Couple of random questions...

[kellybunbun]

1. What is a better choice, xpen or dog crate (large)?
2.) Kind of a big one, buy a baby, neuter within 6 months OR adopt around 1 year old. Will be hard for me to adopt because I live in a campus home, may not get landlord approval. Would getting a baby really be a hard thing for a first time owner?
3.) Best brand of organic rabbit food?
4.) I sleep with a fan on every night, will this noise bother a bunny?
5.) How much, on average, do you spend on your bunny?
6.) How much SHOULD a neuter cost, if I go the baby route.

Will have more questions later on I am assuming, but just trying to research EVERYTHING before I purchase my bun. Thanks! And if you only want to answer one or a few questions that would be great help too!!

 

[MiniLopHop]

1) It really depends on your space and needs. NIC pannels can also be a great option.
2) The Ohio House Rabbit Society has an abundance of rabbits right now and would have lots to choose from. Can you use your parents address/approval since that is where you legaly reside? This will drastically reduce your initial expenses because fixing can be anywhere from $50-400, depending on the program, sex, etc.
3) I prefer Oxbow pellets, but I know there are other good ones out there too.
4) I have fans running in my bunny room to circulate the air. As long as they can get out of the breeze if they want to then it is fine.
5) I spend probably about $40/week for food and litter, but I have 6. The cost really depends on vet care. When rabbits get sick they tend to be very sick and they need an exotic vet. I have spent $800 on a rabbit who still ended up passing up to over 2k on chronic health issues for one I still have. I suggest putting away some money every month into a vet fund so you can be prepared.
6) Can vary greatly. I have paid $175 for a neuter all the way to $400 for a spay at a different vet.

It is fantastic you are doing your research! Rabbits are incredible companions, but a 10 year commitment.

 

[agnesthelion]

1) it's a personal choice but I would go with a dog crate and add a level. Xpens have no bottoms unless you have a solid surface floor large enough, you run the risk of carpet chewing, digging, dealing with blankets being dug up and moved around by bunny. For me, i would want a floor. But like I said on your other post, I think NIC ones are the best overall

2) no babies are not that hard for first time owners. There are pros and cons to both. You will have more expense (fixing later on) but you get to see bunny grow and come into their own. However, lots of unwanted bunnies out there. I would say to use your moms address if you go that route.

3) not sure brand is important it's more ingredients. Babies can have alfalfa based, adults need Timothy hay based.

4) no fan will not bother bunny, if anything their noise will bother you! keep in mind their digging and chewing (if they sleep in the same room as you) can be noisy!

5) I get Agnes's food and hay at a local farm and feed store. Much more reasonable than a pet store. 60 cents a pound for pellets, $5 for a gigantic bag of hay, and use wood pellets for litter which is $5 for a 40 bag. Very reasonable. The expensive things are initial cage and vet costs. although my rabbit vet spays for $110 which is pretty reasonable.

6) it varies neuters are cheaper than spays. I would call some local rabbit savvy vets in your area to get some prices

 

[LakeCondo]

There obviously are different opinions here. I couldn't imagine using a crate when an xpen with an indoor-outdoor rug with waterproof backing & a low nap is easy to setup. It's not confining like a crate & gives more security from accidents than a free-range situation does.

My Chicago condo is only about 650 square feet, but I found room for the xpen with no trouble.

 

[agnesthelion]

Like I said it's a personal choice. I don't have an area that isn't covered with white carpet and I didn't want her to be on it all the time to risk ruining the carpet. I also got more square footage for her because i could go up rather than out. So i wanted kellybunbun to hear that perspective. But I understand why that xpen set up works for you and others on here. But there are also people who use a crate just fine too. Personally I prefer NIC but I can imagine people using different options based on their needs and wants.

 

[Blue eyes]

I'd agree that the choice of x-pen, NIC or crate is personal preference. I'm sure we all have our own opinions, but it depends on the space you have. The xpens have alot of flexibility for making odd configurations if needed. NICsdo too. If a crate fits, though, then that can also work.

There are a few advantages to going with a fixed rescue bun. Oftentimes they are already litter-trained. This can greatly simplify things for you. Remember, bunny needs daily playtime outside his cage, so being litter trained already will ease your mind. Also, they are vet-checked (petstore buns won't and I doubt breeder buns are either). You also get to skip the hormonal stage with possible moodiness, aggression, urine spraying, etc.

Some estimate spending $80 a month on a bunny. But many of us on this forum have learned ways to cut costs. Wood pellets for litter are much cheaper than buying petstore litter. Growing a garden for fresh veggies saves me lots of grocery $. Buying hay in large quantities from a feedstore saves me tonscompared topetstore hay.