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BUNNY 911 – If your rabbit hasn’t eaten or pooped in 12-24 hours, call a vet immediately!  Don’t have a vet? Check out VET RESOURCES 

The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A HELP!!! Plus spaying/neutering warning for first time bunny owners.

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    • Roberta
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        Bother, rats, damn, blast crap crap crap crap !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        Piglet has been fixed and the oops litter is only 5 weeks old. When I took him to be fixed everything I had read said I only needed to separate the for a week. Which I did. Then I read that sperm in a male bunny can be active for up to a month after desexing.

        If you are a first time Bunny owner with two Rabbits get your Boy done as soon as possible !!!!!!!! 3 months, don’t wait, then get the doe done ASAP.

        I was ignorant to bunny care when I got my rescue babies and now Pepper and I are paying the price.

        Pepper is nesting again and her first litter is only 5 weeks old. Fat healthy and eating like small horses. I don’t think Pepper and I can take the stress of another litter.

        Gratefully I now have homes for most of the babies and all are people who either know rabbits or are making an effort to get rabbit savvy before their new addition arrives. My question is the babies will be 6 weeks old by Xmas, half of the people would like them by then. (although I am loathe to let them go as Xmas Rabbits) I have grilled the prospective owners mercilessly before agreeing to allow them to have the bunnies) most are willing to wait the extra two weeks but with Pepper nesting and possibly going to produce another litter I am concerned for her and her current babies. I got Pepper and Piglet when they were barely 3 weeks old and raised them on hay, greens, pellets and love. Do you think it would be safe to let some of the babies go to their new homes at 6 weeks old. I a really concerned that Pepper may get protective of the new litter and harm some of the older ones. I have a second small hutch that they can reside in but they won’t have access to Mummy Pepper 24/7 as they do now.

        I know breeding etc is taboo on this site and it truly was an accident that could have been avoided if I had had the knowledge I found here at Binky Bunny before the event. If nothing else let my experience serve as a warning. Get your rabbit fixed at the earliest opportunity. DO NOT WAIT……..

        Meanwhile send to new homes at 6 weeks… yes or no ? 2 will have to stay in the secxondary hutch as the new owners are away, but will the rest be OK. Their teeth are good, they are fat and healthy and only seek Mummy for a rare top up, most don’t even bother now and are more interested in the pellets and the hay.

        HEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!

         


      • Sarita
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          Once the new litter is born you will want to separate them from the older litter. While it’s not ideal usually, in this situation you must do it. It will be more stressful for Pepper to have both litters and the younger litter won’t be able to nurse properly because the older litter will “bully” them away from momma’s nipples.

          Since the older litter is eating on their own, this will be okay.

          I would say in this situation allow the others to go to their new homes since they must be separated from the new litter.


        • skunklionshow
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            Thus the term….”Breeding like rabbits!”

            So sorry for this mess.  I hope all works out.


          • Beka27
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              You’re right that it isn’t ideal that they’re away from mom at 6 weeks, but I agree that there isn’t any other option. I would make sure that the new owners know what warning signs to look for in the event that they get sick.


            • Roberta
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                Fingers crossed people. There’s a very slim chance this may be a false pregnancy. If so Pepper and I will have dodged a very large bullet. Last night she eventually got sick of carrying the straw around and lost interest. Today she is looking very calm and composed. That could be because I made a kindle box out of an old box some martini glasses came in and it suits her purposes, but hopefully it’s that she decided her hormones are leading her on.

                However worst case scenario if she does produce a litter (please be a small one) I am going to put them in the smaller hutch and leave Pepper in there with them at night, then in the morning I’ll place her back in the day hutch with Piglet and the big kids. That way I can leave the small hutch open for the several hours of playtime. Maybe I can stretch out the big kids stay with Mummy for an extra week so they can keep getting a little milk. Does anyone know a good brand of Rabbit Probiotics, if I can get some and hand those out with the babies it might help if they have to go early.
                or…
                Maybe I can block the access to the upper level in the big hutch so she is still close but Piglet and the Big kids can’t get to her at night.
                The kids love Daddy Piglet Big Cuddles. This morning he had flopped on the floor of the hutch and was surrounded by babies. He was licking their ears and nuzzling them. Rolling around in the hay in absolute delight at being surrounded by his brood. He is going to miss them more than their Mummy Pepper.


              • Stickerbunny
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                  Benebac is the one I hear most for buns – oh my poor Pepper. Hopefully it is just a false pregnancy not a real one.


                • jerseygirl
                  Moderator
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                    You poor thing. I’m surprised we’re not commonly told at the vet office about the length the opposite sexes should stay separated. Hopefully this is a false pregnancy. Do you know approximately when to expect a litter if she is having one?

                    Its not so much the occasional milk feeds the babies may have now, more that they ingest the mothers cecals to help build their gut flora. They can produce their own though I learnt this year. I’m really not sure how beneficial commercial probiotics would be for very young rabbits. IN Australia, you can get protexin sachets for avian and small animals. Again, not really sure if safe or worth it for their age. One thing you can do is ensure they stay on the same feed when they go to the new homes. The owners can change it gradually to what they prefer to feed but initially, they’ll do better to stay on what they currently have.

                    Goodluck! Fingers crossed it’s a false alarm.


                  • Roberta
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                      Hi Jersey Girl,

                      Piglet was desexed a couple of days before the litter arrived and they got together about 4 days after. Piglet was still post op so he was laying about recuperating. So time wise this would be 5 weeks monday. If Piglet did manage to do the deed it would be some time in the next few days I’d assume.
                      The babies have been eating Peppers and Piglets Cecals since they opened their eyes and are now eating everything like little trojans and look to be producing their own. Haven’t found many just the rare one. Which is good as it means they must be eating them. I have started writing a fact and care sheet for the new bunny owners, one has already got stacks of links and pages he asked for so that they could study whilst they are away.
                      I think I will try and keep every one the full 8 weeks if I can by keeping Pepper I the other hutch if she does produce a litter. It will mean extra work but I am willing to put up with it to make sure every one is healthy.
                      When I first got Pepper and Piglet from their rescue I thought they must have been older but now seeing babies from birth to 5 weeks I now realise that they were probably 2 weeks old at the most. They went straight onto hay and grass and basil and the pellets were introduced slowly over a few days. They are thriving now at 8-9 months.
                      I am going to post the fact sheet on a forum when I finish it and ask if people can correct any errors or add any vital info I may have missed. The details on the sheet include their birthday, the brand of pellets they eat, a list of their regular vegetables etc.

                      Oh, I’m in Australia too, Wanneroo 30 minutes North of Perth in WA.


                    • Roberta
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                        I’ve come to the conclusion that they are trying to drive me insane and get me committed so they can split the assets with the cats. I’m still not sure about Pepper but there is absolutely no interest in nest building tonight. When she had her litter before she spent 5 days in a frenzy building the Taj Mahal of nests

                        .


                      • Kokaneeandkahlua
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                          Yikes! Agreed-I would think that letting them go if she has another litter is your only option. Although thats young rabbits eat solid food very early-are your little guys eating pellets and hay? I wouldn’t worry too much about them going at Christmas-I used to be against people getting pets at Christmas, but I agreed with something I read at a shelter-that people are going to get pets at Christmas, so if you don’t adopt during December, they will simply purchase at a store or from a breeder-so adopting during Christmas is fine in my books. Ensure you do a contract if you are able, and if you can ask that they keep in touch with you and let you know if they ever cannot keep them-that way you could screen the new home. If it’s your desire-just a thought.

                          I’m keeping my fingers crossed it’s a false litter too!


                        • Roberta
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                            Keeping fingers crossed. There’s not been anymore nesting activity since the other night. I checked the spot on the chair behind the pillows where she was stuffing the hay and there was only about two mouthfuls of hay, no paper and no fur.
                            The babies are eating really well, they scarf down anything that goes in the hutch and they are all a good size. No runts. I’m have been giving them the same foods I gave Pepper and Piglet when I got them as babies. Lots of hay and lots of plain pellets. They are already mad for greens but I try to make sure they only get the grasses, basil and parsley. They have no qualms however about stealing the brocci leaves or fennel out of Mummy or Daddy’s mouth. Every one has nice straight teeth, clean bottoms and healthy poos. They have already decided the litter tray is the place to go.

                            I’m putting together a fact sheet for the new owners I was hoping a few of you could look at it and let me know if I have missed something or if anything is incorrect. See attachment


                          • tobyluv
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                              That’s a good fact sheet. I’m not sure about burping, but rabbits do fart. But your message about not fasting before surgery is certainly correct.

                              You may want to stress how much better it is for a rabbit to live indoors, that they will face predators outdoors. Even if a predator cannot get into the hutch to get to them (and some can manage to open latches) a rabbit can severly injure itself or worse when it is frightened by a predator near or jumping up against its hutch. Outdoors in a hutch, they also face lonliness and boredom. Since they are not near you much of the time, as they would be inside, a health problem could go unnoticed for a while.

                              You could require that the rabbits be adopted to indoor homes only, then you wouldn’t have to worry about ones being outside in a hutch.  I don’t know if you have thought of what you would do if someone decides they don’t want the rabbit after a few weeks or months.  Most rescues have adopters agree to return the rabbit to them if things don’t work out, instead of taking the rabbit to a shelter or giving it away to another home which may not be a good home.  You may not be prepared or able to take back any rabbits if it doesn’t work out in their new homes, but it’s something to think about.

                              You might want to include a list of names of good rabbit vets–the one that you use and any other rabbit savvy vets that you know about.

                              I hope that you have good luck and find great forever homes for the bunnies.


                            • Roberta
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                                Hi Tobyluv, Thanks for the tips, I was going to add vets but hadn’t got to that page yet.

                                And blast bugger damn and crap Pepper is back in psycho nesting mode so I am going to be needing it sooner rather than later. I’ve just baby proofed the play area and let the babies out as pepper has decided baby fur is just as good as her own for the nest and that will just not do !!!!! Piglet has scarpered and taken refuge under the day bed.
                                I am off to alter the advert to read available Xmas weekend with a special caviot. I think the babies are going to be safer in new homes then around mad mummy Pepper at the moment. I can house them in the spare hutch for a while but it will get cramped pretty quickly at the rate they are growing.


                              • Roberta
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                                  Yay, 2 excellent homes secured, 5 to go !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Madly making phone calls to ensure previous takers are still interested and able to care for a young bunny.


                                • jerseygirl
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                                    They’re cuties! Did any of the babies have dutch like markings? I’m just noticing it looks like Pepper has a white paw.

                                    Fingers still crossed that she is having a false pregnancy. Maybe she’s just hoarding food if the bubs are eating her out of house’n’home.

                                    Great idea of that info sheet. If only everyone  that have baby rabbits took such care!
                                     


                                  • Roberta
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                                      Hi Jersey Girl,
                                      Definitely not a false pregnancy. All hell broke loose a while ago…. Pepper was even trying to pull fur out of the babies for her nest. Got them out of the hutch into the playpen. Then she went into labor and stated chasing one of the babies in a fury. That stopped and she went up to the nest and delivered. she did this 2 times.
                                      I’ve not got a look in the nest yet and the babies will be sleeping in the other hutch tonight or separated down stairs with Daddy Big Cuddles Piglet. At least there is absolutely no possibility of it happening again. Piglets sperm must be well and truly gone by now and with no testes to make more we should be safe.
                                      So far so good with the new owners. Lets hope I can keep up the standard.


                                    • Roberta
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                                        AAAaaaaaaaaargh!!!!! Just had a query from a chap, he was nice and his heart in the right place BUT he wants a Male and female so he can breed the odd litter to offset the cost of food.

                                        Hopefully I have sufficiently scared the CRAP out of him on that idea so that he will only take a single rabbit or desex those he takes. As I told him due to the stress Pepper and Ihave gone to I will not release my rabbits to anyone who intends to breed with them. He was genuinely stunned and shell shocked whne I told him what to expect in increased cost for food, vet care etc and the extra work entailed as well as the emotional trauma for all concerned.

                                        I have recommended he join BB and ask some questions before he proceeds

                                        But bugger, I thought I had a home for the Pink eyed whites as thats what he wants because he and his wife love them.

                                        Attached is the completed fact sheet. Please let me know if I have missed anything vital. I have bunny trauma brain at the moment. My house looks like Old McDonalds farm with hay, hutches, playpens, toys etc everywhere………………………


                                      • Roberta
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                                          Hi Jersey Girl,

                                          Two of the babies have a hwite left paw. Teddy Bear is all blue grey with 3 white toes and Peter has markings like Pepper but and extra white shoulder stripe and long fur like Daddy. Both of them have excellent homes lined up. Peter did exceptional well. He is going to a special needs hostel where he will be the companion for a young man. The carers must do research and provide a report on any animal that they place in the centre to prove it will be cared for properly and live a safe and happy life. Harley, Peter’s new owner has proven himself to be ecceptionally gentle caring and responsible with small animals and the carers are charged with cleaning and maintaining Peters living area. I suspect from the contact I have had and the amount of information they have gathered that teddy is going to have it pretty sweet living with the Marshall Family too. There is a little one who is champagne coloured but is also developing Daddy’s colour points plus two who are going to be Piglets dopple gangers with his fluffy cream fur and silver points. Then my sweet little pink eyed whites. They are soooo pretty and have the most exceptional natures. 


                                        • Roberta
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                                            Yay, Another perfect home confirmed for Bollinger the little honey coloured one. Long term owners of a now senior Rabbit of 8 years. They have decided their daughter is now responsible enough to care for her own Rabbit who will be housed next to Bolly and hopefully bond after due process and desexing.


                                          • jerseygirl
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                                              They all sound so sweet.

                                              The screening process can be energy-draining for sure but so worth is as you’ve learnt. I’m PM-ing you regarding someone wanting the pink eye whites. Lucky you sussed that situation out!


                                            • Roberta
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                                                Had a sneaky peek in the nest, looks like we have another dutch marking, black with white belly and ear frames and single white left paw. Also a little blue grey with champagne coloured spots. They’re beautiful but I can’t say that I’m sorry Piglets sperm is well past it’s used by date and with his harbles long gone he won’t be leaving me anymore surprises.

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                                            Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A HELP!!! Plus spaying/neutering warning for first time bunny owners.