Hello from someone "wet behind the (bunny) ears"

[birdlover]

Hi! I'm Ellen and I'm old as dirt. Probably most of you never heard of the expression "wet behind the ears" but it means "just born" i.e., "don't know a THING (about bunnies, in this case)". I got my black and white Dutch bunny a couple of weeks ago from the farm where I work. This is not really a farm, per se, but every fall they have this HUGE fall festival and bring in animals just for that time period. (End of Sept - beginning of Nov.) My job is to take care of the fowl (chickens are my expertise) and bunnies. This year they brought in 7 bunnies - 3 from a breeder and 4 from an auction. The bunny I adopted seemed very lethargic and had goopy eyes. I decided he needed help and I brought him home. Then I took him to the vet's and it cost me an arm and a leg! ouch! He's on the mend..he was underweight, his body was covered in scabs and absesses which you couldn't see under the fur but they are now draining, his eyes are better and I can tell he feels better. I think he hates me, though, because I have to put eye drops in twice a day plus give him two oral antibiotics. I haven't named him yet because I don't feel like we've really gotten to know each other. I'm hoping I can get some ideas here on how to make him like me. I really wasn't prepared for a bunny and haven't gotten a hutch yet. Right now I have him in a HUGE cardboard box with a door cut in it and a pet taxi up against the door so he has a hiding place. I have wood shavings on the floor. Well, I'm sorry this is so long. I could go on and on but I just realized this is just supposed to be an introduction. My bad!!! I look forward to learning a lot about rabbits here. This seems like a really friendly place. Reminds me of the chicken site I hang out at. Are bunnies as addicting as chickens? If they are, Lord help me!!! Ellen

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

Hi Ellen! Welcome to the forum.

Oh dear, you have your hands full there with abun that has alot going on.

Would you mind posting when you have time in our Infirmary section? You could post what he was diagnosed with and what meds he's on. This could help us to help you and him/her.

I'm sorry you are in this situation, that poor bunny. I'm so glad you took him under your wing and helped him.

Let us know if you need any help/assistance here on the forum or with the bun. We're glad to help!

Crystal

 

[birdlover]

thanks for the welcome Crystal! I'm sure I'll be here often!
Ellen

 

[Bo B Bunny]

I think bunnies are MORE addicting than chickens. Has your little baby binkied yet? When he does..... you will fall deeply in love and never fail to smile or even laugh heartily when you see him do it!

Timothy hay

Good pellet food

Lots of water

KISSES, lots of love and you should have a happy and healthy bunner!

Congrats.

*Digital Camera is optional but encouraged.



WELCOME TO RO and BUNNYDOM!!!

 

[birdlover]

Thank you! What is binkied?? (Told you I know nothing! LOL)

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Binky is when they do a happy dance! Sometimes just from a sitting/standing position they suddenly leap up into the air and kick their feet. Sometimes they are running around the room and jump up, shake their ears..... it's hilarious! Ours all jump and turn completely around sometimes!

 

[Munchkin]

Welcome to RO! REmember to be patient with this little bun and given time, and love - you will get so much love and laughter in return for your kindness, you'll wonder how you ever lived without a bunny in your life.

A binkie looks kind of like a midair seizure...I thought there was something wrong with my bunny the first time I saw it - but it is the sign of a VERY happy, content bunny and when you see it you'll know it!

Enjoy your journey into bunny parenting - there is really nothing quite like it!

:biggrin2:

 

[birdlover]

Thank you for the encouragement regarding my little bunny. So far, he doesn't like to be held (I don't think) but I'm hoping that will change after he finishes his meds. Going to another forum now so I can ask a zillion questions.

Ellen

 

[Bo B Bunny]

Yeah, another "seizure" to be aware of is the bunny flop. The first time Bo did these, I thought he was having a seizure..... it's merely their way of saying "ahhhhh it's so comfy here I'll just go to sleep" and they literally fall over LOL!

 

[tundrakatiebean]

Welcome to the forum! :biggrin2:I have a dutch too, but he's brown and white instead of black.

Many kudos to you for taking care of the poor bunny!

~Katie

 

[countrybunnyholly]

Hi Ellen, and welcome! So there's chicken chat going on out there too, huh? LOL Well, I wanted to tell you from my firsthand experience that rabbits are VERY addictive! We bought one little mixed lop for my daughter about 8 years ago, and she joined 4-H. I was aghast at all these other families with barns full of rabbits and swore we would only have one!

As of earlier this week, we have 16. Still a modest number by some breeders, but it's a slippery slope... You think, oh - wouldn't it be nice to have some babies? Then you see a cutie for sale or adoption and you just can't resist. Then you notice another breed that you find so interesting, and on... and on...and pretty soon you're building a rabbit condo in the back yard and planning your vacations around kindling times and shows.

So, yeah, you're on a new path, but what a great start! Taking in a rabbit who's in bad need of attention. Sounds like he was neglected, and probably didn't have much handling, but take it slow, be good to him, and you'll begin to bond. Congratulations and welcome to RO!

 

[BratBunny]

Welcome Ellen!

:clover:Lexi

 

[countrybunnyholly]

I just had another idea. When we got our first chinchilla (yeah, we have a few of those, too) the breeder suggested that my son take the chin in the bathroom, close the door and just sit there with a few treats, trying to encourage the animal to come to him. Chinchillas are very curious and can't resist a treat, so it was pretty easy, but I bet it would help you and your bunny too. The bathroom is big enough to roam around in, but small enough that he probably can't totally avoid you.

 

[birdlover]

Nice to meet you, Katie, Bo, Lexie, and Country! Well, I'm already thinking I need to get him a friend but first I need to get him fixed! And I want him 100% well first. PLUS, I want a home just big enough for TWO!!! I'm not completely convinced I'm a bunny person yet. But I'll give it a try. Once I know I really like something, I usually jump in with two feet! Well, better go give Bunny Ken (still not sure about that but GOOD idea!) his meds and some attention. I like the bathroom idea. I'll try that!!! Thanks guys!

Ellen

 

[countrybunnyholly]

Hey Munchkin, we thinkthe little chestnut in your avatar is adorable!!!!

:inlove:

 

[katt]

yes, bunnys are as addicting as chickens (and lord help me for knowing that!)

when i bred rabbits, we often would get adult rabbits from breeders where they grew up in a small cage in a barn with the only human interaction being fed, watered, and shown. . . no love. . .

there are a number of things you can do to help.

*hand feed. . . if he won't take pellets out of your palm, try getting some parsley from the store, that way you can hold the stalk out to him. canned pumpkin is great to, many buns can't resist it and if you feed it by spoon (photo below) they get use to you really quick!

*sit in a small room/space (bathtubs work great!) with a book, or some knitting, or just a pad of paper and a pencil and doodle. . . but ignore the rabbit. let him be scared, and calm down, and move around in his own time. . . it might take a few trys (start off sitting with him for just 15 minutes a day. . . maybe more, maybe less depending on how he does ect). once he sees that you aren't going to eat him. . . he will start to investigate his surroundings. . . and you are part of his surroundings. sooner then later (most of the time) they realize that you aren't paying attention to them, and want to know what could possibly be more interesting. before you know it, you have a bunny nibbling the corner of a book, getting tangled in your yarn, or sitting on your pad of paper refusing to let you doodle anymore. . . they like to investigate and before you know it they are comfortable hopping around you. then you let them smell you hand. just hold it out, don't force it, normally they will get a sniff of you. when they are comfortable with the situation, you can normally pet their nose, then you work up to ears, then back . . .

it takes time. when rabbits have been mishandled in the past, not givin proper living conditions, attention, and interaction they don't trust right away. but let me tell you, a bunnies love is the best kind! keep up the work, you are already an outstanding bunny owner for getting him to a vet for care!

 

[birdlover]

Thanks, Katt; I really appreciate the detailed instructions you gave. I'm afraid I've already done a number of things wrong because i've had to hold him and make him take 3 kinds of medicines and eyedrops twice a day for 14 days! Today is day 15 so I'm so glad I don't have to do that anymore. Also, I've been holding him and petting him and talking to him for about 20 minutes, twice a day - after the medicine routine. I was hoping that would help him trust me but maybe I'm wrong? Anyway, let me ask you this...I keep him my laundry room which is bigger than your normal sized bathroom. It's pretty crowded though because he has two room mates: 2 eight week old bantam chicks who live in a playpen. The bunny has a very very large cardboard box with a door cut in it and a pet caddy up to the door to give him some hidey space. Last night, for the first time, pushed the pet caddy away from the box so he could come into the room, which he did. I offered him chopped up carrot but he refused to take it from my hand and I stupidly tried to pet him when he started to come out and he scooted back in. Soo, I got a big glass of wine, sat against the door and let him explore. I didn't try to touch him anymore. I let the two chicks wander as well and it's a riot to see them looking at the bunny..."Do you think he'll try and eat us? He's got fur and teeth! I don't knoooowww. Better be on the alert!" So he explored and after a while went back in his caddy and I put it back up to the box. I'm going to make it a nightly routine I think. Now, after all that (if you haven't fallen asleep yet), comes the question. He's been going to the bathroom everywhere in the box. Do you think, if I replace it with just a cardboard lid (14" x 20" X 3") filled with the same thing I use now, he would continue to use it as a potty? I'd like to let him have the run of the laundry room but don't want him pooing everywhere. I've had him for approximately 2 1/2 - 3 weeks so he's been going in it for that long. He doesn't soil the caddy so he knows that much. What do you think of this plan? I'll get some canned pumpkin too and some more apples. He likes them but I didn't have any last night to tempt him with. Sorry this is so long and I probably should have put all this in another forum but I got carried away (as you can see!). Thanks for all your input EVERYBODY!

Ellen

 

[katt]

i remember the days of chickens. . . they are quite interesting pets

anyway, i would get him a cage in the end no matter what. have you looked at the NIC cages that many people make their rabbits? they are brilliant in the fact that you can build them to fit a room.

my rabbit winnie is completely free range and she even has a cage. cages provide a safe place, much like a bedroom for a teenager. the only times i am ever in winnies cage is to clean it and give her food, water, and hay.

before you even think about having a free range bunny you need to get to know him better. i would give it a month or 2 at least before you commit to having a free range bunny. some rabbits simply cannot resist chew floors/walls/ect. . . no training will stop them from it. untill you spend more time with him and give him a chance to show off his real personality you have no way to be sure that he won't go on a complete destructive path in the room. also condsider spending great time bunny proofing.

some rabbits get litter training quickly, others it takes a while, some never fully get it. winnie was 1/2 litter trained untill i had her fixed, now she only leaves a few random poops here and there.

and you can still hold him, it is hard to get away daily without holding a rabbit. . . but spending those times were you don't in addition to when you have to really help with the bonding process in my opinion!

katie

ps- don't worry about long post!