthe top pf the cage and you can thread different food treats and such on it. Not only does it provide entertainment for your bunnies, but food, exercise, and being that it is off the ground, keeps the treat clean.

Are you getting male or female rabbits? Indoor/Outdoor?

BarbzGoatz_Infinity · « **Reply #3 on:** August 13, 2006, 02:52:32 PM »

Thank you! Well shoot,I wish I was closer too,rofl. The ones we're hopefully looking at today are young,and I think she currently has them outside. She said they'll be about 6 pounds? I hate to put something so small outside..but waiting to see hubb's reaction when we see the rabbits. ;) My husband was afraid that there might be an ingredient in the goat grain that could harm the rabbits. I liked the idea of not having to buy seperate feed. I have goat grain and alfalfa cubes..but could get pellets if need be. I'll look for the stick,and definitely for the clip on bowls!

goatladie · « **Reply #4 on:** August 13, 2006, 03:09:31 PM »

I raise rabbits outside during the summer and where you guys are located (if I remember correctly) it is even warmer than here so, keeping them outside is do-able, but if you want even friendlier rabbits, inside is good - seems they get more interaction that way.... now, if it is one thing you remember, do NOT get male rabbits for inside the house!!!!!! They stink! In a very short time too, and they spray out the side of their cage! Which reminds me of something else..... get a litter pan from your supply/pet shop. It is a plastic triangle, again that clips to the cage, important... they will potty train themselves to use just that for eliminating making cleaning the cage MUCH, MUCH easier!.... Man, I wish you were closer, I would set you up with cages, bottles, and everything, they're just sitting empty over here!~ Have fun picking out your bunnies though!~ ...Don't forget pics!

Sondra · « **Reply #5 on:** August 13, 2006, 11:38:19 PM »

I wouldn't feed them goat grain if it has molasses in it. but I feed mine alfalfa pellets and my grain mix. I give them some hay and sometimes some weeds from the yard and carrots like the tiny carrots but not too much of other veggies. no broccolli /collaflower / cabbage etc. too gassy. no don't give vaccinations. Out side is fine but a buck will not breed when over 90 degrees and will lose stamina for 30days or more afterwards. When I was really into raising rabbits and showing my bucks were put inside in air conditioning. Now they are all outside. Cold freezing weather you may loose babies to freezing so be sure and have breeding boxes and if supper cold you can bring box and all inside and take back out in the am. Rabbits are what one would say are lousy parents they feed once a day and forget them the rest of the time.

BarbzGoatz_Infinity · « **Reply #6 on:** August 14, 2006, 02:28:20 AM »

Would you believe I came home with 2 Havannas?? I now have a chocolate male,and a lilac female. They are both about 7 weeks old,and very gentle/tame. My daughter will love them. She'll be home this coming weekend. I have them on the backporch. It's enclosed,but I can open windows if I need to air things out. The gal sent a container of their feed home with me. I just need the water bottles,etc. now! Right now they have bowls which I'm sure they'll take pleasure in dumping soon. LOL!Both rabbits are pedigreed and came with papers. IF she decides to breed or show,she's all set.

goatladie · « **Reply #7 on:** August 14, 2006, 04:14:33 AM »

Way Cool 4 you guys!~ Don't worry, the smelly thing will come a little later, you should be good now..... good point about the molasses goat grain Sondra, forgot some use that kind..... Barb, be careful with when you change their food, they can be really sensitive about that - I bet your daughter will love them!~

Sondra · « **Reply #8 on:** August 14, 2006, 09:58:46 PM »

Oh that is neat now we need pictures!!

BarbzGoatz_Infinity · « **Reply #9 on:** August 14, 2006, 11:57:07 PM »

Soon rofl. I have to do it the old fashioned way because of my old computer. Take the pics,visit Wally,get them put online. I think we've all been bitten by the rabbit bug though...hubb is saying he wants Checkered Giants. He raised rabbits as a teen and sees how much he misses it. He needs a hobby...we found out thru a recent EKG that he had a silent heart attack sometime within the past 6 months.

A quick question? Right now this male and female are in the same cage because it's the larger cage. They were both born on May 28th. How long is it safe to have them together?? We don't want accidental breedings,and I haven't found a good rabbit book yet to get all these questions answered.

goatladie · « **Reply #10 on:** August 15, 2006, 02:22:47 AM »

....If it were me, I wouldn't trust that male..... that little rumor going around about rabbits is very true!~ Might be okay, but why chance it?

Here is a link to a lot of rabbit info - seems the sites, etc say between 3-5 months is sexual maturity, but definitely separate by 3 months latest....

http://www.welshrabbitry.com/rabbitfaq.html#breed

Sondra · « **Reply #11 on:** August 15, 2006, 04:04:32 AM »

OH you need a new cage now!! I always separate at 2mo just to be safe.

BarbzGoatz_Infinity · « **Reply #12 on:** August 15, 2006, 03:30:55 PM »

That link has a LOT of information,thanks!! I'm also going to look on Ebay for rabbit books..I think Storey has one? I have another smaller cage that I can put the male in since he's the smaller of the two. It's a medium sized cage..a Mini Sheltie could sleep in it comfortably. Thanks ya'll,and I'm sorry for all the questions! I need to be at least a jump ahead of my daughter in "rabbit smarts" since I know she'll ask dozens of questions. She'll be home by Saturday and has no idea what's waiting for her. O:) I wish I'd purchased two females now,to share a cage. I was told they would fight,but that site says if they are sisters and used to each other they would get along. :/

Sondra · « **Reply #13 on:** August 15, 2006, 11:20:51 PM »

Well when they are young sisters can stay together but bet your bottom dollar as they grow up they will start fighting.

BarbzGoatz_Infinity · « **Reply #14 on:** August 16, 2006, 03:36:31 AM »

LOL!! Ok,I did the right thing by just getting the two and putting in seperate cages then! Grumpy darn things!

Sondra · « **Reply #15 on:** August 16, 2006, 04:29:17 AM »

I used to raise and show Mini Lops and New Zealand Whites just have New Zealand now. but always have separated them except to breed and then be sure and take the doe to the bucks pen not the other way around or she might just tear into him possible to death.

goat dreamin · « **Reply #16 on:** August 17, 2006, 01:15:15 AM »

how cool i have a bunny she is about 81/2 pounds and one thing if you have your bunnys in your house or close next to a window by your house i have herd is that you can use cat litter for the litter boxs to put in the box for them to do their busys in it helps with the smell alot.and food wise my likes it won i put a few ice cubes in a bowl for her to suck on,and yes do put a bottle of frozen water bunnys love that too. food: i feed my bunny carrits,apples,horse treats,bunny treats at pet shops,horse & goat treats,um,NOT tomatoes, my love potato pells not much more i can think of.just sped lots of time with the bunny won it is
ung so the bunny doze not get mean. ok thats all that i can think of good luck you will love bunnys ps i have trid clery but it got my bunny sick not bad just diearea

goat dreamin · « **Reply #17 on:** August 17, 2006, 01:19:59 AM »

o and sunflower seeds

BarbzGoatz_Infinity · « **Reply #18 on:** August 18, 2006, 06:50:28 PM »

Thanks! Well,Patience came home last night and was in tears over the rabbits.

She adores them and is already hounding me with dozens of questions! I sent her a few sites,and told her she'll have a book soon to read. She's really,really getting into this! She also wants to eventually get a few large rabbits.

Their names are Bishop and HoneyDew.

GoatTech · « **Reply #19 on:** August 24, 2006, 12:59:40 PM »

Welcome to the world of rabbits!! We just joined the club!!! It's so amazing to learn about these little darlings, I found out,...they have feelings!!!
I also found out that cages are expensive and plan to figure out how to build some more for the next ones we buy, have to have more does for these 2 little bucks we have!! I'm trying not to breed them, but it just seems I have to try this out!! LOL!!!

BarbzGoatz_Infinity · « **Reply #20 on:** September 04, 2006, 01:13:26 PM »

We're loving it! The bunnies are still in cages on my backporch..hubb hasn't built rabbit hutches yet darnit. I want it done before they get used to being on the porch.

We're learning as we go abotu rabbit care. Our biggest trouble so far is just finding something the lil doe is willing to chew on!

goatladie · « **Reply #21 on:** September 04, 2006, 04:13:53 PM »

...If you mean chew treats s othat her teeth don't get too long, etc... just see that she has a couple of different things, she will chew them as she needs too.... same thing with the salt and mineral wheels, she will chew on them as she needs them, much like the goats regulate theirs....

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Author Topic: New to rabbits...questions? (Read 3519 times)