Considering re homing rabbits

Apodemus

annandale wrote: »

...in my experience rabbits are quite independent and aren't like cats where you can have them sit and you pet them...

That’s not necessarily correct. My rabbit used to jump up onto the armchair and settle down beside me to watch a film and just sit there being stroked.

At first, I made friends with our bunny (a stray that we got as an adult) by mimicking his behaviour. I normally knelt on the floor to speak to him and would move towards him on knees and elbows, nodding my head up and down, just like he would do if approaching something he wasn’t used to. Probably looked daft, but worked very time and he would hop over. Making small grunts and teeth chattering noises seems to help, too! Again, just copying everything he did when contented.

-taff

The rabbit we had used to come and bump you on the ankles when he wanted attention, went in and out of the cat flap with the cats and generally didnt poo in the house.He hated beng picked up though.

They're all different.

If you feel you're stressing out the animals [and you've given it time and patience and not expected miracles in a week for example] then yes, go ahead and rehome them.
I rehomed our dog, it was much happier with me than it was where it was living before, so there are probably people out there who would be bteer for your rabbit.
And I wouldn't feel gulty about it if you did do it. Sometimes, it's a better idea than keeping them where they are miserable.
Habing said that though, rabbits are generally fairly timid, so they will puff and pant if they are not used to you. Give it a go with getting them used to you for a few weeks, ours loved cucumber and lettuce and parsley stalks, find out what your rabbits really enjoy and make sure you take it with you.

annandale

That’s not necessarily correct. My rabbit used to jump up onto the armchair and settle down beside me to watch a film and just sit there being stroked.

Thats why I said in my experience

Fireflyaway

Red-Squirrel wrote: »

Rabbits shouldn’t just be in a hutch, sadly most are but they are really not adequate. Think about a wild rabbit and what they do all day!

Your rabbits need a covered run attached to the hutch at a bare minimum, then they also need plenty of time out of the hutch and run, ideally on grass, ideally every single day.

During their free time, you should sit calmly and quietly in the area they are exploring. Don’t reach out to them, don’t rush it, they will gradually get used to you and eventually realise you are not something to fear! You can use food to hurry this along, put the really tasty stuff right next to you or even in your lap.

Do you want to put that time and effort in? If not, contact a rabbit rescue or give them back to the home where they were happier.

This is what I have been doing. They have a hutch because they obviously need somewhere warm and secure but they do go out in the garden as well.
I'm thinking they might just be too old and set in their ways!

marliepanda

Rabbits should have a large secure permanent run, and then can have access to a further space if necessary. There shouldnt be a time when they are confined to a hutch only.

Red-Squirrel_2

Fireflyaway wrote: »

This is what I have been doing. They have a hutch because they obviously need somewhere warm and secure but they do go out in the garden as well.
I'm thinking they might just be too old and set in their ways!

The hutch shouldn't be their home, it should just be somewhere they can go if they choose. It would be like you spending 95% of your life in a space about the size of an average toilet cubicle.

Fireflyaway

If they didn't have a hutch I don't think they would survive the wet and cold very well, not to mention the foxes.
Many a time I have left the hutch door open so they can have free run of the garden if they want to, but most of the time they don't come out.
Does anyone know where I can purchase an adequately sized run? What even is an adequate size? None that I have seen so far seem any larger than the space they already have in the hutch. I could make one but how large should it be?

Red-Squirrel_2

Fireflyaway wrote: »

If they didn't have a hutch I don't think they would survive the wet and cold very well, not to mention the foxes.

AS I said, the hutch should only be a small part of their living space. Its shocking that pet shops still sell them as if they are adequate housing for a rabbit or two to spend almost all their time in.

Here are some guidelines on size:

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-housing/why-hutch-not-enough/

https://www.rspca-online.co.uk/faqs/rabbits/rabbit-accommodation/

http://www.therabbithouse.com/guide_size.asp

Fireflyaway

Thanks red squirrel. Well looking at this my hutch meets the requirements. The bunnies have room to stand on their back legs and can hop three times. Just need to get a run. I love that one with the tunnel! I'm thinking I might need to just buy the equipment and get someone to make it. I've not seen anything ready made that is big enough.
None of this is going to make them sociable though which is sad. I believe they have just had enough of being poked by kids. After all they didn't have a choice, they were grabbed out the hutch and dumped in front of noisy toddlers. I'd be pretty anti social after that!

Red-Squirrel_2

Fireflyaway wrote: »

Thanks red squirrel. Well looking at this my hutch meets the requirements. The bunnies have room to stand on their back legs and can hop three times. Just need to get a run. I love that one with the tunnel! I'm thinking I might need to just buy the equipment and get someone to make it. I've not seen anything ready made that is big enough.
None of this is going to make them sociable though which is sad. I believe they have just had enough of being poked by kids. After all they didn't have a choice, they were grabbed out the hutch and dumped in front of noisy toddlers. I'd be pretty anti social after that!

Is it really 6'x2'x2'? If it is well done, very few people get a suitable hutch for pet rabbits!

They'll be so so much happier and less stressed and anxious when they are in proper housing that you might find them more open to befriending you and your family.