Bunnies in or out?

[Bunnicula05]

Thanks for all the advice you have given me. I'm still working on my step-dad to let me keep them in the house.

[Daisylover]

I think Karen and Heather have said it all.....buns should eat a lot of veggies...see the House Rabbit Society website for specifics. The amount of pellets they should have depends on their age and weight but it is usually advised to be kept to somewhere between 2 TBL and 1/4 cup/day. (pellets are heavy and can weigh down the gut, which must move constantly in order for the buns to poop...when the gut stops moving the bun develops statis... the bunnies can die quickly, so never ignore a listless acting bun. And as my vet said....pellets don't grow in the wild, are manufactured by companies who THINK they know the nutritional needs of rabbits but don't necessarily. The crude protein should = 18%. Oxbox Products sells a real nice timothy hay based pellet that much better than anything you can get from the pet stores. I think their web address is something like www.oxbow.com.
Very, very important is that they should have all they can eat of timothy hay, not alfalfa hay, which is too high in calcium.
Sorry I get wordy but I'm very concerned for every bunny's welfare since not only do I have 5 of my own (in the house) but have been a volunteer at a rabbit sanctuary for 5 years. Sometimes I think I've seen it all....at any rate it sounds like
you are moving right along with your plans for your buns. Good luck!

[Bunnicula05]

I just checked the bag and it says it has 18% crude protein, but NO timothy hay. We are going grocery shopping this weekend........I will make sure my mom buys some vegetables and fruits!

[Heather Wallace]

I must say Bunnicula, we have got to give you a pat on the back for all of your hard work, and for taking all our advice. At least you are willing to learn.

God loves a trier!!!

[tazz1227]

Daisy, I have a question for you. You say unlimited Timothy hay and not alfafa. On the Rabbit Society site it says to do that after 7 months. My kids are almost 5 months, is it ok for them to have Timothy hay now? I gave them a little that came in a care package and they loved it. Do you recommend a certain brand? I will look into those healthy pellets. My kids are GROWING so fast.

[zippy-kat]

Originally posted by tazz1227
Daisy, I have a question for you. You say unlimited Timothy hay and not alfafa. On the Rabbit Society site it says to do that after 7 months. My kids are almost 5 months, is it ok for them to have Timothy hay now? I gave them a little that came in a care package and they loved it. Do you recommend a certain brand? I will look into those healthy pellets. My kids are GROWING so fast.

Soph's always had timmy hay. I once offered alfalfa to her...she wouldn't have it...(threw the manger out of the cage to be exact ) lol

[tazz1227]

Zippy you are so funny. But it is funny you said that because since I gave them the Timothy hay, I mixed it with the Alfafa and they flipped the bowl. So I guess that is their way of saying they didn't want it. hee hee So Timothy is ok at that age? Thanks so much. This is such a good media for sharing information and getting support. People don't realize that when you have bunnies...you need support!!

[Daisylover]

Timothy is a wonderful hay for buns of any age but especially the adults. When bunnies are small alfalfa is ok because they need the calcium while they grow. As adults they don't need the calcium and, it escapes now (probably because you asked and I'm getting half-heimer's)but too much calcium for adults eventually leads to a health problem...either kidney or liver. I'd have to look it up. Just the fact that alfalfa was strongly discouraged by my rabbit specialist vet and that I've read the same thing in other publications is what sticks out in my mind. The vet even discouraged the alfalfa-based treats that are manufactured by pet food manufacturers. As Miz Sophie would say, and Karen our moderator would say...give 'em extra parsley...if you want to give them a treat.

I give my buns Oxbow timothy hay and because I have 5 buns, I buy a bale (50 lbs) and it last 2-3 months. My buns would not eat Kaytee's brand of timothy. The nice thing about Oxbow is that it is organically grown (no pesticides or chemicals) and I really like that reassurance. I know there are other companies out there selling timothy but I have no experience w/their products since my guys like the Oxbow brand. Oxbow does have a website...I think its oxbow.com, but I order mine from my bunny vet (and get out of paying the shipping charge that way). I understand there are 2 other hays that are good for bunnies, I don't recall the specifics but one was oat-based or an oat grass. I've been meaning to look into that too. Sorry I tend to rattle on....hope this answers your question.

[tazz1227]

Thank you so much. All information in raising a healty bunny is appreciated. For reference the site is http://www.oxbowhay.com . Keep on rattling on...more rattle, more information.