First day home & exercise

Question
Hello, I am having my three new zealand whites and mini rex/new zealand cross delivered too me on the 18th, What should be done on there first day home? I left my mini rex alone when I got her for a few hours then took her out sat her in my lap and pet her for awhile and put her back in her cage, the bunnies will be a little over six weeks old and all are females, on there second day can I take them out for a run around in my bunny proofed area? babys are too be fed an unlimited amount correct? when do I start to limit pellets? also I've found several pages saying that a diet of mainly hay with a bit of pellets is better then the other way around.... what do you think about this?, thank you for your help in advance.

Answer
If they are to be pets, I suggest handleing them as much as you want to get them used to you.  I would keep them in a cage to adjust for a few days before letting them in the run.  I feed all of my rabbits unlimited pellets all the time some breeders don't but since I feed a good quality feed I don't have to worry about it.  My rabbits all get the Manna Pro series of rabbit pellets.  Most of the books that are available were written before the advances in rabbit feeds.  Manna Pro pellets are designed to reduce the need for additives such as hay, salt and minerals.  Since I allow mine free choice on pellets they get what they want and I have never had a rabbit with weight problems (under or over).  I do give mine hay and lots of fruits and veggies.  Some supermarkets will allow you to take the produce that they are going to throw out if you let them know it is for your farm animals.  www.rabbit.org has a good, comprehesive list of safe and healthy produce to feed your rabbits.  (I am not impressed with the entire site and I don't endorse ANYTHING other than the lists I mentioned.)

Hope all this helps.

brenda