Electric fence for rabbits

[Hermelin]

I’m wondering of your opinion about using electric fence for rabbits.

I saw on a rabbit site a rabbit breeder in my area are selling electric fences for rabbits. So I’m wondering if it’s a good idea, if I could use it to fence the whole backyard.

My backyard have 3 walls and one open area facing a road and forest.

So I could put up an temporary fence between the walls and the rabbits would have a temporarily space of 80 sq m to run around. Don’t have many dangerous birds in my area. I’ve only seen one and that was more than 12 years ago.

Have a rabbit that often climbs on fences so I can’t come up with a smart idea, and I need a fence that I can easily put up and take down.

The rabbits have access to a run that have 12 sq m which it’s connected to their hutches. The rabbit that sleeps most of the day get to be in the run 3-4 hours while the active one it’s out from morning to dinner time (10 hours)

 

[Blue eyes]

How does it work? I thought electric fences -- at least for dogs -- require a collar be placed on the dog to shock them if they get too close. Is this the idea with this too?

 

[Hermelin]

No, it’s like for cattle or horses electric fence. The fence can be electric but it’s not as high voltage instead it’s for small animals. But this fence it’s specialized for rabbits.

The fence don’t have to have electric in it and it will be a normal fence.

 

[Watermelons]

This sounds like a horrible idea.
Rabbits are not like horses or cows or small farm animals like goats.
If they get shocked and dont have a heart attack right away nothing is stopping him from getting out.

You need to get a lid or cover for your current setup.

 

[Hermelin]

Then I’ll just use their normal set up and have them in the 15 sq m run.

Just wondering because that fence was specialized for rabbits. Not something I have bought.

 

[Blue eyes]

Not all things made "for rabbits" are safe or healthy for them -- unfortunately. We see this in the packaged foods and treats that contain things like seeds, corn, or yogurt. Even cages made "specifically" for rabbits are often woefully too small, have unsafe entrance ramps, too slippery floors, etc.

 

[Hermelin]

It’s a known rabbit breeder that was selling the fence. They take care of the rabbits really good and everything else in their shop are rabbit safe.

Their cages follows the new laws (2019 laws) of rabbit hutches/ cages.

But it’s hard finding good things for rabbits in normal pet shops.

 

[JBun]

Not a good idea. Rabbits are too inclined to freak out, and the fear/stress alone of getting that jolt could be enough to cause cardiac arrest like Watermelons mentioned, or them to take off in a panic and slam into something hard fracturing their jaw or neck.

 

[Blue eyes]

Their cages follows the new laws (2019 laws) of rabbit hutches/ cages.

Laws? What country are you in, if I may ask? Curious about these laws.

 

[Hermelin]

I live in sweden and we have laws on how small a cage can be for how big the rabbit is and other things.

It’s in the animal protection law, so certified breeders have to follow and quite a lot of rabbit owner also follow what they recommend. Which makes it great for having rules.

So this year it will come new changes of how small a cage can be for rabbits, at least it’s better than nothing.

For rabbits cages they must have a shelf to sit on and a place to hide. Wired floor are only allowed for outdoor rabbits and that’s on ground and not in the cage and a few more things. Just some common things to make the rabbits have a better life.

 

[Blue eyes]

Interesting. I know different countries have different requirements regarding ownership of various pets.

I know some in Germany that had to go through classes, etc before being allowed to own a dog. Heck, I recall that one had to pass a written test that included fish anatomy before being granted a fishing license in Germany (don't know if that is still in place).

In the UK there are even laws against keeping aquarium fish in too crowded conditions.

Some places have much more strict laws on keeping of pets than others. Curious to see the difference. I'm all for pet care recommendations and am fine with holding those people accountable that are obviously abusing or neglecting their pets, but sometimes regulations- even well-intentioned - have a tendency to go overboard. For example, one guideline for a betta fish is minimum of 5 liter tank. If someone keeps a betta fish in a 3 or 4 liter tank, I find it hard to consider that neglectful or worthy of legal reprimand. My opinion anyway.