AllieMoore wrote:
Thats the plan
I like that I can visit her, so that we can start bonding before she moves into our house. That way she will have a bit more trust with her. I'm pretty patient with animals. As I've been handraising and taming birds since I was young. I have a turquoise parrot and a very stubborn little budgie. The turq I handraised, and the budgie I rescued from a bad home. She still has trust issues, but she is becoming more and more comfortable with us each day. She looks so much better now she is on a good idea to. She didn't even know what a carrot was when we first gave her one!
I've been meaning to ask about rabbits and food. The breeder is giving me some food and a list of the places I can get it from. Its a mix of grains, hays, and all sorts of good things. And I know she will need plenty of hay. I was just wondering when and how I go about introducing veggies (and limited amount of fruits) into her diet? We planted a little garden out back for her to chew when she gets older. Main carrots, some of the safe herbs, plenty of wheat grass and clover.
You definitely know what patience is and time spent working towards a bond, if you been raising birds. Won't have any problems with a bunny.
With the Z-Tribe, I've been more cautious with introducing veggies and fruits. Some introduce veggies at 3 months. I wait until at least 6 months for veggies and 7 months for fruit. I haven't had any issues with digestive problems that way. Best way to introduce a new veggie is in small portions, then wait to see how your bunny's belly accepts it. You can tell if there is a problem by the bunny's poop. It tells all. If it's diareahha (sp?) or misformed poo, not round, then there's a problem. Also sometimes bunnies get gas pains. You can tell if they are hunched, pressing their bellies to the floor, or just not themselves. Dobby was like that when we gave him broccolli for the first time. I backed off to allow his system to settle, and then give him just a taste once in a while. No gas pains and he does enjoy it.
If the poo is round and normal, it means everything is OK. Then introduce another veggie and see how it goes. If you introduce too many at the same time, you won't know which one your bunny is not digesting well.
Great to hear about the garden. The garden next to our bunny run has lots of things for the Z-Tribe to enjoy. Cucumbers, parsley, basil, cilantro, arugula, kale, wheat grass, tomatoes. All things they enjoy. Now that most of my bunnies hit the 6 month mark, I've cut back on their pellets (they were given free choice) and have supplimented their diet with veggies each night.
Hay is a constant and a BIG must for our bunnies. It keeps their digestive system going, which a bunny must do to stay healthy. And it's good to help keep their teeth healthy.
Fruit, I usually wait until 7 months. My Tribe so far have enjoyed strawberries, applies (watch the seeds they are toxic) and watermelon. Dobby doesn't like watermelon so he gets extra wheat grass, which he loves.
Hope this helps a bit.
K
