Advice on moving buns please

[honeybunnylovesthumper]

Hope this is the right place to post!!??! :?

I'm having to completely renovate my rabbits run due to one of my buns having a reaction (on her nose) to something in there. I would like opinions on how best to minimise the stress caused to the buns.

The set-up was a 10ftx 4ft uncovered run turfed with manmade tunnels (and some bun-made attempts too!), this was attached to a 6ftx2ft cage on top of a 6ftx4ft run which was paved. Then this was attached to another 4ftx4ft run which was covered with slatted wood and also had manmade tunnels & dirt which they have dug and 'smoothed' to their liking.

As I am having to remove any possible cause of irritation (def a dermalogical problem - have done biopsy) I've decided it is best to start from scratch and pave the lot. Also, I was worried that the wood in the cage could have been causing this so I decided to get a shed which I will try to keep as controlled as possible (fleeces, vet bed, insulated, foam floor, pet safe treatment etc).

I have started to make preparations for the shed so have got rid of the dirt area at the end of the run complex and paved this as step 1. Bunnys are already looking understandably miffed. I was going to put the shed up and get the inside ready with all the levels etc then open it up into the main cage complex to let them get used to it (whilst still having the safety of their original cage). After a week or so I was going to take apart the main grass run and block this off so the bunnies would have the 6ft cage/run and the shed to explore. Once I had paved the grass area and prepared it for the aviary/run I was going to keep them in the shed for a day or two (possibly let them scurry inside the house for a few hours) and blitz-build the 16ftx4ft run (5ft high) with my dad.

However, I am starting to worry that I am just extending their disruption rather than reducing the stress by dragging this out and was wondering whether you guys thought it would be much better to just move them inside for a few days out the way and once finished, then let them into their brand new cage?? I'm worried I'm doing the wrong thing! Thanks x

 

[honeybunnylovesthumper]

Just realised i said the run was uncovered - don't know why I put that I meant its open to the sunshine but is covered with mesh! lol

 

[honeybunnylovesthumper]

:wave: any ideas guys, Im building the rabbit shed today?? thanks x

 

[kirbyultra]

I'm not entirely sure what your question is... Could just be early on Saturday here's how I interpret it.
It depends on how your buns react to change in environment. If it were my skittish bunny Kirby I'd take him in, build it out asap, put him back when it's all finished so he only has to acclimate twice (once in-house, once new run outside).
If your buns can tolerate change readily and is more of the adventurous/curious type then building slowly and putting them in different places could just be more territory they can happily conquer.
If your buns vary with personality I would go with the route of caring for the most conservative bunny's desire. Hopefully you can give them something they can be familiar with no matter where they go. Favorite toys, litterboxes, beds or towels with their scent.

 

[honeybunnylovesthumper]

Thanks Helen - sorry I have problems asking for help so I ramble
Honey is always the sick one but she's as tough as old boots, however I worry that stress may aggravate her condition.
Thumper has got sick - once with dihorrea when we moved his home breifly to redo the fence and once he stopped eating when HOney was ill in sympathy I think. So i'm really not sure

Thumper seems to react worse to sudden situations (like moving the cage to rebuild the fence) whereas Honey's illness is aggravated by continued stress. I just dont know what to do

Thank you for your reply tho Helen - I do appreciate it

 

[kirbyultra]

Your bunnies seem to react dramatically to changes! Have they ever been in the house before? If they have that may be safer bet than moving them in and out of unfinished pieces of your big project.

Obviously try and make them feel as safe and undisturbed by noise as possible... If they get lots of attention and love from you usually it will help if you move them in and pet them lots through the buildout period. If it takes longer than a week your buns may be in for double acclimation shock. But if it's a few days they may just feel uncomfy inside the house and then feel more at ease back outside in the finished run...

It's just kind of the sad reality of chanigng things on bunnies all at once. I w as thinking could you keep any piece of it unaltered for them which may help them destress in familiar territory but it seems like any amount of change wigs them out speedy work may be your only option...but definitely commend you for your hard work and effort to help you allergic bunny.

 

[honeybunnylovesthumper]

Yes, they have been inside before - last christmas I had to keep them in the spare room whilst honey was very ill and recovering from an op. I decided it was less stressful for them both to be kept together inside for a few days (with me keeping an eye on them!). This seemed to be fine for thumper although it was for a short period.

I was thinking of keeping their big old cage at one end of the run, not least because it would be a pity to just throw it away - its a lovely big cage. However, I am worried that the wood may be causing the problem - I bought it from Ebay from what seemed like a reputable seller (new) but who knows what honey could be allergic to, so am not sure. They will have their old litter trays and plastic play boxes (put on their sides with hay for mini-shelters)which I could put off sterilising this week to keep their scent.

If only Thumper wasn't such a Drama Queen :dude:, lol bless his fluffy socks!

 

[honeybunnylovesthumper]

000 I also just realised that the main paved area of the cage (where they usually sit) will remain in place (6ftx4ft) so that would carry their scent too If we cover it during the build?!? might this help?

 

[kirbyultra]

Maybe... Would it be safe? So they don't wander off and animals can't get to them?

 

[honeybunnylovesthumper]

sorry, I meant that I will leave the paving slabs in place so when they come back in after the build it might be a familiar scent?

 

[kirbyultra]

Oh, ok. Yeah that would be a nice piece of familiar ground then.