baby bunny

[runawaybunny]

I’ve been waiting for a Holland Lop to become available at a shelter in my area for a while now, but I never see any within a hundred miles, so I’ve just been waiting patiently. Today I went to look at a Holland Lop at a rabbitry in my area that was free to a good home. I just wanted to visit and look. But I sort of lost control and now I have a 8 week old baby bunny. I’ve never had a baby before. All 3 of my other buns were adopted as adults. I think I know the basics of diet and care…

Unlimited alfalfa pellets & alfalfa hay (I was given a supply of hay and pellets to go with him. She buys in bulk at an area farm, so I plan to mix it with Oxbox pellets and hay.)

Introduce greens at 12 weeks

Introduce timothy pellets and timothy hay at 7 months

Neuter at 6 months

…but is there anything else I should be aware of specific to babies?

[Kafrn]

Yes. You need to take lots of photos and post them here so we can all squee!!!!! Whats babys name?

[runawaybunny]

Posted By Kafrn on 11/13/2010 02:23 PM
Yes. You need to take lots of photos and post them here so we can all squee!!!!! Whats babys name?

 

Lol! Ok. Here’s a picture of him meatloafing in his box. I’ve been calling him Desmond

 

 

And here he is in his tunnel.

[Juli]

you can actually introduce timothy pellets and timothy hay at eight weeks.When i adopted my bunny Dakota she was only eight weeks old too and i gave her timothy hay and timothy pellets right when i got her. You can also introduce greens, vegtables, and fruits at six months.

[Otti]

I think runawaybunny first stated was correct. Alfa alfa pellets till 6 or 7 months and veggies at 12 weeks, introduced slowly.

Timothy hay though should be fine to give right away. I don’t think the bunny needs the alfa alfa hay necessarily if he’s already getting the alfa alfa pellets.

[mocha200]

You should wait to give your bunny timothy until he is about 7 months like you said.

[Otti]

Well, I know the 7 month thing is the rule for alfa alfa hay and pellets but I don’t know if it’s really that big of an issue for a bunny to be on normal pellets and timothy hay before then.

I tried initially to keep my rabbit on alfa alfa pellets and hay but it really increased the calcium in his urine, and was giving him almost sludge looking pee, so I decided to just revert back to the timothy pellets and hay. He’s been fine and pretty much only on timothy his whole life. It doesn’t seem to have had an adverse effect on his growth, he’s growing so fast (about a pound a month).

That’s why i think you have to see how your rabbit reacts to the alfa alfa.

[bunnytowne]

A new bunny      oh how cute.    Squeeeee

[runawaybunny]

Ok. Thanks everybody. I’ll hold off on timothy pellets like I planned but I’ll keep an eye out for too much calcium in his pee.

[Beka27]

Rabbits do not have to be on alfalfa pellets until 6-7 months. You can feed timothy, and this may be easier since you already have other bunnies on timothy pellets. If you do not feed alfalfa pellets, feed a mixture of alfalfa and timothy hay instead. It’s a misconception that bunnies must strictly be on alfalfa products until they are older… it is a good idea that they have some access to timothy so it is not as much of a shock when it’s time to switch.

My mini rex was receiving timothy hay/pellets at the rescue as a baby. I brought her home at approx. 4 months and I kept her on timothy. I supplemented with a handful of alfalfa every day and then as she got older, gradually reduced the amount of alfalfa.

You can begin to give basic veggies now. But in a very, very limited amount. Try a few pieces of a romaine leaf and see how he does. Don’t start introducing a high quantity until about 12 weeks.

[runawaybunny]

Posted By Beka27 on 11/14/2010 05:56 AM
Rabbits do not have to be on alfalfa pellets until 6-7 months. You can feed timothy, and this may be easier since you already have other bunnies on timothy pellets. If you do not feed alfalfa pellets, feed a mixture of alfalfa and timothy hay instead. It’s a misconception that bunnies must strictly be on alfalfa products until they are older… it is a good idea that they have some access to timothy so it is not as much of a shock when it’s time to switch.

My mini rex was receiving timothy hay/pellets at the rescue as a baby. I brought her home at approx. 4 months and I kept her on timothy. I supplemented with a handful of alfalfa every day and then as she got older, gradually reduced the amount of alfalfa.

You can begin to give basic veggies now. But in a very, very limited amount. Try a few pieces of a romaine leaf and see how he does. Don’t start introducing a high quantity until about 12 weeks.

 

He came with a supply of farm hay and farm pellets. Today I started mixing in a little Oxbow timothy hay with his farm hay and he seems to like it just fine. I was planning to mix alfalfa pellets into his farm pellets and slowly switch him over to Oxbow alfalfa pellets. Which would be best for him…

timothy/alfalfa mixed hay and alfalfa pellets?

timothy/alfalfa mixed hay and timothy pellets? or

timothy/alfalfa mixed hay and timothy/alfalfa mixed pellets?

[Beka27]

Lol… I know, lots of choices. I would definitely give him the two hays mixed together. The pellets are up to you. What are the “farm pellets”? Are they alfalfa based? They most likely are since alfalfa seems to be cheaper. I would try to give a little tim pellets, even if it’s just a teaspoon mixed in. You already have it on hand.

[runawaybunny]

Posted By Beka27 on 11/14/2010 06:56 AM
Lol… I know, lots of choices. I would definitely give him the two hays mixed together. The pellets are up to you. What are the “farm pellets”? Are they alfalfa based? They most likely are since alfalfa seems to be cheaper. I would try to give a little tim pellets, even if it’s just a teaspoon mixed in. You already have it on hand.

 

I’m not sure about the farm pellets. If it’s important I could call and ask. I didn’t think to ask what the composition was because I knew that I was going to be switching him anyway. I’m assuming they are alfalfa based because she told me to mix them with the Oxbow alfalfa pellets until I run out.

[bunnytowne]

pellets at the feed store are alfalfa.     I have never seen timmy pellets there.     Thats not to say feed stores in other areas dont’ have it but the 4 feed stores in my area are all alfalfa.

OH I hear a cat fight outside.  Hubby is going to break it up.     Margie is an old cat and petes cat gives it a hard time.

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