This is the first post in my series on raising rabbits with kids. We will go from having no rabbits yet (today’s post) to how/where to get them, caregiving basics, and how to involve the kids then eventually turn over their care to them. Post contains affiliate links.
Last week we decided to get rabbits for the kids.
Actually, I decided to get goats for the kids, but a kind friend involved with livestock in our area said… “Yes… umm… maybe you should start with rabbits.”
Rabbits.
Furry, quiet, and slow.
A match made in heaven for our already crazy town family.
So this month we’re asking the right questions, preparing, and gathering our equipment so next month we can get the bunnies. I wanted to do a series on bunnies with kids for anyone else looking for a pet their children can help take care of.
I repeat, this is a real time journey as we go and we don’t have bunnies yet. But here’s what we are doing now so we can get those furry lovies by next month.
What's in this post...
Getting Started Raising Rabbits with Kids
In no particular order, here are the steps we’re taking now.
1. Get kid books on rabbits from the library
The whole reason I wanted to get rabbits is to help the children build responsibility and care for others. This is Phase One of my multi-step strategy to keep my kids from idleness that leads to arrest in their teenage years… Anyway, I wanted them to be interested and excited about the rabbits. The best way to do this is to build anticipation.
The books will teach them, at a level they can understand, the basics of care for rabbits including where to keep them and how to feed them. All the older kids (4, 3, and 2) were very interested in reading these books.
2. Get an adult book
I looked on Amazon and though we aren’t planning on raising rabbits for meat (which this book addresses) it is a very comprehensive and #1 bestselling guide to keeping rabbits. There’s a photo gallery with the different breeds, advice on care, and everything you would not have thought to think of.
Storey’s Guide to Raising Rabbits, 4th Edition
3. Determine where you’ll keep and what you’ll use for housing
Space is not an issue for us so we decided we’ll get a relatively large rabbit hutch. We want to start with 2 rabbits, but wanted a hutch that had different levels and room for a few different elements. Depending on your backyard situation, find a location for the cage or hutch then find one that fits.
Storey’s guide suggests metal cages, but since we are going to consider our rabbits pet rabbits initially, and only think about showing the later, we wanted more than a small cage. Amazon has a million (slight exaggeration) options, but here are a smattering.
What books, blogs, and articles have focused on in this regard is where you will keep the rabbit and the type of pests that are likely to bother the rabbits. This may be snakes, coyotes, or any number of animals if you are rural. If you’re in a suburb or urban area, there will be fewer predators, but you still may have to make security upgrades to certain cages so the doors or roofs can’t be opened by anyone but you.
4. Find a local provider for hay and food
I live in a rural area so we have a Tractor Supply near us that sells food for rabbits. Rabbit food includes a lot of hay, vegetables, some fruit, pellets, and salt blocks to give them something to chew on and help retain water. Again, you’ll have to decide for yourself exactly what type of diet or hay you’ll provide for your rabbits based on their breed, size, and age.
5. Gather supplies
We are currently moving into this phase. Next payday we’re purchasing our hutch, the other basic essentials such as feeders, beds, or chew toys. Since you can buy hay baled and wrapped, we’ll pick up a few of those as well so that we are completely ready the day we bring rabbits home.
6. Determine the type of rabbits available and choose
I don’t know jack about rabbits. In 4+ years I would like the kids to show them at local events, again building responsibility and confidence in trying new things, but right now I just want some furry animals to enjoy. We will speak with those in our area who keep rabbits and determine which are the most “friendly” and easy to care for with the least propensity towards illness. In my next post, we’ll talk about which we chose and why.
Carisa Davis says
Must have regular Veterinary trips and spay or neuter ur new bunnies!!!
Rachel Norman says
How often do you take them to the vet?
Cassidy Armstrong says
You don’t really need to take them to the vet that often. Spaying or neutering is also optional. If you want to keep your rabbit outside the house, bucks generally have the best temperaments. I’ve had several rabbits, and my bucks have always been my favorites. If you want to keep your rabbit indoors, you’d best go with a doe. They don’t have such a good temperament, but tey don’t stink so bad. I would highly reccomend Mini Lops. They were specifically bred to be a children’s pet. Holland Lops are tempting because of their small size, but they have a flighty and contramental personality’.
Kim H says
Your story is very similar to my families. We live on a small hobby farm already when my 8 year old decided she would like rabbit. We have had indoor bunnies before but they never worked out. I told her if she could save the money we would buy a hutch and she could have an outdoor one. So far we have changed several factors from our original plan. Currently we are about 2 weeks and 3 times over budget from when we started-still no rabbits yet. Lol it has truly been a learning experience. Love your article, will continue to follow
Rachel Norman says
Hahaha, I hear you :) I need to write the follow up very soon. We’ve had our rabbit for about a month or so now and it’s interesting all that has happened. That said, the kids are not “bored” of her and love her :)
candi says
I have a 5yr old daughter who loves her 4 month old bunny Jackie she loves to feed her and pet her and watch her jump around the play room. Can’t wait for your next article.
Tina says
Rabbits are fun but watch out for nipping. Most of them hate getting pick up & cuddling. My 7 month holland lop is a sweetheart but she still nips here & there.
Rachel Norman says
Yes, mine was super hungry the other morning and BAM, nice little nip on my hand :)
Lisa says
Do you have a part 2 yet? Have you considered guinea pigs. They are far more social and cuddlier than rabbits.
Rachel Norman says
I need to write part 2 now!!!
Mary says
Thinking about getting a bunny for my almost 5 year old. I’m very interested to hear part 2. Have you written it yet?
Rachel Norman says
Ack no, it’s going on my list.
Donna says
Hi, I am in the U.K. And I have bought rabbits for my 6&3year old boys, they are awesome pets, they enjoy cuddles in the evening and for anyone with children like mine (physically and emotionally disabled) they have the best therapist now it has four legs and fur and coats relatively little to keep. I would recommend rabbits to anyone. I started out putting the boys in the run with the bunnies and now we all snuggle in and watch tele in the evening while both boys give our fur babies their dinner. Straight from their hands to the bunnies mouths.
Rachel Norman says
Oh how sweet :)
paige says
i have a question, do bunny’s generally bite and why?
Rachel Norman says
No idea why but mined did sort of snip quite a bit!
Jen says
Just be careful if you get more than one rabbit. We got two females about five months ago. A couple of weeks ago we discovered three newborn baby bunnies in the cage with them. Apparently one of the rabbits was actually a male! The kids were absolutely thrilled. Lol! My husband and I not so much. Having the kits has been very educational, at least. Now we are looking at getting a much bigger outdoor hutch. I can’t have five rabbits indoors.
Rachel Norman says
HA. My husband would die he’s already trying to get rid of the rabbit.
Richard Kong says
Hi Rachel, welcome to you join the ranks of bunnies owners. Here at Sports Bunnies, we have in total 11 bunnies. They are Sports Bunnies Otto, Binky, Princess Yuki, Mikki(rescued), Hiroko, Yugi(Head Tilt), Moeka, Ai, Miyu, Sakura & Max(rescued). All of them added so much joy to our lives. Sports Bunnies Otto, Binky & Princess Yuki are trained to and have worked work with ASD children. All our bunnies do jumping & agilities activities, even our Head Tilt Sports Bunny Yugi. Bunnies are very intelligent, fast learners, gentle, loyal animals. Enjoy them! Check out Sports Bunnies on Instagram.
Jill says
I am a rabbit lover and am happy to answer all rabbit behavior questions. I have worked with them more than ten years.
I subscribe to Modern Rabbit Care which results in a happy and longer living bunny.
Happy to help, I want all rabbits to have the best life possible.
Shelly Davis says
I just started raising rabbits in July 2020, Tennesse redbacks will be following you post.