I just found a rabbit nest

[blut wump]

The little blighters were nesting in our hay. I'm not sure how old they are but they're about as large as my fist and their eyes are mostly open but not fully. They can't stay where they were and I've moved them to a cardboard box.

Does anyone know the pros and cons of trying to turn these four infants into pets?

 

[redguru]

pellets, pellets, pellets. Only con I see. Rabbit pens tend to stink quickly.

 

[redguru]

As far as keeping them, they are pretty close to a guinea pig in demeanor and care.

 

[eat big]

You can keep them outside in a cage where the pellets fall through the bottom of the cage.

 

[Trojan Horse]

The little blighters were nesting in our hay. I'm not sure how old they are but they're about as large as my fist and their eyes are mostly open but not fully. They can't stay where they were and I've moved them to a cardboard box.

Does anyone know the pros and cons of trying to turn these four infants into pets?

It's very difficult to train them. They are wild and not meant to be domesticated; however, you could always try. You never know. There are alot of wild animals that can be trained. That doesn't mean that they are domesticated though. Tigers, lions, bears, hawks etc...have all been trained by humans at one point or another. Just don't be surprised if they revert to their wild ways. Look at what happened to that fruitcake in Vegas with the tiger. What caused that? A rabbit reverting to it's instinctual habits will not have a threatening effect on a human, so give it a try. I've known persons who have trained wild birds before. Try to feed them by hand while they are young. Remember hand feeding. The key is to have these wild animals bond to you while they are young. They will regard you as being a part of their family, pack, leader, etc... Good luck.

 

[starfish]

Wild rabbits have wild instincts...they dont make good pets.

 

[blut wump]

We have all the paraphernalia of keeping rabbit pets so that wouldn't be an issue. I was more concerned about their survival chances.

I just spoke with someone who reckoned that if they are still nest-bound then there's no substitute for their mother's milk. Taking them away from their mother would likely kill them. So, I put them back since I can bear not using that area for a little while and I'll just have to keep the dogs away and hope that their mother returns and accepts them after I've mauled them.

The odd thing is that in another month I might be shooting them as vermin. The sensible thing would be to kill them now but they're just so cute and innocent.

 

[eat big]

We have all the paraphernalia of keeping rabbit pets so that wouldn't be an issue. I was more concerned about their survival chances.

I just spoke with someone who reckoned that if they are still nest-bound then there's no substitute for their mother's milk. Taking them away from their mother would likely kill them. So, I put them back since I can bear not using that area for a little while and I'll just have to keep the dogs away and hope that their mother returns and accepts them after I've mauled them.

The odd thing is that in another month I might be shooting them as vermin. The sensible thing would be to kill them now but they're just so cute and innocent.

Yeah!

 

[blut wump]

I guess you're both right, too, on the domestication front. The typical domestic rabbit will come from a very long line of domestic rabbits.

I've had budgies from birth before and frequent handling from about two days after hatching is essential for acceptance in their case.

Anyway, I'll check in on the rabbits again tomorrow and see whether they seem abandoned.

 

[redguru]

Wild rabbits over here have a tendency to go squirrely from worvils too. Not sure if you have that problem over there. I used to hate bagging a few rabbits and finding they are loaded with worvils. I can't believe they'd suffer through that pain.

 

[blut wump]

I don't think we do. I used to kill them for one of our geriatric dogs and usually had to open them up for her to get her started and then help her again with the major meat parts. I never noticed any worms, beetles or other gross parasites.

 

[blut wump]

I think this thread just drifted away from caring for the cute bunnies. Sorry to anyone offended.

 

[JayC9]

Wild rabbits over here have a tendency to go squirrely from worvils too. Not sure if you have that problem over there. I used to hate bagging a few rabbits and finding they are loaded with worvils. I can't believe they'd suffer through that pain.

What is a worvil? Are you describing mixy?

Used to snare rabbits in the Yorkshire Dales and the Cheviot hills. Good eating.

 

[blut wump]

Larvae, maybe esp. of horseflies.

My mam used to cook rabbit for us at times. The small bones always annoyed me. Rabbits have a notoriously low-fat meat and you can starve on a diet of rabbit.