Brand New Rabbit Owner - Dwarf Lionheads - Questions!

[FlippyHippy]

We were gifted 3 dwarf lionhead rabbits - one doe and two bucks. The previous owner is the only one we've gotten any rabbit information from. One buck and the doe are "bonded" (the previous owners wording) and have been a breeding pair for awhile. The second buck is about 6 months old and doesn't have a mate.

Currently the breeding pair share a hutch area and the second buck is in his own hutch. We have them in our garage, as the previous owners said that would work well. Yesterday, however, someone who has raised rabbits for years said that in Texas the heat will get much too high in the garage, even with a box fan blowing on the rabbits and they should be outside. We're in an HOA, though, that does not allow rabbits.

The rabbit friend also mentioned that we should separate the buck and doe, even if they are in side by side hutches so they can touch noses, and only put them together to breed.

We also are feeling like we're getting mixed information about the types of feed, how much to feed, etc.

We're also really struggling to get them used to us and not freak out when we pick them up out of the cage to pet or put in an enclosed area outside in the grass for 20-30 supervised minutes.

Can anyone help me in these various areas?

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

I am not really sure about the heat. We just don't get that hot here, and if we get anywhere close it's only for a day or 2 in the summer. Fans are good, frozen water bottles can also be helpful.

You do need to separate the buck and doe. Rabbits are induced ovulators, so release eggs when they mate (dog and people release the egg at a certain time and on a regular basis). This effectively means rabbits can get pregnant at any time. If she isn't currently pregnant, it is only a matter of time before she is. They can also get pregnant right after giving birth, so if you do find she has given birth, chances are she is already pregnant again. These back to back litters can be hard on a doe. If you did want to breed, you should only put the buck and doe together to breed. If you want to be able to keep them together in the same cage, both should be neutered.

What to feed is really up to you. Some feeds are better than others. Breeding rabbits tend to need more protein and fat, rabbits living outside may also need more (generally if they are in a colder climate though). Pets or neutered rabbits don't need as much. Even the amount you give depends on the rabbit, some have higher metabolisms than others, so need more food. The general rule is 1/4 to 1/2 cup per 5 pounds of body weight. It is also good to feed hay, as it helps their teeth and keeps the gut moving. Timothy or other grass hay (no alfalfa) is best for adults.

When you do have to pick them up, you need to be confident about what you are doing. Rabbits tend to like to be held close to you with their bum supported. It can take some work to find what works for you and the rabbits. It is also important to not put them down if they struggle as they can learn that fighting it gets them down. They to just keep them calm and only put them down when they are calm. When you do actually put them down, they still need to be calm, so try holding them on the ground until they are calm instead of just letting them run off. Putting them down butt first can help too. It just takes some practice to get both you can them used to handling.

 

[BlueMoods]

Yes, the garage is too hot in the summer. If it's 80 or above, the rabbits are in danger of heat stroke. They should be either outdoors where you can have a mister and, give them frozen bottles of water to help keep them cool or, indoors where it is air conditioned.

As explained above you need to keep the buck away from the does, and the two bucks separated - they will fight and could injure each other.

What you feed is up to you but I would recommend 16% protein pellets such as Nutreena Country Feeds brand for an inexpensive base feed. Given the size of that breed, I'd sat 1/4 to 1/3 cup per rabbit per day. Also free choice grass horse quality hay and, of course clean water always.

Since your HOA does not allow rabbits, you may also want to consider re-homing them, or keeping them as indoor pets and having them spayed an neutered.

First off, I'd get them to a rabbit savvy vet for a health check up.

 

[woahlookitsme]

Living in houston Texas myself our heat index can go well into the 110s and I can't imagine how i would survive being trapped in a closed garage. Please move the bunnies out of the garage for at the least the summer months.

I actually don't necessarily agree with separating the buck and the doe. If they have lived together for a long amount of time separating them might be harder on them than not. Just like with any bonded pair separating the rabbits especially in a new environment may be worse for them. I have actually heard of a jersey wooly pair that was put together for breeding they instead bonded right away and got sick when the breeder tried to separate them. I'm not saying this could happen to your buns but if they have been surviving together for a period of time why separate them now. Rabbits have breeding seasons and if living together doesn't make her overproduce then there's no real worry of it starting now. I am totally against letting intact rabbits be together for a long amount of time but I have seen exceptions. I would personally never do it with my tans just because I see how they breed and it can be scary at times. More laid back breeds I wouldn't see as much of a problem. If you know what you are getting into with keeping these two rabbits together (occasional litters) and have an outlet for the babies then just watch for any signs of fighting and separate them if you must.

Our hoa doesn't allow rabbit either but we have been able to house over 20 rabbits in our backyard without issues. We just make sure our housing doesn't go over the fence and that we clean regularly.

 

[FlippyHippy]

Thanks for the feedback. Found out per HOA rules the rabbits are fine, so now I'm going to start researching outside rabbitry options.

I'll be back here for sure!