introducing Elsa and Anna

[Lindsay0208]

Hi, everyone.  My name is Lindsay, and I have just got 2 new Holland lop girls, that are 8 weeks old.  We have wanted rabbits for a long time, but wanted to make sure that we knew enough about taking care of them.  We are an animal loving family, so we are very excited to get to know our girls. We already have a dog, mini-pig and a freshwater aquarium. My girls named the bunnies Elsa and Anna (wonder where they got that).  We just got them on Sunday.  They obviously have not been spayed bc they are too young, but we plan to as soon as it is safe.  Elsa (mostly white bunny) is very curious, sweet and outgoing.  Anna our harlequin is very sweet also, but calm.   I had originally wanted a boy and girl, but Elsa and Anna had another idea.  We all sat down with them and the boy wanted nothing to do with us.  Both our girls came right up to us, let us pet them, Elsa even tried to get in my oldest daughters lap.  I know there is a chance they could start to fight when they get older, but I figure I can always separate them until after both have been spayed and then try to bond them.  I never dreamed, they would be such fun animals.  Even though they are still a little timid, due to just getting here, they are so fun to watch.  I love seeing them interact and sit up on and look around. 

I homeschool my 2 girls and we are keeping the bunnies in the school room.  They are in a XL Dog crate at the moment, but my hubby is building them a 2 story house out of mostly leftover wood and hardware cloth.  It will measure 2x4x4.  Each level will be 24” tall. The plywood floors will be covered with vinyl adhesive squares.   What are you all’s thoughts on the size?  Will that be ok for 2 buns?  We have already bunny proofed the school room, so we keep the door open all day for them, but they have only come out for a few seconds each time.  Hubby has only finished bottom floor, we figure we can take our time with it for now.  So any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  Also, we planned it to open like a cabinet, that way it is easier to clean for me. 

I am sorry this is so long, but 1 more question.  They are doing very well with peeing in the box, but still pooping everywhere in there cage.  Is this normal?  Should I be cleaning them up as soon as I see them or only cleaning when they aren’t in cage (I have read 2 different theories)?  Thanks.  Can’t wait to get to know you all, I have been reading past post for a while, while researching up on everything bunny.

I tried adding a picture 2x and it wouldn’t let me.  Once i hit upload it just kept spinning (luckily I had this long post copied).

[Lindsay0208]

I realized I needed to re-size the photo.  Got it.  

[LongEaredLions]

Welcome! Elsa and Anna are adorable! Glad you are enjoying them, bunnies do make really good pets.
The cage sounds fine. I don’t think I would keep 2 bunnies in that size if you don’t plan on having them out much of the time, but since they are out all day it should be fine for them just to sleep in. As they become more comfortable with you, they will begin coming out more.
The pooping outside the box is actually rather normal for young and intact bunnies. They will likely improve after spaying, but for now, it is best to place all “accidents” in the litterbox to show them where to go.
I hope you have a tons of fun here on BB! It really is like a big, bunny-loving community!

EDIT TO ADD: I love mini-pigs! I really would love to have one! I would love to see piccies of your baby if you want to share!

[Lindsay0208]

Thank you. Yes they will have free roam of at least this room(we are here most of the day too). I would love to let them in the whole house, but even though my dog is gentle, I would never fully trust a dog not to get excited and hurt one of my buns. I keep a baby gate up in the doorway to keep buns in and dog out. What size would you recommend, I do want them to have enough of their own space, and will probably, eventually add to our brood. So maybe I should add another floor? Thoughts?
My best friend has wanted a bunny since her last one past at 7 years old, but they moved to a no pet rental until a couple of weeks ago, she saw the girls today and almost cried. I may let her take Anna. Since, I know she would have a GREAT home. She already has a homemade house that is huge. The more I read on adolescence fighting, it may be whats best. Elsa is more outgoing, so she has bonded with my kids. But of course Anna came right out and introduced herself to my friend today. I do want more than 1 bunny, but would it be best to wait till she is spayed and introduce a rescue (pre neutered) bunny? I had read before getting them that if they were litter mates that they had a better chance of getting a long, the more I read the less I think that is the case. I really love both of them. They are both unique, and very good girls, I just don’t want to cause them more stress to them once they get a bit older. Thoughts?

[litheandgraphic]

Welcome!! Haha, those names really suit the buns. Welcome to the wondrous world of rabbits. They are truly special companions. We’re here to help!

[JackRabbit]

Welcome! Your bunnies are adorable! Getting bonded babies through the teen and spaying period can be done. My lops are half brother/sister, born 3 days apart, and their bond was never broken in spite of having separate cages (kept side-by-side). They are one year old now and live happily together in a 3 xpen bunny wonderland!

[Lindsay0208]

 I forgot to show you a pic of my boy Ernie.  He is my baby.  He can be a bit difficult sometimes as pigs are VERY smart.  Its like having a 4 legged toddler running around the house.  He also can be a bit moody sometimes, but when he is sweet, he is super sweet.  

[Lindsay0208]

JackRabbit: You must have been commenting the same time I did. Yes, the more I think about the more I just don’t think I could give her away. I am wondering, I see your 3 pics of bunnies, are they 2 boys and a girl or the other way around? I defiantly want to get a boy later so I am wondering how that will work. I know I need both of them spayed and bonded before introducing a new one but I was wondering if having 2 girls and a boy was even possible. I have only seen a bonded pair and quadruplet set not 3. Thanks.

[JackRabbit]

My lops are boy and girl, and my single bun is a girl. We tried bonding the three but are taking a long break. Kieko seems to think she’s at least part human and isn’t quite sure how to play bunny! Moshi’s perfectly fine with having two girlfriends, and Marlee is usually ok with Kieko (Marlee will groom Kieko). However, Kieko decided she wasn’t grooming anyone but the humans and decided she was going to be in charge and humped Marlee’s face. We will work with them again, but life has kinda gotten in the way of bonding!

My advice would be to let your girls choose their man when you are ready for a third by going on bunny dates at a shelter or rescue. We didn’t really have that option at the time — Kieko came first and belonged to my son and his (now ex), girlfriend and the M&Ms are mine. When my son and his girlfriend broke up, we had already bonded with Kieko so she became my third!

[Lindsay0208]

Thank you that is kind of what I had thought would work best.  I’ll will have to investigate some more.  I originally wanted a shelter/ rescue bunny/ies.  But When I was talking to the only rescue in our area (very rural), they said we could not adopt because we had small children.  I tried explaining to them, that my girls would not be alone or responsible for bunnies AND I had already been teaching them how to pet rabbits AND they already knew they could not pick up the bunnies.  As I stated we love animals and my kids are aware that different animals have different needs. But, they wouldn’t even listen.  I have had many different kinds of animals in my life and ALL have lived long happy lives and died from natural causes.  The shelter would have been happy to adopt to us, but they had just had a adoption fair and had adopted the 3  bunnies that they had.

[Lindsay0208]

Just got some better pictures of my girls, so I had to share.

[LongEaredLions]

Posted By Lindsay0208 on 10/14/2014 10:56 PM

JackRabbit: You must have been commenting the same time I did. Yes, the more I think about the more I just don’t think I could give her away. I am wondering, I see your 3 pics of bunnies, are they 2 boys and a girl or the other way around? I defiantly want to get a boy later so I am wondering how that will work. I know I need both of them spayed and bonded before introducing a new one but I was wondering if having 2 girls and a boy was even possible. I have only seen a bonded pair and quadruplet set not 3. Thanks.

I had a group of two girls+a boy not too long ago. It does work quite well, I found my boy quite liked having his two lady friends.  

[LongEaredLions]

AWW! Your piggy is so precious! Like I said, I would love to have one of them in the future, so I may end up PMing you to ask questions? Ha ha ha!
And the new pics of your girls-adorable! I would like to add that bunnies can be easily bonded back after spaying.

[Lindsay0208]

Anytime.

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