Caring For Your Rabbits By Sherry Lim
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abbits are becoming popular pets and are great additions to your livestock and homestead life. They make good companions, are low maintenance and quiet, and can be potty-trained. Rabbit droppings can be used as natural fertilizer and hold four times more nutrients than cow manure. Whether you get a rabbit as a pet or for a homestead, there are a great many reasons to own a rabbit. Here is what you need to know.
Choosing Your Rabbit From California Pen rabbits to Holland lops to Flemish Giant rabbits, all rabbits have their own unique personalities and qualities. Ranked from low to high temperament, these are common rabbits seen in Texas: American Fuzzy lops, Holland lops, mini lops, Dutch, lionheads, Harlequins, mini Rexes, Dutch lops, Netherland dwarfs, and Flemish Giants. I highly recommend meeting your pet rabbit beforehand to gauge its personality. I have met California Pen rabbits that are highly temperamental, but I have also met California Pen bunnies with sweeter personalities than Holland
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lops. When selecting your rabbit, keep in mind that the bigger the rabbit the more waste it will produce and the more food and space it will need. Check to see if the rabbit is sickly looking with any crusting or residue around the eyes, ears, and nose as this is an indicator of other problems. Keep in mind that rabbits can live anywhere from 5 to 12 years and can be a long-term commitment.
Habitat The cage size for your rabbit is very important as you do not want your rabbit to be sitting in its waste. For a smaller rabbit, a cage that is at least 24 by 36 inches is recommended. Having a grate underneath your rabbit’s feet will allow feces to fall right through, which can later be used in compost or as fertilizer. Unlike cow or horse manure, rabbit manure is a cold manure. This means that it does not need to be cooked in compost and can be used straight away on plants. Pet rabbits should not stay in their cages for long periods of time. Letting the rabbit roam free outside or inside to get daily exercise will ensure your rabbit stays healthy and happy. Rabbits are temperature sensitive and are usually comfortable from 55F to 85F.
Litter Box If your rabbit is free-roaming and indoors, set up a litter box. This can be filled with hay, newspapers, pee pads, or anything that can absorb the rabbit’s urine. I use a rabbit toilet
