Netherland Dwarf sits and stares :(

[babymor81]

1) Sometimes, my ND Cookie sits suddenly and stares. The ears are not pressed to the body ( hence i assume it is not frighten ) but what is it doing? Is it ok? On one occasion.. it was like this for minutes and i did see a poop.

Can someone shed some light?



2) my ND will lick sniff and walk around me ( only second day with me! 2months old ) does this mean it is bonded with me? However when i pick him up, it will start to do bicycle actions with its hind legs.. how can i train it to allow my carry ..

thanks. a 2 days old rabbit owner who loves his cookie so much that he sleeps beside his cage !

 

[Pipp]

Hi, welcome to the wonderful world of bunny slavery.

Pipp is an ND, and she sleeps with her eyes wide open for hours.

She also stares when she's using her litter box.

It took her three days without me touching her for her to decide to jump up on my chair and start grooming me, I took that as a sign she chose me as her mate.

Seven years later, we're still married.

When you pick up Cookie, you really have to make sure her butt is supported. You have one hand under her bum, one on her chest, and you scoop him (her?) up and hold him against your body so her back is against your chest, bum supported. They feel more secure that way.

Instinctively they don't like having their feet off the ground or the feeling of being grabbed, because that's what predators do before they eat them!

Welcome to the forum!


sas :bunnydance:

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

1. How long does he stay like this for? He could be relaxed and sort of taking a nap. Rabbits can sleep with their eyes open, and just sort of sit there and seem to stare off into space. Another option is that he is scared by something (could be pretty much anything and something you don't notice) and is freezing to avoid being seen. This is a defence to avoid predators. Since you have only had him a couple days, you will have to see if he keeps doing it. If it is a one time thing, they he was probably scared by something, if it keeps happening on a regular basis, that it is more a sleep/relaxing thing.

2. Does he do other things while he is going around you? Intact males do tend to circle you, it is somewhat of a mating behaviour. However, he is still young so should not be behaving like that quite yet. He could just be happy and doing a 'love dance'. This is more that they are happy and not a mating thing. My Lillian will circle when I bring veggies. Tesla, who is an intact male, will circle me in a mating way.

When you pick him up, make sure you support his back legs. Rabbits do tend to kick as it can be a life or death situation. Remember that rabbits are prey animals and have the mind set that if they are picked up they are probably going to be eaten. Kicking and struggling is a way for them to try to get away. Supporting the back and legs is important for them to feel safe.
It does take some time and work to get him used to being held. It is important to not let him down if he does struggle as that will teach him that if he struggles, you will let him down. Only let him down if he is calm.

 

[babymor81]

Thanks all.. i love this friendly forum

1)He stares for a min or two. And suddenly snaps back to life and continues on like drinking water LOL His ears are not pressed down hence i assume he is not scared.. i was worried rather that he is unhappy lol.. ( P/S i saw him nodding off to sleep last night.. so cute )

2)He kicks so much that i am worry he breaks his back I read that rabbits are so fragile.. i am now a little afraid to carry him.. i think he is not so scared per se because the moment i put him down, he will go about his usual stuffs lol