A few questions regarding my bunny...

Question
So I just picked up my bunny, a cross between a silver and a dwarf, about 3 to 4 days ago and I'm worried about some behavior and if my bunny is sick. She is about 5 and a half weeks old.

1)Is it okay for my to separate the bunny from her mother at only 5 weeks? I read somewhere that domestic rabbits wean at 8 weeks. Is that true? If so, should I bring the bunny back to the mother for the remainder of the 3 weeks?

2)Whenever I let her out to run around, she does a weird head twitch/spaz move and then darts off. She ran into a few chairs and walls today. She also laid down on her side in her cage, and I have never seen a bunny do that. Is she okay? Is this normal baby bunny behavior?

Thanks.

Answer
Hi Chelesea,

1-A domestic rabbit is not fully weaned until about 8 weeks old.  In many states (US) it is illegal to offer a rabbit (or several other species) under the age of eight weeks old.  The digestive system is not fully stabilized yet.  It'a a long and complicated explanation.  

2-The "spaz" is what we call a "binky".  It is the sign of a happy and relaxed rabbit.  Enjoy that....some can do some spectacular binkys.  And not only will they lie on their side...they also will lie on their back...the "dead bunny flop".

While it is likely she will be OK....keep a close watch on her poops.  If they become anything other than the solid "cocoa puffs"...it is possible that the bacteria in her gut is out of balance and that can cause some serious problems.  Make sure she is getting proper food...in a baby, unlimited high quality pellets and unlimited hays...both grass and alfalfa.  No treats or greens/fruits/veggies.

Randy