I'd like to branch out from just being the "chicken lady" ;) and hear about rabbits from some experienced people out there. I had a pet rabbit for about 12 years as a kid, but he was an indoor rabbit, and I remember feeding and watering him... and that's about it. Fast forward a couple decades. Now I'm thinking about adding one or two rabbits outdoors next year. Mostly for fun and for poop/fertilizer. I won't be butchering these, so I'm not concerned about meat conversion.
I recently read Storey's Guide to Raising Rabbits and was disappointed. There was definitely some good info in it and I understand that this is primarily a meat rabbit book, which I am okay with but statements like, "Some [diseases] can be treated successfully. But some aren't worth fooling around with. A swift blow to the skull is a foolproof cure." put me off a bit. What I really disagree with though is that he's instructing you to give preventative antibiotics once a week.
Here are my main questions:
1. I would keep them caged at night, but if they had a daytime pen attached to a (not-yet-built) climate controlled greenhouse they can escape to in the summer months, would the humidity from evap cooling of a greenhouse be a problem for rabbits?
2. If getting more than one, if I get two females from the same litter, what are they odds they will continue getting along together?
3. Are any pet breeds more heat tolerant than usual?
4. I really liked the calm and inquisitive personality of some english lops I was around recently. I've hear that's characteristic for the breed, anyone have more info? Because of their reeeaaallly long ears are they prone to any more problems (other than standing on them)?
Thanks!
Replies
If meat-production is of little or no importance, then maybe go with your run-of-the-mill mutt. Mixed breed rabbits are just as poop-producing as your purebreds! My Ben, who is a Flemish Giant mix has a wonderfully mellow personality and is as gentle as they come. There are several rabbit rescues in the Valley. WWW.tranquilitytrail.org and www.bhrabbitrescue.org that adopt out bonded pairs if you are looking for more than one.
I don't know if this is an option, but do you have room for 1 or 2 in your home? Ben lives in my living room with a dog kennel and exercise pen attached. I compost his litter and poop. Carefresh is the brand of littler I have been using for several years because it is safe and natural. WWW.carefresh.com
Thank you, I had thought about rescuing, but didn't know there were some specific to rabbits. :)
Indoors isn't really an option as we have two indoor cats, and lots of wood, books and wires. ;)
Hi Rachel,
My sisters cats and bunny ran together - the chewing is a big consideration, but FYI the bunny and cats really enjoyed each other's company. OF course, like any existing pet/new pet - introduction time is necessary.
Both of my cats are well mannered with the rabbit- which could be attributed to his size! Every once in a while, one cat will stick her paw through the gate, but that's it. Ben definately has tried to chew on the crown moulding, but his area is kept several inches from anything he may find enticing.
As for feeding timothy, my husband and I were so tired of buying the little bags from Petsmart for $10... so we invested in 2 huge garbage cans and bought a bale of it from the Stock Shop for $20... it's lasted us since last November and it's as fresh as day one.
It's great.. everything gets composted. His poop and bedding... and the leftover timothy in his big bucket!
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Ben has his daily veggies( usually red leaf lettuce, cilantro, bell pepper, bok choy, etc) and the occasional piece of fruit for a treat. He is not on a strictly timothy diet. I compost the timothy if he hasn't finished what is in his bucket for a day or two then give him fresh.
Im gonna chime in on this conversation. Evap is better for them than AC *due to the moisture being added back into the enviroment*. I would never recommend a rabbit be left alone out of a cage. They're destructive creatures and will certainly dig to china if given a chance, even with trimmed nails. You will certainly want to keep the temp down. I'd make sure you keep it down to no warmer than 80 degrees.
Rabbit's use their ears like radiators. Anyone who's bred for a length of time will be able to attest that even dwarfs (ears not allowed over 2 1/2" will grow beyond that if they're born in the hot areas of the country in the summer. So with that.. the ideal heat breed would be an english lop (ears a minimum of 21" in length from tip to tip and 5" at the widest point). However... there are a lot of English Lops that have way too thin ear leather and they rip easily.. not fun.
Breeds: Go with what you like best. Any breed can have issues with personallity, though there's only a few known to be excitable and alligator like. You must pay attention to feet pads on any rex in particular if you're going to choose a standard rex. They have extremely small bone for their size and much more prone to sore hocks (no rabbit should ever NEED a sitting board, they should be bred to have ample furring on their feet.
Honestly, you're better off to buy from a reputable breeder that raises pure bred rabbits than someone who just has rabbits that breed.
Holland Lops (4# max) are excellent pets, Mini Rex or Mini Satins are great for pets, Himalayans (long skinny rabbits that are white with points and pink eyes) are the ultimate kid's rabbit. Shoot, out of 30 breeds I've raised since I was a tot, there's only a couple I'd never consider raising again.
For pets, I'd personally stay away from anything wooled myself.
As to the sex of the rabbits? Take your pick. I've got bucks i can toss out together, i've got does that I can toss out together. You'd be best off to just get two rabbits from the same litter that are used to each other, but not always a must.
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