New bunny slave reporting for duty – sorry long post ;)

[hoops&yoyo]

Hi!; I am new to the bunny keeping business.  I live in NJ with my husband of 22 years, my children ages 18 and 14 and 2 springer spaniels ages 6 and 2. I am a pet LOVER and would definitely have 2 of every kind imaginable if my husband would let me.I became addicted to springers several years ago and am active in a regional springer rescue organization.

We got introduced to our bunnies through my son’s science class – last year they hatched chicks this year the project was bunnies. There is a company which organizes these “science projects” and they delivered the mom to the class and 7 kits 2 days after they were born. I have been helping the teacher because soon after the bunnies were delivered she found out that she herself is pregnant (first baby) so I have been cleaning the cage etc. The bunnies are Harlequin Magpies and are VERY well socialized. All 7 were adopted by school families. I had done a TON of research and sent packets of info, websites, importance of spay/neuter, the importance of keeping them as house rabbits etc. I adopted 2 of the kits – one is the runt of the litter and the other was the “troublemaker” who was always into something and escaped from the cage on more than one occasion.

The cage that the farm brought the mom and kits to us in had the nesting box in it but as the buns grew the cage became VERY small so my daughter and I brought in all fo the supplies we had be collecting and built the NIC cage for them. I wasn’t sure what to use for the cage floor so I ordered a huge replacement dog crate tray -30 x 46 – which accommodates a 2 x 3 condo and I went 3 grids high. The buns LOVED it. Over the past week the buns went home one by one until there were just my two and the mom left. I didnt want to take my two home and leave the mom alone so I left them at school all together until the farm came to pick her up yesterday.

Brought the 2 buns home last night, set everything up and did a brief into with the dogs. Everything went very smoothly! The buns could have cared less – they were just like – yeah – where’s my oxbow alfalfa hay mom. My younger spaniel hid behind me and cried and the older one was very interested. But there was no barking and lots of praise and treats for the dogs from me for being calm. They are in a their crate behind a locked door today because I know i need to monitor the dogs with them and will never let my guard down in this area.

whew! thats my story.I will post pictures soon = : )

[bunnytowne]

OH yes pictures would be nice.   I am glad for the bunnies they got homes and you were able to educate people about their care.  I believe more than the students got an education on bunnies   good job.

[Beka27]

Welcome here! Thank you for looking out for these poor bunnies. Is this the first time you’re having interaction with rabbits?

I have to admit I feel awful for that mama bun. What an awful existence, being bred and then carted off to a strange place with tons of fingers prodding and peering eyes. Yikes. That does not sound nice at all. I do hope the homes you found for the babies prove to be good homes. Do you have an adoption contract with them guaranteeing they will spay/neuter, and if they cannot keep the bunny, it will be returned to you rather than sold on craigslist, abandoned outside or at a shelter?

Now that this is over, I’d recommend you try and get this program discontinued. Classrooms and bunnies (ANY animals really!) do not mix. And what happens next year when there may not be a caring parent involved?

[hoops&yoyo]

I totally agree!  I asked to adopt the mom as well.  She was NOT socialized – and I can’t imagine the life she has had up until now – but they would not adopt her out.  I had the teacher ask again and offered to pay double the fee they were asking for the kits but they said no.  I did spoil her while she was in our care and gave her treats of dehydrated papaya and pineapple, raisins and carrots.  She loved them.  I felt so sorry for her.  Last night when I picked up my bunnies and the mom was gone the teacher couldn’t even talk about it – she said she felt so sad.

I am planning on writing a long letter to the farm who coordinates these things.  The cage they sent with the mama and kits was ok for when they were babies – but within 2 weeks it was way too small.  They never told the teacher that she might or should provide a larger crate for them.  The cage they sent had a wire bottom – and nowhere for them to rest their feet.  The whole scenario was not good and left me feeling very sad – but I felt like at least we saved the babies from living that life.

[Beka27]

I do hope they will reconsider doing this next year.

And I don’t mean to sound like a downer. Really, I’m glad you’ve come to BinkyBunny and I’m looking forward to seeing pics of your new babies (are they boys, girls, one of each?) and hearing how they acclimate to life in your home!

Again, welcome here!

[Sarita]

Welcome – would love to see photos – it sounds like the two babies found loving homes and that’s great.

I would also recommend that you speak to the principal of the school about your concerns – I would imagine that the “farm” is not likely to take your concerns too seriously if they continue to have customers. It sounds as if the teacher might be having second thoughts too about this project and perhaps she could be an advocate with the other science teachers.

[MarkBun]

A quick question – how old were the babies when they got adopted out? I’m just curious as if they were over 2 months, there could be lil’ surprises for the owners of the females in another month.

As for the breeder – if the cage had a wire bottom, they believe rabbits are livestock and not pets so trying to convince them to take care of the rabbits will be a next to nothing endeavor. 4H groups teach animal husbandry by having you breed and raise rabbits but really only as a food/fur source. I wonder how many children would be with them if they went the full route and had the kids kill and skin the rabbits.

You could put in a call to the ASPCA and see if they could send out an agent to check on him sometime soon.

[hoops&yoyo]

they were born on January 27th and all but the two I have went home to single bunny individual homes last week.  So they are nine weeks old today.  I am not sure what sex mine are – but from what i’ve read its really hard to tell.  I was planning on taking them to the vet in the next month – do you think i should do it sooner?

[KatnipCrzy]

I don’t think it will do much good to complain to the farm- the farm views them as livestock and as a way to make money.  If they were distraught by their practices- they would have a better system in place.  I think it is the school that you need to address- your school that agreed to “rent” a bunny and any other schools in the area that might do this too.

Your 2 bunnies are lucky that they have someone that cares enough to look up proper care info- who knows if the other bunnies will get that.  The others will probably end up on CraigsList as soon as the children tire of cleaning their cages.  That program really sends the message that pets are disposable and renewable- not to mention teaching substandard care.

[MarkBun]

Posted By hoops&yoyo on 03/31/2009 01:28 PM

they were born on January 27th and all but the two I have went home to single bunny individual homes last week.  So they are nine weeks old today.  I am not sure what sex mine are – but from what i’ve read its really hard to tell.  I was planning on taking them to the vet in the next month – do you think i should do it sooner?

I think you’re okey if they are just over 2 months of age.  3 to 4 months is the average.  But I would stll have them brought into a vet as soon as you are able.  It’s always good to get them looked at early to see if there’s anything hiding.

 

[babybunsmum]

welcome

those buns are so lucky to have found some one as animal-loving and eager to learn as you!  this is a great website for all things bunny.  to learn and to share funs stories & pics.  can`t wait to see pics of your furry friends!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

WOW Harelequine Magpies are Gorgeous!! Pictures please!!!!

and welcome!!

[hoops&yoyo]

Here are a few pictures of them last week – you can see the noticably smaller one thats rascal and the one that is all white except a patch of gray all around his right eye – thats oreo – should have been named houdini!

 

 

 

[hoops&yoyo]

 

[babybunsmum]

oh my they`re so cute!!! don`t you just want to swoop all of them into a big cuddle puddle?

[bunnytowne]

they are so adorable.   what long ears.  Awe nooo something happened to the Mom bunny?  Heartbreaking.  those people who bring them in  pregnant   should know better.  I guess they figured the teacher would buy a big cage for them

[jerseygirl]

Wow – They’re a good size! The black & white markings looks cool. Funny – I thought their names were Hoops and YoYo from your screen name!

[Sarita]

They are just gorgeous!

[hoops&yoyo]

yes – we had many cuddle puddles while they were all together!

[hoops&yoyo]

Posted By jerseygirl on 04/01/2009 08:44 PM
Wow – They’re a good size! The black & white markings looks cool. Funny – I thought their names were Hoops and YoYo from your screen name!

 

We have been discussing and “trying on” new names for them.   not sure what will stick yet Oreo and Rascal are the names that the kids at school named them.  I love Hoops&Yoyo – do you know who they are – they are Hallmark characters – a bunny and a cat -they are hilarious- so funny and cute!

 

[Beka27]

I am the Queen of Human Names For Pets. All of my pets since I was a small child had human names.
But I’ve got to admit, I love Hoops and Yoyo. And I’ve never actually heard of anyone naming their buns that.

So I think it’s pretty original as far as that goes…

[Deleted User]

Hoops and Yoyo are great names for two rabbits in my opinion. They sound especially good together, like a team. My bun Lint was originallly named Lindyhop which was too long in the first place but my friend kept calling him Lint until I accepted it.

[RabbitPam]

Welcome!
I love Hoops and Yoyo too. I send email cards with them because their voices are so funny. I thought that when you said you like 2 of everything, your user name should be Noah.
Your little ones are gorgeous. You sound like you’re already an excellent bunny mom.

[(dig)x(me)x(now)]

Oh my goodness! I don’t like that they are a science project but I LOVE harlies!!!

[Author]

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