Dear visitor,
I'd like to introduce you
to the wonderful world of Lops – an extra special breed of bunny rabbits!
My family and pets reside
in a leafy suburb in the city of Canberra, Australia. Unlike other states we experience 'true' seasons – typically
mild spring, spectacular autumn, chilly winter and hot summers.
The name of my rabbitry is called 'Bonreiki Lop Stud'. The Polynesian interpretation of 'bonreiki'
means 'to grow', which I thought was perfectly apt considering that tiny newborn rabbit kits develop at such an amazing
rate.
See photos of A Kitten's Week by Week Growth Chart
When visitors see how my rabbitry has been blended into the backyard,
at first they react bemused and then pleasantly surprised. To look at the backyard from the house, you only see a landscaped
garden of trees and shrubs. It is when you take the path that goes behind the screen of greenery you will find blocks of hutches
and 
various exercise pens.
Because I have an outdoor rabbitry, the hutches need to be weather resistant. They
are made of quality ply, have overhanging roofs (wooden and metal) and are mozzie proof – most also have aluminium security
doors.
Having the rabbitry outdoors provides good ventilation as well as pleasant scenery. Since my
buns are also under shady trees they are usually quite comfortable in summer.
As from 1989, I have supplied our
local community garden (equivalent to English 
allotments) with most of the hutch bedding and every plot has reaped the benefits. Rabbit waste makes such excellent compost
and mulch that we don't need to add any other fertilizer.The soil is rich and friable and naturally the vegetables are
prolific, healthy and delicious. Furthermore, I can collect yummy rabbit vegetation all year round and the buns are most appreciative.
Apart from providing a smorgasbord
variety of fresh organically grown vegetables my bunnies are fed lots of other foodstuff. Depending on what is growing in
my garden or seasonally available (grass, weeds, autumn leaves, shrub or tree pruning) they also receive pellets and hay.
Pellets are offered in measured portions – otherwise they'll end up overweight with rolls of fat or worse.
My bunny's favourite hay (and therefore mine too) is oaten followed by meadow hay – otherwise known as grass or
timothy hay. Sometimes I offer lucerne hay though because it is so nutritious, I mix it with other hays while cutting back
on pellet rations.
I think exercise is important for health and well being, however I found it's more convenient
and less stressful (for bunnies and humans!) to have an enclosed run. Although confined they still have a great time frolicking
in playpens. Those that are easily caught or willingly return to their hutch at the end of the day, can of course freely roam
around the backyard.
The types of runs I have vary from a converted chicken pen, extra large hutches and puppy/dog pens.
Due to safety issues I have since replaced this fixed enclosure with a modified puppy playpen.
I also invested in this run below, which is marketed as suitable for medium to large dogs. It measures 240 cm
long x 160 cm wide x 150 cm high and has the convenience of a latched door for easy access.
From personal experience (not
to mention the inestimable number of owners relaying how their pet was destroyed), I've learnt that at anytime trespassers
are liable to attack and kill bunnies during outdoor exercise.
You may think being fully fenced would provide
adequate protection, but you would be surprised at the sheer craftiness and agility of predators. The majority of rabbit killers
are ordinary pet dogs – perhaps your neighbours or any that happen to roam suburbia or wherever you live. Precautions
need to be taken such as diligently keeping an eye on your bunny and providing safe, predator proof exercise pens.
To prevent digging I cover the base with aviary wire or weed mat then a layer of fine bark chips. They absolutely love racing
up and down ramps and zooming in and out of a pipe or hollow logs.
It's certainly fascinating to watch them
at play, the passage of time seems to stand still and you can all too easily find yourself being entertained for hours on
end . . .
Warmest regards
Christine
Who has experienced almost a lifetime of unwavering enjoyment of lovable bunny rabbits and a bound
and determined dedication to promoting them!
Part of the fascinating journey has lead to the introduction of several
Lop breeds in the ACT, qualifying as a rabbit judge, helping to establish the Canberra Rabbit Club and last but by far not
the least, wrote The Wonderful World of Pet Rabbits book. Find out more about it by
clicking on the My Book page.
Feel free to email me
Though please understand that I'm not always able to send immediate replies.
Alternatively
phone (02) 6231 5862 (preferably between 10am and 5pm)
