New Old Member in the House

[PaintyLiz]

I wouldn't be getting buns unless you have the time to spend with them. They are very social and hate being alone, they need human company and not put in the backyard and forgotten. They love their own toys and hate if you move their bedding or anything around, it has to be in the same spot. The size of their environment is the house, they go to the toilet in a kitty litter tray, they also like to run in the yard daily, but only if the yard is closed off and they can't get out, they have to be watched.

They are not easy to take care of, they hide symptoms if they're sick, by the time you see they are not well, they could be dead soon after, you have to know their querks, so if something is wrong straight to a vet, not all vets are equal, a bunny vet is advised, they need to know what they are doing, a lot don't. 2 rabbits don't always go together, 2 males or 2 females will fight, a male and a female, both need desexing, females can get uterine cancer if not, this is all from experience on my part, desexing here is $250. They can overheat in hot weather they need to be brushed, here in Oz they need to be vaccinated against calicevirus yearly. They need 70% oaten or meadow hay, some greens, oxbow brand pellets and treats, you can't feed lettuce, carrots have too much sugar, their system is very sensitive, they will forage in grass but not to much.

This is the tip of the iceberg.To be honest, I don't recommend people get rabbits, they are too hard, even a rabbit vet I use to go with mine suggested to get a guinea pig, they too have issues.

I have differing advice regarding rabbiits - they are a super easy pet! I raise rabbits for pets & meat - my daughter had a house rabbit for years. Feed 'real' rabbit feed, not the colorful crap that you get at Walmart, etc. I haven't had any of the problems that the OP has & I've had tons of rabbits. Maybe it depends on the breed. Mine are Tamuk, which is basically a fancy mutt - made up of many different breeds, but it makes them very hardy & extremely friendly & easy to handle which is good because the females are 10-15lbs! The pet rabbits get a lot of attention, the meat rabbits are outside 100% of the time. They're both fine & healthy & friendly. FYI I don't eat my rabbits! I got them in case of the expected food shortages just to make sure they don't make us eat bugs.

Most of the pets are single rabbits. Two girls can be roomies if they are raised together from birth. Don't know about boys, never tried it. The one thing I want to warn you is they will chew!

They're calling rabbits "vegan cats" because they're very similar to cats in care. I do highly recommend you do NOT vaccinate your rabbits for anything. This is OT of soaping, so if you have any questions, feel free to DM me b/c I don't want to hijack this thread.

 

[PaintyLiz]

Heey, wait, you're a bunny fanatic!!!!!


I have had lop eared bunnies on my mind for a bit (poop, fertilizer, cuteness and such). I was thinking I should research the breed and find out their needs, do I need two for companionship, what they like, how big of an environment they need and whatever I need to keep it successfully.

In case you missed it I sent a long reply to you, but I replied to the wrong post, so it's down there somewhere.

 

[Firefly24]

Hello Soaper Acquaintances,

Returning member here. I updated my email address and can not get via that pathway (which is too bad because I had been active for some time).

Yesterday, hubby wanted a bar soap and we were in Wally World when I spyed a Dr. Squatch bar, bay rum. It smelled devine. The bar was over $8 which I think is a lot. Long story short I decided to return to making our own soap bars. Naturally, I had to return here to get my soaping bearings as I am starting from scratch.

Last evening I ordered a log mold with two cutters and lye from Amazon. Next I need soaping essential oils because I seem to remember using cheap fragrance oils for soapmaking is a no-no. My interest is lard soap. I remember it being called a good basic moisturizing soap. We are learning about homesteading and what works that is simple, inexpensive appeals to us. We call our little homestead land "Hip Hillbilly Farm". I figured he is from West Virginia, loves being a hillbilly (that is positive to him and I suppose most from Appalachia) so why not incorporate that in our homesteading name.

Thank you for being a part of this forum and sharing your love and knowledge with neophytes like myself.

Love your lip stick watermelon photo. Love a good Hillbilly too! I think Dr. Squatch has a great marketing team and his soaps smell awesome. Just so you know, I charge 8.00 a bar of soap. As you will see, the costs of oils and butters are extremely high, you can't sell for much less. IMO -If you do, you're giving your soap away. $2 per ounce is what is pretty standard.