Bunnies

[debbiem]

My eldest daughter would like a bunny. I understand that they are sociable with other bunnies if they are neutered. That's a bit drastic isn't it? Surely it can't be right to keep one bunny on its own then? Like her younger sister having two guinea pigs we assumed we would have to have two bunnies. The babies certainly don't fight in the enclosures in the pet shop, although they are segregated into the male and female section.

Is one bunny happy on its own - happier than it would be with living with another one? Again I know the people in the pet shop would give the answers but it's nice to hear it from real owners.

[chickadeedeedee]

One bunny is *very* happy on their own. Generally in nature bunnies stay to themselves other than when they need to, uhh, make more bunnies! Adult bunnies tend to fight with one another when housed together if neutered or not.

They readily make friends with other species ... dogs, cats, ferrets, guinea pigs...people.

[debbiem]

Really? Thanks C3D - this bunny will have more than a few companions of the two and four-legged variety.

Thanks again for clearing that up.

[emseypop]

debbiem said:

Really? Thanks C3D - this bunny will have more than a few companions of the two and four-legged variety.

Thanks again for clearing that up.

awww you'll have to post some pic's I'd love to see all your lets, still waiting for my baby guinea pigs, poor old marg looks very uncomfortable

[debbiem]

emseypop said:

debbiem said:

Really? Thanks C3D - this bunny will have more than a few companions of the two and four-legged variety.

Thanks again for clearing that up.

awww you'll have to post some pic's I'd love to see all your lets, still waiting for my baby guinea pigs, poor old marg looks very uncomfortable

Poor Marge! How many are you expecting, Emsey? I bet she'll be glad when it's over!

[emseypop]

debbiem said:

emseypop said:

awww you'll have to post some pic's I'd love to see all your lets, still waiting for my baby guinea pigs, poor old marg looks very uncomfortable

Poor Marge! How many are you expecting, Emsey? I bet she'll be glad when it's over!

I thought about two, Debi reckons maybe three, as time goes on and she gets even bigger, I think three. They can have up to 6 but as its her first litter and I specifically found her a young boar she should only have a small litter. What type of rabbit were you thinking of getting for your daughter? Or haven't you thought that far ahead yet? Isn't she lucky!!

[debbiem]

She wants a lopeared one. There are some really lovely ones in our local pet shop but they don't stay around for long. :
Her younger sister wants a guinea pig so I take it that means two. Should they have another one for company?

[emseypop]

Male guinea pigs don't mind being on their own. Girls tend to like to be in pairs more (I think) Debi has a single male, and he is permanently indoors, such a character. I've really enjoyed having mine indoors over the winter too, they recognize the sound of the fridge/cutlery draw opening and 'sing' for cucumber, its very sweet! The more you handle either animal, the safer they'll feel and the more you'll get out of them. I wouldn't advise them living together tho. What a shame you don't live nearer, we could have united our family's, so to speak! I think Marge is totally fed up of me peeking into her cage to see if she's had her babies! I even came down in the middle of the night last night :

[debbiem]

emseypop said:

Male guinea pigs don't mind being on their own. Girls tend to like to be in pairs more (I think) Debi has a single male, and he is permanently indoors, such a character. I've really enjoyed having mine indoors over the winter too, they recognize the sound of the fridge/cutlery draw opening and 'sing' for cucumber, its very sweet! The more you handle either animal, the safer they'll feel and the more you'll get out of them. I wouldn't advise them living together tho. What a shame you don't live nearer, we could have united our family's, so to speak! I think Marge is totally fed up of me peeking into her cage to see if she's had her babies! I even came down in the middle of the night last night :

I can just imagine the singing when they hear the fridge opening. ;D
And they'll get lots of handling and cuddles too. I think I'm going to have to grow some lettuce there'll be so much demand for it what with the bunny, guinea pig(s), chickens, and us! ;D
The children filled in a quiz sheet when we went to Kew and their prize was a packet of 'oriental mixed salad leaves' seeds each. They were completely underwhelmed by the prize but I've got three packets of them and growing them might create a glimmer of interest in the kids and make the pets very happy. :

[debbiem]

The said:

chickadeedeedee said:

One bunny is *very* happy on their own. Generally in nature bunnies stay to themselves other than when they need to, uhh, make more bunnies! Adult bunnies tend to fight with one another when housed together if neutered or not.

They readily make friends with other species ... dogs, cats, ferrets, guinea pigs...people.

Why not get a bunnie and guinea pig then Debbie - at least you'll know that there won't be any breeding going on then.

Did you know that a female rabbit can mate whilst she is pregnant? She holds the sperm ready to be used immediately after she has given birth.

I have a feeling we'll be having one bunny and two lady guinea pigs, but we'll see.

Crikey, the life of a lady bunny -

[debbiem]

The said:

Do you know why rabbit hutches have always been soo very small, until quite recently that is?

During the rationing of World War II many people would keep rabbits "for the table" hutches were small to stop rabbits moving around, thereby ensuring they would gain weight!

Really? That makes sense I suppose, I don't think they had the luxury of being sentimenatal about bunny out there in the hutch.
The hutches we've seen for both bunny and guinea pigs in the pet shop are huge - two storeys with a ramp between the floors! Very bijoux. : : OH says they are well worth the money as even he couldn't make them for the prices they are.
But in all it's going to be a costly affair, we'd better brace ourselves.... :

[emseypop]

I do give my guinea pigs lettuce every now and again, but I've been told that its quite bad for them! I know, I couldn't believe it either, maybe 3cd may know a bit more about it. You could grow kale, thats really easy and loads of big loose green leaves. Aren't your girls lucky!! Will they help with the cleaning of hutches etc? Just be careful 'cause rabbits do have a powerful kick. I've heard a few stories of guinea pigs coming off quite badly from an accidental kick. Dwarf lop eared rabbits are so lovely, I'm sure you'll all be head over heels when you get one! Try and steer the girls away from the long haired Guinea pigs (Peruvian) if you can as believe me I find cutting Apu's bum hair quite traumatic! ;D

[debbiem]

I had no idea it was bad for them - I hope the same doesn't apply to chickens as ours have been getting through at least one every day since they've been banned from the garden(until the lawn grows back), but I think lettuce is fine for them...I feel a PP question coming on though.....
Does that apply to rabbits too?
What about dandelion leaves and stalks? The top part of our lawn in just that right now - dandelions.

I think Zoe likes the smooth haired 'normal' type, not with long hair - I like the tufty ones. Haircutting round the bum area...!!!
And oh yes, they'll certainly be helping with cleaning out duties!Won't they just! ;D
Thanks for the kicking tip - this thread, and the guinea pig one, are going to be useful manuals.

[emseypop]

Its just lettuce mrs b and it applys to Guineas and Rabbits, I'm not sure about hens, but I think not. I'm sure rabbits do eat some lettuce in the wild tho, beatrix potter was always banging on about it wasn't she ;D Had a bit of a goggle and most people say a small amount of lettuce is OK, the closed head variety are not as good for them as loose leaf variety's. I've just saw on one post someone has said cabbage could kill a Rabbit : It seems people want to scare munger for pets as much as they do for people! Mind you here I am telling you about the whole lettuce thing ;D We need 3cd she knows what she's on about!

[debidoos]

Lettuce is ok in very small doses, say once a week and only one or 2 leaves. but too much can ulcerate the stomach and cause diarrhoea.

Also if the bunny is less than 16 weeks old, don't give it any grass or hay (only straw), only give the proper rabbit food and only give the occasional carrot. Their stomachs can't cope with more than that before 16 weeks, and it can give them the runs etc. that's the advice i give out at work anyway!

[debbiem]

Thanks Emsey and Debbie, I've learned a lot today. I bet you could feed a whole lettuce to a guinea pig or rabbit and they'd take the lot completely unaware of the consequences! And I would imagine too that a lot of people overdose them with lettuce in the name of being kind to them, not knowing that they can only have a limited amount.

[emseypop]

Just after I spoke to you last on this thread Mrs B I saw marg give birth to 5 babies! I missed one, I thought there were 4 counted again and there were 5! I was there from start to finish, I even managed to make a tasteful video of it, it was so lovely, Mum and mini pigs doing very well!

[debbiem]

That's wonderful Emsey, congratulations, and well done Marge!

I'm glad you were there for the event.

Will you keep them all or don't you know yet?

What colours are they?

[emseypop]

debbiem said:

That's wonderful Emsey, congratulations, and well done Marge!

I'm glad you were there for the event.

Will you keep them all or don't you know yet?

What colors are they?

I think we may keep one girl, as she could live with the others. Debidoos may have one, one may go to live with their dad and my other friends is thinking about having one. There are 3 black/white/brown 1 black with a tiny splodge of white of white on its bum and 1 black and tan, I wont know the sex's for a few days yet.

[emseypop]

The camera has died, and I cant upload the vid of it!! We have ordered a new camera and hopefully I can transfer the memory card. I will be most unhappy if I cant! I have a vid of marg a few days ago on my pooter I'll have a play and try to upload that today when I've a mo.

[debbiem]

I hope proud mum and babies are all doing well today, Emsey.

[emseypop]

they're great mrs b, I can tell them all apart now. ;D

[debbiem]

emseypop said:

they're great mrs b, I can tell them all apart now. ;D

How lovely - have you picked the one out yet which you hope to be a girl, the one you'll keep?

[emseypop]

debbiem said:

emseypop said:

they're great mrs b, I can tell them all apart now. ;D

How lovely - have you picked the one out yet which you hope to be a girl, the one you'll keep?

No, I dare not have a favorite yet, I must only keep one!!! (imustimustimust) One girl, will fit quite happily in with the two I've got and not make much difference to my cleaning them out etc. I've just posted a vid of marg on aftube. ;D I'm really sorry I seem to have taken over your bunnie thread mrs b

[debbiem]

And so you should Emsey, since I don't have either bunny or guinea pig at the moment. ;D
I've seen the vid - she's gorgeous!