i want a rabit but want the yongest one and don't know how old they have to be before i buy it.
2006-09-28 06:38:01 · 9 answers · asked by Morgy 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Rabbits are weaned at about 6 weeks of age, but you are probably better off waiting until the bunny is at least 8 weeks old.
If you are thinking of buying a rabbit, would you consider adopting instead? There are so many unwanted bunnies in rescues and pet stores don't always have the healthiest bunnies and they often don't give you good information - or at least we got bad information when we got our first bunnies at a pet store (we adopted our other bunny and are fostering a third one).
If you haven't done a lot of research, here are some good places to start and there are two sites that will lead you to adoption sources:
http://www.rabbit.org/care/new-bunny-index.html
http://www.rabbit.org/faq/index.html
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/firstrabbit.html
http://www.rabbit.org/chapters/san-diego/behavior/know_thumper.html
http://www.ontariorabbits.org/beginners/myths.html
Rescues:
http://www.rabbit.org/adoption/index.html
http://homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/rabresc.html
2006-09-28 07:12:46 · answer #1 · answered by Martha G 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly, you're much better off getting the oldest, not the youngest. Because the younger a rabbit is when it's separated from its mother, the more likely it is to have dangerous and sometimes fatal stomach problems. Three or four weeks is WAY too young ... bunnies NEED to be at least six weeks, and preferably eight weeks old, so that they've developed the stomach flora that they need from their mother - VERY important. So - the older the better, best at over eight weeks.
This article explains more - from
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/surpriselitter.html
" ... they must not be weaned for a FULL EIGHT WEEKS AFTER BIRTH! As rabbits begin to wean (between the ages of four to five weeks), they begin to ingest bacteria that will eventually become part of their normal gut "flora." At the same time, the pH of the intestine is changing, and the babies are ingesting many potentially harmful bacteria. Mother's milk is designed to provide the babies with antibodies to kill pathogens (disease-causing agents) they ingest, and its pH changes as the babies get older. It is perfectly balanced to allow safe weaning. Babies who are weaned younger than 8 weeks suffer a very high risk of enteritis (inflammation of the intestinal lining, resulting in fatal diarrhea), especially when stressed (as by the separation from family and introduction into a new home!). Don't subject the babies to an early death simply because they are "cute" at four weeks, and more appealing to potential adopters. A serious adopter will not mind waiting until the baby is fully weaned and ready to start life away from mama."
From http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/surpriselitter.html
2006-09-30 10:04:00 · answer #2 · answered by Lea 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Normally 6 to 8 weeks once the mother has released them from the nest and they are starting to feed for themselves rather than off the mother. Remove them from the mothers pen/hutch/cage etc and keep them together in a small enclosed area with enough room to run around in!
Good Luck
2006-09-28 14:32:37 · answer #3 · answered by eiramannej 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure you're ready for a rabbit...they take a lot of time and care. They require a minimum of 4 hours of excercise a day, regular vet visits and can live for up to 12 years. Most breeds are not fond of being handled a lot, either.
As for age, as long as they are not nursing.
2006-09-28 14:13:30 · answer #4 · answered by KL 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They can be sold anytime from 6-8 weeks because before that time they are still with their mother and still learning to look after themselves so hope you find the rabbit that you're looking for!
2006-09-28 15:14:06 · answer #5 · answered by xxBritneyxx 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most states require them to be 8 weeks old. Make sure to take it to a vet for a check up so that it doesn't have coccidya and its good to make an appt at that time to get it fixed for when its 5 months old. http://www.rabbit.org
2006-09-28 14:17:41 · answer #6 · answered by sugarcarat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A rabbit can leave it's mother at 6-8 weeks. So you can take him/her home then!
2006-09-28 15:53:09 · answer #7 · answered by asprinfree_braindamage_please 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
2 to 4 weeks or not nursing anymore
2006-09-28 13:45:24 · answer #8 · answered by Mrs. Butler ♥2 B♥ 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
three weeks old at the very earliest... at that point they are probably weaned from their mothers
2006-09-28 20:26:39 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋