Buckeye House Rabbit Society

[Chris_Kewl]

When I took Rocket, Emily and Bennie to the vet yesterday thenurse thereasked if I got the buns from Buckeye House, I had no clue and said no I got them from Midwest Rabbit. She told me she volunteers at Buckeye House and that it's nice.

The URL is: http://www.ohare.org/

Was wondering if anyone here had experience with them?

Thanks!

 

[pamnock]

I was a member when I lived in Ohio. Kristin from Buckeye came out and did a wonderful presentation for my 4-H club.

Pam

 

[seniorcats]

Hi Chris,

I am member of Buckeye HRS and live in Hinckley. I usually only foster duringa crisis situation (hoarders, barn and house fires, etc.). Weare always looking for more foster homes and educators. In northeast Ohio we have several events a year - educational booths at the Petapazoola In Akron, the Medina Pet Expo and at the Fairlawn Petsmart, an annual garage sale and an annual fall picnic out in Geauga County.

Since I have access to really good locally grown hay, I also purchase and transport hay to some of thefoster homes with really large numbers of rabbits.

If you're interested in seeing the foster homes or finding out more about adopting or volunteer opportunities, it's best to e-mail Herta Rodina. She can also give you info on the quarterly newsletter. http://www.ohare.org/contact.htm#top

Ann

 

[Chris_Kewl]

I'd love to volunteer, I'll contact them and see if we can do something.

I could really use some help in the Timothy Hay department. With the three bunnies I cannot afford store hay prices, it's nearly $20 for 96oz of hay. How much can you get hay for? That'd really help me out quite a bit. Also if you have a hookup on Timothy food, let me know, those bags are $9.

Thanks!

 

[seniorcats]

A bale of first cuttinghay is $3.00 to $3.50, second cutting is usually $4.00 and if there is a third cutting, it's also $4.00. Sometimes I can get small 1/2 bales of meadow or orchard grass for $2-3. The farmer will cut it special for me if I remember to ask in time.

Next year is going to be a problem for me because a new 40 stall equestrian center was just built on my road. The center was finished just as the 2nd cutting was harvested and they bought most of the 2nd cutting. Of the 20 bales of hay I stored, I only have 3 left - one left for my bunnies and 2 for a dozenbunnies in a Canton foster home.I'll have to talk to the farmer next year and see if he will set 2 to 3 dozen bales aside for me. I buy from Alber Farm (Ron Alber) on Route 94 (Ridge Rd.). It's right at the entrance/exit to Rte. 271 in Medina County. I've been getting his hay for close to 20 years and haven't checked out any other farms.

Just so you know, some years the local harvest isn't that great. It depends on the weather. This year was a spectacular 2nd cutting but no 3rd cutting. In bad years, like last year, we end upordering Oxbox hay from the vet. You may want to check with your vet to see if s/he can order Oxbow. Sometimes it's a little bit cheaper. Maybe I save $5 on a 50 pound box of Oxbow. Not a big savings but better than nothing. Sorry, no source of discounted timothy pellets.

 

[Chris_Kewl]

I am new tohay like ths...How many lbs is a bale of hay? Does it last you a full year? Which vet do you use? I use Stow-Kent on 59, I don't know if they have Oxbow, I'll have to ask on Friday when I take Bennie to get spayed.

Thanks!

 

[Haley]

Hey Chris!

A bale of hay is usually about 50 pounds so its an awesome deal if you can find one from a farmer. I think a bale lasts me at least 3-4 months with 6 bunnies.

Check your yellow pages and call around to any place that sells hay or has horses. Even if they dont sell hay if they have horses they should know of someone who sells Timothy by the bale. Some farm/feed stores carry it as well.

If you cant get it from a local farmer there are cheaper resources than buying bags- www.kmshayloft.com is an awesome website. Shipping is pricey but when you calculate it out its so much cheaper than bagged storebought hay. And so much nicer and fresher! If you go to their website be sure to get their bluegrass hay, its wonderful!

 

[seniorcats]

The bales are usually 45-50 pounds. Haley's suggestion is good. Since you are in Kent, you may want to check the classifieds in your local papers and also some of the local feed and grain or farmer's exchanges. We get a couple local farm and dairy papers dropped off once a week and those usually have hay ads. If you call around, you may be able to get a bargain price on a broken bale (one that's come undone. You may need a contractor's trash bag or large Rubbermaid tostoreit.Your container should have some air holes in it. Make sure it stays dry and dust free. My 3 bunnies go through a bale in about 5 to 6 months. They are hay hogs.

One thing some of us in HRS have talked about is starting a hay buying coop for those of us in the northeast part of the state. We haven't really explored it but it would be a good project for someone to coordinate.

If you do decide to foster for HRS, Oxbow gives great discounts for rescue foster parents. Some of the other companies may do that as well.

Vets I use for the bunnies:

Gary Riggs, DVM
Barberton Veterinary Bird/Exotic Specialty Hospital
4873 Richland Ave.
Norton, OH 44203
Phone: 330-825-8434
Website: http://www.exoticpetvets.com

He's great and specializes in bunnies. Right off Rte. 21 and close to I-76. He has done very complicated orthopedic treatment and surgeries with disabled rabbits.

Also go to : http://www.animalandavianmedicalcenters.com/index.html

They have several offices and we see Dr. David Hammond or Dr. Lisa Wilson at the Brunswick office. Rte. 303 Close to I-71. Their prices are very reasonable and they have extended evening and Saturday hours. They carry and can order Oxbow products. I pay a bit less if I order through them.

For emergencies we use:

http://www.metropolitanvet.com/emergency_services.htm

These folks are the best for emergency rabbit and exotic care. They are very rabbit savvy and have rabbit specialists on call and on staff. They also have staff orthopedic, internal medicine and oncology specialists. They are very pricey but you get your money's worth in knowledge and excellent care.

 

[Chris_Kewl]

Well, good news, found a guy who is a 1/4 mile away from me who will sell me a 2nd cut for $4.50 for the bale. I told him I have rabbits and he said he'll look for the best he can find. So at 6pm on Friday I have hay to get. I prolly should just get a rubber trashbin from the store and a lid to store this in and keep it in the bunny cage so it's easy to get to.

Speaking of rubber trash bins, I was thinking... I use Yesterday's News and I just throw away my litter box waste. Should I start looking at maybe placing all of my waste in a trash bin (bagged, of course) for Spring? What type of people would be interested in rabbit manure? Though it would also have urine and bits of Yesterday's News. Would that matter?

Thanks!

 

[Haley]

Sounds good! Be sure if you put it in a bin to keep the lid cracked or cut holes in it. Many people caution against putting fresh hay in bins bc it can mold easily. I store mine that way (and so does my friend) and neither of us have had a problem.

As for manure, our rescue does that. Some farmers and gardeners will use it. You could ask your neighbors if anyone would be interested.

:biggrin2: