Desperately need bunny supplies

I've gone bunny crazy and need water bottles, feeders, kindling boxes, etc. I'll buy or trade for this stuff. Need cages too if anybody local sees this. I bought 3 Mini Rex and 2 Mini Lops yesterday and will be getting Holland Lops, and more Mini Rexes tomorrow. Spur of the moment but it's getting my depressed self out of the house! Bunny info is welcome too since I'm new to the rabbit thing. Oh, one of my bunnies was bred yesterday on the way home so should be having babies in a month ;~D Can't wait!

Here's the Mini Lop pair. She wanted nothing to do with the buck yesterday but is very amorous today. He's trying but is very young and too small so he may not be able to breed her yet. Very frustrating for her I'm sure LOL.

Here's a Mini Rex castor colored buck. If you've never felt a Mini Rexes coat you're missing out. It's like the softest velvet and the castor color just cannot be caught on film.

I used to breed mini lops as a kid. I looooved them, you'll have a blast just make sure you watch them in excessive heat and cold because that took alot of my bunnies back then.

This book is excellent and includes info on how to build hutches. It's a lot easier than you would think.
http://www.amazon.com/Storeys-Guide-Raising-Rabbits-Facilities/dp/1580172601

WalMart has the water bottles for a pretty low price in their pet section as well as rabbit food in smaller amounts. Do you have a Tractor Supply close by? They have water bottles, feeders and large bags of rabbit feed for a more reasonable price than other local feed stores here. They also have the rolls of wire fencing you'll need to build the hutches if you decide to build your own.

I don't think I can add to anything you would find in the book. If you think your mama is pregnant, make sure she has a good nest box and straw or other nest building materials available to her before the birth.

Some links for info:

http://petcenter.southernstates.com/rabbits/raising_rabbits.shtml

http://www.rabbitweb.net/beg.asp

http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/peterson106.html

Don't freak out when she pulls the fur from her belly, perfectly natural, means she's doing what she's supposed to do. Nesting box should be big enough for her to turn around in, and I would put hay or straw in it, she'll cover the top with her fur. Make sure the cage is covered from winter winds, and in the shade from the summer sun. Keep the water bottles thawed in the winter, they dehydrate pretty quickly. They love alfalfa cubes as treats, and don't forget salt block spools. There are plenty of rabbit diseases, so you might want to isolate newbies at first, and have antibiotics on hand. I know they are particularly subceptible to respiratory ailments, but rabbit husbandry is fun, and you can make a tiny profit while you learn about genetics. Does tend to be more aggressive than bucks and harder to tame IMO opinion.

Thanks for all the great advice! I'm going to need it I'm sure. I bought 9 more rabbits Sunday, Mini Rexes and Holland Lops. One of them I bought is definately preggers and due anytime within the next 2 weeks. She's a tri-color Mini Rex bred to an English Lop. She's in a cage with a built-in nest.

I think I have a couple water bottles that I never used. I was thinking of raising rabbits but there are so many wild rabbits around here that destroy my veggie garden that I quit before I started. Do you have any plants you want to trade for them?

Sure, you looking for indoor or outdoor plants? I have terrarium plants, some tropicals I keep outside in summer, houseplants, Rex begonias, cane begonias, Hyacinth bulbs, etc. Just let me know what you're looking for.

Thanks,
Lana

The rex begonias sound good, something rooted because I don't have much luck with cuttings. I'll keep it indoors through the winter and on the porch during the summer. I will go find the bunny stuff tomorrow (it's dark now) and see what I have to send.
Cindy

I have found that if your hutch is outside, it's good to put straw or hay in the bottom of the cage before she gives birth. We have had sad times where mom is very confused with her first litter and doesn't always give birth in the nest. Even on a 60 degree night with a slight wind can chill the babies and kill them.
I have moved hutches with expectant moms into the barn to help keep this from happening. It's an exciting time when they are born! Have lots of fun with them!
here is a pic from one of my litters this year.

Thanks for the advice, Sandy. Thankfully none expecting now are first timers. DH and I worked in the bunny shed the past couple days. He hung cages and made shelves so now all the cages are off the floor! Yay, much easier to clean and feed and pet LOL. Also, I got a box of feeders and crocks today that I traded with another DGer for. What a big help! Now I just need water bottles and more cages. Anybody have water bottles?

Lana

Lana,
I finally got home from work before it got dark today, and I went out to the barn and found the bunny stuff. Actually, all I could find is 2 large water bottles, still on the package with the wire frame and all, and one of those plastic food dishes that hangs on the side of the cage. Still want to trade for begonias?
Cindy