New Zealand bunny

[piperknitsRN]

I’ve pretty much exclusively had Holland lops, and I adore them.  Yesterday, however, I took Olive to the shelter and we met a nice New Zealand bunny (who is quite vocal–i’ve never heard a rabbit grunt or make the noises he’s making–kind of a high pitched funky noise when he sneezes).  I realize he’ll get bigger with age, but what do folks have to say about this particular breed of rabbit?  I’ve heard they’re quite docile.  I think right now he’s a little stressed out from the changes and Olive (he’s in *her* X pen right now; she’s free range but keeping an eye on him) and I’m afraid sticking her nose in the bars to see why he’s there.  (See my bonding post in the bonding section–they aren’t exactly getting along).

[Sam and Lady's Human]

What did the shelter say about his sneezing? Often that can be a medical issue with rabbits.
Both of my girls are vocal, Samson growls when she’s happy, mad, playing, charging. She is just chatty. Lady growls when she’s uncomfortable.

[Sarita]

Some rabbits are just more vocal. Wouldn’t be a bad idea to have a wellness check on him as well.

As for New Zealands – I love these rabbits. I’ve had quite a few and found them to be extremely easy going and just all over nice rabbits.

[piperknitsRN]

He doesn’t sneeze continuously–I think it was just a reaction to some alfalfa hay I put down for him; he’s still a baby–about four months, I think– and could stand to gain some weight.  I think he is simply a vocal bunny–I’ve never had one before and was surprised at the oinking and grunting noises he makes (particularly in relation to Olive).  They are not getting along the way they did at the shelter–in fact, they had a fight, and I have to keep a close eye on Olive to make sure she doesn’t bother him through the X pen wires (she’s free range except at night or when I”m away–this free range business just started, but she’s really reliably housetrained and not a chewer/destructo bun.  Right now she’s just sitting there, outside the X pen, staring at him.  I think she’s wondering why *he* gets *her* X pen ;-).  (He’s going to be a big bunny, and he’s bigger than she is now, and she’s full grown, or thereabouts).  I was hoping they’d be a quick bond, but after that fight yesterday, they seem very leery of one another.

[Beka27]

They are amazing buns. I would like to have one someday. They are a larger rabbit, but I think generally they are more resilient (healthwise) than flemish giants. I’ve only ever heard good things.

[Tipsy Bunny]

I have one right now! I have only had her for a week and 3 days, but she is such a doll! She is a young one so she is a pistol! So I am waiting for her to eventually get that calm docile attitude that everyone talks about, but you know with animals, everyone is different, they dont read the animal manuals. Within about half a week, she lets everybody come up to her and pet her. I took her out to my university lawn and everybody wanted to come up to the rabbit and pet her, and she would be very upset if someone walked past her without petting her! She is EXTREMELY smart. Knows how to get on top and through things she is not supposed to. She loves to be in the center of the action. But she does know when to chill. Like when its after class and I want to take a nap, she takes the hint and cuddles up somewhere to grab some snoozes too. I have always thought I would end up with a cute lop, but I am so happy and never regretted adopting my little NZW

[piperknitsRN]

I’m really enjoying my NZ–very calm and mellow.  I thought my lops were mellow (I’ve usually had Holland lops, and have one right now) but big bunny (I don’t have a name for him yet) is totally chilled out.  He hasn’t even left his litter box except for when I’ve done bonding sessions with Olive and him.  I’m beginning to realize what a personality my Holland lop has, by comparison.  Very cheeky little girl, but also very good, not destructive, excellent with her litterbox habits (except for the stray poop)–but she definitely has a mind of her own.  Big white bunny might be mellow because of his age; the shelter didn’t think he was more than 4 months old (although he’s neutered, so he could be a little older, one supposes). 

[RabbitPam]

If he’s that mellow I have high hopes for their bonding. It tends to be the mellow one who seems to say “you want to be dominant? OK by me.” and that ends the fighting. Give them time. He sounds sweet.

I also enjoy the vocalizing.

[LittlePuffyTail]

NZ bunnies are so beautiful!!! 

[piperknitsRN]

I am hopeful for a bond but it is hard when they don’t seem to like each other. I’ve been stressing them in a laundry basket (carrying it around, putting it on top of a washer and dryer that’s on, etc) and they don’t fight while in the laundry basket, but the NZ bunny keeps a wary eye on the little one, and I think we have a long, long way to go.

[Monkeybun]

It takes time. Patience They are doing great!

[piperknitsRN]

Hi, everybody:  I named him Simon (though I kind of think of him as “Wiffle” because of the funny little honking noises he makes from time to time.)  As I’ve posted in the bonding section, things are going very well with bonding… or better at any rate than they were a week ago today when I brought the poor guy home!  As predicted by RabbitPam, Simon seems to allow Olive to boss him around–she can jump in a litter pan (I have two of them set up in an X pen area that used to be Olive’s–but I since cleaned and deoderized thoroughly) and make him move, but he can’t displace the Queen Bee from a litter box.  So, they look a little funny–each in their own litterbox (they swap, as Olive hops in a litter pan and makes Simon move–frequently).  But sometimes, by chance, they end up in a litter box together, and no nipping.  I get the feeling Simon is ever-so wary of ticking off Olive, but they’ve been nose-to-nose laying in the “meatloaf” style, Olive has flopped next to him; they’ll groom themselves in the other’s presence, Olive grooms Simon (but not, strangely, the other way around–perhaps he thinks she wouldn’t let him, and he’d probably be right!).  It’s kinda hard to see them bosom buddies at this point, but we’re only a week into it, and Olive’s still getting over being displaced as the only bun in the house, I think.  But no nipping, no outirght circling and chasing or fighting any more, either.  I think they’ve more or less established the pecking order, but Olive likes to reinforce it! 

[RabbitPam]

Oh, my goodness, this is great progress and fast, believe it or not!
That Olive flops next to him is major. That she grooms him without being groomed back – also big, and not necessarily meaning she is dominant. I would expect her to demand grooming from him, but I may be misreading it. It does sound like he lets her have her way, because heck, he’s getting groomed and a pal. Very good work with the stress laundry basket!

[piperknitsRN]

RabbitPam:  I know, I’m terribly excited, because when they fought, I was thinking this was going to take months to get to this stage, not a mere seven days!  I do see Olive seemingly place her head down for what I think might be grooming, but Simon doesn’t reciprocate the grooming she does to him.  She’s getting less and less “Get out of my space, bunny!” and more and more accepting each day, it would seem.  I’m a little confused myself on who is the dominant bun–is it Miss Bossy Pants, or the calm, mellow guy who is secretely in charge?  More time will tell, but this is such excellent progress I’m amazed! 

And I do know it was my fault that they got off to such a horrific start…  I’d read all about bonding, had done it before (with what were, in retrospect, amazingly easy bonds!) and figured, foolishly, that all would be fine if I plopped Simon next to Olive (after reading you shouldn’t).  But, they seem to have overcome my amazing stupidity and made friends despite my gaffe.

My guess now is that you have to have two bunnies who are willing to work things out–if you don’t, you’re practically sunk from the get-go.  But this process of bonding Simon and Olive makes me think if two bunnies are meant to be together, than even the human can’t mess it up too badly.  I also think bonding takes a good deal of time (I spent and am spending hours with them during this process) and intuition (as well as help and support from BinkyBunny forum members!)

It’s truly amazing to watch their friendship develop, and I feel very glad you all told me to hang on and gave me the suggestions you did!

 

[piperknitsRN]

Oh my gosh!  Simon is grooming Olive!!!!!!!!!!!! 

[tobyluv]

That’s wonderful news! It’s always great when rabbits have a friend, and someone to cuddle with. It’s also wonderful that you rescued Simon from the shelter.

[piperknitsRN]

Tobyluv:  Thank you.  It feels good to have rescued a bunny from the shelter; Olive came from a breeder, and I don’t regret that she did, but it is nice to feel like you are helping out an animal in need.  Olive goes up to him and snuggles and grooms him now.  She also jumps on his head and chases him out of the litter box, but he doesn’t seem to mind.  Case in point:

 [I resized your photo here so we don’t have to scroll across. Just click the image and grab a corner and pull toward the middle if you ever want to resize it yourself. – RabbitPam]

[tobyluv]

That is a precious picture. How sweet!

[Sarita]

How sweet is that!

[piperknitsRN]

Thanks! These are the two bunnies that were fighting and sniping a week ago… now they seem to be friends. It’s so great to have buddy-bunnies who aren’t trying to kill each other!

[Author]

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