bit of a rabbit novice here, although have always had pets, including small furries, 11 year old daughter has saved up for a bunny/hutch etc, so we are busy researching 'rabbit care'. Have a fairly good idea re diet, hutch requirements, vacs, but my question is do rabbits prefer to live alone or to have a companion. Do they fight, how can this be avoided, should we get same sex litter mates, is it better to have does or bucks. Many thanks

the answer is , i got this from a local vet in hunters bar" they are better in pairs as they talk,"
litter sisters or female and male work well but male needs to be neuted so they can live together without babies!!!
I can provide care sheets etc

thanks teeny, as you might have guessed i like to know everything before i take something on.

i know a bit but not everything lol I have had almost 30 years of animals and more but i have done lots of training and have a love of animals, lol not forgetting being totally mad too!

glad about the mad bit, we are too, probably get a bit obsessed about our animals, but hey do i care?

bit of a rabbit novice here, although have always had pets, including small furries, 11 year old daughter has saved up for a bunny/hutch etc, so we are busy researching 'rabbit care'. Have a fairly good idea re diet, hutch requirements, vacs, but my question is do rabbits prefer to live alone or to have a companion. Do they fight, how can this be avoided, should we get same sex litter mates, is it better to have does or bucks. Many thanks

Best advice would be to get two does from the same litter. For diet, feed them something thats high in fibre (ie burgess suparabbit deluxe pellets) and generally don't feed them a mix, this can lead to selective feeding. They're very social animals, and need to be around humans frequently. If they're kept outside, they're best kept in a secure hutch inside a shed or outhouse, with plenty of natural light. Never let their water freeze, make sure they have plently of fresh veg (should be three different veggies available daily), they need two vaccinations, can't remember what they're called.
Most bunnies don't like to be handled, so don't let your daughter handle them if they don't want to be. When they are handled, their back end should always be supported because they kick and this can lead to spinal injuries on their part. Bunnies have very fragile bones and they break easily. Rabbits also need at least 36 hours a week when they're not confined to a hutch or cage and are free to excercise, otherwise they may get obese.

Bucks are generally more gentle than does (once neutered) and it is also suggested you neuter any does you have, because they can develop cervical cancer and this usually leads to their death at around 5 years of age.

Two does or a mixed pair are great but neutered male litter mates get on well to, provided they are neutered at the first opportunity (sexually mature at four months).

They do prefer company of their own kind but it depends on how much time you have to spend with them. If you want a rabbit tht is focused upon you as a companion get only one, they will develope a stronger bond with another rabbit over a human.

I only feed my rabbits once a day, two handfuls of Burgess Supa Rabbit Deluxe plus plenty of fresh (dark) greens, carrots and celery. Do not feed iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, bread, cereal or chocolate. 1 cup per 3 pounds of bunny is a good measure. Also make sure fresh water and hay are always available from a hay rack and gravity fed bottle.

Vaccinations are VHD and Myxomatosis, yearly and as I said before neutering at around 4/5 months.

Rabbits need four hours of excersise every day in a secure environment, but should not be put out in the damp or rain.

Any questions feel free to ask otherwise I could rattle on for hours!

we're thinking along the lines of getting the biggest outdoor hutch we can afford and making a very large run to securely attach to it. We thought we could then let bun have access to the run all day.We also thought of having a smaller hutch in the garage for when the weather is particularly bad, would that be a good idea or would bun dislike being moved from one hutch to another.

Hadn't thought of bun bonding with another bun if we had two, 11 year old daughter is keen to develop a bond with bun and knowing her she will spend hours with it. She has had rats before, which she trained to come to her etc, so she is patient and gentle.

Its most likely to happen with mixed sex pairs because of course they are in bunny love for life. Its not that they dont like or bond with people its just not to the same level. I keep all my outside bunnies in airs but my house rabbit alone, he ets plenty of attention from us, is littertrained and on par with a small dog.

Rabbits need security and moving them from one hutch to another will leave them devoid of a place to call 'home'. I would recommend just using one hutch, they are hardier than they look just make sure it has a weather screen and plebty of bedding in the winter. Having run access all day is great as long as they are shut in after dark.

we're thinking along the lines of getting the biggest outdoor hutch we can afford and making a very large run to securely attach to it. We thought we could then let bun have access to the run all day.We also thought of having a smaller hutch in the garage for when the weather is particularly bad, would that be a good idea or would bun dislike being moved from one hutch to another.

Hadn't thought of bun bonding with another bun if we had two, 11 year old daughter is keen to develop a bond with bun and knowing her she will spend hours with it. She has had rats before, which she trained to come to her etc, so she is patient and gentle.

If you get a hutch thats attached to a run, don't leave your bun to go in the run unsupervised. You'd be suprised at how easily a stray cat/dog can get into one of those and have your bun for dinner. I disagree with keeping buns outside, but I won't raise that issue here because its not appropriate. Make sure they have plenty of natural daylight, otherwise they won't thrive. If you keep your car in the garage, then a hutch in the garage is a definate no-no.

The best way to bond with a bun has got to be just giving it freedom. If your daughter is the one to feed the bun, groom the bun, etc, then a bond would be formed quite quickly, but keep it in mind that a lot of buns bite. Not because they're nasty, my bun is quite partial to biting as a way of showing his affection. They will also frequently bite (esp. if you have a doe) if you stick your hand into their hutch. They don't like that.) But if you're getting a male, I'd recomend a buck, as they are a lot laid back, and more friendly.