raggies7
Oct 21, 2010, 08:13 AM
I have questions! I am not a huge fan of indoor bunnies for many reasons. However, I do think some bunnies like one of mine would love to be inside with us because he is very social and loves attention, follows us in the kitchen and crawls on us all the time! He is a wonderful bun (Holland lop earred). It mayb be possible since he appears to be deaf that he is so laid back because he is so relaxed and nothing bothers him. I do know though many buns are very social and lovable that are no in fact deaf!
I on the other hand have a lionhead bun who does not share the same interest as his new bro. He prefers to be away from humans and is very skiddish.Though is curious of us and tolerates being held when loved and brushed. He adores his new hutch my hubby built and has not problem going up the ramp and exploring, finding his newly built insulated room that has a pvc pipe to go throw to get there (helps to keep the wind out).
So I do have a dilema on the different personalities but decided ultimately, to keep them together outside. I visit them 3,4 times a day, they have a pen to run with boxes and toys and food/water outside of hutch as well as a huge two level living space with a ramp and as I mentioned (4 walls that is stuffed inside with insulation the buns cannot get to or touch) winter room with a pvc pipe at the enterance to go inside at their leisure for nesting, protected from the summer and winter elements. They do come in our house many times on hot days to romp in the kitchen and stay until the weather breaks.
I never can get my question answered as to what type of hay is the best for keeping them warm? I know there are a million brands out there but what is recommended for nesting/warmth?? Just any hay?
The other thing is- I know the Rabbit Society and many other websites on rabbits do not recommend outdoor buns. And I truly get that it is their fear people will end up neglecting and leave them unattended is possibly why they go to extremes to go over all the bad things about keeping them outside. I do get that because many have done just that and it is irresponsible of experts to recommend outdoor bunnies for this reason I am thinking as I read the websites on this matter.
I do think for serious animal loving,resonsible, dedicated, educated on rabbits type people view it differently on many levels. I tend to mine constantly outdoors. But I am also a stay at home MOM that can do this. I actually enjoy the care and nurturing outside it is very peaceful and therapeutic! I find having pet rabbits indoors isn't really the way to go unless you are a non-smoker, have plenty of room that is bun safe and a window for them to look out and get fresh air with a screen, adding toys and lots of attention to rabbits that want it is fantastic. Do it then!! I would say more than not- households do not display this for a rabbit. The rabbit will be subjected to loud constant television. Many smoking owners, loud children yelling and banging around, vacuum cleaners, the phone ringing, household products, and last but not least probably in a small cage bored and lonely and not really getting what they need from owners because the owners are rushing through their lives with their families. Life is very hectic in this day and age and people really don't have the time unfortunately and our animals pay a price for it. It is very easy to think they are safe in a cage, warm from winter and/or" keep them in a cage so my house doesn't get dirty!" Rabbits are very messy sorry but I know from experience even though they clean themselves constantly, They can't always get the poop off on their own and the poops are non-stop, they step on it and it gets very stressful and time consuming to clean. Most humans work all day then to come home to a messy creature in their home can also cause anger and moodiness the rabbit will definitely pick up on and be feared of owners. Even if it has all he needs in there it would not be the life for a bun in my opinion. Let's face it, many though not all of course are disfunctional in their families out there-really truly not into all the details and health of a little animal and lack of money to do anything for them (thank you resession) since the Vets are highly expensive... is why I am dead set against breeding, bringing more animals in the world to be neglected and abuse and abandoned leaving the rest of us holding the bag to rescue and find decent homes, financially burdened, and with great heartache. This is the reality for all of us, children, animals, the elderly... all of us!
Getting back to outdoor buns, my buns love the smells of the outdoors and watching other animals in our yard. They see squirrels and birds and wild rabbits- that is their television time! We take them in the pet stroller in our neighborhood and get petted a lot by neighbors. They get walked on leashes with safe comfly harnesses- ONLY in our yard. They LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Where we live, we do not have scares of wild preditors around... and even if one crosses our path our German Shepherd is outside a lot on the look out. The buns go in their hutch at night and they have the upper level and winter house to retreat in if something alarms them. All doors have locks on them and designed to keep all intruders including my 8 year old from getting in the hutch. Usually we have trucks that make noises on occasion but other than that, in our high privacy, fenced in yard, they have a wonderful life outdoors. Plenty of toys, hay, pellets and treats. Both male rabbits, young and recently neutered. They adore one another and snuggle together so two rabbits inhabiting a home outdoors is really crucial for company and warmth and also to love and be loved and not have a boring life! Many do well on their own but this is just one of a million thoughts to help people customize what they want and need for their pet buns!
I still don't have an answer for the hay types to keep a bun warm. I am assuming since it isn't mentioned on any websites I have gone through it must be really any hay will keep them warm!
Thank you!!
From:
2 white buns in the sun!
I on the other hand have a lionhead bun who does not share the same interest as his new bro. He prefers to be away from humans and is very skiddish.Though is curious of us and tolerates being held when loved and brushed. He adores his new hutch my hubby built and has not problem going up the ramp and exploring, finding his newly built insulated room that has a pvc pipe to go throw to get there (helps to keep the wind out).
So I do have a dilema on the different personalities but decided ultimately, to keep them together outside. I visit them 3,4 times a day, they have a pen to run with boxes and toys and food/water outside of hutch as well as a huge two level living space with a ramp and as I mentioned (4 walls that is stuffed inside with insulation the buns cannot get to or touch) winter room with a pvc pipe at the enterance to go inside at their leisure for nesting, protected from the summer and winter elements. They do come in our house many times on hot days to romp in the kitchen and stay until the weather breaks.
I never can get my question answered as to what type of hay is the best for keeping them warm? I know there are a million brands out there but what is recommended for nesting/warmth?? Just any hay?
The other thing is- I know the Rabbit Society and many other websites on rabbits do not recommend outdoor buns. And I truly get that it is their fear people will end up neglecting and leave them unattended is possibly why they go to extremes to go over all the bad things about keeping them outside. I do get that because many have done just that and it is irresponsible of experts to recommend outdoor bunnies for this reason I am thinking as I read the websites on this matter.
I do think for serious animal loving,resonsible, dedicated, educated on rabbits type people view it differently on many levels. I tend to mine constantly outdoors. But I am also a stay at home MOM that can do this. I actually enjoy the care and nurturing outside it is very peaceful and therapeutic! I find having pet rabbits indoors isn't really the way to go unless you are a non-smoker, have plenty of room that is bun safe and a window for them to look out and get fresh air with a screen, adding toys and lots of attention to rabbits that want it is fantastic. Do it then!! I would say more than not- households do not display this for a rabbit. The rabbit will be subjected to loud constant television. Many smoking owners, loud children yelling and banging around, vacuum cleaners, the phone ringing, household products, and last but not least probably in a small cage bored and lonely and not really getting what they need from owners because the owners are rushing through their lives with their families. Life is very hectic in this day and age and people really don't have the time unfortunately and our animals pay a price for it. It is very easy to think they are safe in a cage, warm from winter and/or" keep them in a cage so my house doesn't get dirty!" Rabbits are very messy sorry but I know from experience even though they clean themselves constantly, They can't always get the poop off on their own and the poops are non-stop, they step on it and it gets very stressful and time consuming to clean. Most humans work all day then to come home to a messy creature in their home can also cause anger and moodiness the rabbit will definitely pick up on and be feared of owners. Even if it has all he needs in there it would not be the life for a bun in my opinion. Let's face it, many though not all of course are disfunctional in their families out there-really truly not into all the details and health of a little animal and lack of money to do anything for them (thank you resession) since the Vets are highly expensive... is why I am dead set against breeding, bringing more animals in the world to be neglected and abuse and abandoned leaving the rest of us holding the bag to rescue and find decent homes, financially burdened, and with great heartache. This is the reality for all of us, children, animals, the elderly... all of us!
Getting back to outdoor buns, my buns love the smells of the outdoors and watching other animals in our yard. They see squirrels and birds and wild rabbits- that is their television time! We take them in the pet stroller in our neighborhood and get petted a lot by neighbors. They get walked on leashes with safe comfly harnesses- ONLY in our yard. They LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Where we live, we do not have scares of wild preditors around... and even if one crosses our path our German Shepherd is outside a lot on the look out. The buns go in their hutch at night and they have the upper level and winter house to retreat in if something alarms them. All doors have locks on them and designed to keep all intruders including my 8 year old from getting in the hutch. Usually we have trucks that make noises on occasion but other than that, in our high privacy, fenced in yard, they have a wonderful life outdoors. Plenty of toys, hay, pellets and treats. Both male rabbits, young and recently neutered. They adore one another and snuggle together so two rabbits inhabiting a home outdoors is really crucial for company and warmth and also to love and be loved and not have a boring life! Many do well on their own but this is just one of a million thoughts to help people customize what they want and need for their pet buns!
I still don't have an answer for the hay types to keep a bun warm. I am assuming since it isn't mentioned on any websites I have gone through it must be really any hay will keep them warm!
Thank you!!
From:
2 white buns in the sun!