Riverwind Rabbitry & Farms

How large of a cage should I have for my Silver Fox?

ANSWER: A General rule of thumb is a cage should be 4-5 times the size of the rabbit itself.  Therefore an adult Silver Fox should be comfortable in a 2' x 3' cage.  If you plan to breed, a Doe should be given slightly more room, for young kits until weened.  I like to use a 2' x 4' cage about 24" tall, so I can put a ramp in to a small upstairs area.  This not only provides the rabbit with room to roam, but also exercise to go up and down a ramp.  Our does seem to also like to lay up top above an enclosed area I use as a nest box.

How large of a cage should I have for my Flemish Giant?

ANSWER: A Flemish Giant is not called a GIANT for no reason, these rabbits grow quickly reaching close to full size at about 6-8 months.  They will continue to grow however till up to a year old.  A minimum size Flemish Cage should be no less than 12 square feet, or a 3' x 4' cage.  I have my breed pair each in a 4' x 6' cage, to again allow extra room for young kits until weening.  Remember however that a Flemish, due to it's size should have a solid floor, or at the very least 1/2 of the cage bottom should be solid to allow bunny to be able to get up off wire.

What should my Silver Fox cage be made of?

ANSWER: If you are making your own cage, or even buying one, the 1" x 1/2" welded wire works well for the floor.  I also recommend a 1" x 2" for front, top and sides.  If your Silver Fox are going to be outside, I strongly suggest a solid roof and enclosed area, or enclosed sides and back with only open front.  Due to the black color of their fur they "sunburn" easily in direct sunlight and the black will turn a faded brown/orange.  This will NOT hurt them and will shed out, but if you plan to show, it is not a wanted trait.

What temperature should I keep my Silver Fox at?

ANSWER: Several studies have been done on rabbits in general, proving you can extend and increase breeding time and number of kits if you keep a light on your rabbits at all time.  While they are nocturnal as long as they have an enclosed, dark area, I see no problem with this.  With the temperature this breed is very adapt to cold and even some heat, however they do not do well if under 10 degrees, and do even worse in extreme heat over 90 degrees for long periods of time.  If your bunnies are to be outside, and if hot weather strikes, a frozen 2 liter pop bottle added to their nest works great to help them stay cool.  They will cuddle up against it and control their body heat themselves.

What should I feed my Silver Fox?

ANSWER: A typical rabbit pellet at least 15% protein will work fine, I prefer the 18% myself.  I also strongly suggest a ample supply of alpha hay, I have found this helps considerably with keeping bunny clear of any blockage and or hairballs.  Straw can be used for bedding purposes, or even shredded paper.  I also like to give ours rolled oats (which can be purchased at any feed store), and from time to time a very limited number of black sunflower seeds.  This will help keep their fur shiny, but will put on much FAT.  So it is best to only do a week prior to show.  We also like to give our bunnies fresh grown carrots, grass / clover (not treated or sprayed).

What should I used for bedding and toys?

ANSWER: Bedding can be straw, hay, shreded paper, or pine shavings, NOT CEDAR.  I also like to give our bunnies some "play toys" but use care in what you select, remember rabbits chew and then eat what they chew.  Bird toys, like those for parrots and larger birds work well, a twig or small stick, golf ball, tolliet paper empty roll, they love to chew the cardboard, or even a cardboard box (make sure no plastic coating).  I have also found they like to play with bells and mirrors, again these can be picked up in most pet stores like for birds.

Can I train my rabbit to use a litter box?

ANSWER: Absolutely, and to be honest it is usually pretty easy to do.  We work with all our main herd of rabbits to use a small litter box.  We fill it with PINE shavings, NOT CEDAR, and change at least once a week.  Rabbits are a clean animal, and they are creatures of habit, they do not like change.  So it is natural they use the same place to potty each time.  They will however also lounge and lay IN their litter box, unlike a cat who does their business and then leave.  A bored rabbit, in a cage will however often pick up, flip and turn over their litter box.  If this happens find something else to occupy bunnies time with, hence the need of a toy, mirror or bell.  You can also use a 1:3 ratio of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle to clean litter box.  This will neutralize the urine, control smell and also keep the urine from corroding and eating the plastic litter box.

 This is probably my #1 Favorite original antique print I picked up about 2 years ago from online, it came from Wales, overseas.  It is actually from a magazine/newspaper from the 1800's of an actual RABBIT SHOW that was held there, these were some of the exhibit rabbits that placed highest.  It is approx. 14" x 18" and is super detailed.

 Here is one of my other favorites, it is actually a sketch I personally did.  I ususaly don't brag on my own work allot, but I really think it turned out as one of my better pieces.  It took me about 2 hours to do.  It is a pencil sketch, approx. 8"x11", that I did for my wife, I titled it "There will be bunnies in Heaven."