6 week bun, formula of some sort perhaps?

[Halucinate]

Okay, so i introduced myself to the forums, with the bun i would be getting at the end of this week. The bun will be over 6 weeks old, but not quite 8. I am, infact going to get this rabbit, i love the little thing :$

So I know, most people say leave them with momma for 8 weeks, but the momma has been distressed, and the bun is 2 weeks weaned almost.

I know that its not 'reccomended', but idk why i just am dead set on this bun. I dont wanna shop around for a diffrent one, and im willing to work through any chance of complications, although i have personnally seen rabbits handled by people, at 4-6 weeks, and weaned do fine.

Should I put the 6 week 2 day old bun, on a formula despite being weaned? Im going to give him both alfala and timothy hay. Also at this age, should i give him unlimited pellets? or the usual servings of pellets youd give to an older buna day?

if i should put him on a formula, any suggestions on a good one?

He is a half rex, half lop. He will be a house bun, and he will be neutered, once he becomes hormonal

thanks so much anyone who can assist.

 

[haven711]

My vet told me that being weaned in 6-8 weeks is fine. I'd give alfalfa hay/pellets only. Timothy is for maintenance for grown up bunnies.

 

[elrohwen]

Formula isn't necessary - at that age most buns are already weaned and the 8 week rule is more about social and emotional development and keeping them in a consistent environment. Just feed pellets and hay as you would for any other young bun.

 

[Halucinate]

ahh gotcha, at what age should i switch it to timothy? I was feeding my last one timothy at 5-6 months, well a bit earlier, but with both kinda to choose from

 

[Cheyrul]

I have 6 (had 8 but found good homes for 2)babies, the momma died last Saturday, when they were 4 weeks. The vet said they were weaned and not to give formula and that they were already eating their own cecals. I hope so because we are really attached to them.

 

[jcottonl02]

elrohwen wrote:

Formula isn't necessary - at that age most buns are already weaned and the 8 week rule is more about social and emotional development and keeping them in a consistent environment. Just feed pellets and hay as you would for any other young bun.

So true this. I know with dogs it is especially about learned behaviours such as biting reactions etc. and learning that biting etc. all the time isn't acceptable because either you will be bitten back or you will hear a horrible squeal from your littermate and know you have hurt them.
I've heard from reputable dog behaviourists that if you get a dog before 8 weeks old you have a much higher risk of having a 'bitey' dog that doesn't understand it is not allowed to nip you and use it's mouth to dominate you etc.

Hope everything goes okay with the little bun!

Jen

 

[Halucinate]

Ahh that makes sense. Well im not to worried about the bun trying to hurt me worst he can do is nip me, and i can most likely correct that behavior.

He is gonna have alot of freedom tho, and I can just hope that he is a good bun

Oh and if anyone reads this, what vegis can i feed the bun, at such a young age (if any)? Of course ill do it one at a time, to see how his body handles it, and in a sort of occasional treat, till he grows a tad

thank you all so much

 

[jcottonl02]

Yeah I am not sure it is the case with buns nip-wise, but if so you'll just need to nip behaviours in the bud (haha) .

I started my bun on veggies about 10 weeks old. HRS suggests introducing them to veggies at 12 weeks, although some people think you should wait 6 months before introducing (I don't).

Some bunnies just can't handle veggies at all though, whatever age they are. So, like you said, introduce one at a time, slowly, and make sure the bun is okay with it, then add another in slowly etc. etc., and only a small amount until they are about 6months-ish

I use these for reference:

http://www.adoptarabbit.org/articles/packet/abcvegi.html

http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/resources/content/info-sheets/safefoods.htm

http://www.rabbit.org/care/veggies.html

Also I don't know if you know lots about diet (if you are a first time bunny owner ) but this might be quite useful. It's what I go by (but give more veggies than the minimum they suggest my buns are veggie nuts )

http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/diet.html

Hope this helps

Jen

 

[Cheyrul]

jcottonl02 wrote:

Yeah I am not sure it is the case with buns nip-wise, but if so you'll just need to nip behaviours in the bud (haha) .

I started my bun on veggies about 10 weeks old. HRS suggests introducing them to veggies at 12 weeks, although some people think you should wait 6 months before introducing (I don't).

Some bunnies just can't handle veggies at all though, whatever age they are. So, like you said, introduce one at a time, slowly, and make sure the bun is okay with it, then add another in slowly etc. etc., and only a small amount until they are about 6months-ish

I use these for reference:

http://www.adoptarabbit.org/articles/packet/abcvegi.html

http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/resources/content/info-sheets/safefoods.htm

http://www.rabbit.org/care/veggies.html

Also I don't know if you know lots about diet (if you are a first time bunny owner ) but this might be quite useful. It's what I go by (but give more veggies than the minimum they suggest my buns are veggie nuts )

http://www.rabbit.org/faq/sections/diet.html

Hope this helps

Jen

Sorry to keep intruding but our situations with young buns are similar :big wink:

So have I totally screwed our remaining babies? They have been on parsley, pellets, timonthy hay, banana, apple, carrots/tops, romaine and other leaf lettuces, since they were about 3 or so weeks. They sort of ate with their momma.

They imitate meer cats if I have cilantro or parsley -- way too cute.

 

[Halucinate]

Thank you Jen. Im a second time bunny owner, however my last was 4-5 months before i got them. So I do know proper diet for a more matured bun, but the links you referenced me to help alot! I think he will be a very happy bun, and with time will learnt to accept me as his slave bahaha.

The links helped, and this site especially is a great asset to anyone who loves there amazing bun.

And to cheryl, some will tell you its "not recomended" some will say, as a treat in strict moderation. If it makes them happy, i would just keep it monitored, and in small amounts, however i hope someone with better knowledge of rabbits that tiny, can help you.

Thanks all

 

[jcottonl02]

Np Cody

And Cheryl- how old are they now? If they are handling the veggies fine, and their poops etc. are normal and have no gas....then I think they should be fine to continue!! I know people who have introduced a very small amount of veggies to buns that young! You just really have to monitor them very carefully.

Jen

 

[Cheyrul]

They are 5 weeks. Their poops are firm and small versions of the Dad's and very frequent. I would not know how to tell if they have gas but they seem quite happy and playful. 4 of them love being held.

 

[jcl_24]

If they were feeling unwell from gas (or any other painful ailment) they probably wouldn't seem so happy.

Good luck with them all.

Jo xx

 

[evansrabbitranch]

I bred rabbits in the past and I fed the mom same as always just a bit more than usual to meet her needs. When the kits began coming out of the nest box around 2-3 weeks they began nibbling what the mom was eating, its natural so I can not see it being bad that they get veggies from mom when they start eating. The one time I had troubles was when I got an older rabbit that had never ever had hay or veggies and that guy got sick anytime I gave him either. I think early introduction like they would have in the wild is better for them. Think about it they don't have pellets in the wild, they start eating whatever is right there. That is why people line the nest box with hay and straw, its a natural thing for them to first nibble on. Then when they leave the nest and follow mom around they eat what they see her eating.