Free Range to Cage...Help!

[J.Bosley]

Hello!
So as some of you know I recently got an 11 week old Flemish Giant x New Zealand. We named hims Murray and I am in love already! We have had him for a whole 2 days, haha :biggrin2:

Murray was partially free range at his old home. He was out and about in the apartment whenever they were home. Along with his brother and sister. Unfortunately I cannot do this as my one dog would LOVE to eat him! Plus he isn't 100% litter trained as of yet. He keeps making TONS of noise trying to escape his NIC cage.... his cage is not yet complete, so at times he does escape :X It is more annoying then anything because he is noisy! His NIC cage is 6ft long, by 2 feet wide, and will soon have a level for him to explore. Any ideas on how to make him happier?! He has a few salt blocks, some apple wood branches, some crunchy puzzle pieces from Petsmart, a dog kennel as a hide, 2 litter boxes, 2 wooden jingle cat toys...and some blankeys to scrunch up!

Will Murray eventually settle down in his cage? I am hoping to get him fixed as soon as I can!

 

[JBun]

Did you put his cage next to your other bunny? That sometimes helps settle them down, to have company nextdoor. Also giving him cardboard boxes, or even a dig box with shredded paper, may help keep him entertained. I also hung a bunch of those plastic baby links that hook together, and I hung them all over my hyperactive bunny's cage. So now he shakes those instead of chewing on the cage bars. Definitely don't give Murray attention when he does it, or he'll learn that's what he should do to get you to come to his cage.

If he and Chive are both under 12 weeks, you may be able to let them have supervised play together. That may also help for him to have another bun to play with sometimes(or it could make it worse, who knows with these crazy rabbits ). You just have to keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn't have the hormones coming in and doesn't try any of that humping business.

 

[J.Bosley]

Thank you for the response!
I am going to try grabbing some boxes from work tomorrow, and maybe another toy or 2. His cage is right next to her cage, so I could potentially start allowing them some time out together? I would love to give that a shot! They seem so friendly through the cage :biggrin: They are both around 11 weeks, and Im hoping to get them fixed ASAP! I would love for them to eventually be bonded to one another. When Murray nibbles the cage or tugs at it he gets a nice firm "Ah ah!" and I try to re-direct him by trying to get him to play with one of his toys.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

Ours love cardboard boxes, paper bags and newspapers and phonebooks.

 

[J.Bosley]

Thanks!
Definitely going to have to stock up on the toys, and get him a harness and leash soon so he can come outside

 

[Blue eyes]

Salt blocks aren't necessary and may be harmful.

 

[J.Bosley]

Unfortunately things did NOT go well with Murray.... he was bound and determined NOT to stay in his cage, and he freaks out at the door to the room he is in... for his own safety (due to my high prey drive dog) I had to return Murray :cry1: Whenever he got out of the cage my dog went NUTS! Luckily the lady I got him from completely understood... I really liked Murray. But I feel better knowing he is 100% safe.

Looks like it's back to finding a bun that will fit in with my home!