You’ve made arrangements to pick up the rabbits that you
have agreed to purchase from your breeder.
You’re driving up their driveway just a few minutes early. You brought
enough small cages or other types of safe and secure container/s to transport them
to their new home. You’ve inspected each rabbit with the breeder and are happy
with what you’ve bought…Now what?
You have made all of the necessary preparations, in advance,
at home, and have arrived home safely. You’ve immediately placed the rabbits in
their own cage. The cages are shaded and in an area that is as cool as it can
be and with good air circulation around their new homes. Here are some things
to consider for the next few weeks, to help reduce as much stress as possible.
These are not “hard and fast” rules, but they sure don’t hurt to take advantage
of at this point.
1. Make sure the animal has fresh water as often as needed. Some rabbits may not eat, or eat much, over the next two days, so it helps to keep them hydrated.
2. Although your rabbits may not need to eat, fill up their food dish so it’s there for them if they want to eat. If they are not eating after the first day, I place a large handful of Timothy Hay in their cage with them. Sometimes it just takes something for them to chew on for them to know it’s safe to eat food in this new home. Plus, Timothy Hay will help to keep their intestinal tract moving until they start eating again.
3. I have seen the stress damage that can occur from active children who are unaware that they shouldn’t make a lot of noise or fast movements around a newly homed rabbit. I have lost rabbits from stress created by parents who do not warn their children how to act in a rabbit barn. I no longer allow parents to bring their children to my barn for this reason. Having said this, when you get your rabbits home, you should not allow your children to get anywhere near the rabbits for at least a week, and then they should be supervised for a week or so, so that the rabbits get used to them slowly. Reducing stress levels should be one of your priorities for the first few weeks.
4. In line with number 3 above, dogs or other animals that the rabbits may consider potential predators, should have NO ACCESS to the rabbit raising area AT ALL. My dogs are about 50 feet away from my barn and are separated by a fence as well. Since my barn is insulated, that helps to reduce what the rabbits hear. If your rabbits are caged out in a shaded area, though, you should consider the method that works best for you to reduce the threat of predators.
5. Make sure you talk to or touch your rabbits daily (adults only). This will help to reduce stress in such a manner that you don’t realize the value in doing this. Despite what some “know it all” breeders say, rabbits DO have personalities and should be treated without the fear that they will be hurt as you work with them. I have posted a new video on my YouTube channel related to this entire post, and hope you will go take a quick look. Here’s the link.
1. Make sure the animal has fresh water as often as needed. Some rabbits may not eat, or eat much, over the next two days, so it helps to keep them hydrated.
2. Although your rabbits may not need to eat, fill up their food dish so it’s there for them if they want to eat. If they are not eating after the first day, I place a large handful of Timothy Hay in their cage with them. Sometimes it just takes something for them to chew on for them to know it’s safe to eat food in this new home. Plus, Timothy Hay will help to keep their intestinal tract moving until they start eating again.
3. I have seen the stress damage that can occur from active children who are unaware that they shouldn’t make a lot of noise or fast movements around a newly homed rabbit. I have lost rabbits from stress created by parents who do not warn their children how to act in a rabbit barn. I no longer allow parents to bring their children to my barn for this reason. Having said this, when you get your rabbits home, you should not allow your children to get anywhere near the rabbits for at least a week, and then they should be supervised for a week or so, so that the rabbits get used to them slowly. Reducing stress levels should be one of your priorities for the first few weeks.
4. In line with number 3 above, dogs or other animals that the rabbits may consider potential predators, should have NO ACCESS to the rabbit raising area AT ALL. My dogs are about 50 feet away from my barn and are separated by a fence as well. Since my barn is insulated, that helps to reduce what the rabbits hear. If your rabbits are caged out in a shaded area, though, you should consider the method that works best for you to reduce the threat of predators.
5. Make sure you talk to or touch your rabbits daily (adults only). This will help to reduce stress in such a manner that you don’t realize the value in doing this. Despite what some “know it all” breeders say, rabbits DO have personalities and should be treated without the fear that they will be hurt as you work with them. I have posted a new video on my YouTube channel related to this entire post, and hope you will go take a quick look. Here’s the link.
These are just a few things that you should really pay attention to as you begin your journey in raising your meat rabbits. The less stress you expose your rabbits to, the longer they may live and produce quality meat for you and the family. Please become a friend to your breeder, as they should become a great resource for all of your questions. If I can help you on that journey, please feel free to call me at the number at the top of this blog page.
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