Discussion
We have a cat litter tray for Roger. Around 20" by 15". 3/4 of it (lengthways) gets the wood pellets, his litter.
The other 1/4 is good quality eating hay. So as he sits in his tray, having a wee and a poo in the 3/4 of wood pellets, he has a nibble on his hay.
And as he's eating his hay, he's having a poo and a wee where he should be
We tend not to give too many nuggets. And don't get tempted to give biscuits etc, they have a hellish sweet tooth and it can be really bad for them over the long term (mouth/teeth/stomach problems).
WRT to greens, Roger has a fairly steady supply of chopped up carrots, broccoli (is that the little green trees?), curley kale and spinach. (They can eat up to 1/4 of their bodyweight in veg every day).
There are some greens which aren't good for them, so check before assuming he'll be okay with them.
Just give him the space, and be very gently with him. Don't let kids poke and prod, if he makes a grunting noise or stamps his back feet, he isn't happy with the situation you're putting him in, so leave him be.
PS - if you ever chop your own carrots for tea, send the skin and ends his way
The other 1/4 is good quality eating hay. So as he sits in his tray, having a wee and a poo in the 3/4 of wood pellets, he has a nibble on his hay.
And as he's eating his hay, he's having a poo and a wee where he should be
We tend not to give too many nuggets. And don't get tempted to give biscuits etc, they have a hellish sweet tooth and it can be really bad for them over the long term (mouth/teeth/stomach problems).
WRT to greens, Roger has a fairly steady supply of chopped up carrots, broccoli (is that the little green trees?), curley kale and spinach. (They can eat up to 1/4 of their bodyweight in veg every day).
There are some greens which aren't good for them, so check before assuming he'll be okay with them.
Just give him the space, and be very gently with him. Don't let kids poke and prod, if he makes a grunting noise or stamps his back feet, he isn't happy with the situation you're putting him in, so leave him be.
PS - if you ever chop your own carrots for tea, send the skin and ends his way
dr_gn said:
Question on diet: We give him a handful of pellets and a handful of hay, plus the odd carrot and fresh water every day (only had him 2 days), plus occasionally some dandilon/grass stuff as a treat.
Should we be giving him greens such as cabbage leaves too?
Will he eat the hay in his cage - the stuff that lines his box? Presumably if he was starving hungry he'd eat that rather than wait for the handful of extra each day - it's all from the same bale.
Lots of conflicting advice out there: One website says strictly hay, grass and water, nothing else whatsoever...
Our two buns have a handful of Burges hay in the morning (https://www.amazon.co.uk/Burgess-Excel-Feeding-Dandelion-Marigold/dp/B004H14JU0)Should we be giving him greens such as cabbage leaves too?
Will he eat the hay in his cage - the stuff that lines his box? Presumably if he was starving hungry he'd eat that rather than wait for the handful of extra each day - it's all from the same bale.
Lots of conflicting advice out there: One website says strictly hay, grass and water, nothing else whatsoever...
Then in the day we try and give then curly kale that they love that and again a handful. Then finally in the evening about 19:00 we give them an egg cup each of pellets ( https://www.amazon.co.uk/Burgess-Excel-Nuggets-Adu... )but this depends on their own size / weight as to how much to give them.
They also have as much meadow hay ( we get ours from an equestrian shop as they sell in in compact packs dirt cheap )
There are quite a few different lists of veggies that can be fed to buns but I tend to stick to this one, I have it as a favourite and before giving them anything new ill check on there to see whether its ok or not
http://rabbit.org/suggested-vegetables-and-fruits-...
http://rabbit.org/suggested-vegetables-and-fruits-...
OK, so we've had Bramble for 1 week now. I think he's still settling in, since he is very reluctant to come out of his cage tray. I've removed the cage itself, since it was serving no purpose. This is the current set up:
If we put the wooden shelter in the tray, he invariably goes in there by default, however if we put it outside, as in the image, he quite happlily hops around, nodding his head within the tray. If we put a toy near him, he forcibly nudges it away with his nose. He doesn't *ever* venture out of his tray. He usually ends up sitting in his litter tray if the house isn't available:
He has no problem being stroked, he doesn't scratch, bite, or appear too bothered by our presence when we are within the green floored area.
If I lift him onto the green floor area to be with us, he hops stright back into the tray. If I lift him out of the outer fence and close the gate, he usually sticks close to the fence, and sometimes stands up and looks in:
...but on the whole he's not stressed about being outside:
If I kneel close to him, he hops onto my lap (maybe becasue of the slippery wooden floor), and seems to like being stroked, but if he sees the fence door is open, he's straight through it and into the plastic tray again.
Question is: What does all this mean? He doesnt seem particularly stressed by us, yet he won't leave his tray unless physically lifted out. Once out, he's not really stressed, but does everything to get back in. It's great to interact with him on our laps etc, but how do we get him to do this without being lifted (which he clearly doesnt like)? He is sometines very active in his tray, and it would be awesome if he was like that in the whole room.
Are we doing this bunny ownership thing right, or are we expecting too much too soon?
If we put the wooden shelter in the tray, he invariably goes in there by default, however if we put it outside, as in the image, he quite happlily hops around, nodding his head within the tray. If we put a toy near him, he forcibly nudges it away with his nose. He doesn't *ever* venture out of his tray. He usually ends up sitting in his litter tray if the house isn't available:
He has no problem being stroked, he doesn't scratch, bite, or appear too bothered by our presence when we are within the green floored area.
If I lift him onto the green floor area to be with us, he hops stright back into the tray. If I lift him out of the outer fence and close the gate, he usually sticks close to the fence, and sometimes stands up and looks in:
...but on the whole he's not stressed about being outside:
If I kneel close to him, he hops onto my lap (maybe becasue of the slippery wooden floor), and seems to like being stroked, but if he sees the fence door is open, he's straight through it and into the plastic tray again.
Question is: What does all this mean? He doesnt seem particularly stressed by us, yet he won't leave his tray unless physically lifted out. Once out, he's not really stressed, but does everything to get back in. It's great to interact with him on our laps etc, but how do we get him to do this without being lifted (which he clearly doesnt like)? He is sometines very active in his tray, and it would be awesome if he was like that in the whole room.
Are we doing this bunny ownership thing right, or are we expecting too much too soon?
Fundamentally, you've answered your own question.
As per previous, just give him plenty of time and space.
You're doing all the right things, he just needs a bit to come out of his shell and learn what and who he can trust.
Also, i think his water bowl is where it is as he doesn't like leaving his tray. But when he does, keep it away from the hay and it'll stay cleaner for longer! Lol.
As he seems quite happy with human contact, might be worth trying to gain his trust this way; but really gradually...
Whatever you are doing with him, if he's not happy, he'll tell you with a stamp on the floor and a 'grrrr' noise, which is a polite f
k off.
Just to re-iterate, keep doing what you're doing. You've got to increase 'his' space gradually. Which is what he's doing, too.
PS - when you get a binky (whenever that may be) it makes it all worthwhile.
PPS - and wait until you see him yawn....!
As per previous, just give him plenty of time and space.
You're doing all the right things, he just needs a bit to come out of his shell and learn what and who he can trust.
Also, i think his water bowl is where it is as he doesn't like leaving his tray. But when he does, keep it away from the hay and it'll stay cleaner for longer! Lol.
As he seems quite happy with human contact, might be worth trying to gain his trust this way; but really gradually...
Whatever you are doing with him, if he's not happy, he'll tell you with a stamp on the floor and a 'grrrr' noise, which is a polite f
k off. Just to re-iterate, keep doing what you're doing. You've got to increase 'his' space gradually. Which is what he's doing, too.
PS - when you get a binky (whenever that may be) it makes it all worthwhile.
PPS - and wait until you see him yawn....!
Edited by TheLordJohn on Saturday 28th January 11:37
Edited by TheLordJohn on Saturday 28th January 11:39
TheLordJohn said:
Fundamentally, you've answered your own question.
As per previous, just give him plenty of time and space.
You're doing all the right things, he just needs a bit to come out of his shell and learn what and who he can trust.
Also, i think his water bowl is where it is as he doesn't like leaving his tray. But when he does, keep it away from the hay and it'll stay cleaner for longer! Lol.
As he seems quite happy with human contact, might be worth trying to gain his trust this way; but really gradually...
Whatever you are doing with him, if he's not happy, he'll tell you with a stamp on the floor and a 'grrrr' noise, which is a polite fk off.
Just to re-iterate, keep doing what you're doing. You've got to increase 'his' space gradually. Which is what he's doing, too.
PS - when you get a binky (whenever that may be) it makes it all worthwhile.
PPS - and wait until you see him yawn....!
Ok, thnaks for that.As per previous, just give him plenty of time and space.
You're doing all the right things, he just needs a bit to come out of his shell and learn what and who he can trust.
Also, i think his water bowl is where it is as he doesn't like leaving his tray. But when he does, keep it away from the hay and it'll stay cleaner for longer! Lol.
As he seems quite happy with human contact, might be worth trying to gain his trust this way; but really gradually...
Whatever you are doing with him, if he's not happy, he'll tell you with a stamp on the floor and a 'grrrr' noise, which is a polite f
k off. Just to re-iterate, keep doing what you're doing. You've got to increase 'his' space gradually. Which is what he's doing, too.
PS - when you get a binky (whenever that may be) it makes it all worthwhile.
PPS - and wait until you see him yawn....!
Edited by TheLordJohn on Saturday 28th January 11:37
Edited by TheLordJohn on Saturday 28th January 11:39
Could you explain about the water bowl again please - is it not in the right place?
And lifting out is OK, so long as he doesn't stamp or growl? What hes doing now when lifted is crouching down to make himself as low as possible, then when "airborne", spreading his legs out and struggling. We keep his "flight" as low and short as possible. Doesn't seem like the right thing to do, but...
dr_gn said:
Ok, thanks for that.
Could you explain about the water bowl again please - is it not in the right place?
And lifting out is OK, so long as he doesn't stamp or growl? What hes doing now when lifted is crouching down to make himself as low as possible, then when "airborne", spreading his legs out and struggling. We keep his "flight" as low and short as possible. Doesn't seem like the right thing to do, but...
Don't grab him with your hands around his middle, that's how a predator would. Scoop him up with your forearms and sort of cuddle him into you.Could you explain about the water bowl again please - is it not in the right place?
And lifting out is OK, so long as he doesn't stamp or growl? What hes doing now when lifted is crouching down to make himself as low as possible, then when "airborne", spreading his legs out and struggling. We keep his "flight" as low and short as possible. Doesn't seem like the right thing to do, but...
Supporting under his back feet with your hands. His head will then end up sort of at the back of your elbow, tucked into your side.
Water bowl not a big issue; just pointing out then when he starts leaving his tray, it'd be worth relocating the water bowl where it won't constantly get hay in it.
Edited by TheLordJohn on Saturday 28th January 13:27
LotusMartin said:
Has anyone tried to tame wild rabbits? We're pretty rural and have a large bunny that is always about somewhere in the garden. He/she has recently dug a sizable burrow under a tree in a sheltered corner.
I was thinking about leaving some food out for it, but not sure what.
Your grass is usually enough for them...! Lol. As much as I love rabbits, I don't think i'd want to interfere with a wild one. I was thinking about leaving some food out for it, but not sure what.
I would be wary of doing something, which I thought was helping, which might be bad for him.
You're best off letting nature run its' course with wild animals, in my eyes.
But i'd probably break my own rules; A carrot or two might not go amiss... Lol.
TheLordJohn said:
Fundamentally, you've answered your own question.
As per previous, just give him plenty of time and space.
You're doing all the right things, he just needs a bit to come out of his shell and learn what and who he can trust.
Also, i think his water bowl is where it is as he doesn't like leaving his tray. But when he does, keep it away from the hay and it'll stay cleaner for longer! Lol.
As he seems quite happy with human contact, might be worth trying to gain his trust this way; but really gradually...
Whatever you are doing with him, if he's not happy, he'll tell you with a stamp on the floor and a 'grrrr' noise, which is a polite fk off.
Just to re-iterate, keep doing what you're doing. You've got to increase 'his' space gradually. Which is what he's doing, too.
PS - when you get a binky (whenever that may be) it makes it all worthwhile.
PPS - and wait until you see him yawn....!
Was like watching ALIEN when POPPY my dwarf bunny yawned!!!!! put JAWS to shame,super scary.As per previous, just give him plenty of time and space.
You're doing all the right things, he just needs a bit to come out of his shell and learn what and who he can trust.
Also, i think his water bowl is where it is as he doesn't like leaving his tray. But when he does, keep it away from the hay and it'll stay cleaner for longer! Lol.
As he seems quite happy with human contact, might be worth trying to gain his trust this way; but really gradually...
Whatever you are doing with him, if he's not happy, he'll tell you with a stamp on the floor and a 'grrrr' noise, which is a polite f
k off. Just to re-iterate, keep doing what you're doing. You've got to increase 'his' space gradually. Which is what he's doing, too.
PS - when you get a binky (whenever that may be) it makes it all worthwhile.
PPS - and wait until you see him yawn....!
Edited by TheLordJohn on Saturday 28th January 11:37
Edited by TheLordJohn on Saturday 28th January 11:39
richatnort said:
cindychops said:
How do i get POPPY to use her toilet properly instead of treating it as a bed?
Fluffsri said:
Yep! Pads use to pick his up and throw it over and go to the toilet where it was lol. We dont have a tray at all for him. He has a cage where he has food, water, hay and uses it as a toilet but sleeps on a blanket outside of the cage. He has full roam of the house as well.
The toilet is now used as a bunny extraction tool as she does a looney tunes running round the cage when i go to pick her up so i just wait for her to sit in it and deportation is achieved.I will get a cat litter tray and see how that goes.
axgizmo said:
I use a fold up silicone washing up bowl as a litter tray for my two, with wood pellets in and a big pile of Hay over the top to chomp on
You have been an inspiration to me because of the love you have for your rabbits as i have been following your posts (sometimes with a lump in my throat),I never knew bunnies could be such a loyal companion and give me so much joy.Poppy seems to act like a cat as in she is always nuzzling me with her head for a stroke and as for her getting comfortable she acts like she's just been hit by a lightning bolt as her back legs go sideways from her and she just lays out which is alarming to watch at first but have gotten used to it now.
Thanks for all the nice posts and hope your bunnies stay happy.
cindychops said:
You have been an inspiration to me because of the love you have for your rabbits as i have been following your posts (sometimes with a lump in my throat),I never knew bunnies could be such a loyal companion and give me so much joy.
Poppy seems to act like a cat as in she is always nuzzling me with her head for a stroke and as for her getting comfortable she acts like she's just been hit by a lightning bolt as her back legs go sideways from her and she just lays out which is alarming to watch at first but have gotten used to it now.
Thanks for all the nice posts and hope your bunnies stay happy.
Thank you so much, that means the world to me that I can help others, honestly. Poppy seems to act like a cat as in she is always nuzzling me with her head for a stroke and as for her getting comfortable she acts like she's just been hit by a lightning bolt as her back legs go sideways from her and she just lays out which is alarming to watch at first but have gotten used to it now.
Thanks for all the nice posts and hope your bunnies stay happy.
My frank flops all the time. He'll just be sat there sniffing the floor then he jumps up and throws himself on his side on the floor
They are amazing creatures and I wouldn't be without bunnies now. I hope you have many happy years with Poppy, she is a stunner, I am looking forward to watching her grow.
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