Can 8 week old rabbits eat grass?

[New_member]

Hi, I am collecting 2 8 week old mini lops tomorrow and they have never been outside before.

They are going to live in a converted playhouse which attaches to a run on grass via a tunnel. I just wondered if they can have access to the run/grass straight away?

Also, should I start giving them a little bit of veg straight away or wait until they are a bit older?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! I haven’t had rabbits for years so cant remember what I did when I first brought them home and some advice online is a bit conflicting.

 

[Omi]

Hi and welcome to the forum! It's good to ask questions before you get your bunnies. How exciting too

First of all I would confirm exactly what they are eating currently. Either continue with the same rabbit pellets, or if you wish to change over to another type, then do this very gradually. Regarding vegetables, it is important not to introduce changes too quickly, as the kits' tummies will be fragile at this age. Again find out what, if any, vegetables they have been having. Introducing any new vegetables should be done gradually, only one type at a time and small quantities.

I would presume by now they will be very used to eating hay and hopefully they will be enjoying it. Regarding the grass, at this time of the year it will be of low nutritional value and so would not be so likely to cause tummy problems. However, I would really still be very cautious. I would see how robust their digestive system is and how well they settle into your accommodation for them. Then I would let them have occasional access to the run/grass, but for a limited amount of time. Then you can monitor how well they tolerate it.

Not related to digestion, but I would also quite soon get their sexes confirmed by a vet (I presume they are said to be a male and a female) and also arrange vaccinations and discuss neutering.

I hope all goes well and let us know how you get on

 

[New_member]

Hi! Thanks so much for your detailed reply.

I have been told they are male and female, I plan on registering them at the vets on Monday and then booking vaccinations for as soon as I can so that I can also ask for confirmation of sex and arrange neutering, as you suggested.

I’ve got lots of hay ready and have checked what pellets they are on and have got some ready so I will check if they have had vegetables before. If they haven’t, should I just pick one to start them on and give a small amount?

In regards to the run, the tunnel entrance has a door on it so I will have it open for limited amounts of time and see how they get on.

Thanks again for your help

 

[Shimmer]

I would go with Omi's suggestions.

I wouldn't introduce any new veg for at least a couple of weeks. They are at a critical age in gut development and will be stressed with the change of home. Give them time to settle in and get used to everything that's new to them as it's a huge change for them. The grass shouldn't be an issue at this time of year, but again, take it slowly. Rabbits (as prey animals) don't deal with stress very well and baby rabbits are particularly susceptible to dietary changes. Hay ought to be the biggest part of their diet.

Don't be surprised if they are not the boy / girl pair you were expecting - it's very common to get it wrong. They will need neutering anyway, whatever combination - both for their health and to stop them fighting at adolescence.

 

[Omi]

Just to add, yes just one type of veg to start with, possibly something leafy and green like kale or cabbage.

Also once they are on a varied diet, you could alternate the veg with herbs (parsley, basil, coriander, dill and others) and also fresh wild forage if you have some close to you available.

 

[bunny momma]

Welcome to the forum. Others gave you excellent advice. Forgive me if you already addressed this too. .You mention they have never been outside. Depending on your weather, you may want to make sure they will be warm enough in the playhouse and outside. They probably do not have their winter fur coats and young bunnies lose body heat quicker than adults.
Sending lots of positive vibes for your bunnies. I look forward to seeing photos and hearing more about you and your bunnies.

 

[New_member]

Welcome to the forum. Others gave you excellent advice. Forgive me if you already addressed this too. .You mention they have never been outside. Depending on your weather, you may want to make sure they will be warm enough in the playhouse and outside. They probably do not have their winter fur coats and young bunnies lose body heat quicker than adults.
Sending lots of positive vibes for your bunnies. I look forward to seeing photos and hearing more about you and your bunnies.

Hi! Thank you for your reply. I am concerned about them being cold, I have a long wooden hide that I was going to fill with hay for them to sleep in and keep warm. I’ve seen straw recommended for bedding on the RWAF website now. Have you got any advice for keeping them warm please? I don’t know whether to stuff the hide with straw if that would be better and then have a separate hay area (which I was going to do as well anyway).

 

[Orenoko]

Do you have any pics of the playhouse? It might help with suggestions.

Also re neutering, they will need neutering as soon as they are old enough, which is likely to be when temps really start to drop, so you may need to consider keeping them indoors. Rabbits don't do well with sudden changes in temps so if they are indoors for any length of time during neuter recovery they may need to remain indoors until the weather warms up.

 

[Shimmer]

Boys are usually neutered at around 12 weeks, and girls at 6 months. Some vets may do it a bit earlier. They won't be able to regulate their body temperature properly straight after a general anaesthetic, plus you need to check that they are eating and pooin normally for the first couple of days afterwards.

Bringing them indoors to an unheated room is an option. I tend to use the bathroom (no wires to chew yt435+and easy to clean) and use a carrier full of hay (without the door on) as the nest area. If the weather is decent and you check on them regularly, they might be OK in their familiar shed outside. Either way, I would be prepared to provide an additional heat source in a nest area (such as a Snugglesafe microwave heat pad) for a day or two.

Wendy houses make a really good base for rabbits. Assuming it's basically a wooden shed, it could be insulated inside. I've used large sheets of polystyrene (eg from Wickes) to put between the internal supports, then put sheets of exterior grade ply wood over (nail or screw to the internal struts). It gives a nice finish and can be painted to make it easy to clean.