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Nervous rabbits
Fireflyaway
Posts: 2,766 Forumite
I'm a first time rabbit owner looking for advice. We recently rehomed 2 adult females from a petting farm. Due to them being adults and handled every day I thought they would be really tame but seems not.
Every time I open the hutch to put in food / water they run and hide, quickly as though scared. I am always softly spoken and don't make sudden movements. I have tried feeding them by hand ( they gingerly take food but won't allow me to touch them).
I have lifted them out a few times and sat them on my lap. I allow them space ( not touching their head or restricting them) and put them back when they get restless. However to do that I have to catch them. I feel I am making them do something they don't want to.
Do you think they never actually enjoyed being handled and were just forced to do it? Are they still unsure of me - had them about 8 weeks.
I don't want to not handle them so they become even less tame, but neither do I want to stress them out. I feel so bad that they seem so wary of me.
Every time I open the hutch to put in food / water they run and hide, quickly as though scared. I am always softly spoken and don't make sudden movements. I have tried feeding them by hand ( they gingerly take food but won't allow me to touch them).
I have lifted them out a few times and sat them on my lap. I allow them space ( not touching their head or restricting them) and put them back when they get restless. However to do that I have to catch them. I feel I am making them do something they don't want to.
Do you think they never actually enjoyed being handled and were just forced to do it? Are they still unsure of me - had them about 8 weeks.
I don't want to not handle them so they become even less tame, but neither do I want to stress them out. I feel so bad that they seem so wary of me.
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