misc. and a thank you

Question
Hi...1st thank you so very much for this great life saving service.I have spend days reading past questions, almost all questions could be answered if people would take the time it would cut down your questions and allow people with new issues get help quicker. I have 4 bunnies I watch all treats and pay close attention to each one, thanks to your site I know more then some Vets. I have a couple of things I would love help with. 1st my buns have condos that they play in they eat the cardboard I try to stop them but ? this never seems to harm them? they eat my furniture covers,my walls and their own sheets and blankets nothing ever seems to harm them? John my oldest 11 months has had dark brown reddish urine for over a week.he is the only 1, should he go to the vet? I also must know if my buns are as hungry as they seem in the am. they go to bed at 10pm they have a platter of mixed greens full hay bin and pellets when I go in at 8am they attack me they still have hay and pellets but eat like well fast and furious. I thought I should get up around 3am and give them more greens but my family thinks I go over board now. Are they just happy or starving. last my 2 babies are 6 months and I CANT tell boy or girl? do you have any tricks? they are just now old enough to get fixed but I had a bad time with the dad the stress caused ? statis that was very bad and sad but he survived is that common? or can I relax, I dont want the 2 babies to stress that bad. I know Johns urine isnt reddish from blood I have watched his diet I just cant clear it up I am very scared to force water down him and my other 3 are fine. Thanks for your time I hope some how this comes across like I meant it. Thank you for giving your time and knowledge to this site in my case the only vet I feel safe with is 45 miles away and some days I just read for hours and I have a folder full of answers that I keep in case. I want the best for my buns.

Answer
Hi Cindy,

Rabbits are natural born chewers.  Chewing helps keep their teeth worn down to proper level.  Rabbits will eat as long as you feed them...but there can always be too much of a good thing.  Domestic rabbits should have very limited pellets and greens...but the should always have grass hay available at all times.  In our sanctuary, we feed very small amounts of pellets.  We use pellets only to maintain proper weight and body conditioning.  But they get hay racks refilled several times per day.  Due to the unique design of a rabbit's digestive system, it is essential to keep the gut full of hay at all times.  That will prevent stasis..or even worse, ileus.

As far as urine color, it is determined by metabolism and what is eaten.  Some rabbits urine are bright yellow, some an orange tint and sometime even a reddish tint.  Urine is something to closely monitor to make sure they are producing enough and it doens't get too thick from calcium crystals.  If John isn't straining to urinate and is producing normal amounts...I would just keep a close watch on him.

This site shows detailed pictures and gives detailed instructions on sexing your rabbit.

http://www.geocities.com/dutchrabbitinfo/sexing.html

And don't feel bad....we can't sex some of them and we have been doing this for years.  Sometimes we don't know until they have been sedated for a spay or neuter.

You also might be interested in joining a rabbit group.  I am a moderator in the infirmary.  The site is  www.rabbitsonline.net  
Lots of really talented people and very good discussions.

Randy