We Got an Easter Rescue Bunny

Happy Easter! The real Easter Bunny is visiting us for a little while, in the form of a fuzzy brown Flemish Giant. A friend of mine rescued him from being sold for meat. She actually recused 8 bunnies and needed people to help keep them safe for a bit until they find forever homes.

The Easter Bunny is a Flemish Giant

It’s just a coincidence that the bunny arrived the day before Easter. So far, he just poops a lot. Like A LOT. I did read about how great the rabbit poop is for gardens, so now I started saving the poop, which is something I never thought I’d say. Apparently, some places refer to this as “bunny honey.”

We are attempting to little box train him, but it’s going slow since he was kept outside and not as a pet. He’s very sweet and seems to like being pet and having his ears scratched. And he loves all the lettuce and greens and from my hydroponic garden!

Flemish Giants are a domestic rabbit breed known for their large size and gentle temperament. Here are some characteristics of the Flemish Giant breed:

• Size: Flemish Giants are one of the largest rabbit breeds, with adults typically weighing between 13 to 22 pounds (5.9 to 9.9 kg), and sometimes even more. Ours is only 4 months old, so he’s still on the smaller side.
• Appearance: They have a sturdy and muscular build with a long, broad head, thick ears, and a semi-arched back. Their fur is dense, glossy, and comes in various colors including black, blue, fawn, and steel gray.
• Temperament: Despite their size, Flemish Giants are known for their docile and friendly nature. They are usually calm and enjoy human interaction, often being described as good-natured and tolerant.

Ours seems friendly and likes to jump around his caged in area, sometimes running around us in circles. He also nibbles our fingers and toes!

Taking Care of a Flemish Giant

Caring for a Flemish Giant rabbit requires attention to their specific needs to ensure they live a healthy and happy life. Since they are larger than other rabbit breeds, they require more space and more food.

Here are some essential tips on how to care for a Flemish Giant:

1. Housing: Provide a spacious and secure indoor enclosure or hutch that allows the Flemish Giant to stretch out fully and stand up on their hind legs without restriction. The flooring should be solid and comfortable, such as wood or plastic, with a soft bedding material like hay or straw for nesting and warmth.
2. Diet: Offer a balanced diet consisting mainly of high-quality hay, such as Timothy hay, supplemented with fresh vegetables like dark leafy greens (e.g., kale, spinach), carrots, and occasional fruits as treats. Provide access to fresh, clean water at all times in a sipper bottle or heavy ceramic bowl.
3. Grooming: Flemish Giants have dense fur that requires regular grooming to prevent matting and hairballs. Brush your rabbit’s fur at least once a week using a soft-bristled brush or grooming mitt. Check their nails regularly and trim them if they become overgrown to prevent discomfort and health issues.
4. Exercise: Allow ample time for exercise and free-roaming outside of the enclosure in a rabbit-proofed area. Flemish Giants are active rabbits that enjoy hopping, running, and exploring their surroundings. Provide toys, tunnels, and platforms for mental stimulation and physical activity.
5. Socialization: Flemish Giants are social animals that thrive on companionship. Consider adopting a bonded mate or spending quality time interacting with your rabbit through gentle handling, petting, and playtime. Avoid leaving your rabbit alone for extended periods, as they may become lonely and bored.
6. Healthcare: Schedule regular check-ups with a veterinarian experienced in rabbit care to monitor your Flemish Giant’s health and address any concerns promptly. Ensure your rabbit is up-to-date on vaccinations, especially for common rabbit diseases like rabbit viral hemorrhagic disease (RVHD) and myxomatosis.
7. Temperature Control: Maintain a comfortable temperature range for your Flemish Giant, as they are sensitive to extreme heat and cold. Provide shade and ventilation during hot weather and warmth and protection from drafts during colder months.

Why Put Rabbit Poop in Gardens?

Rabbit poop, also known as rabbit manure, bunny honey or bunny berries, is considered excellent for gardens due to its numerous benefits for soil health and plant growth. They sure make a lot of it, so you might as well put it to good use!

Here are several reasons why rabbit poop is good for gardens:

1. Nutrient-Rich: Rabbit poop is rich in essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients like calcium and magnesium. These nutrients are vital for plant growth, root development, and overall health.
2. Well-Balanced Fertilizer: Unlike some other animal manures, rabbit poop has a well-balanced nitrogen-to-carbon ratio, making it a gentle and effective fertilizer that won’t burn plants when used properly. It helps improve soil structure and fertility.
3. Slow-Release Nutrients: Rabbit manure releases nutrients slowly over time, providing a steady and consistent supply of nutrients to plants without causing nutrient leaching or runoff.
4. Low Odor: Compared to manure from larger animals like cows or pigs, rabbit manure has a low odor, making it more pleasant to work with and suitable for use in smaller gardens or urban settings.
5. No Burning Risk: Due to its low nitrogen content, rabbit poop poses little risk of burning plants, even if applied in larger quantities. This makes it suitable for use as a top dressing or incorporated into compost without causing harm to plants.
6. Improves Soil Structure: Rabbit manure helps improve soil structure by increasing organic matter content, enhancing water retention, and promoting beneficial microbial activity in the soil.
7. Environmentally Friendly: Using rabbit poop as fertilizer is environmentally friendly and sustainable, as it reduces waste and promotes natural nutrient cycling in the garden ecosystem.
8. Versatile Use: Rabbit manure can be used in various ways, including directly applying it to garden beds, mixing it into compost piles, or creating compost tea for foliar feeding. It’s versatile and adaptable to different gardening practices.

Overall, rabbit poop is valued in gardening for its nutrient content, balanced fertilizer properties, gentle nature, soil-building benefits, and eco-friendly characteristics. When used responsibly and in moderation, rabbit manure can contribute significantly to healthier plants, improved soil fertility, and bountiful harvests in gardens of all sizes.

How to Use Rabbit Poop in Gardening

Using rabbit poop in gardens is a beneficial practice that can improve soil fertility, support plant growth, and enhance overall garden health.

Here are several ways to effectively use rabbit poop in gardens:

Direct Application

Rabbit manure can be directly applied to garden beds as a natural fertilizer. Spread a layer of rabbit poop around plants, ensuring it doesn’t come into direct contact with plant stems to prevent burning. Water the area after application to help nutrients seep into the soil.

Compost Addition

Incorporate rabbit poop into compost piles to enrich the compost with valuable nutrients. Mix rabbit manure with other organic materials like kitchen scraps, yard waste, and shredded leaves to create nutrient-rich compost. Turn the compost pile regularly for proper aeration and decomposition.

Compost Tea

Make compost tea using rabbit manure to create a nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer for plants. Place rabbit poop in a porous bag or container and steep it in water for several days to extract nutrients. Use the compost tea as a foliar spray or soil drench to nourish plants and boost growth.

Mulching

Utilize rabbit manure as mulch around plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and provide slow-release nutrients to the soil. Apply a layer of rabbit poop mulch, ensuring it’s not too thick to allow for proper airflow and water penetration.

Mix with Potting Soil

Incorporate rabbit manure into potting soil or container garden mixtures to improve soil structure and fertility. Mixing rabbit poop adds organic matter and nutrients, creating a nutrient-rich growing medium for potted plants.

Vegetable Gardens

Apply rabbit manure to vegetable gardens to promote healthy plant growth and increase yields. Avoid using fresh rabbit poop on edible parts of plants that will be consumed directly to prevent contamination. Ensure a waiting period or composting before harvesting.

Regular Maintenance

Continuously add rabbit manure to gardens as part of regular maintenance to replenish nutrients and support ongoing plant health. Monitor plant growth and adjust the frequency of rabbit poop application based on garden needs.

When using rabbit poop in gardens, it’s essential to use matured or composted manure to avoid burning plants or introducing pathogens. Practice responsible application by avoiding overuse and following recommended guidelines for incorporating rabbit manure into garden soil. With proper utilization, rabbit poop can be a valuable and sustainable resource for enhancing garden productivity and soil health.

Rescue Bunny Recap

I’m not sure how long we will have our bunny visitor, but my son is really enjoying the bunny time. I’m not crazy about cleaning up after the rabbit constantly, but I’m hoping he will get better at using the littler pan. I’ll be doing some gardening today and using the rabbit poop, so that’s a positive at least!