Looking after a rabbit

[poiuytrewq]

Hi, a whole ago I had a dream about a rabbit, woke up and went and bought one! (As you do!)
He's a gorgeous little dwarf lop who the breeder, a slightly mad lady with no children, had handled daily since day dot so he's really sweet.
I've bought him a big double hutch and a pen/run that gos on the grass.
Currently I come home from work at lunch time and put him out in the run, getting him back in in the evening.
The hutch is also outside.
My questions are!
1- does the hutch need to be put in the shed in winter or can it stay outside?
2- do you turn out everyday even in bad weather!! So far it's been fairly dry and he's been outside daily.
Thanks

 

[poiuytrewq]

*while ago! Not whole ago

 

[twiggy2]

1, ideally yes but leave shed door open, if the hutch is in a sheltered spot then he will be ok outside

2, no they can become ill if on wet/frozen or winter grass and suffer from gut stasis

rabbits a sociable animals though and he would probably be happier (and warmer) with some company

 

[webble]

Everything twiggy said. Ideally get him neutered and a spayed ldy friend for company. He should have a large run attached to the hutch at all times, even better why not make the shed safe and give hm the whole shed?

Lots of rabbit care info here http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/

 

[poiuytrewq]

Thanks, we have had a rabbit before but it literally had the run of the garden, shed and came inside the house. We never shut him in and he was great friends with our dogs (they would get in the dog bed together!)
Now we have a one year old lab who I wouldn't trust so I have to keep this one safe.
Lovely dog but life is one big game!
What are the costs of having a rabbit neutered?

 

[webble]

Thanks, we have had a rabbit before but it literally had the run of the garden, shed and came inside the house. We never shut him in and he was great friends with our dogs (they would get in the dog bed together!)
Now we have a one year old lab who I wouldn't trust so I have to keep this one safe.
Lovely dog but life is one big game!
What are the costs of having a rabbit neutered?

It will depend a bit on your vets and i havent had one done for a while but approx £35-50 for a male, more for a female but if you get your female from a good rescue she will already be done

 

[twiggy2]

about £65-80 round my way, same price as cats sometimes a bit more at many vets

 

[tabithakat64]

They should have a 6x8 run permanently attached to a shed or 6x2 hutch so they can exercise at will, most will prefer to be out even in bad weather. You can get run covers or roof them with clear plastic sheeting. The run either needs paving slabs around the edge or a mess floor which is hidden number the turf to prevent them digging out or a fox digging in.

He will need to be vaccinated and neutered and then bonded with a neutered female friend. They should be fed on pellets rather than a mix and have a bunny sized ball of good quality hay every day. I would suggest you look at the RWAF website for guidelines on care or join the rabbit united forum.

 

[FrostyFeet]

Ditto to all the above plus if you get a rescue bunny as a companion then a good rescue will take yours to do the bonding for you. Much better to have two and not really any extra work-& it's lovely watching them together 😃