Trying to prepare and choose a baby.

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aabernathy319

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I came here to learn more about rabbits before I get my 1st rabbit in years. Last time I had rabbits I lived with my mom and she did most of the care. Those rabbits lived very healthy and happy until we left them outside in a cage (we left them outside in a big cage in the daytime in good weather) my former neighbors stole them from their cage (over our 6ft wood fence) and ate them 😢😢😢. That was years ago and I'm over it but I want to learn and prepare as much as I can before I get a rabbit. So any good information on care would be super helpful. Right now I'm trying to choose a baby rabbit (Mini Rex)around me and reserve it. (I'll upload pictures and maybe all of you can help me choose 1.) I'm very excited and and ready to more learn :). Thanks in advance :runningrabbit:
And please no rude comments.....

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Are you going to house your rabbit indoors? Single rabbits tend to do better indoors where they can get more attention and bond more with you.

Here are a couple threads on this site that show how RO members set up their indoor housing:

http://www.rabbitsonline.net/showthread.php?t=85838

Heres the 2015 thread
http://www.rabbitsonline.net/showthread.php?t=83446

All of the rabbits in the photos are adorable -- as baby bunnies always are! Since it's been awhile since you've had buns, you may not be aware of the latest in rabbit care. I've been keeping rabbits for decades and have seen how things have changed. Some of what used to be considered good or sufficient for rabbits has now been found to not be. And more has been learned. So don't be surprised if you hear something that might contradict "the old way."

Most here will strongly advocate for getting a female spayed or male neutered, not only for health, but also for behavior and for better potty habits. Females over age 5 are particularly prone to cancer if left intact. So as you consider a baby, also consider the high cost of surgery in about 2 months after you bring one home. (Might want to call around for pricing as it varies greatly. I was quoted over $250 for a rabbit spay.)

Personally, I find it much more pleasurable to skip the baby stage (the mushy poo, not litter trained, hormonal, potentially aggressive, spraying urine stage) and choose a bunny that is already fixed. Rabbits that are already fixed will have evident personalities so you get to choose a rabbit with a particular personality (or one that seems to like you). This isn't truly possible with babies since their baby 'personality' seldom represents their adult personality. It also saves one from the cost and hassle of surgery since rescue rabbits are already fixed. They are also vet-checked and personality assessed.

But, in my opinion, the biggest risk of getting a baby is that you may end up with one of those stand-off-ish, never wants attention rabbits. There is just no way to predict what that baby will be like in a few short months. Lots of handling isn't going to change that either. That's already been shown (and is confirmed in the 2014 issue of Rabbits USA magazine).

Anyway, that's my two cents. The babies are adorable and definitely would be hard to resist! Nevertheless, I would be telling myself to stick with an already fixed rabbit from a rabbit rescue. That way I'd know exactly what I'm getting.
 
Blue eyes said:
Are you going to house your rabbit indoors? Single rabbits tend to do better indoors where they can get more attention and bond more with you.

Here are a couple threads on this site that show how RO members set up their indoor housing:

http://www.rabbitsonline.net/showthread.php?t=85838

Heres the 2015 thread
http://www.rabbitsonline.net/showthread.php?t=83446

All of the rabbits in the photos are adorable -- as baby bunnies always are! Since it's been awhile since you've had buns, you may not be aware of the latest in rabbit care. I've been keeping rabbits for decades and have seen how things have changed. Some of what used to be considered good or sufficient for rabbits has now been found to not be. And more has been learned. So don't be surprised if you hear something that might contradict "the old way."

Most here will strongly advocate for getting a female spayed or male neutered, not only for health, but also for behavior and for better potty habits. Females over age 5 are particularly prone to cancer if left intact. So as you consider a baby, also consider the high cost of surgery in about 2 months after you bring one home. (Might want to call around for pricing as it varies greatly. I was quoted over $250 for a rabbit spay.)

Personally, I find it much more pleasurable to skip the baby stage (the mushy poo, not litter trained, hormonal, potentially aggressive, spraying urine stage) and choose a bunny that is already fixed. Rabbits that are already fixed will have evident personalities so you get to choose a rabbit with a particular personality (or one that seems to like you). This isn't truly possible with babies since their baby 'personality' seldom represents their adult personality. It also saves one from the cost and hassle of surgery since rescue rabbits are already fixed. They are also vet-checked and personality assessed.

But, in my opinion, the biggest risk of getting a baby is that you may end up with one of those stand-off-ish, never wants attention rabbits. There is just no way to predict what that baby will be like in a few short months. Lots of handling isn't going to change that either. That's already been shown (and is confirmed in the 2014 issue of Rabbits USA magazine).

Anyway, that's my two cents. The babies are adorable and definitely would be hard to resist! Nevertheless, I would be telling myself to stick with an already fixed rabbit from a rabbit rescue. That way I'd know exactly what I'm getting.
Click to expand...

I've been looking for a rescue rabbit in my area and haven't found any. There is a small animal vet in my city that will fix them for a good price so, that can be done when it's time. I like to research and learn about animals so I've searched a lot of the current care for rabbits for a while.
 
The House Rabbit Society is a great place to start:

http://rabbit.org/

I totally agree with everything that was said above. Pet bunnies are typically happier and healthier when housed indoors with the family and spayed or neutered.

Bunny ownership is more accurately described as being a bunny slave, haha! They have their own personalities and are often quirkier than dogs and cats! You adapt to their attitudes and bow down to their every need teehee!!!

Owning a rabbit as a pet is a unique experience. When getting a baby rabbit, try not to have too high of expectations of having a cuddly pet. Lots of bunnies grow up to be more along the lines of "look don't touch" no matter how much you handle and socialize them as babies. I love the independent bunnies, but a lot of people are disappointed. So just be prepared to have something that might not want to be snuggled and petted like a cat or dog.

As for choosing a baby, I'd visit them in person and inspect their sire, dam, living conditions, health, etc before making a choice.

Keep us updated on what bunny you pick!
 
Keeping the rabbit indoors is what I highly recommend. They need way more space (and protection!) than what an outdoor hutch can provide. I like the little grey ones in the second picture :3
I also recommend reading about rabbit safe veggies: http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/resources/content/info-sheets/safefoods.htm(their diet should consist of pellets-not seed mixes sold at big box stores-veggies and lots of hay), rabbit body language (http://language.rabbitspeak.com), and general indoor rabbit care (http://myhouserabbit.com/rabbit-care/)

I think I'm a minority here because I bought my rabbit from a breeder (I wanted a Flemish giant which is hard to find at a rescue) and I have no plans to spay her at the moment. I think if you want to buy a rabbit as long as its not from a pet store that's perfectly acceptable. Just make sure you do ask the breeder lots of questions; they should be able to answer EVERY one and if they can't then they aren't reputable. Also don't get it shipped and be sure to inspect the premises.
Good luck and I've found searching the forum for old posts about questions I have has been hugely useful.
 
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I will be keeping my rabbit inside and only outside with me while I'm watching. I'm in Canyon Texas.
 
Santa Fe and Placitas, NM have rabbits. They are 4.5 hours drive from Canyon -- so a bit closer that Dallas/ Ft. Worth area. There are also several rescues in the Dallas area.

Their websites will have photos and info on various buns. I got a pair of rabbits from CA, even though I live in AZ (6 hour drive). They did a "bunderground railroad" idea and were able to get the rabbit to me. So don't let distance be a necessary deterrent.

http://newmexicohrs.org/
http://www.thebunnyburrow.org/
http://bunnybuddies.org/content/
http://www.ntrs.org/
 
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