FOREST FOLK RABBITRY
Care Sheet
Forest Folk Rabbitry
Congratulations on your new bunny! Having a new bunny is so exciting but their care is a bit different than pets like dogs and cats. This is a care sheet with some basic instructions that I have put together to help you understand your bunny’s needs.
It’s good to remember that rabbits are prey animals. This means that they like to hide, it makes them feel secure especially when they are in a new environment. Also, when rabbits aren't feeling well their defense is to hide it, so it’s very hard to tell if they're sick. The best indication to how they're feeling is in their eating and pooping habits. Rabbits eat and poop basically all day. They should always have unlimited timothy hay to eat. You can buy 50 lb. bails at Fleet Farm for about $20. I like to store mine in a tote with a locking lid. They will typically munch on and off all day. About 20% of their diet should consist of pellets. I also prefer to buy this at Fleet Farm, around $20 will get you 50lbs. feeding a pellet that is high in protein is best for growing bunnies. I feed Kent brand and you will get a bag with your new baby. Also, if you'd like to change your bunny’s food it is best to do it over a three week period. The first week add about 1/4 of the new with 3/4 of the food they are used to. Week two feed 1/2 of the old and 1/2 of the new. By week three you'll feed 1/4 of the old food and 3/4 of the new food. By week four you can feed 100% new food. I do not recommend the food sold at Walmart or Target, it’s expensive and lacks nutrition. Avoid food with dried fruit and veggies. Be very careful with treats and fruit. Some bunnies cannot handle things like bananas, I've had one almost die from a tiny bite! High sugars are now something I avoid. I don’t feed anything but hay and pellets until they're six months old. I will feed a bit of kale, cilantro, parsley and dandelion greens. Rabbits poop between 200-300 droppings a day. All mine are litter trained. Litter training is simple, feed them in their litter box! They poop while they eat, so if they're eating in the litter box it creates the habit for them. There can be accidents but bunnies like to keep their homes clean. I change the litter every three days give or take. Rinse with soapy water before refilling with fresh litter. I use paper litter, but there are other option like wood shavings or compressed wood pellets. Just don't use cat litter, it can be deadly if they ingest it.
Your new bunny isn't used to you or your home so you will have to give them some time to warm up. Some fun things that can help you and your bunny bond include-
Hand feeding them
Sitting on the floor with them while they explore and letting them come to you. Sometimes it’s good to be still and let them decide to interact.
In nature if they get picked up it means they're dinner for a predator. Sometimes it will spook them. I like to hold them close to my chest and shoulder, support their back and bottom so they feel secure.
If your bunny is not interested in food, sits in a “loaf” position and isn’t pooping it may be experiencing GI Stasis. GI Stasis is when their digestive system stops working. This is fatal within 24 hours. Sometimes it’s because something doesn’t agree with their bellies, they are not getting enough fiber or are overeating pellets. Keep a bag of Critical Care on hand. You can find it online or at the Ankeny Animal & Avian Vet Clinic in Ankeny Iowa. They have a wonderful rabbit vet, I would highly recommend them! Mix the Critical Care as directed and syringe feed it if the bunny will not eat on its own. It’s always good to see the vet for this and make sure your bunny is ok, but having a bag of Critical Care can save your rabbits life if an emergency happens after hours or on the weekend.
There is no need to give your bunny a bath, in fact you should not bathe them. They will self-clean and if needed you can spot wash them with a damp rag. It’s good to keep their nails trimmed, you can use cat nail clippers.
These are some basic practices to good bunny health! There’s always more to learn. I recommend joining my Facebook group Holland Lops of the Midwest so you can learn from other people, ask questions etc. Also, if for some reason you can no longer take care of your bunny you can return it. I cannot issue a refund but I can help you rehome your bunny or foster it while I find it a home. All my bunnies come with lifetime support meaning you can feel free to contact me any time with questions, I am happy to help! I am not a vet but I have enough experience to give sound advice and recommendations. You can also contact me through my socials on Facebook and Instagram and please send update photos if you like, I love seeing the babies in their new homes!
Jessi Ballard
Forest Folk Rabbitry