Mini Rex questions

[chinchillasundertherainbow]

I've never had a rabbit,although i've had just about everything else. Always wanted one, but being a small hobby breeder of Chinchillas for the past few years, always told myself they are so close to rabbits..I don't need a rabbit. But at some point I want a rabbit.

A good friend has some mini rex kits in her store today, from a local breeder. I fell in love with a little , believe female, mute tortie. So researching this weekend to decide if I want to get it or not.

Good links on mini rexes and rabbit care in general appreciated.

This would be a house bunny.

 

[bbgrl20]

A good place to start on all things rabbit would be rabbit.org and all of the resource here at the forum ie bunny 101, health resouces, savvy rabbit vets, etc.

and I'm pretty sure mini rex owners will chime in give their input on that particular breed. And also feel free to post any specific question here, we all love to help!!

Welcome to the forum!!:bunnydance:

 

[Pipp]

Don't tell my Dwarfs (or my Mini Lop, or my ... bunny rabbit), but my Mini-Rex is probably my most awesome rabbit. (Although my Dwarf, Pipp,is my heart bunny, she lives on my lap and I love her very much, and I'd say that even if she wasn't reading this).

Dill, the mini-rex,follows me around like a puppy, paws at my leg (even though like most rabbits, he hates being picked up).He's incredibly curious,friendly (he greets guests at the door), cheerful and hopelessly energetic.

He'sgot major attitude. You do something he doesn't like, and you'll know it. He nips and'flicks'you off (a bunny F-U), but he forgives you immediately. He doesn't have a nervous bone in his body (which isn't all that usual for rabbits, although most aren't as nervous as people think!

The Rabbits Only Resource Centerhas all sorts of Bunny 101 links.Here's just one of many many links:

http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=12071&forum_id=17

Let usknow what you decide:



sas and the gang :bunnydance::bunnydance::bunnydance::bunnydance::bunnydance:

 

[honeybunnie8]

I have noticed that rex's tend to gain weight alot more easily then other types. I am always batteling the bulge on my Rex Camille. My other Bun gets the same amount of food and is perfectly fine, my rex has some nice rolls. You just have to remember to keep there diet rather strict. I measure out how much she gets every day.

here is a pic ofher, you can see some of her rollyness (yes i know thats not a word) Camille is on theright =)

She is really energetic and always comes when I call her and loves to be petted.:brownbunny

And here another pic for good measure....I think she looks freakin adorable here....:hug:

 

[chinchillasundertherainbow]

Pipp wrote:

That one is the exact color. Cept this baby has a half of its face covered with a gray splotch.

One quick question, more later when I get back:

what about litterbox training? Always successful or no?For when they are out ru nning around. Note this will not be a free range rabbit,though.

 

[manda]

free range all the time or not, it still needs a cage. just some place for it to go that it can call its own. and it can potty in there in a litter box, and you can have its hay, pellets and veggies in there. and some toys too. you may need a couple of litterboxes around the house if you are going to let him run the whole house.

people will tell you dont give too much space (free ranging) too fast. because of litterbox training problems and behavioral problems. i would start out in the cage and a bit of ground in front of it. and increase it to one room, then two, then three all gradually. if not you might have a bunny with too much space who will potty where it wants.

 

[chinchillasundertherainbow]

Like I said, it won't be free range. But was wondering about getting it to use a box say when it's out in the living room area. Not giving it too much room sounds just like training cats/kittens,then. As far as making the box easy access so when they go they're not far from it, till they get it really down. Give a kitten a whole house and it's gonna have an accident..and learn from the accident.

For a mini rex what's a good cag size? How high can mini rex jump?guess it depends on what it actually matures to be,size wise..

 

[rabbit_whisperer]

you can train a rabbit to use a litter box around the house just place them around the house.(but before that place the rabbit in a area around 5 feet wide and 5 feet across)this is for a rabbit that is already litter trained(and put the litterbox in one corner and sooner or later he/she will use it adn when he/she does move her/him to a bigger area with the litterbox)if you have a rabbit that's not litter trainer after a few days of having it see which corner it goes to the bathroom in then just place a litterbox there in about a week or more he/she will use it like it's just a normal every day thing.

 

[chinchillasundertherainbow]

Ok read all those , now more questions inspired by them.

When it talked about in general rabbits not being something that wants to be held..

In general, Chinchillas do NOT want to be held. But I have a number of chins that are out the cage door as soon as I open it into my arms. Course they may want to get down and run, but can be persuaded to be held with constant petting. Then I have a few that will sit with you for hours,calmly, with petting. SO my question is, aren't there some rabbits that are cuddlers? Not with a baby you really have a clue what it'll be,maybe.. or do you? The baby I really want is very calm when held.

Regarding neutering, didn't reailze that was done in males/females for spraying. Good to know! How complicated is a rabbit spay or castrate? Price? Which I'll have to call my vets monday to see what costs here would be, but what is it elsewhere? I know prices for things seem to go by geographical location.

Ideas on bucks or does? Like I said, the one I liked I thought was a doe based on my knowledge of sexing animals in general, but will have to look again monday now that I've seen the pix online of bunny bits.

Any links to litterbox training them? are there some that don't get it ,even when done right by some of you experts? I mean, bunnies that dont have background issues that lead to this (say a rabbit taken from outdoors pen that's already a senior rabbit or something)

 

[Elf Mommy]

Not just for this new member, but also for myself (in 4-9 years when Elf may no longer be with me)....

Do we have any mini rex breeders on the board with connections to other mini-rex or rex breeders in America that are responsible rabbit breeders? I know falling in love with a rabbit at a pet store is hard to get away from, but maybe there is a breeder nearby that you could choose a rabbit you are much less likely to have health problems with.

Rabbit breeders could also answer more questions about the parents of the rabbit you choose and breed-specific information.

It's just a thought. And I will be looking for one eventually myself and I don't want to support a petstore rather a breeder.

 

[naturestee]

SunnieBunnie breeds mini-rex and she might know a responsible breeder near you if you want to do some research.

Chinchillas, have you checked out our Bunny 101 section? Each topic (the ones that are finished, anyway) has loads of links to articles and forum threads.

Bunny 101 is here:
http://rabbitsonline.net/view_forum.php?id=17

And here's the thread on Litter Training:
http://rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=12213&forum_id=17

There's a lot of topics to look through, but I highly recommend checking this one out:
Bunny Proofing Your House

FYI, health problems are addressed in a different section called Rabbit Health References:
http://rabbitsonline.net/view_forum.php?id=10

If you're interested in a topic that isn't done yet, just let me know. I've been slacking lately and I need to get more topics done.

 

[chinchillasundertherainbow]

In general I don't get animals from pet stores. Well, fish of course. But other than that,no. My Chinchillas are from reputable breeders, and have at least 3rd generation pedigrees (the ones i breed at least, I have some I've taken in as "pets"). This is however a good friends pet store and of much higher quality than your average Petco/Petsmart.

That said, I'll know more re: these particular rabbits tmorrow when I see her and inquire about the "local breeder" from which they came.

I've found one breeder nearby who I've emailed (re: Netherland Dwarves) and asked if he also knows of any other nearby breeders of Dwarves.

 

[MyBabyBunnies]

If you want a bunny to cuddle, I suggest going to your local shelter. Some babies may like to cuddle but as they get older, that changes. You can adopt an adult rom the shelter and know what you're getting when you get it. But since rabbits are pray animals, they don't like to be held but many will come over and cuddle up right next to you for scratches behind the ears.

In general, general being the key word, males are calmer and friendlier especially after they have been neutered. Neuters tend to be cheaper -- I can get a buck neutered here for $100 while a doe costs me about $300. Another generalization is the bigger the rabbit, the calmer it is. Some people here have Flemish Giants and they are the calmest and biggest babies you will ever meet.

I have 3 rabbits -- 2 are mixed breed males and one is a purebred Holland Lop doe. My doe is crazy and hyper while my bucks are the laziest and friendliest rabbits ever. They are 7.5 and 8 lbs. They don't liketo be picked up but are all for pats and chilling beside me.

 

[naturestee]

MyBabyBunnies wrote:

If you want a bunny to cuddle, I suggest going to your local shelter. Some babies may like to cuddle but as they get older, that changes. You can adopt an adult rom the shelter and know what you're getting when you get it. But since rabbits are prey animals, they don't like to be held but many will come over and cuddle up right next to you for scratches behind the ears.

:yeahthat

Some rabbits go through big personality changes during adolescence. It can be very stressful and frustrating for both of you. Adult rabbits have already been through that, and shelter rabbits may have already been neutered so you won't have as many hormonal behavior issues like urine spraying or hormone-related aggression. Another option is buying adults from breeders. They'll sometimes sell ex-breeders or show rabbits as pets.

Getting an adult is an especially good idea because you are new to rabbits. It's different when you know what to expect because of experience, but being new to rabbits and having a hormonal teenage bunny on your hands can be a very daunting experience. Probably the reason that there's a lot of 6 month old rabbits in shelters.

 

[MyBabyBunnies]

I forgot that as well. It's a very good point that you can check with local breeders for an adult, many will have old brood stock that is looking to retire and a pet home is a great place for them to retire. Although they are rarely ever spayed or neutered, you still know the personality of the rabbit you are getting. Breeders are often very attentive to their adult stock as well and can give you some information on his or her quirks. You are also most likely getting a well handled rabbit from a breeder. Since they need to be checked over thoroughly and old show stock should be used to being handled, it makes everything so much easier.

I started with sweet little babies and I really wish I hadn't, it was a night mare for a while but I'm glad I stuck to it because I have some great adult rabbits now.

 

[RogerL]

First I suggest that anyone contemplating buying or adopting a

bunny join the ARBA. It is only $15 a year and the guidebook, subscription

to Domestic Rabbit Magazine, and the yearbook which lists all breeders that

belong to the ARBA is worth every penny. You can also check out the National

Mini-rexRabbitClub at NMRRC.com. There is links to breeders across the country.



Mini-Rex are a great breed. I breed and show them in.

I picked them for their great temperament, small size, and lack of health

issues. Their fur is wonderful to touch and they enjoy being made of.

If I was picking one for a pet I would choose a buck and have him neutered.

Bucks seem to be more friendly and is it less expensive to have them altered.

You can expect to pay between $15 and $40 for a pet. I charge $25 for

a pet because I want people to value the animal. I also have a no

questions asked return policy if the buyer can't keep the bunny. They

are relatively easy to train to a litter box. Honeybunnie8 is right, their

diet does need to be monitored because they gain weight easily.

Roger L

 

[chinchillasundertherainbow]

Yeah I've already thought about getting an older rabbit to "know" it's personality. Kinda like with dogs, I'd rather skip the puppy stage (although my puppy I rescued awhile back is an angel )

Like the longhaired Lionheads the more I look at em.

We don't have a local shelter here.

I like getting rescued animals, but I think If possible I'm leaning toward a healthy adult from a breeder, or healthy adult from a known rescue. Not like a city shelter where you have no idea what they have or have been through.

 

[Jess_sully]

It's MUCH cheaper for a neuter than a spay, my vet charges $135 for neuters and $300 for spays, wow! Also, in most cases (but not all) males make better pets... a lotof breeders and rabbit experts attest to that. In most cases, females bond more closely to men, and vice-versa. Hmmm.

 

[Pipp]

chinchillasundertherainbow wrote:

I like getting rescued animals, but I think If possible I'm leaning toward a healthy adult from a breeder, or healthy adult from a known rescue. Not like a city shelter where you have no idea what they have or have been through.

:yeahthat

This is a really good point. The 'Rabbit Rescue' operations will know each rabbit individually -- most are fostered out for three monthswith detaled reports filed and updated so thateach rabbit is carefully assessed. And evenmost of the specialized shelters housinga lot of rabbits will have people who interact with themenough as well. The city shelterswon't have (or care about) that background.While those animals may need rescuing the most, by taking one from the rescue places frees up space for the rescue places to take another one from a city shelter orHumane Society, so it all works out.

sas

 

[Pipp]

RogerL wrote:

First I suggest that anyone contemplating buying or adopting a

bunny join the ARBA. It is only $15 a year...

Hey Roger, I had no idea ARBA that that inexpensive, that's great to know, thanks.

sas