BUNNY CARE AND HOUSING
WELCOME TO KING'S BUNNIES RABBITRY!! THIS IS OUR 12 HOLE RABBITRY MADE OUT OF CEDAR BOARDS. IT'S BUILT ALONG SIDE OUR FENCE. IT GIVES THE BUNNIES SHADE IN THE SUMMER AND LOTS OF FRESH AIR ALL YEAR ROUND. IN THE WINTER TIME WE COVER THE FRONT WITH A TARP TO PROTECT THE BUNNIES FROM COLD WINDS. MY HUSBAND BUILT THIS AND IT WORKS GREAT FOR US. I KEEP ALL THEIR FEED AND SUPPLYS UNDERNEATH IN PLASTIC TUBS. WE WANT TO RAISE A SMALL NUMBER OF GOOD QUALITY RABBITS THAT ARE USED TO BEING HANDLED DAILY. ALL OUR RABBITS GET LOTS OF OUTSIDE TIME TO PLAY IN THE GRASS.
THE BIBLE SAYS "BE THOU DILIGENT TO KNOW THE STATE OF THY FLOCKS, AND LOOK WELL TO THEY HERDS." PSALM 27:23
NUTRITION
*I FEED OUR 10 POUND NEW ZEALAND REDS 1 CUP OF FOOD A DAY *I FEED OUR 3LB POUND HOLLAND LOPS 1/2 CUP OF FOOD A DAY *I GIVE TIMOTHY HAY TO ALL MY BUNNIES ABOUT EVERY OTHER DAY. TIMOTHY HAY IS FULL OF NUTRIENTS AND PROVIDES THE ROUGHAGE NEEDED TO REDUSE INTESTINAL BLOCKAGE. ALFALFA HAY CAN BE GIVEN TO BABIES BUT IT IS NOT GOOD FOR ADULTS. NEVER GIVE AN ADULT RABBIT ALFALFA. SOME SAY IT IS TO RICH AND HAS TO MANY CALORIES THAT CAN LEAD TO OBESITY. *I GIVE UNLIMITED PELLETS AND TIMOTHY HAY TO NURSING DOES' AND BABIES *WHEN BABIES ARE WEENED I PUT THE BABIES IN A SEPERATE CAGE AND CONTINUE GIVING THEM UNLIMITED PELLETS AND HAY UNTILL THEY ARE 4 MONTHS OLD. *WHEN BABIES ARE WEENED I PUT THE HOLLAND DOES BACK ON 1/2 CUP A DAY AND THE NEW ZEALANDS BACK ON 1 CUP A DAY. *NEVER GIVE BUNNIES UNDER 6 MONTHS FRUITS OR VEGTABLES (IT COULD KILL THEM!!! OR CAUSE DIAREAH) *I ONLY GIVE MY BUNNIES FRUITS OR VEGTABLES ON A RARE OCCASION AS A TREAT, ONCE A WEEK *SINCE I SHOW MY BUNNIES I DON'T WANT THEM GETTING OVERWEIGHT. OVERWEIGHT COULD CAUSE HEALTH PROBLEMS OR DISQUALIFY THEM ON THE SHOW TABLE. I TRY TO MAKE SURE THEY STAY AT THE SUGGESTED WEIGHT FOR THE BREED IN THE A.R.B.A STANDARD WICH IS, HOLLANDS-NOT OVER 4 LBS, NEW ZEALANDS 9-11 LBS. |
HERE IS A LIST OF FOODS FOR BUNNIES 6 MONTHS AND OLDER.
*NEVER GIVE A BUNNY LETTUCE OR CABBAGE!! IT COULD CAUSE HEALTH PROBLEMS OR DEATH!!! *VEGGIES AND FRUITS IN MODERATION TO MANY VEGGIES CAN CAUSE RUNNY STOOL. *CARROTS *CELERY *BANANAS *APPLES *BLUEBERRY *BROCCOLI *CANTALOUPE *CUCUMBER *ZUCCHINI *HONEYDEW MELLON *KALE *PAPAYA *PEACH *PEAR *PINEAPPLE |
LOOKING FOR QUALITY CAGES AND RABBIT SUPPLIES? VISIT WWW.WOODYSWABBITS.COM AND YOU CAN ORDER ALL THE RABBIT SUPPLIES YOU NEED. I ORDER ALL MY RABBIT SUPPLIES HERE.
BUNNY BASICS, HOUSING
CAGES:
IT IS IMPORTANT TO GET A CAGE THATS BIG ENOUGH FOR YOUR RABBIT TO MOVE AROUND IN AND FOR FEEDING EQUIPMENT. FOR MY HOLLAND LOPS I USE 24x24x18 ALL WIRE CAGES. FOR OUR NEW ZEALAND REDS WE USE 30X30X18 ALL WIRE CAGES. ALL OUR CAGESS HAVE PLASTIC TRAYS ON THE BOTTOM. IF YOUR BUNNY IS AN OUTDOOR BUNNY A WOODEN HUTCH WOULD WORK BUT IT MUST HAVE A WIRE FLOOR SO THE DROPPINGS AND URINE WILL FALL TO THE GROUND OR TO A TRAY THAT YOU CAN PULL OUT AND EASILY CLEAN. MAKE SURE THAT A BUNNY HOUSED OUTDOORS IS PROTECTED FROM PREDITORS, RAIN, SNOW AND WIND. RABBITS NEED TO STAY DRY AT ALL TIMES. IF YOUR BUNNY IS AN INDOOR BUNNY AN ALL WIRE CAGE WITH A TRAY THAT PULLS OUT FROM THE BOTTOM WILL WORK. BUT MAKE SURE ANY BUNNY INDOORS HAS VENTILATION. FRESH AIR IS VITAL TO THE HEALTH OF RABBITS.
REMEMBER RABBITS ARE PREY ANIMALS AND THEY SCARE EASILY. WHEN YOU BRING YOUR NEW BUNNY HOME DO NOT PLAY WITH OR HANDLE YOUR NEW BUNNY ALOT. GIVE THE BUNNY TIME TO ADJUST TO IT'S NEW ENVIRONMENT, HOME AND OWNERS. EVEN A WELL TEMPERED BUNNY WILL BITE, GROWEL AND SCRATCH IF THEY FEEL THREATENED IN ANY WAY. FEED AND WATER THE BUNNY DAILY SO THEY WILL GET USED TO YOUR SCENT AND THEY WILL GET TO KNOW THE ONE WHO FEEDS THEM. RABBITS ARE FRAGILE ANIMALS. THEY NEED TO BE HANDLED GENTLY WITH RESPECT. THEY DON NOT LIKE TO BE HANDLED ROUGHLY. NEVER PICK UP A BUNNY BY THE EARS OR THE SCRUFF OF THE NECK. RABBITS NEED GENTLE CARE.
A CLEAN CAGE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME AND MY RABBITS. I LOVE IT WHEN MY HOUSE IS CLEAN AND MY RABBITS LOVE IT WHEN THEIR HOUSE IS CLEAN. I CLEAN MY CAGES ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK. FIRST, I TAKE MY BUNNIES OUT OF THE CAGE I'M GOING TO CLEAN AND PUT THEM IN A CARRIER. I SPRAY THEIR CAGE AND TRAY WITH BLEACH WATER AND I USE A WIRE BRUSH TO GET ALL THE DROPPINGS OFF. I MAKE SURE THE CAGE IS COMPLETELY DRY BEFORE PUTING THE BUNNIES BACK IN IT. BLEACH WATER HELPS KILL GERMS AND BACTERIA. IF YOUR BUNNY IS INDOORS AND THEY PEE ON THE COUCH OR THE CARPET JUST SPRAY IT WITH SOME WHITE VINAGER AND IT WILL REMOVE THE ODOR AND KEEP IT FROM STAINING. BUNNY OWNERS ALWAYS NEED VINAGER ON HAND. WHEN YOUR RABBITS CAGE IS CLEAN IT WILL ALSO KEEP THEM HEALTHIER.
COMPOSTING:
RABBIT DROPPINGS ARE GREAT!! WHEN I CLEAN MY RABBIT CAGES I PUT ALL THE DROPPINGS IN MY GARDEN!! IT IS A GREAT FERTILIZER!! IT IS A COLD MANURE WHICH MEANS YOU CAN PUT IT STRAIT IN THE GARDEN. RABBIT DROPPINGS DO NOT NEED TO SIT AND COMPOST. IT WIL NOT BURN OR KILL YOUR PLANTS LIKE CHICKEN MANURE WILL. IF YOUR CAGE IS OUTSIDE AND HAS A WIRE BOTTOM YOU CAN BUILD A BOX UNDER THE CAGE AND THE RABBIT DROPPINGS WILL FALL INTO THE BOX AND NOW YOU HAVE A COMPOST BOX.
LITTER BOX:
I USED TO PUT LITTER BOXES IN MY CAGES. I HAVE USED PINE FOR LITTER BUT THEN I SWITCHED TO USING HAY. EITHER ONE IS GOOD TO USE. DOES' LEARN TO USE THE LITTER BOX QUICKLY WHILE BUCKS' TAKE A LITTLE LONGER TO LEARN. KEEP THE LITTER BOX IN THEIR CAGE FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND THEY WILL START TO USE IT. I FILL MY LITTER BOXES WITH HAY AND MY RABBITS GO TO THE BATHROOM IN IT BUT THEY ALSO EAT THE HAY, AND LAY OR SIT IN IT. ALL THIS IS NOMAL BEHAVIOR. A LITTER BOX IN THE CAGE ALSO GIVES THE RABBIT SOMETHING ELSE TO SIT ON SO THEIR FEET ARE NOT ON THE WIRE ALL THE TIME. RABBITS ARE NOT AS INTELLIGENT AS CATS. SO EVEN WHEN THEY ARE LITTER BOX TRAINED THEY STILL LEAVE LITTLE DROPPINGS BEHIND SOMETIMES. LITTER TRAINING TAKES TIME. IF YOU LET YOUR RABBIT OUT OF IT'S CAGE TO WANDER AROUND THE HOUSE KEEP AN EYE ON THEM. RABBITS WILL CHEW ON BLANKETS AND ELECTRICAL CHORDS. BUNNY PROOF YOUR HOUSE!! THEY NEED SUPERVISED TIME OUTSIDE OF THEIR CAGE.
WATER:
RABBITS NEED A CONSTANT SUPPLY OF FRESH WATER. I USE WATER BOTTLES. CROCKS CAN'T HOLD ENOUGH WATER AND IT GETS DIRTY TO FAST. WATER BOTTLES KEEP THE WATER FRESH AND CLEAN. I USE THE BIGGEST WATER BOTTEL I CAN FIND AND HANG IT ON THE SIDE OF THE CAGE WITH WIRE HOOKS. I CHECK THE WATER EVERY DAY. IN 1 DAY THEY DRINK HALF OF IT. WHEN RABBITS ARE OUT OF WATER THEY STOP EATING. SO IF YOUR RABBIT QUITS EATING CHECK THEIR WATER.
FOOD DISHES:
I PUT MY RABBITS FOOD IN CROCKS AND SELF FEEDERS. I DON'T USE PLASTIC BOWLS ANYMORE BECAUSE MY RABBITS WOULD PICK THEM UP WITH THEIR TEETH AND FLIP THEM OVER. ALOT OF FOOD WAS LOST THAT WAY. THE CROCKS ARE HEAVY AND THICK SO THEY CANT PICK THEM UP. I USE BIG METAL SELF FEEDERS FOR MY DOES AND BABIES. IF I AM GONE FOR A DAY OR TWO IT'S GOOD TO HAVE THE SELF FEEDER ON HAND SO I KNOW FOR SURE MY BUNNIES DON'T RUN OUT OF FOOD WHILE I AM GONE.
TOYS:
I GIVE MY RABBITS CARDBOARD FROM TOILET PAPER ROLLS OR PAPER TOWEL ROLLS TO PLAY WITH. IT IS FUN FOR THEM TO THROW IT AROUND THEIR CAGE AND CHEW ON IT. I ALSO GIVE MY BUNNIES APPLE BRANCHES TO CHEW ON. I CUT BRANCHES OFF THE APPLE TREE BEHIND MY HOUSE AND BAKE THEM IN THE OVEN FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES ON 350 TO KILL ANY GERMS AND BUGS. THEY LOVE CHEWING ON WOOD AND IT IS GOOD FOR THEIR TEETH. A RABBITS TEETH NEVER STOP GROWING. THEY NEED THINGS TO CHEW ON TO FILE DOWN THE TEETH.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO GET A CAGE THATS BIG ENOUGH FOR YOUR RABBIT TO MOVE AROUND IN AND FOR FEEDING EQUIPMENT. FOR MY HOLLAND LOPS I USE 24x24x18 ALL WIRE CAGES. FOR OUR NEW ZEALAND REDS WE USE 30X30X18 ALL WIRE CAGES. ALL OUR CAGESS HAVE PLASTIC TRAYS ON THE BOTTOM. IF YOUR BUNNY IS AN OUTDOOR BUNNY A WOODEN HUTCH WOULD WORK BUT IT MUST HAVE A WIRE FLOOR SO THE DROPPINGS AND URINE WILL FALL TO THE GROUND OR TO A TRAY THAT YOU CAN PULL OUT AND EASILY CLEAN. MAKE SURE THAT A BUNNY HOUSED OUTDOORS IS PROTECTED FROM PREDITORS, RAIN, SNOW AND WIND. RABBITS NEED TO STAY DRY AT ALL TIMES. IF YOUR BUNNY IS AN INDOOR BUNNY AN ALL WIRE CAGE WITH A TRAY THAT PULLS OUT FROM THE BOTTOM WILL WORK. BUT MAKE SURE ANY BUNNY INDOORS HAS VENTILATION. FRESH AIR IS VITAL TO THE HEALTH OF RABBITS.
REMEMBER RABBITS ARE PREY ANIMALS AND THEY SCARE EASILY. WHEN YOU BRING YOUR NEW BUNNY HOME DO NOT PLAY WITH OR HANDLE YOUR NEW BUNNY ALOT. GIVE THE BUNNY TIME TO ADJUST TO IT'S NEW ENVIRONMENT, HOME AND OWNERS. EVEN A WELL TEMPERED BUNNY WILL BITE, GROWEL AND SCRATCH IF THEY FEEL THREATENED IN ANY WAY. FEED AND WATER THE BUNNY DAILY SO THEY WILL GET USED TO YOUR SCENT AND THEY WILL GET TO KNOW THE ONE WHO FEEDS THEM. RABBITS ARE FRAGILE ANIMALS. THEY NEED TO BE HANDLED GENTLY WITH RESPECT. THEY DON NOT LIKE TO BE HANDLED ROUGHLY. NEVER PICK UP A BUNNY BY THE EARS OR THE SCRUFF OF THE NECK. RABBITS NEED GENTLE CARE.
A CLEAN CAGE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME AND MY RABBITS. I LOVE IT WHEN MY HOUSE IS CLEAN AND MY RABBITS LOVE IT WHEN THEIR HOUSE IS CLEAN. I CLEAN MY CAGES ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK. FIRST, I TAKE MY BUNNIES OUT OF THE CAGE I'M GOING TO CLEAN AND PUT THEM IN A CARRIER. I SPRAY THEIR CAGE AND TRAY WITH BLEACH WATER AND I USE A WIRE BRUSH TO GET ALL THE DROPPINGS OFF. I MAKE SURE THE CAGE IS COMPLETELY DRY BEFORE PUTING THE BUNNIES BACK IN IT. BLEACH WATER HELPS KILL GERMS AND BACTERIA. IF YOUR BUNNY IS INDOORS AND THEY PEE ON THE COUCH OR THE CARPET JUST SPRAY IT WITH SOME WHITE VINAGER AND IT WILL REMOVE THE ODOR AND KEEP IT FROM STAINING. BUNNY OWNERS ALWAYS NEED VINAGER ON HAND. WHEN YOUR RABBITS CAGE IS CLEAN IT WILL ALSO KEEP THEM HEALTHIER.
COMPOSTING:
RABBIT DROPPINGS ARE GREAT!! WHEN I CLEAN MY RABBIT CAGES I PUT ALL THE DROPPINGS IN MY GARDEN!! IT IS A GREAT FERTILIZER!! IT IS A COLD MANURE WHICH MEANS YOU CAN PUT IT STRAIT IN THE GARDEN. RABBIT DROPPINGS DO NOT NEED TO SIT AND COMPOST. IT WIL NOT BURN OR KILL YOUR PLANTS LIKE CHICKEN MANURE WILL. IF YOUR CAGE IS OUTSIDE AND HAS A WIRE BOTTOM YOU CAN BUILD A BOX UNDER THE CAGE AND THE RABBIT DROPPINGS WILL FALL INTO THE BOX AND NOW YOU HAVE A COMPOST BOX.
LITTER BOX:
I USED TO PUT LITTER BOXES IN MY CAGES. I HAVE USED PINE FOR LITTER BUT THEN I SWITCHED TO USING HAY. EITHER ONE IS GOOD TO USE. DOES' LEARN TO USE THE LITTER BOX QUICKLY WHILE BUCKS' TAKE A LITTLE LONGER TO LEARN. KEEP THE LITTER BOX IN THEIR CAGE FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND THEY WILL START TO USE IT. I FILL MY LITTER BOXES WITH HAY AND MY RABBITS GO TO THE BATHROOM IN IT BUT THEY ALSO EAT THE HAY, AND LAY OR SIT IN IT. ALL THIS IS NOMAL BEHAVIOR. A LITTER BOX IN THE CAGE ALSO GIVES THE RABBIT SOMETHING ELSE TO SIT ON SO THEIR FEET ARE NOT ON THE WIRE ALL THE TIME. RABBITS ARE NOT AS INTELLIGENT AS CATS. SO EVEN WHEN THEY ARE LITTER BOX TRAINED THEY STILL LEAVE LITTLE DROPPINGS BEHIND SOMETIMES. LITTER TRAINING TAKES TIME. IF YOU LET YOUR RABBIT OUT OF IT'S CAGE TO WANDER AROUND THE HOUSE KEEP AN EYE ON THEM. RABBITS WILL CHEW ON BLANKETS AND ELECTRICAL CHORDS. BUNNY PROOF YOUR HOUSE!! THEY NEED SUPERVISED TIME OUTSIDE OF THEIR CAGE.
WATER:
RABBITS NEED A CONSTANT SUPPLY OF FRESH WATER. I USE WATER BOTTLES. CROCKS CAN'T HOLD ENOUGH WATER AND IT GETS DIRTY TO FAST. WATER BOTTLES KEEP THE WATER FRESH AND CLEAN. I USE THE BIGGEST WATER BOTTEL I CAN FIND AND HANG IT ON THE SIDE OF THE CAGE WITH WIRE HOOKS. I CHECK THE WATER EVERY DAY. IN 1 DAY THEY DRINK HALF OF IT. WHEN RABBITS ARE OUT OF WATER THEY STOP EATING. SO IF YOUR RABBIT QUITS EATING CHECK THEIR WATER.
FOOD DISHES:
I PUT MY RABBITS FOOD IN CROCKS AND SELF FEEDERS. I DON'T USE PLASTIC BOWLS ANYMORE BECAUSE MY RABBITS WOULD PICK THEM UP WITH THEIR TEETH AND FLIP THEM OVER. ALOT OF FOOD WAS LOST THAT WAY. THE CROCKS ARE HEAVY AND THICK SO THEY CANT PICK THEM UP. I USE BIG METAL SELF FEEDERS FOR MY DOES AND BABIES. IF I AM GONE FOR A DAY OR TWO IT'S GOOD TO HAVE THE SELF FEEDER ON HAND SO I KNOW FOR SURE MY BUNNIES DON'T RUN OUT OF FOOD WHILE I AM GONE.
TOYS:
I GIVE MY RABBITS CARDBOARD FROM TOILET PAPER ROLLS OR PAPER TOWEL ROLLS TO PLAY WITH. IT IS FUN FOR THEM TO THROW IT AROUND THEIR CAGE AND CHEW ON IT. I ALSO GIVE MY BUNNIES APPLE BRANCHES TO CHEW ON. I CUT BRANCHES OFF THE APPLE TREE BEHIND MY HOUSE AND BAKE THEM IN THE OVEN FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES ON 350 TO KILL ANY GERMS AND BUGS. THEY LOVE CHEWING ON WOOD AND IT IS GOOD FOR THEIR TEETH. A RABBITS TEETH NEVER STOP GROWING. THEY NEED THINGS TO CHEW ON TO FILE DOWN THE TEETH.