Hello

I have recently adopted two eight week old male rabbits one Netherland and one Lion head. The trouble is I don't know much about them!!
They were bred for a pet shop but the Netherland is blind in one eye and the Lion head has a slight tear (which is now fully healed) on one of his ears. The pet shop would not accept them because of the defects and consequently they would have been put down so I couldn't say no to taking them.

I bought them a hutch and am feeding them pellets, carrots, apples, pears, lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, grass, dandilions and hay which I think is okay according to other sites.

Now I have some questions....

how much excercise do they need per day?
I don't have a run yet as they cost so much!! I have already spent a fortune on the hutch, food bedding, treats and pet insurance, so my boyfriend is goind to build a temporary one out of chicken wire, I was thinking of putting the hutch outside during the day so they can run around in the run while we are at work then bring them in the house at night to sleep, at the moment they are both in the house full time. Eventually I will leave the hutch out fulltime and buy one of those cages for the house.

However should the run have a roof as I have 2 cats but am not sure if cats kill rabbits? Don't know if my boyfriend could build a roof as may be difficult to construct, so for the meantime should I not leave them unattended? the garden is secure just our cats and neighbours cats who pass by.

Also some people on internet have said that you should not give your rabbits grass from the garden as it can make them ill, instead you should buy it dried from the pet shop?? I put fresh grass in their hutch yesterday before I read this and they loved it and haven't shown signs of illness. Then I realised if they are in the garden I can't stop them from eating grass anyway. Is this a load of rubbish? Are they safe to eat it?

As the rabbits are both males are they likely to fight? If so can neutering stop this and what age should i get them done at?

Can rabbits get flea's? should I medicate against certain things as you would a cat or dog? I don't mean vaccinations have already read into them and are booked next month.

They are both quite shy and timid and don't come to me when I open the hutch should I take them out even thought they are nervous to get them used to human contact?

I am not exactly sure on the best way to pick them up is one hand supporting the tummy okay? I wont be holding up for log just to put them on my knee or into the carrier and out to the garden.

how can I tell which eye the netherland rabbit is blind in? He doesen't seem to follow any movements I make with my hands with either eye could he be blind in both after all?

Is it normal for a rabbit to soil their bedding they mainly go in the main bit of the hutch but I have noticed that they use the bed too, I have put litter in a corner of the hutch which they have used sometimes but end up laying on it, how can I train them to go there all the time?

I know there is alot here sorry to go on, I just want them to be happy and healthy hop someone can give some good advice.

Thanks

Sounds like you are doing well with them,i would say not too much lettuce might give them the runs being so young but a little grass is ok like you said if they were outside they would eat grass,just make sure it hasnt been treated with anything.
Lots of handling will make them less timid.
Not really an an expert so cant say for sure about keeping 2 bucks together perhaps ok when young might be trouble later ,but then again if they grow up together perhaps they will be ok.

thanks for the advice :)

I'm by no means an authority on rabbits but I will attempt to help with some of your questions :)

Hello

I have recently adopted two eight week old male rabbits one Netherland and one Lion head. The trouble is I don't know much about them!!
They were bred for a pet shop but the Netherland is blind in one eye and the Lion head has a slight tear (which is now fully healed) on one of his ears. The pet shop would not accept them because of the defects and consequently they would have been put down so I couldn't say no to taking them.

I bought them a hutch and am feeding them pellets, carrots, apples, pears, lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, grass, dandilions and hay which I think is okay according to other sites.

Now I have some questions....

how much excercise do they need per day?
I don't have a run yet as they cost so much!! I have already spent a fortune on the hutch, food bedding, treats and pet insurance, so my boyfriend is goind to build a temporary one out of chicken wire, I was thinking of putting the hutch outside during the day so they can run around in the run while we are at work then bring them in the house at night to sleep, at the moment they are both in the house full time. Eventually I will leave the hutch out fulltime and buy one of those cages for the house.
Do be careful leaving them out. Foxes can get through chicken wire with ease, it's your choice and I don't know how badly affected you are with foxes, but if I were to have rabbits again, mine would remain house rabbits and only go out when I could supervise them :)
It's not unknown for foxes/neighbourhood dogs to get in while you're not watching so do think twice before leaving them out while you're at work
However should the run have a roof as I have 2 cats but am not sure if cats kill rabbits? Don't know if my boyfriend could build a roof as may be difficult to construct, so for the meantime should I not leave them unattended? the garden is secure just our cats and neighbours cats who pass by.
I've never had a problem with my cats around rabbits - but again, foxes or dogs may be an issue
Also some people on internet have said that you should not give your rabbits grass from the garden as it can make them ill, instead you should buy it dried from the pet shop?? I put fresh grass in their hutch yesterday before I read this and they loved it and haven't shown signs of illness. Then I realised if they are in the garden I can't stop them from eating grass anyway. Is this a load of rubbish? Are they safe to eat it?
I don't know how safe it is, ours always used to have whatever was in the garden but this was years ago before we knew any better. I do sell freeze dried grass as some people prefer to feed this.

As the rabbits are both males are they likely to fight? If so can neutering stop this and what age should i get them done at?
Neutering can be done from around 5 months of age. I don't know the statistics on males fighting but there are also health benefits from neutering which you may want to discuss with your vet. On this note, find a vet who is known to be good with rabbits (SF can help you here!) as some don't fully understand them.
Can rabbits get flea's? should I medicate against certain things as you would a cat or dog? I don't mean vaccinations have already read into them and are booked next month.
Yes - rabbits will need worming and they can get fleas and flystrike is a risk in the summer but I can't advise you on these... as this is one of those things I'm not sure of!
They are both quite shy and timid and don't come to me when I open the hutch should I take them out even thought they are nervous to get them used to human contact?
Personally, I would allow them to build their confidence by opening the hutch and sitting there and giving them a gentle fuss or a little treat when they do come out. You don't want to make them more nervous!
I am not exactly sure on the best way to pick them up is one hand supporting the tummy okay? I wont be holding up for log just to put them on my knee or into the carrier and out to the garden.
One hand under their bum and the other under the front legs (tummy/chest area). Always support the bottom!
how can I tell which eye the netherland rabbit is blind in? He doesen't seem to follow any movements I make with my hands with either eye could he be blind in both after all?
I would probably ask your vet when you take them to be checked over and vaccinated.
Is it normal for a rabbit to soil their bedding they mainly go in the main bit of the hutch but I have noticed that they use the bed too, I have put litter in a corner of the hutch which they have used sometimes but end up laying on it, how can I train them to go there all the time?
You can train them to use their little tray by putting their poops in the tray, but they may still have the odd mistake. What are you using as litter? Make sure you don't use pine cat litter as they can't have that.
I know there is alot here sorry to go on, I just want them to be happy and healthy hop someone can give some good advice.

Thanks

Hope that helps a little! Sorry I'm not that knowledgeable but do know some bits!

Somthing some people dont think about if the rabbits are not in a closed run specaily that young magpies will attack and kill a young rabbit.Freshly picked grass is ok but think about weed killers pesticides and other animals droppings.You may see a change in the eyes if you shine a torch near them or a digital camera with red eye off may tell you thats if you have one.
Safe wild foods include all grasses, clover, dandelion, plantain, chickweed, vetches, brambles, willow, and hawthorn. Suitable garden plants are roses, apple branches, strawberry and raspberry leaves, nasturtiums and marigolds.
plenty of carrots and dark green leafy vegetables such as broccoli, spring greens, green cabbage, cauliflower and leaves, herbs such as parsley, mint, thyme and basil. Only give your pet clean FRESH
Feeding a rabbit on mainly dried food leads to health problems.
If your happy holding them in the way you described and they are then do as you are doing.

That's great thanks! using catsan hope this is okay.

about the foxes, they would only be outside until around 6pm, no dogs can get in and I think we are safe from foxes but wouldn't take the risk at night.
Good point about the magpies there are loads where I live always attacking other birds.

Myself i wouldnt risk leaving them out in a run unless i was there to keep an eye on them,better leaving them in a hutch unless you are there.

Myself i wouldnt risk leaving them out in a run unless i was there to keep an eye on them,better leaving them in a hutch unless you are there.

I agree with this. Foxes can be about during the day time in the summer months (we get them around here sunbathing on gardens :) )

I don't think Catsan is a problem... although, again - I haven't kept rabbits for a long time and they were outdoor rabbits (they did toilet in the same place but it was their choice and we just had newspaper and straw down). Most of my customers with house rabbits use stuff like newspaper/shavings/straw in litter trays - but I know cat litter is fine, just not sure which ones!

If you need any help Becky feel free to give me a call and I could always pop down and see you.I don't claim to be an expert on rabbits but have almost 40 of my own, most of which I've taken in as rescues :)

One thing that I can say, is, when holding your rabbits - try not to be 'scared' as I think they pick up on this and then they kick (And you end up covered in hairs and scratches allover your chest with a vet staring at you whilst your nearly screaming in pain covered in blood) ive now learnt to hold them firm - but not squeezing them, and to feel confident doing so and they are great. The more cuddles, the better they are with humans. I rarely handled my rabbits at first.. and now I handle them everyday. They each get a 10min snuggle each in the morning, same in the afternoon too, and they hated it at first but I made them. Now they will come to door of their hutch and take it in turns for snuggles.

Plenty of hay. LOTS LOTS and LOTS! I recall being told their diet should be 85% hay, 5% dry mix/pellets and 10% fruit/veg. They get about 4 egg cups between them of dry fruity mix now a day. Their hay is topped up around 4 times a day. They can go through a bag of carrots a day too :| But I limit this. Every Friday I buy, a brocoli, a bag of carrots, 6 apples, a spring cabbage (Or something quite leafy) and this usually 'does' them enough - they get the peelings from any veg we have at meals, and the odd spare bit of veg we might have left over thats going to 'turn' in the next day or 2.

They dont have a run yet either (Theirs got smashed abit back and we havent got another yet!) , and ive got them more trained to me and let them out one at a time for 30min each in a morning, and the same in the afternoon. If its raining they come into the kitchen for a few hours, and like to go poo behind the TV in the living room or get stuck in the baby gates :|

My 2 are females and are very ignorant of each other. But they get on just fine, sometimes a little nippy with each other. Dont worry if they dont lay down together, mine have never done this and from being very small they were in the same hutch and have had less than 2 days apart (Theyre around 10 months now).

Good luck, and it really is amazing how fast they grow. I got them and they were around half a ft length (Both said Dwarf lops) and well Maisy is about 2ft long now and Daisy is around 4 ft long now :D They're huge. But not fat.

Beware of a dewlap. Like a double chin. I got scared, as I wasnt too knowledged up on bunnys, thinking they had some tumours or something and it was a dewlap! If you get a book or 2 from eBay/amazon and have a quick read up on them.

Ive just realised ive written alot.. Sorry!!

Hi, i have a 14week old rabbit. I have read in the pets at hoe leaflet no fruit or veg until after they are 16 weeks? someone correct me if i wrong! Prob due to stomach upset.
How nice of you to take the little babies in. They make lovely pets if you give them plenty of attention, my boy lives indoors and he is always out playing with us.
Also read getting the neuted calms the down and can reduce fighting?.
Try google for advice, thats what i did : )