02-06-2013, 02:17 PM | #11 |
Junior Member
Egg
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 22
|
Unless you have a run constantly attached to the hutch, 3ft really isn't big enough. Despite their name, mini (and dwarf) lops do get quite large (around 4-6lbs). You may be better getting a Netherland Dwarf like Emma above, they're a very sweet, little rabbit and Emma's has got to a very grand age!
Also, you would need to go down the private breeder route as it's very unlikely a rescue will allow you to adopt with that size of hutch. You would then be looking at approx. £100 for neuter / spay and approx. £30-£60 for their injections. Although it may well be cheaper for you, vets prices seem to vary wildly and I seem to get the short straw down here!! As with all animals, the bigger their accommodation the better. Rabbits do much better in cooler weather as their coats are quite thick. Hutch covers can be bought for foul weather which protect against wind and rain but still allow air circulation. Some people use tarpaulin over their runs to protect against the rain too. I have a roof over my enclosure but use clear plastic bought from The Range as water-proof covers for the wire mesh. In the winter I also peg up fleece blankets bought from Asda to try to prevent the chill getting in at night. In freezing conditions I have snugglesafes which heat in the microwave and are supposed to give 10hours heat (they don't). Snugglesafes are cheaper on Amazon than Pets at Home. But two rabbits can keep each other warm! (sorry, I'm going to push for the 2 rabbit scenario!!)
__________________
0.1.0 - Tilly - Testudo graeca terrestris 1.1.0 - Rabbits - Barnaby and Pebbles Last edited by shay; 02-06-2013 at 02:19 PM. |
02-06-2013, 02:22 PM | #12 | |
Junior Member
Egg
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 22
|
Quote:
__________________
0.1.0 - Tilly - Testudo graeca terrestris 1.1.0 - Rabbits - Barnaby and Pebbles |
|
02-06-2013, 02:32 PM | #13 |
Member
Juvenile
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 960
|
There is lots of evidence to suggest this-and most recues also won't rehome a rabbit without being with another rabbit. My portable pen is only 4 by 4 but it is needed for when they wreck the grass in the big pen. They make good work of wrecking 16ft sq of grass a day. They are out now in the big pen and must have eaten 100ft sq of grass in the last 2 days.
__________________
2.2 Red Foots 1.0 Golden Retriever 1.1 Lop-eared rabbits 1.2 Serrated/Forest Hingebacks Fish Snails-Achatina Fulica 'Jadatzi', Limicolaria Flammea, Limicolaria Numidica, Archachatina marginata suturalis, Achatina Tincta Jadatzi GALS for sale: http://www.shelledwarriors.co.uk/for...799#post610799 |
02-06-2013, 03:08 PM | #14 |
Senior Member
Adult
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 2,170
|
Just got back from picking up the hutch it looks to be nearer 4 foot took a bit of getting in the car lol not looked properly but looks to have a ramp and pen with it. Will investigate later on and update :0)
__________________
Proud owner of Elvis, Padme, Bella,Ruby and Daisy the Horsfields, Mork and Mindi the Indian stars, Toby and Scarlett the Redfoots Yoshi and Cleopatra the Egyptians and Sam the Labrador. . |
02-06-2013, 04:20 PM | #15 | |
Senior Member
Adult
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Devon
Posts: 11,365
|
Quote:
__________________
Emma Testudo Hermanni 5.12.2:Theo, Tamara, Tabitha, Harriet, Isabelle, Clara, Oscar, Hugo, Oliver, Florence, Arabella, Esmé, Aurelia, Felicia, Claudia, Atticus, Celestia, Amaris, Tristan and Clementine Budgies: Jasper, Ivo, Otis, Henry, Louie and Luca Doggies: 1.1.0 Chester and Lottie |
|
02-06-2013, 04:33 PM | #16 |
Senior Member
Adult
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 2,170
|
The hutch is just under 4 foot and has a low metal pen with it, don't think it will be ok on it's own but might be good for inside a taller chicken wire fence (to keep dog out) going to have to plan it out well before getting any bunnies
__________________
Proud owner of Elvis, Padme, Bella,Ruby and Daisy the Horsfields, Mork and Mindi the Indian stars, Toby and Scarlett the Redfoots Yoshi and Cleopatra the Egyptians and Sam the Labrador. . |
03-06-2013, 08:59 PM | #17 |
Senior Member
Adult
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 2,170
|
Well I'm getting my rabbit tomorrow I emailed a friend who is on the rabbit council (always makes me think of them sitting round with bunny ears and tails lol) anyway one of the other members breeds show rabbits and is bringing me a Netherland dwarf. She lives quite away away from me but is coming near tomorrow so thought we would go for it :0) very excited its just a baby and grey coloured just needs a name now.
__________________
Proud owner of Elvis, Padme, Bella,Ruby and Daisy the Horsfields, Mork and Mindi the Indian stars, Toby and Scarlett the Redfoots Yoshi and Cleopatra the Egyptians and Sam the Labrador. . |
03-06-2013, 09:38 PM | #18 |
Senior Member
Adult
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Devon
Posts: 11,365
|
You can't go wrong with a Netherlands Dwarf Cheryl. They are just gorgeous!
Do you know if it's a male or female?
__________________
Emma Testudo Hermanni 5.12.2:Theo, Tamara, Tabitha, Harriet, Isabelle, Clara, Oscar, Hugo, Oliver, Florence, Arabella, Esmé, Aurelia, Felicia, Claudia, Atticus, Celestia, Amaris, Tristan and Clementine Budgies: Jasper, Ivo, Otis, Henry, Louie and Luca Doggies: 1.1.0 Chester and Lottie |
03-06-2013, 09:45 PM | #19 |
Senior Member
Adult
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Northumberland
Posts: 2,170
|
It's a baby boy apparently they make better pets with children around than the mini lops the breeder said I could have either but she said they were really friendly and docile and liked cuddles.
__________________
Proud owner of Elvis, Padme, Bella,Ruby and Daisy the Horsfields, Mork and Mindi the Indian stars, Toby and Scarlett the Redfoots Yoshi and Cleopatra the Egyptians and Sam the Labrador. . |
03-06-2013, 09:46 PM | #20 |
Junior Member
Egg
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 22
|
Good luck with your new rabbit and I hope you have everything in place for his/her arrival.
Make sure you get a decent amount of handover food that the rabbit is used to. Changing their diet too quickly, or feeding them foods they aren't used to can be dangerous. Rabbit digestive systems are very sensitive and baby buns are particularly at risk. Just remember, hay, hay, and hay again is the best thing for rabbits and helps keep their teeth in check. A horse-quality bale of hay is more cost effective and can be used for food as well as litter trays/bedding. Just to say again, chicken wire is not strong enough to keep foxes/predators out nor rabbits in their enclosure. Check out the RWAF website, they have quite a few leaflets that can be downloaded that are a great source of info, from health, diet, behaviour to choosing a good vet. http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/resou...=leaflets.html
__________________
0.1.0 - Tilly - Testudo graeca terrestris 1.1.0 - Rabbits - Barnaby and Pebbles |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
|
|