nic08
Young Bun
Hi, I only introduced myself a few days ago as I only picked up my 2 new buns last Thursday.
Typically my first problem is to do with the rear end!!
I noticed pretty much from day one they are really smelly in the morning. I realise from what I have read they do 2 types of dropping and the gooey kind is usually eaten (yuck!). I think it is this bit that has not been eaten and because it is gooey it becomes solid in a big mess in the hutch and is a nightmare to clean up even with lots of bedding. The worst bit is it is sticking to the bottom of the male in particular and each day I am having to be really vigilant combing them off so he doesn't attract flies. The female also has the problem but not as much.
I read some books and it seems to be down to diet. They are only 2 months old and not overweight so it can't be anything to do with them not being able to reach round and clean themselves.
I don't know weather to go back and ask the breeder. When I got them I asked how she avoided flystrike and she said as long as they are fed the right diet and therefore don't have diarrhoea it is not a problem and she has never had a problem with this in all the time she has kept rabbits. I am only feeding them the food she gave me as she gave me enough for 2 weeks and said to not give any greens in the first month and then only as a treat. This contradicts all I have read as greens seem an important part of the diet in the many books I have read. Anyway, I have stuck with her advice so if it is diet it is her food that they have had and noting else.
Has anyone else had this problem or is it just a normal part of of everyday care. I thought it was the urine that smelt and the droppings were well formed and easy to pick up. It is a few days in now and I am combing off the poops twice a day and have wiped them with baby wipes but they are starting to get dirty even with all my efforts. Help!
Breeder or vet - which should I go for or am I making something out of nothing! I thought it might be nerves at first but they are relaxed and happy around me and have been hopping around the shed floor with me investigating everything and having a lovely time apart from stepping in the wet droppings all the time!!
Any advice appreciated... Nick
Typically my first problem is to do with the rear end!!
I noticed pretty much from day one they are really smelly in the morning. I realise from what I have read they do 2 types of dropping and the gooey kind is usually eaten (yuck!). I think it is this bit that has not been eaten and because it is gooey it becomes solid in a big mess in the hutch and is a nightmare to clean up even with lots of bedding. The worst bit is it is sticking to the bottom of the male in particular and each day I am having to be really vigilant combing them off so he doesn't attract flies. The female also has the problem but not as much.
I read some books and it seems to be down to diet. They are only 2 months old and not overweight so it can't be anything to do with them not being able to reach round and clean themselves.
I don't know weather to go back and ask the breeder. When I got them I asked how she avoided flystrike and she said as long as they are fed the right diet and therefore don't have diarrhoea it is not a problem and she has never had a problem with this in all the time she has kept rabbits. I am only feeding them the food she gave me as she gave me enough for 2 weeks and said to not give any greens in the first month and then only as a treat. This contradicts all I have read as greens seem an important part of the diet in the many books I have read. Anyway, I have stuck with her advice so if it is diet it is her food that they have had and noting else.
Has anyone else had this problem or is it just a normal part of of everyday care. I thought it was the urine that smelt and the droppings were well formed and easy to pick up. It is a few days in now and I am combing off the poops twice a day and have wiped them with baby wipes but they are starting to get dirty even with all my efforts. Help!
Breeder or vet - which should I go for or am I making something out of nothing! I thought it might be nerves at first but they are relaxed and happy around me and have been hopping around the shed floor with me investigating everything and having a lovely time apart from stepping in the wet droppings all the time!!
Any advice appreciated... Nick