[twoifbysea]

So I was originally going to adopt one of two older bunnies that were looking for homes, but that wasn't meant to be.

A little bummed, I spent a few hours searching on the internet and found an ARBA breeder nearby who has 5 kits left over from a satin/mini-lop crossed litter. They're "older babies" -- 14 weeks and all male. If all goes according to plan, I'm heading up there Thursday to pick one out, but even though I've done a ton of research (literally months and months worth), I'm not entirely sure how to do this whole... bringing home a baby bunny thing.

For example, I know rabbits are sometimes very similar to cats and dogs, and I know for a puppy, one of the best things to do is bring them something from your home (like a blanket) so they can start getting used to the smell right away. Is that a good idea for a bunny?

And when it comes to bringing him home, should I just leave him be for a day or two? Or should I let him come out and explore right away (if he's up to it, of course!)

Ahhh, I feel like I'm preparing for a HUMAN baby at this point! Can anyone tell me about their experiences bringing home a bun -- especially baby buns? I'd really appreciate it! anic:

Bonus question: I'm planning on getting a pen rather than a cage for my new bun. The one I'm looking at is 3' x 3' and 2' tall. It seems adequate to me, but am I wrong?

 

[Jovie]

Congrat's on bringing home a bun!

I brought my female (Speckle) home at about 8 weeks old, I did have a cage for her and I pretty much just let her get familiar with her new home for a day or two before I let her explore, although, she liked it right away and wanted to lay where the sun came through the window. I had a pen for Speckle, but the only problem was that she was so small that she actually could squeeze herself through the holes and get out that didn't last long though lol baby bunnies are adorable! but they do get a lot more bratty as they get older.. so please don't get discouraged!

good luck!

 

[twoifbysea]

Yeah, I actually reconsidered the pen just for now. I'm going to stick with a large cage until after he can be neutered and at least somewhat reliably litter trained.

Still wondering if the blanket is a good idea. I was going to put it in the carrier with the hope that he can start getting familiar with the scent on the ride home, but then I was thinking what if he connects that smell with something stressful like transport?

I can stick it out through brattyness. I work with pre-schoolers up to middle schoolers. And although they can be cute, they're not half as cute as a bunny!

 

[Jovie]

I would suggest a large cage and make sure you put bedding, of course, and maybe one of those corner litter tray things for rabbits with a different litter in it. Baby buns don't have good potty habbits, but they will get use to doing their business in this place and once he/she is neutered you should be able to get them to use a regular cat litter box with hay in it. For the most part it's a good idea to keep a baby bun confined because, like human babies, they can hurt themselves and they can make a mess if not supervised.

 

[Purple-Hops]

Congrats on your choice! Bunny will be good news.

You can bring along a blanket, either way the kennel you bring should smell different enough. Maybe call the breeder and ask her to spare a rag so he comes home with something familiar. I second caging him for a little while. He may seem interested about learning his new home but the overwhelming nature of it all might actually just freak him out. Leave him alone for a day or two. Most important #1 thing is to begin talking to him right away. He will become familiar with your voice first. Then your scent with a treat Raisens work well.

I brought Acacia home when she was 4 months old. She had been living in squalor at the time (1 rabbit cage for her, her 3 siblings and their mama) and I got a brat bunny Wouldn't change her for the world. The thing with baby bunnies is their lack of manners and litter habits.

You should give him a tray anyway just in case he pees in a referred spot it will be easier to transition him when he's neutered to totally use it all the time. Keep the litter in the litter pan different from what you use as substrate litter. I still don't like cages or the idea of confining such a lovely little critter so maybe you could cheap it and buy a large dog kennel instead? The rule for bunnies is the bigger the better! I like them to stand up in their enclosure, commercial rabbit cages don't allow it.

Have you been thinking about names??

 

[twoifbysea]

Congrats on your choice! Bunny will be good news.

You can bring along a blanket, either way the kennel you bring should smell different enough. Maybe call the breeder and ask her to spare a rag so he comes home with something familiar. I second caging him for a little while. He may seem interested about learning his new home but the overwhelming nature of it all might actually just freak him out. Leave him alone for a day or two. Most important #1 thing is to begin talking to him right away. He will become familiar with your voice first. Then your scent with a treat Raisens work well.

I brought Acacia home when she was 4 months old. She had been living in squalor at the time (1 rabbit cage for her, her 3 siblings and their mama) and I got a brat bunny Wouldn't change her for the world. The thing with baby bunnies is their lack of manners and litter habits.

You should give him a tray anyway just in case he pees in a referred spot it will be easier to transition him when he's neutered to totally use it all the time. Keep the litter in the litter pan different from what you use as substrate litter. I still don't like cages or the idea of confining such a lovely little critter so maybe you could cheap it and buy a large dog kennel instead? The rule for bunnies is the bigger the better! I like them to stand up in their enclosure, commercial rabbit cages don't allow it.

Have you been thinking about names??

I'll look into the dog kennel thing. I actually think we have a spare one lying around somewhere that was meant for a lab/shepherd mix so it's pretty sizable. Now I just have to brave the spiders and creepy crawlies in the basement to find it... eek.

As for names, god, yeah -- constantly. It's all I think about, but I'm having a hard time sticking to one. I'm not big on cutesy names. As a point of reference -- the pets I've namedin my life have been named Jasper (a very fat cat), Charlie Brown (the lab/shep mix), Scout & Boo Radley (parakeets -- the names are from To Kill A Mockingbird -- one of my favorite books), and Alaska (a Siberian Husky).

I was thinking Linus. Or Hemingway. Or Napolean Bunaparte :lol:

But I'm constantly looking, and sometimes I lean towards one name one day and then end up rejecting it the next. I'm bunnypregnant, clearly.

 

[Jovie]

I love Napolean! I considered this name when naming Simon, I also considered "Luis-auguste", but my mom said Simon.

 

[Purple-Hops]

Clever and original names are key.. Keeping in mind the inportant significance to yourself. The only pets were allowed to name when we were kids were our little rodents, I've had some extreme names for my mice (Gotmateswara, Agni etc) I looooove To Kill A Mockingbird! Naming him Atticus Finch would be cool, very intellectual and strong indivual. Powerful and stands up for what's right, no matter what anyone thinks.

Also, just to add, ARBA breeders get their title by paying for it. Sometimes it has nothing to do with the quality of their stock because it is not regulated like AKC is (and that's atrocious enough).. So keep that in mind when looking at them!!

 

[twoifbysea]

Also, just to add, ARBA breeders get their title by paying for it. Sometimes it has nothing to do with the quality of their stock because it is not regulated like AKC is (and that's atrocious enough).. So keep that in mind when looking at them!!

Oh, I know! Thank you.

As for naming him Atticus... I thought about it, as that was what I wanted to name Charlie Brown originally, but I think I'm going to have to meet the bunny before I really decide.

 

[Jennicat]

Yeah, ARBA means nothing sadly. We get so many purebreds from ~*~*~ARBA Breeders~*~*~*~ it's sad. It's troubling to watch rabbits get euthanized here every week while the breeders advertise all over Craigslist.

 

[twoifbysea]

So I just brought him home an hour or so ago. The breeder was really nice. The rabbits were kept in impeccable conditions, and you could tell she really loved them and cared for them very well.

He's a 3.5 month old broken black satin/mini lop cross with a lot of white and only a little of black around his eyes, ears, a couple of spots around his face, and one little spot on his back end.

I picked him because he was clearly an alert, confident and curious rabbit -- not skittish at all.

His name is Linus. I just kept coming back to it. It seemed like a cute name for a bunny.

As an adult, he's going to be bigger than a mini-lop but smaller than a satin.

He's adorable, and already adjusting pretty well. He's still in his carrier (he has enough room to make a couple of full turns and stretch out completely) -- I'm waiting for the shipment of his cage.

He's very curious about everything, doesn't shy away from the door of the carrier when I approach him, munching away on hay like it's nobody's business, and he even took a few pellets right from my hand.

All in all, I think I did good! Now if only his cage would get here...

Pictures very soon!

 

[Jovie]

awww, I can't wait to see pics, he sounds like a cutie!

 

[Purple-Hops]

He seems very socialised!! That's a good thing. Cannot wait for piccies!! Love the name, Linus is a great name!