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Want a house bun - advise pse!!!

donniedarco

Young Bun
Hello!!

As per title really!!! Lots and lots of questions (and also going to donn tun hat - as maybe some controversial stuff ?!!!) :oops:

Am looking to get a house bun, but I just want to get some ideas first - as my brain is frazzled and I am in love :oops: with every bun I see! But I really need to make the right choice!!!

Ok, I would prefer a boy - as understand they are more sociable than girls (sorry to the Doe Mum's out there!) ??

Bun will live indoors - but would you cage him 24/7 ?? What size cage is suitable ?? (I want to get largest poss cage - but house space is also at a premium - studio flat).

Bun will be allowed out when am there mornings/lunch times/evenings (and weekends) - and will have radio/tv on when alone.

Is it possible to completely bunny proof your house ?? ie cables ?? My problem area is behind the telly!!!

Also is there any breed that anyone recommends in particular ?? Am not too worried about size (dwarf or giant) - as long as they are calm natured and friendly (Postman Pat personality traits - not a Naomi Campbell type!)

Lastly - where is the best place to get a bun from??! Petshop or Rescue or Breeder???

Sorry for the bundle of questions - all answers appreciated!

Thank you!!
DD
 
Oooh me again! :oops:

Another thing - bun will have access to outdoor space in form of a balcony (ground floor and well rabb proofed obviously) but no access to grassy area.

Should this be a problem ????

Thx! :)
 
:wave: How exciting for you :)

Lots of questions

I have a bonded trio which are house bunnies and a pair of garden bunnies, I would say my little boy bunnies are slightly more affectionate however they both have bunny wives so I am beneath the wives :lol:

Could you get a pair perhaps? I think its much better for bunnies to have company and my two bonded bunnies take care of themselves. I would def say have a browse on the rabbits in need section here as there are so many wonderful bunnies available, the rescues will probably take care of the bonding for you..

Regarding breeds - I would say there is no precise formula, but others may have a different opinion, 4 of my rabbits are 'rescued' two girlies came from a very sad overbred house so we have no idea about their heritage, they are very sweet girlies, but they love their husband way more than me, so they could be described as 'unaffectionate' but then I am a human - the lowest in the pecking order :lol: :lol:

The other two came from a breeder, the previous owner wanted lop rabbits, she asked for 2 boys and got one of each, only one is a lop the other is a cross so again it is not an exact science, they were homeless when the lady moved so I took them in, and I have to say they are the sweetest bunnies ever, very very low maintenance but I think that is because they are well cared for and respected rather than their breed.

Rabbits have to be understood, you get what you put in, and often it is very hard work for little 'thanks' one of my girlies has been very poorly this week, and I have showered her with care as a result her sister has become quite jealous, I just have to be careful when I am in their presence.

I would never be without any of them though - but I am a sucker for bunnies :love:

Regarding accomodation: I have a 'bunny room' with a 48" dog crate and the bunnies are free range in this room, they have supervised playtime in the house as they LOVE to chew and nibble things so I would never let them play alone... plus I have a cat as well

You will get lots of information here, lots of very very experienced bunny slaves so keep asking away :)
 
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Well done for getting advice before you get a bun! I have two house buns, they have a bunny room too and no cage. My buns don't have access to a grassy area either, I would love them to but I don't think this is too much of a problem as long as they get vitamin D in their diet and plenty of hay and veg on a daily basis.

I have heard the arguement about does and bucks but in my double act the doe is the calmer one, although they are both really friendly :)

I have a dwarf lop and a French lop (giant) and I have to say, the Frenchie makes the better house bun! She doesn't chew a thing that she's not supposed to, is completely laid back and acts much more like a dog than a bunny! Having said that, there's no way you could cage a Frenchie all day, they need LOTS of space.

A dog crate can be a good idea although I have found them messy and frankly ugly! Some people on here use NIC cube set ups too which again are good and can be designed to fit into awkward spaces.

In a studio flat, in all honestly, I would go for the free range approach and just make sure you bunny proof or an indoor cage with a large run attached.

As for where to get the bun, always go for a rescue. There are loads of buns looking for homes and you will know the personality of the bun before you get it - every bun is different!
 
also the obvious until neutered boys will pee and poop everywhere, and also understand if you have anything expensive lieing around or any cable peeking be prepared for the odd accident if a bun wants he/she will get it :lol:
 
also the obvious until neutered boys will pee and poop everywhere, and also understand if you have anything expensive lieing around or any cable peeking be prepared for the odd accident if a bun wants he/she will get it :lol:

Yes, house pride really must go out of the window :roll: :lol:
 
Hi :wave: Well done for researching first. You should find some useful articles in the care section of this forum and on the following websites:
http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/resources/index.php?section=leaflets.html
http://www.rabbit.org/

Ok, I would prefer a boy - as understand they are more sociable than girls (sorry to the Doe Mum's out there!) ??

Not really, just depends on the bunny, early socialisation, handling, breed, genetics, early associations with noises, sounds, humans both male and female etc....many factors. You may be thinking of the fact that female rabbits do tend to be more territorial....this is because in the wild they are programmed to defend their homes and burrows and protect their kits. You always have to bear in mind that behaviourally rabbits are essentially a highly social prey species with complex social abilities and behaviours. :)

Bun will live indoors - but would you cage him 24/7 ?? What size cage is suitable ?? (I want to get largest poss cage - but house space is also at a premium - studio flat).

Rabbits need a minimum of a 6ftx2ft hutch/cage with attached run of 6ftx4ft minimum....these are the current recommendations of the RWAF and RSPCA, anything less than this is deemed to be a potential welfare issue. If your bun is to be a house rabbit then you need to provide the equivalent in your home. Free range is perhaps not the safest option unless your home is fully bunny proofed everywhere and bunny is litter trained, which is only reliable after neutering in most cases. Most people prefer a large cage with indoor attached puppy play pen or donate a whole spare room to bunny.
As well as the minimum living requirements ALL rabbits need extra time out of their cages and enclosures to run fast, binky, hop, jump etc... this is around 4 hours a day MINIMUM outside of bun's cage if no attached run, if a run is attached bunny will still appreciate getting into larger spaces to stretch their legs properly. Excessive cage confinement can lead to serious health and pyschological problems.


Bun will be allowed out when am there mornings/lunch times/evenings (and weekends) - and will have radio/tv on when alone.

Is it possible to completely bunny proof your house ?? ie cables ?? My problem area is behind the telly!!!

Yes but you may have to make compromises with your home to achieve this. All cables must be hidden or covered using a thick cable wrap, some people turn their 3 pin sockets upside down so cables go up instead of down. Loo seat lids kept down and bottle of cleaning fluids, bleach, house plants all put well out of reach. Any holes down the sides of appliances must be blocked off and any low windows fitted with wire or bars to prevent bunny jumping out. Anything edible should also be kept out of reach.

Also is there any breed that anyone recommends in particular ?? Am not too worried about size (dwarf or giant) - as long as they are calm natured and friendly (Postman Pat personality traits - not a Naomi Campbell type!)

Again there are no hard and fast rules for this one....it once again depends on bunny and their early experiences and genetics. I would be concerned about your 'flat' being large enough for a giant rabbit however, these huge rabbits require A LOT of space.

Lastly - where is the best place to get a bun from??! Petshop or Rescue or Breeder???

In my humble opinion - RESCUE - seeing as there are over 30,000 of them just waiting for someone to give them a loving home. :cry: However, you must be prepared that rescue buns may not always be the bunny you envisaged....some need time and a compassionate and understanding owner to help them overcome previous trauma/experiences. That's not to say they are any less deserving. Both my bunnies are rescues :love:. If you definitely want a baby rabbit then please use a reputable breeder who is knowledgeable and complies with current rabbit welfare and knows what they are doing! I would steer clear of pet shops for many reasons, least of all that you would be fuelling the trade.

Sorry for the bundle of questions - all answers appreciated!

Thank you!!
DD
 
behind the TV is our problem area too. We bought a fireguard (£15 from argos) and put it round the back of the tv table stops them from getting to the wires & looks unobtrusive.

I would also recommend getting a pair. Watching rabbits interact together is one of the best parts of keeping buns.
 
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