Hi
I’ve been told that my bun is ‘probably’ a French lop. Now, he’s supposed to be about a year old. Which would mean that he’s too small to be one. Or, he is a French lop and is indeed younger than we think.
So, either way, Jack’s here to stay. I’ve met a French lop – fully grown and I know what size to expect. I also know that their requirements differ from your averaged sized rabbit.
Does anyone know of any good websites or could point me in the right direction of some more info dedicated to this breed? (I’ve read RR article “Caring for Large/Giant Rabbit Breeds”)
Jack has been with us nearly a week. I’m not going to rush anything and he’s settling in nicely; he is building up his confidence in and out of his cage and is eating well.
Questions I’m thinking at the moment include:
- how much handling does Jack need on a daily basis? “Bigger bunnies need to be paid a lot of attention and handled well from a young age, otherwise you can have "HUGE" problems if you, for example, need to pick them up to examine them or give them medicine if unwell”. What is the definition of handling?
- I’ve started picking up Jack from the floor onto my knees in a cuddle/embrace style so as not to actually ‘lift’ and to minimise stress levels – he seems okish with this although he’s ‘nibbling’. Should I continue with the softly softly approach or should I just get stuck in? he is very happy being stroked and will come to you for attention.
- Housing – for the foreseeable future, he lives in a dog crate 42inch by 30ish. With supervised access to a bunny proof room. Obviously I don’t want to rush things but having read “A rabbit proofed room of a house, and a nice big dog basket to sleep in...” – I’m now wondering when this transition should be made.
In general, I think things are fine as I’ll change his accommodation requirements as he grows, I just want to be well up on the research and information about French lops before it’s all a bit too late (re: handling).
Any pointers, especially from those that own French lops would be really useful. Thanks in advance.
Julie
(I know that French lops should be owned by those with more rabbit experience than myself but unfortunately we just clicked. However, I am committed to doing the best I can for him – hence this post!).
I’ve been told that my bun is ‘probably’ a French lop. Now, he’s supposed to be about a year old. Which would mean that he’s too small to be one. Or, he is a French lop and is indeed younger than we think.
So, either way, Jack’s here to stay. I’ve met a French lop – fully grown and I know what size to expect. I also know that their requirements differ from your averaged sized rabbit.
Does anyone know of any good websites or could point me in the right direction of some more info dedicated to this breed? (I’ve read RR article “Caring for Large/Giant Rabbit Breeds”)
Jack has been with us nearly a week. I’m not going to rush anything and he’s settling in nicely; he is building up his confidence in and out of his cage and is eating well.
Questions I’m thinking at the moment include:
- how much handling does Jack need on a daily basis? “Bigger bunnies need to be paid a lot of attention and handled well from a young age, otherwise you can have "HUGE" problems if you, for example, need to pick them up to examine them or give them medicine if unwell”. What is the definition of handling?
- I’ve started picking up Jack from the floor onto my knees in a cuddle/embrace style so as not to actually ‘lift’ and to minimise stress levels – he seems okish with this although he’s ‘nibbling’. Should I continue with the softly softly approach or should I just get stuck in? he is very happy being stroked and will come to you for attention.
- Housing – for the foreseeable future, he lives in a dog crate 42inch by 30ish. With supervised access to a bunny proof room. Obviously I don’t want to rush things but having read “A rabbit proofed room of a house, and a nice big dog basket to sleep in...” – I’m now wondering when this transition should be made.
In general, I think things are fine as I’ll change his accommodation requirements as he grows, I just want to be well up on the research and information about French lops before it’s all a bit too late (re: handling).
Any pointers, especially from those that own French lops would be really useful. Thanks in advance.
Julie
(I know that French lops should be owned by those with more rabbit experience than myself but unfortunately we just clicked. However, I am committed to doing the best I can for him – hence this post!).