*Rabbit Care*
Bringing a new little bunny into the family is very exciting!
However, it is also a big learning process.
So Peter Rabbit ate lettuce and carrots everyday, and that’s what your going to feed your bunny, that’s what most of the books say in libraries.
Here’s a little hint for you… it’s all wrong!!!!!!!!! If a book you get isn’t recommended by the ARBA (American Rabbit Breeder’s Association) don’t go by it!
If you are youth, or have kids I highly recommend joining your local 4h club you can even contact me and I’ll find you one in your area!
*FEEDING*
Your bunny needs to eat and drink the proper amount of food and water everyday.
Please contact me about what breed your rabbit is and I can give you the exact amount of food.
Always supply fresh water to your rabbit *at all times!*
If you give your rabbit a cup full of fruits & vegetables everyday that is not a meal.
Your bunny should have pellets as it’s meal everyday.
Certain fruits and veggie treats are ok, once or twice a week., and please remember that they are just that TREATS!
Please take note bunny’s do not do well with greens!
If you feed your bunny lettuce, stop immediately.
This gives your bunny diarrhea because it has so much water in it, in the long run it will eventually kill your rabbit.
*HOUSING*
The size of your bunny’s cage or hutch will vary according to breed size.
18x24 is good for small breeds.
18x30 is good for small to medium sized rabbits.
24x30 or 30x36 is also good for medium breeds.
36x48 is an ideal size for the large breeds, maybe a little larger.
The floor of your cage should be wire, not soiled shavings, or just plain metal.
If your animal is sitting in it’s fecal matter all day long, it’s under side is going to become matted, dirty and smelly which is very unhealthy, not only for the rabbit, but also for the caretaker handling the animal.
This will eventually happen even if you keep your cage or hutch clean 24/7 and it can also attract bugs like flies and other pests even if the rabbits in the house.
Rabbits do better outside.
People may say “Oh How horrible for the rabbit“… but it isn’t.
A rabbit’s coat is special.
It has a different layer for different seasons.
Living outdoors is also helpful to keep odor out of your home, and is closer to the rabbits natural habitat.
Even a domestic rabbit still keeps it’s natural instincts.
*Choosing your rabbit*
Now you know a lot of information you need.
Now it’s time to decide what size, breed, sex & temperament you want your new fuzzy friend to have.
Any rabbit can have a nice friendly temperament, but it’s up to you to make it that way.
You’ll need to handle your bunny everyday no matter what size it is.
Both large and small rabbits are delightful to have, it just depends on what kind of space you have, a bigger rabbit means a bigger cage.
*Handling*
Ok now you know what rabbit you want, how to feed it, where its going to live but what about handling and playing with it???
Rabbits Like to feel Secure. A rabbit that does not feel safe will scratch, bite and kick its way to what it thinks is safety.
When picking up your bunny use two hands one supporting the hind end and one supporting the body.
After you have picked up your bunny you want to bring it to a safe place where you can sit with it.
When walking with your bunny or holding it while standing you want to have bunny totally secure.
A good method of holding your bunny is what I call the football method.
The bunny’s head is under your arm and body is supported by your forearm and hind end by your hand, that will leave your other hand free incase the bunny gets startled you can then place your other hand over the rabbits back for extra support.
Do not use "outdoor voices" or make loud noises while around the bunny. Do not pick it up by it's ears, tail or limbs, this will hurt the bunny significantly & is cruel.
Never hit your bunny & do not yell at it. (*Parents are responsible for harm coming to the rabbit, because this means you were not supervising your child*)
Never pick up your rabbit by the belly or by holding around the belly.
That is where it’s internal organs are located and can be very easily damaged if squeezed to tight!
Like cats, rabbits do have scruffs. Handling the rabbit this way won't hurt the bunny, but it way become frightened. So Please be careful. Remember, always support it's hind end!
Once you have sat down with your bunny you want to pat it gently while its on your lap or hold it so that the bunny’s feet are against your chest and its hind end is supported in your hands.
Bunnies don’t normally like to be held like a baby and can be every easily hurt if they get nervous and flip.
Gentle but Firm hands are best.
Parents should always supervise children while holding a bunny.
The more you hold and handle your bunny the friendlier it will be!!!
If you don't handle your bunny, it won't want to come out of it's cage!!
Please note we highly recommend NOT letting your rabbit run around the house, unless electrical cords are out of reach, and the area is carpeted.
Do to the fur pads on the bottom of the feet it makes rabbits very susceptible to slipping and injuring themselves.
Rabbits are very fragile, and easily break there backs which leaves them 1-3 days to live.
So PLEASE BE CAREFUL!
Now it’s your time to buy a bunny!
OK so by now you should know enough about rabbit care to keep your bunny happy and healthy!!
Oh! I almost forgot Rabbits do not need Vaccinations.
and Most aliments can be cured at home or by contacting a local breeder for advice.
There are a lot of Vets inexperienced in rabbit care so ask a local breeder or 4-H leader to recommend one for you that is experienced with rabbits!!!
IN my Opinion Pet rabbits should not to be used for breeding , show, or brood, that do not fit the breeds standard or are of mixed breed.
Pet Rabbits should be spayed or neutered~ not only is it good for the health of the animal but will cure most diseases and temperament issues your rabbit might develop.
This information was provided by Melissa Andruskiewicz of Hoppn Hollow Bunny Buds Rabbitry
We can be contacted several ways!
Email:
bunniexoxlover@aol.com
Home: 978-998-4741
Or you can leave a message in the guestbook!
Children ages 5-18 interested in learning more about rabbits and cavies(guinea pigs) PLEASE JOIN 4-H!!!
GREAT SCOTT's 4-H RABBIT & CAVY CLUB meets the 3RD Friday of Each month @ 7pm in the 4-H building at the Topsfield Fairgrounds. TOPSFIELD MASSACHUSETTS
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING COME TO A MEETING!!!!
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT JOINING THIS CLUB PLEASE CONTACT THE LEADER BONNIE McLAUGHLIN of E. Kingston NH (603) 642-8216
or check out the webpage created by 4-H member Kendra P. www.freewebs.com/greatscotts4-h/
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME ANYTIME WITH ANY RABBIT QUESTIONS IM ALWAYS WILLING TO ANSWER THEM!!!
FOR QUALITY, DURABLE INDOOR & OUTDOOR CAGES & SUPPLIES PLEASE CONTACT:
Thurkins Thumpers Of Dunstable, MA
Email:
emthurkins@aol.com
Phone Number:978-649-3446
Ask for Eric Or Marcia
Are sold free from any DQs, or genetic effects known at the time of sale (and only at the time of sale we can't guarantee a DQ won't show up on a jr after it has matured) . A show quality animal is a rabbit with no missing toenails, all teeth, an accepted breed and color. Show quality animals are priced according to the quality of the animal, not quanity. Show animals are sold according to the quality of the animal at time of sale ~ we cant guarantee the success of an animal on a show table. Different judges have different ideas as to what different breeds should look. EVALUATE THE RABBIT AT TIME OF SALE!!!
*BROOD QUALITY RABBITS*
Brood quality rabbits are not bunnies that I would keep to show but might use in a breeding program ~ It may have qualities that suggest it be a brood animal such as it being a big doe, or a nice starter. ~ I cannot quarantee the quality of a litter a brood animal may produce or even the occurance of a litter~ even if an animal has produced before, there isn't a quarantee it will again Brood animals are to be sold with pedigrees if available. On the note of breeding, WE WILL NOT SELL A PREGNANT RABBIT!
*PRICING*
All animals are priced in accordance with their quality, not quanity. No pet is to be priced over $50 (THIS RULE ONLY GOES WITH RABBITS SOLD AS PETS) The price listed is the price of the animal. We do not haggle prices at any time, dont try, your email will not be replied!! If you dont agree with the amount, DO NOT CONTACT ME!!!!! As with most other rabbitries, no show or brood quality animal's price will be reduced because someone claims it will only be a pet! ~ NO EXCEPTIONS!!~
PURCHASING
TO MAKE A PURCHASE, CONTACT ME VIA EMAIL, the "Buy a Bunny" form OR USING THE GUESTBOOK! Please keep in mind that the guestbook may not be a good way to purchase a rabbit as it is often hard for us to reply. When purchasing, please give me name, city, state, and reason for purchasing a rabbit, (pet, show, breeding etc) if this information is not included, your email may not be responded to.
All animals are held with a 50% non refundable deposit only!! (We except cash and checks, no credit cards!) Deposit must be recieved within 7 days of requesting an animal, if it isn't the animal will be posted back up for sale, and your request will be denied!! ~ Sorry, we do not except paypal~ Also, we do not sell rabbits on a first come first serve basis, we evaluate each home and make decisions depending on what home fits what rabbit.
All animals must be picked up within 14 days of purchasing ~ or when babies are ready to go, exceptions may be made. If you are going to pick the animal up at a show, it must be picked up by 12 noon, no exceptions to this rule ~ if animal is not picked up by this time your money is forfited and the animal will be placed back up for sale!!
** If you back out of a sale, all money paid towards the animal will be lost, because then we would have to house and feed a rabbit that was considered sold, and when you back out of a sale that means that you took away the ability for someone else to puchase the animal when you said you wanted it. Before inquiring about a bunny please be sure you want it!! No EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE!!!!
* Under Massachusetts state law it is required you are 18 to purchase an animals, no exceptions!! If you are under the age of 18, please consult with your parents, and have them contact me!
*We do not sell bred rabbits*
*No animal under the age of 10 weeks is to go to its new home!!*NO EXCEPTIONS!!
We do not sell to or anything related to the rabbit house society, or to homes who want run around the house bunnies ~ BOTH THESE HOMES ARE UNFIT HOMES TO RABBITS, DO TO THE HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENT THEY'RE PUT IN!!
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE A SALE TO ANYONE AT ANYTIME! ~ OUR RABBITS ARE OUR PRIDE AND JOY AND WE CARE DEEPLY ABOUT EACH AND EVERYONE OF THEM ~ WE WILL NOT LET THEM GO TO JUST ANY HOME!
BE PREPARED FOR US TO ASK QUESTIONS ON RABBIT CARE ~ PLEASE FOLLOW UP ON MY RABBIT CARE GUIDE GIVEN~
LIMITED WARRANTY
Full refunds are offered when the animal becomes sick or dies within 10 days of sale* (pending the death or illness of the animal is not your fault) The animal must be returned to my rabbitry within 24 hours of the death or supposed illness of the animal. We will offer a replacement animal of the same quality if you wish, a higher quality animal will not be given! (pending the availability of a new animal) & (pending that the illness or death is not your fault!) No refund will be given if the sickness or death of the animal IS your fault. No refund will be given for a rabbit returned because of temperment issues, We never sell or breed a rabbit with temperment issues!! However, we're always willing to help you out to correct these temperment issues.
We ask that any animal purchased from Hoppn Hollow Buny Buds be quaranteened for no less then 2 weeks. We are not responsible and no refund will be given if animal contracts an illness from another animal, or if another animal contracts a illness from the animal purchased ~ all animals are sold free from any known illness or diseases~
VISITORS
The only visitiors we allow are ones who want to come look at a rabbit, other than that, we do not allow anyone! Most of the time we do not even allow that. We must be present at time of viewing, and no one is allowed into the rabbitry area, rabbits will be placed in a pen for viewing. If this rule is broken, your request will be denied and you will be forced to leave! We will usually ask that you meet us half way or at a seperate location to view a rabbit. We do not want strangers in our home, please RESPECT that!
*SURRENDERING A RABBIT*
IF YOU CANNOT KEEP A RABBIT THAT YOU HAVE PURCHASED FROM US FOR ANY REASON PLEASE LET US KNOW (( WE WILL ALWAYS TAKE BUNNIES BACK)) However if it is after the 10 day warranty peroid no refund is given! If you do have to give up your bunny we ask in most cases that a suitable cage also be surrended with the bunny as it will normally be placed into foster care with GREAT SCOTT'S 4-H club its temperment will be evaluated and when ready bunny will be placed up for adoption through great scott's 4-H rabbit and cavy club adoption program and all monies from the adoption of the animal will be donated to 4-H.
IF YOU PLAN ON TAKING YOUR BUNY HOME SAME DAY AS PURCHASE, PLEASE BRING AN APPROPRIATE BOX OR CARRIER ONE WILL NOT BE PROVIDED FOR YOU, AND WE WIL NOT ALLOW ANY RABBIT TO RIDE HOME ON ANYONES LAP!
NO EXCEPTIONS!!
CLICK HERE TO SEE A LIST OF RABBITS THAT ARE AVAILABLE
