Tweet
does anyone have/had a lionhead rabbit in their center? i have a lady who is donating a young one to our toddler room and not sure of anything about them. how big do they get? were they easy to care for? ok with your little ones?
-
-
Rabbits aren't usually the best fit for a classroom setting.
Although Lionheads are typically more even keeled than other breeds at the end of the day they are still rabbits and can easily become stressed by the sights and sounds of a group of children. When I say stressed I mean quite literally that they can tip over dead on the spot if the world around them becomes too much to cope with.
Add to that you said this one is young, and as they hit adolescence many go through a phase where they bite. Unneutered males will also often start marking then.
How big it gets will depend on it's breeding and how to care for it can be googled up (alfalfa pellets, fresh veg, small amounts of fruit, water, bedding changes, brushing, nail and if necessary teeth trimming, exercise etc) Keep in mind that while some can be litter trained if they have a fair amount of space and time committed to the process, most rarely acheve that reliably and rabbit urine is pretty pungent
Their bones can easily break and cannot be reset so most fall injuries are fatal. It's extremely important only adults pick the animal up.
My daughter is into rabbits so we've always had them here, but I am not a center and contact with the daycare kids is limited to the occassional feeding of grass through their outdoor fence enclosure on occassion and short sessions where they can pet them one at a time. I largely rescue to avoid the adolescent nastiness, I have yet to end up with a biter because I seek out ones whose temperament is already well documented. It can be REALLY hit and miss with rabbits.
We adore ours, but a daycare center classroom seems like it would be a stretch based on their particular needs and tendencies (she's had a giant Rex, a Jersey Wooley, fostered for various mixed breeds and we currently have an American Fuzzy Lop). -
ugh this sounds worse and worse. with a group of young 2s it gets chaotic in here..........maybe in the quiet room?Rabbits aren't usually the best fit for a classroom setting.
Although Lionheads are typically more even keeled than other breeds at the end of the day they are still rabbits and can easily become stressed by the sights and sounds of a group of children. When I say stressed I mean quite literally that they can tip over dead on the spot if the world around them becomes too much to cope with.
Add to that you said this one is young, and as they hit adolescence many go through a phase where they bite. Unneutered males will also often start marking then.
How big it gets will depend on it's breeding and how to care for it can be googled up (alfalfa pellets, fresh veg, small amounts of fruit, water, bedding changes, brushing, nail and if necessary teeth trimming, exercise etc) Keep in mind that while some can be litter trained if they have a fair amount of space and time committed to the process, most rarely acheve that reliably and rabbit urine is pretty pungent
Their bones can easily break and cannot be reset so most fall injuries are fatal. It's extremely important only adults pick the animal up.
My daughter is into rabbits so we've always had them here, but I am not a center and contact with the daycare kids is limited to the occassional feeding of grass through their outdoor fence enclosure on occassion and short sessions where they can pet them one at a time. I largely rescue to avoid the adolescent nastiness, I have yet to end up with a biter because I seek out ones whose temperament is already well documented. It can be REALLY hit and miss with rabbits.
We adore ours, but a daycare center classroom seems like it would be a stretch based on their particular needs and tendencies (she's had a giant Rex, a Jersey Wooley, fostered for various mixed breeds and we currently have an American Fuzzy Lop).Comment
-
I personally wouldnt keep it inside at all. Keeping up with the cleaning it would take to not stink up the facility could be pretty exhausting. The one we have now comes inside when it's really cold outside, and while it is partially litter trained and kept downstairs in my sons room during those times I still struggle with the smell on occassion....thats with changing litter and blankets daily (we don't use shavings in the house).
With 2's I'm not sure what they'd get out of the very limited interaction would be worth the amount of work it would create for you!
I'd be concerned why this lady wants to donate it too....why isnt she keeping it herself? And if she's a breeder why is she promoting the placement knowing how it's likely to turn out?
I won't list any specifically as I'm not sure it's allowed but if you google up "rabbit forums" there are loads of really great ones that can give you more insight as to why this isnt a good idea no matter which room you put it in
Comment
-
awesome thanks. ill think ill decline him.Comment
-
For more information I dug up this link: http://rabbit.org/faq-classroom-rabbits/
Don't get me wrong, I definitely get what you're after! I just think the reality will likely be more than you bargained for is all
Comment
-
Rabbits don't like to be held- few like to be pet. And yes- their pee stinks!!!
I would suggest gerbils (get a pair - they don't need to be held, are up during the day, are very active and fun to watch and their cage needs to be freshened once a week and cleaned every other week) or fish-Comment
-
I totally agree with willow here.
There are tons of great classroom pets for daycares but typically rabbits are NOT a good pick.
We've had them off and on for years and maintenance aside, they just wouldn't be worth it for that age group. If it were like older kids it may be a little better.
I'd definitely decline the ladies most generous offer.Comment
-
we have a beta but in Tennessee we are on the 3 star spectrum. i'm required to have at least 2 living things they'd like 3. i managed to get a plant that doesn't need much care(i'm awful with plants) and am looking for a 3rd. just thought the rabbit sounded good as a kid thing but def re-see that. got enough work without stinky pee. think i'm gonna look for gerbil or hamster breeder in this area. look at pet store and they're prices are outrageousComment
-
If you have any local shelters often times they'll foster out small animals to see if the placement would work well before you commit to taking them in full on. Think of it as a "test drive" for all so you can see if it'll work on all levels.
Their temperaments are usually assessed already so you know too ahead of time if the critter will be kiddo friendly and able to cope with the stress of group care.
If it doesn't work you're able to bring them back often times for little more than a small deposit.
If you're looking for something other than critters that'll add to your workload but are hardier than a houseplant consider a tree. Go to the park, find a sprout under a grown tree and transplant it. It's free, forgiving, there are some awesome lessons in nature within the activity you can recycle again and again within your curriculum and when it gets big enough you can simply plant it outside and start again.
Ant and butterfly farms are other good alternatives
Comment
-
I didn't know that some state require living things in a daycare. Very interesting. I don't think I could do that. I am afraid of rabbits, hamsters, gerbils exc. I love snakes but dc families and my husband wouldn't like that!
I love ferrets! IMO they are the best pet and very good with children! They are a bit stinky, then again I used to have 5 as a teenager
Comment
-
We love ferrets too!!!!!!! Don't have any currently though...I didn't know that some state require living things in a daycare. Very interesting. I don't think I could do that. I am afraid of rabbits, hamsters, gerbils exc. I love snakes but dc families and my husband wouldn't like that!
I love ferrets! IMO they are the best pet and very good with children! They are a bit stinky, then again I used to have 5 as a teenager
We currently have::::
Cats (several
)
Dogs (2)
Chickens (10)
Hermit crabs (3)
Hamster (1)
Rat (1)
Fancy mice (??)
Two snakes (ball pythons )
Two goldfishComment
-
I agree that rabbits are not the best animals for a classroom pet.
Fish would be my first suggestion, but if you are looking for something cute and cuddly I would highly recommend a cavy (guinea pig). We've had several over the years and they are small enough to live in a (large) cage but like to be held, pet, and cuddled. They are VERY personable and will whistle when you are near. They do need lots of exercise and a good diet (pellets, timothy hay, AND fruits and veggies) but the kids love to feed them. Contrary to popular belief they cannot go in a hamster wheel or one of those balls you put a hamster in, but they are fun in many other ways (and are ADORABLE). We've gotten a few from our county guinea pig rescue and have never had one that bit, etc.
Oh, and you might like to get two because they are very social and love company.
Comment
-
Guinea pigs are great. We used to have one named Moses because he looked old and wiseI agree that rabbits are not the best animals for a classroom pet.
Fish would be my first suggestion, but if you are looking for something cute and cuddly I would highly recommend a cavy (guinea pig). We've had several over the years and they are small enough to live in a (large) cage but like to be held, pet, and cuddled. They are VERY personable and will whistle when you are near. They do need lots of exercise and a good diet (pellets, timothy hay, AND fruits and veggies) but the kids love to feed them. Contrary to popular belief they cannot go in a hamster wheel or one of those balls you put a hamster in, but they are fun in many other ways (and are ADORABLE). We've gotten a few from our county guinea pig rescue and have never had one that bit, etc.
Oh, and you might like to get two because they are very social and love company.. He was freaking HUGE though. I've never seen one that big since. Of course, maybe it's something in the water, we do have a 35 lb cat
Comment
Comment