Lots of questions!

[chay]

Info on my rabbits: Not sure if it matters, but I figured I'd give it anyway.

They are Harlequin dwarfs (or so I was told). I don't know their genders yet but I do have a vet appointment for next Tuesday. We call them Bally and Toby; Bally looks a lot like a blue roan horse and Toby is orange and white. They are siblings. They're six and a half weeks old. They get along very well (although Bally tends to sit on Toby at their food bowl, and Toby likes to snatch bits of hay from Bally).

The litter I bought is "Carefresh"; it's a mix of the recycled bits and "natural wood shavings". I plan to switch to all-recycled once this bag has run out. They are currently in a cage that is 28" x 17", though we're on the hunt for a larger cage. The cage we're looking at is 40 x 20-something, but the bottom part (where the bedding goes) is only about an inch high. The cage they're in now has a four to five inch high bottom. Should I switch to the cage with a small bottom, or would they feel safer in a deeper one? Is switching to all-recycled bedding a good idea?

They have 24/7 access to pellets. The brand I bought is Kaytee, and doesn't have any corn bits or any carrot pieces. Protein is (min.) 12%, fat (min.) is 2.5%, calcium (max.) is 0.8%, and fiber is (min.) 20% and max. 25%. First three ingredients are sun-cured timothy grass hay, sun-cured alfalfa meal, and ground oats. Is this a good brand/type of pellets? Is it true that after six months, you should limit pellets to 1/4 cup?

Hay-wise, they're currently being fed Oxbow brand timothy. They have access to it 24/7. Should I be feeding them alfafa? I've read different things.

Yesterday (first day home) I gave them each a basil leaf. Today, I gave them parsley. Did I do them wrong by feeding them vegetables so early? I'm nervous now that they will get diarrhea. I had initially read that they need lots of fresh veggies, but now I've read that fresh veggies before six months can be a fatal error...

I bought them apple stick chews and "crispy loofah bites". They haven't touched either. -.- I also bought them a plastic carrot-shaped toy with bells inside, but they only barely nudge it. I plan to get some toilet paper rolls tonight. Are plastic baby keys really a good idea for toys? Should I be worried about them not being interested? I'm scared their teeth will grow too long if they don't chew more.

I bought a "Woodland Get-away" for them to sleep in at night. It's pretty big. They like to climb on it more than in it, though.

I also purchased a litter pan to try and encourage them to use the bathroom there instead of my carpet. Any ideas for training?

Behavior-wise...when they're running around, they'll either randomly begin sprinting haywire around the room, or they'll kick up into the air and twist around. is this like popcorning for guinea pigs? Is it normal/healthy, or are they frightened?

They keep chewing at the carpet, even when I have chews (and their wooden hideaway) out. What can I do to deter this?

I read somewhere that a rabbit's cage should feel like it's safe place, and not a place of punishment, so we haven't been picking them up while they're in it and we open up the little door for them to hop out. When they want back in, they go in themselves. Is this the best method? Is it okay to "herd" them back inside with my hands if I have to leave and they aren't done playing yet? I plan to give them about five or six hours a day of running time, probably at night.

When they're out, they like to put their forepaws on my legs or stomach and peek around, and they don't mind being petted on their backs and rumps, but they shy away from being petted on their faces and Bally in particular dislikes being held. Any ideas? They were hand-raised as kits, so should they be more used to it?

And one last thing (for now...xD)- when I hold them, is scooping them with two hands (one on the chest, one on the rump/hind legs) and bringing them to my chest the best way? I also found that Toby does fine with me setting him on my arm horizontally, with my arm both bracing him against my chest and supporting his rump...though his front legs do dangle in this position. I can stroke his head and ears in this position and he doesn't mind.

Anyone able/willing to answer even one or two of my questions is appreciated!

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

The title to your thread is right on, haha!:shock:

Let's see what I can answer for you.

First of all, I think you should check out our thread inHousing and Environmentcalled NIC Cages (It's just been changed to Environment..), here's a shortcut:

http://www.rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=49023&forum_id=93 how you like. Solid flooring us normally used w/ these, including, plastic floors or Coroplast that can be purchased at a sign shop. Please don't even use bedding, it's a waste of time and money and makes the bun not want to train in the box.

That's all for now.

 

[crystal]

I'll answer a few things...

I think the kicking and twisting thing that you described is what we call a 'binky' in the rabbit world... this is a happy thing! Nothing to worry about at all, it's good!

I think you should hold off on the vegies, someone else with more experience can confirm this...

Don't worry if they aren't playing with their 'toys'. And don't worry that they aren't chewing the chew toys, hay also wears down their teeth. And it has only been one day, so I don't think you need to be concerned just yet.

It is best to let them come out of the cage on their own, you are doing that right for sure! well done. There are a few ways to encourage them back in when you want to... the most successful one I have found is food!

The fact that they approach you and put their paws on you is a very good sign, especially since you have had them for such a short time. A lot of rabbits don't like being picked up... that's not uncommon. It made sense to me when I read someone's explanation that rabbits are prey animals, meaning usually if they get picked up off the ground they are probably in the mouth of a predator. So it's just natural really that it's not the most pleasant thing. I think a lot of bunnies can become okay with being held though, but takes times (for the rabbit to grow trust, and I found for me to gain confidence too).

*takes deep breath* that's all for now... there is heaps of stuff on this forum that you can start reading too. the search thing up the top left is helpful

 

[elrohwen]

I'll try to answer things that the other's haven't yet. I would not put bedding down on the floor of the whole cage - this will teach them to pee and poo everywhere in the cage. Instead, leave the cage floor bare and put bedding in the litter box. This will help them litter train. Once they're consistently using the litter box, you can add back fleece blankets (I just buy fleece at a fabric store) to the bottom for some softness. This is also far cheaper than replacing bedding over a whole cage every few days.

The cage they're in now is very tiny, so it's good you're looking for a bigger one. For two rabbits, I would recommend 4'x4'. A 40"x20" cage is still too small for them to more around much, unless they're free roam and just use the cage for the litter box and food. I recommend a dog xpen, which is 4'x4'. They make great cages.

The pellets sound ok. What type are they? Kaytee has a few types and it will say on the bag (I thing Timothy Completely is the best one). Since they're young unlimited is ok, but as they get around 1 year the pellets should be reduced to 1/4c per 6lbs body weight.

You can give them some alfalfa, but I don't think it's totally necessary. You can always buy a little bag of alfalfa and mix in a few handfuls.

Unless the momma was eating fresh veggies, it is better to wait until they are at least 12 weeks. Baby digestive systems are very sensitive.

Bunnies don't need to chew on toys to keep their teeth trimmed - they do that with hay. So you don't need to worry at all if they're not playing with their toys. Baby keys are good - some bunnies like toys they can throw around. Overall, look for new toys to keep them entertained, but don't expect them to chew on them if they don't want to. Cardboard boxes are also fantastic.

My litter training advice is to remove all bedding from the cage floor. Put it just in the litter box, along with some hay. And clean up any poo or pee they leave throughout the rest of the cage and put it in the litter box.

I agree that they are having fun and doing binkies and bunny 500s (when they run in circles as fast as possible)

The easiest thing to do is cover the areas of carpet they're chewing with plywood, cardboard, or cheap pieces of carpet that you don't mind them ruining. Some bunnies grow our of their destructive behaviors around a year or year and a half.

It's fine to herd them back to the cage.

Most bunnies hate to be held, sad to say. Just be patient with them and they will enjoy petting and handling more with time. Remember that they are very young and you are a new person - they need to learn to trust you. It can take many months for a bunny to learn to trust. The way you're holding them sounds fine though.

Can I ask if you plan to have them spayed/neutered? They will more than likely begin to fight and not be able to live together if they aren't fixed once they reach 4-6 months.

 

[chay]

Thanks for the answers, everyone!

I really like the big NIC cages, but it looks as if those need to be in the garage and cage-wise I'll be limited to something that can fit reasonably well in my living room, although the goal is to let them have their run of the house. We guinea-proofed a long time ago, so there aren't wires and such around. I considered getting a big hutch for outside, but I can't imagine leaving them out there because it gets too hot in the summer and spring and too cold in the winter and fall. I'm not sure yet what I'll do for the cage, I suppose.

I'll definitely switch out all the bedding and just stick in a pan...I think they do prefer to go on the bedding than the carpet, especially Toby, who hops right back in the cage to do most of his business.

The pellets just say Kaytee Forti-Diet/Pro-Health, and then "nutritionally fortified". I also checked this morning to see if they had reacted poorly to the veggies, but they seemed to be fine. I'll still be sure to stick with dry foods for the month or so, though.

Binky/ies is quite possibly the cutest word ever XD

And yes, I do plan to get them spayed/neutered- we have a few exotic vets in my area and I'm taking them this week to see the one we bring my guineas to. I'm pretty excited ^^;