Rescue/ Second home rabbits

[FranGardner]

A lot of the rabbits i have owned in the past are either rescue rabbit or older ones which i have bought from the local paper. the youngest ive ever owned is about 18 months old. A lot of them obviously have not been handled as much as they should have or not at all. So once they are in my possession they dont enjoy being handled.
Because of this i tend to not handle them, as i do not wish to stress them out as a few of them have been abit older.

Am I doing the right thing??

xx

 

[Elf Mommy]

There are actually a lot of rabbits that don't like being picked up, not just the rescue buns. You're doing the right thing in taking things very slowly with them to build up trust. Many people here who have rescued rabbits, write blogs or informative posts about how they sit and read on the floor or just get down on the bun's level to get them used to a human presence. Eventually the rabbits get used to people and will come up to them for treats, and maybe ...just maybe... some pets. I think you're definitely doing what is best for the rabbits and not stressing them out. Give it time and you very well could have a lap bunny on your hands someday!

Minda

 

[mouse_chalk]

Hey, you're from Bristol too!! I've never seen a fellow Bristolian here before! :wave:

And yeah, ditto what Elf Mommy said. It's probably a good idea not to handle them too much at the beginning, while they adjust to their new home and surroundings. But, just because a bunny doesn't like being handled when you get them doesn't mean it will always be that way. When we got Barney and Snowy, although not from a rescue (from the adoption section in PAH), they hated being picked up at first, and would kick and scrabble around. I began just lying on the floor and letting them get used to me, and petting them and stuff, and then began picking up Barney everyday, just for a quick cuddle, and then putting him back. Now, he's the kind of bunny you can pick up and he will sit in your lap for cuddles for hours! Snowy is getting better as well, but a little slower to adjust...

Lying/sitting on the floor is a really great way of letting them get used to you, they'll climb all over you etc, and become much less scared (just stay quite still lol!)...

Good luck, hope that helps!

 

[Haley]

I agree. Rabbits are so quirky and as much as they are a social animal, most hate being picked up. Of the 6 I have right now, only 1 likes to really be held.

So its not just a rescue thing, its just most bunnies dont really like being held bc it makes them feel vulnerable. I always try to get down on their level by laying down and reading a bookor something. They tend to like being around me then and feel less threatened.

 

[pinksalamander]

I think its just the natural instinct as 'ground dwellers' they are only off the ground when picked up by predators.

I think take it slow, but also remember that sometimes if they scrabble you just need to hold on. Be firm and say 'I am alpha bunny.. you will stay'. I wouldn't pick them up if they didn't need it. Lottie doesn't mind. Archie won't be picked up normally, i can only flip him, and then he grunts and whines at me, but generally is OK with it.

Fran :hearts :brownbunny

 

[FranGardner]

Thank You

you have all reassured me a lot and given me great tips on how to encourage my current rabbit

ill be starting tomorrow when i clean her out

thank you again xxx

 

[FranGardner]

thank you for your help.

i thought as your from bristol you maybe able to help me.

do you know of any good rabbit recuse places etc. where I could get a female or male rabbit as a companion in the local area ?

xxx

 

[mouse_chalk]

I've not been to any rescues round here, but this one I have looked at quite a bit:

http://www.avonsmallanimalrescue.co.uk/

And this website is usually pretty good for finding rabbits:

http://www.rabbitrehome.org.uk/

You're getting a new bunny? For your Poppy? That's exciting!

 

[Alexah]

I'm going to chime in and agree once more that the majority of rabbits do not want to be held. If anything, some will tolerate it. It really depends on the rabbit's personality. Of all the rabbits I've ever had, very few of them enjoyed being held. I have two youngsters now (approximately 15 weeks) and they love being held, but I think it's since I've handled them a tremendous amount since babyhood. I'm talking for hours and hours a day. I even brought them to work with me sometimes! So it's certainly not the norm, but sometimes you'll get lucky.

The best thing to do is let them come to you for attention, nose rubs, and cuddles. That way they'll be learning to trust you on their terms. There's a great article in the library section about bonding with your bunny - it may be worth a look even though so many people have offered excellent advice in this thread here.

And I can't wait to hear whether you do adopt a bunny as a friend for your Poppy!

 

[FranGardner]

Yes it is for Poppy.

I am used to having two rabbits I find their personalities come out when they have a friend.

I've just spent an hour cleaning her hutch and giving her bits of fruit and stroking her just letting her get used to me

Thank you all xx

 

[mouse_chalk]

Sounds like you're making good progress with her! And you're definately right, I love watching our 4 interact with each other and play- there's no doubt that they're all happier together.

And we need to see some pics of your Poppy! :biggrin2:

 

[FranGardner]

well my avatar thin is her

where do i put these pictures of her because im not 100% sure what bred she is i want to no!!

xxx

 

[mouse_chalk]

If you want to know her breed, the best thing is to post pics of her in the Rabbitry and Showroom area, if you can put her weight as well helps, and breeders etc in there will hopefully be able to tell you!

The best site to use is Photobucket to upload pictures, if you don't already have an account, it's free and quite easy to register

Oh, and she is CUTE in your avatar, but on this site you can never seem to post enough pictures lol!

 

[FranGardner]

i can tell by some of the pictures i have seen i will try do that tomorrow and get more pictures of her up.

:d thank u

xxx