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I was thinking of getting a pet rex rabbit. I don\'t know too much about keeping one as a pet, just what I\'ve read on the internet and I was wondering if it could be kept in a shed?
Also, is it fine to just feed it vegetables, or should it have regular rabbit food too?
Could someone just tell me the basics of teh feeding, housing, etc.?
I\'d appreciate it so much!!
First, I recommend getting a good book on rabbit care. There are TONS of them out there. (Hint: Go to Amazon.com and under books, put in a search for \'Rabbits\'.)
No...veggies only is a poor diet for a rabbit. Feed a good, balanced pellet, grass or Timothy hay free choice, and fruits and veggies as a
treat. Only give what the rabbit can clean up in about 10 minutes. DO NOT feed iceburg lettuce or gassy veggies such as cabbage, cauliflower, etc...
Yes...you can keep the rabbit in a shed, but make sure you have good equipment and that there is plenty of ventilation (even in winter). In summer you need to watch the heat. Heat kills.
Good luck.
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com
Before we got our first rabbits, we read lots of books about rabbit care so that we\'d know what we were getting into. We researched all about rabbits for several months before our first purchase. The library has several books. Finding a rabbit breeder in your area and talking to them is also a great help. Every rabbit breeder that I\'ve ever met, loves to talk about rabbits and will give you loads of advice. We feed our rabbits timothy hay in the mornings and pellets at night. We give occassional treats of cucumber slices, small slice of carrot, black oil sunflower seeds or rolled oats. A continual supply of fresh water is also important. The shed would be ok as long as no stray animals could get inside to harm your rabbit. Dogs, cats, raccoons, etc...could kill a rabbit.
Learning about them is a great idea there is so much info on the net. You can go to a local rabbit show or 4H show -how about your state fair?? ...and see the different breeds and talk to people.
I have had rabbits for years but still am learning about different things. I didn\'t know I shouldn\'t give them Iceburg lettuce as I often \'used\' to.
My doe had babies and a friend wanted one but by them they were all gone. They got one somewhere else and didn\'t feed it well -then fed it nothing but veggies and it died. I am SO glad it wasn\'t one of mine. Rabbit food is not that expensive if you have just one. If you keep it in the house where it is room temp and dry it will last. I put some in a little ice cream container and bring that outside with me -it lasts 2 or 3 days so the container is always getting filled. (I have 10 bunnies)
It is very dangerous in the summer to keep it in a metal shed -a wooden one may not be as bad -but you will need a fan or ventilation. They can stroke quickly over 100* very very sad. And no sun -keep them out of sun at all times in the summer.
The best thing you can do is ask alot of questions. They are relatively easy to care for but don\'t forget they do need frequent cleaning and always always fresh water and fresh food. Why am I talking so much - just gabby today, I s\'pose! LOL Good Luck!