tlcwrites
Mama Doe
I have discussed this briefly with my Vet and been thinking it over and over. I don't know what to do.
I have 4 groups of Rabbits - 3 mf pairs and a quad (3f, 1m)
Elphie, my oldest rabbit at just over 6.5 years has had issues with weight on/off all year. Her Vet regards her as being skinny, but otherwise healthy. I think some of the issue comes from initially grieving her sister, who died in January (after an infection, then being unable to regain weight. She died after a cold snap.
) So I'm scared of history repeating itself this winter. We separate her for food from the rest of the quad, but she's still blatantly thin. However, there may still be a small element of being outcompeted for food though.
Currently, Athena and Apollo are inside. River and Takumi are in a 6x2ft double hutch with a 6x8 run. Persephone and Morpheus are in a 4x12ft run with a nearly finished half shed/shelving jump hutch. The quad are in a complex with a 6x2 hutch, 4x2 hutch, 6x8 run and 4x10 run, attached by a 6ft pipe. The final outdoor enclosure won't be ready this year.
The quad were indoors but the rexes (Helios and Selene) find the carpet irritates their hocks. The quad has almost 2 pairs within it anyhow - the rexes and Elphie/Morning. But all 4 are well bonded. Elphie gets love from everyone, Helios (bottom of the pack) gets rare grooms from Selene/Morning. But as I've said, I don't know if Elphie could handle another winter outside.
Do I break the quad and try and bond one of my other pairs with the rexes?The rexes are very laid back. Do I leave things as they are and keep desperately trying to put weight on Elphie?
I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and hard place.
I have 4 groups of Rabbits - 3 mf pairs and a quad (3f, 1m)
Elphie, my oldest rabbit at just over 6.5 years has had issues with weight on/off all year. Her Vet regards her as being skinny, but otherwise healthy. I think some of the issue comes from initially grieving her sister, who died in January (after an infection, then being unable to regain weight. She died after a cold snap.
) So I'm scared of history repeating itself this winter. We separate her for food from the rest of the quad, but she's still blatantly thin. However, there may still be a small element of being outcompeted for food though.Currently, Athena and Apollo are inside. River and Takumi are in a 6x2ft double hutch with a 6x8 run. Persephone and Morpheus are in a 4x12ft run with a nearly finished half shed/shelving jump hutch. The quad are in a complex with a 6x2 hutch, 4x2 hutch, 6x8 run and 4x10 run, attached by a 6ft pipe. The final outdoor enclosure won't be ready this year.
The quad were indoors but the rexes (Helios and Selene) find the carpet irritates their hocks. The quad has almost 2 pairs within it anyhow - the rexes and Elphie/Morning. But all 4 are well bonded. Elphie gets love from everyone, Helios (bottom of the pack) gets rare grooms from Selene/Morning. But as I've said, I don't know if Elphie could handle another winter outside.
Do I break the quad and try and bond one of my other pairs with the rexes?The rexes are very laid back. Do I leave things as they are and keep desperately trying to put weight on Elphie?
I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and hard place.
