The lives of Kiwi & Papaya!

[Mariah]

Your right, I don't see any molasses added! This is good! Thank you for working out how much to feed. Much appreciated!

And honestly, any excuse to go to a tack store/ feed mill That I can do on Saturday. Hopefully we don't have any break outs until I can fix her door! Funny thing is, she probably broke out right after I left for work LATE I might add! She was chewing on the door when I left but I had to get to work. I felt bad leaving her, but I need to keep my job!

My first bunny Star, would ALWAYS break out of her house! She would bust through the top. My brother woke me up one night, and was like "ummmm your bunny is in the bathroom" LOL

No sneezing from Papaya today so maybe something was just in the air that was bugging him.

Jennifer- good to know! She pooped more and they were not stuck together so I just filed that in my head but I'm not too worried about it

One of you brought up bonding- now do I know they are ready to be left alone together? When I'm home they are out and playing. No fights for a while. Not sure how long though. They lay together, eat together, drink together and poop and pee together! How can I be certain they won't fight when I'm not home? I never had his worry with Kiwi and Citrus. They were lovers from day 1. Never ever ever fought. I miss my little Citrus

And just on a side note- Kiwi was medication free today

 

[JBun]

No meds? That's great!

I loved going to tack shops. Much better than clothes or grocery shopping

If you have any spare zip ties, you could zip tie the panels shut, or if you have some wire, you could use that. You'll just want to make sure the buns can't touch the sharp ends of the wire. Or paper clips might even work.

With the bonding thing. Maybe you could open up the panels between their two cages while you are home to see how they do having mutual access to each others area.

How do you like having cement floors for your buns. Mine have a cement floor too and I really like it cause they can't ruin it, and it seems to naturally file down their nails so I don't have to clip as often.

 

[Imbrium]

whee! no meds for kiwi! I'm SO glad she's improved and gotten weaned off of them - crossing my fingers in hopes she continues to seem happy and leave you lots of poops.

 

[Mariah]

I know! No meds! I am so happy! Buns are in good spirits this morning!

I like having the concrete. The area I had them in had carpet but I removed it cause kiwi liked to chew on it.. So then I had a big thick blanket in there. Papaya liked to pee on it... So then I had a mat in there. Both buns chewed on it... So I followed the advise I got on here and used fleese. So far, so good!

I'm glad my buns will walk on the concrete. Citrus wouldn't, so I had to make a bunny path everytime I let him out. The whole house is carpeted other then that one section of concrete. That's why I don't want kiwi getting out! I'm afraid she will chew the carpet when I'm not home!

I've got a 10.5 hour shift today. The bf knows that kiwi is not suposted to be out so I've given him strict instructions to check her clips on her door before he leaves for work at 2! Lol, boys are so silly sometimes!

 

[Mariah]

There were no break outs today from kiwi! Yay! I think she was having a "moment" and she needed out of her run. I'm still going to look into better clips for her door, cause I can't have her running around the house unattended, even though I would love that. My house is bunny proofed in the way of wires, but there's so many tasty things to chew on... Wooden cubards, wooden tablet, the carpet... Too many dangers for bunnies!

For bonding, I could take down the middle part but its such a pain in the butt to do so! I would have to cut all the zip ties that are holding the middle part together- which is fine, but then I would have to zip tie them all back together when I'm not home for the first little while until I can trust that they won't fight. It's only been 2 weeks (I checked my calander) since their last fight. Maybe it's too soon? Opinions?

No meds again today for kiwi She seems ok. Papaya is pooping up at storm tonight since I've cleaned their litter boxes. Kiwi not so much. I'm trying not to panic, because she is active, has pooped a little bit, ate her dinner and I've seen her eat a bit of hay. She pooped tons during the day too... So I'm sure she's fine. I'm doing some relaxing exercises as I write this. *breath in deeply, breath out* My vet told me to do this when I start panciking about the buns. Ha. She knows how I get

 

[Imbrium]

the divider doesn't have any grid connectors, right? just zipties?

you could cut the ties on one end of the divide (where it meets a side wall), then sort of fold up the divider towards the other end of it (like a retractable door or an x-pen) and then when you want to divide them again you could just pull it back straight. two carabiners could be used to attach it to the wall where the zip-ties used to be when it's closed and used to attach either side of the outermost layer of the folded-up grids to the wall when the divider is open, that way it couldn't be knocked down/expanded by romping bunnies. alternatively, you could cut a couple long strips of fleece about an inch wide and use those to tie it open or tie it closed. hope that all makes sense...

 

[JBun]

Jennifer's idea sounds good. Just cut the zipties on one side of the bottom panels. Then you can just use it as a door and clip it shut when you want to separate them.

 

[agnesthelion]

I'm so glad kiwi has been med free! I just can't believe this long journey you've had. I'm surprised your not in a looney bin with worry

 

[Mariah]

Lisa- I'm in my very own "looney bin" all by myself! Lol, I drive myself crazy! I hate doing my 10.5 hour shifts cause that's a long time to be away from my buns! I guess I'm just a "nervous nelly" because of my previous two buns. It dosent help that I work in a vet clinic and always see the "worst case scenario" when bunnies are brought in... I find owners wait to long to seek vet care and a lot of the times it's too late...

Jenny & Jennifer- if you look closely at my NIC set up, yes I can cut one end of the zip ties but its zip tied to kiwis cage and the other end is zip tied to the middle part of the doors. The part I'm referring too is the middle part- the divider. So there's no way to just cut one end and have the other end slide up against the wall- if that makes sense? If I took the front part off then they wouldn't have an enclose to play in when I wasent home.
I don't think there's an easy way to do this!

 

[JBun]

I understand what you're saying. I don't think I explained very well though, cause I think this will work, Ok, so you have the front wall of their enclosure with the doors that open, right? Then there is the dividing wall between their individual areas. That's what we want to put a doorway in, yeah? So there is a row of bottom grids and a row of top grids. You would only need to open up one grid, just along the bottom row, maybe the second one back from the front wall of their enclosure. Cut the zip ties along the side towards the front, and the ties along the top of the grid that connects the bottom grid to the top grid. That will leave you with zip ties along the back side of the grid that will act as your hinge. Then that one grid will act as a little portal between the two enclosures. And leaving the top row of grids connected, will keep everything held together. Does that make sense? If you need extra stability with the connected grids, you can do an X with zip ties in the corners of the grids. If any of this doesn't make sense to you but you still want to try it, just let me know and I'll see if I can make a mock up of what I'm talking about, and I'll take a picture and post it.

 

[holtzchick]

Wow just read to your blog and sorry to hear about the tummy troubles! Glad to have read that Kiwi is off meds and they are so cute snuggling together!! Can't wait until they are fully bonded! So many of you have 2 buns it makes me want to get another! Maybe once I am settled in and have the time I will think about it. Will keep checking in!

Also saw the horses (too cute) and used to have my own when I was 12 and we lived up in Bolton Ontario. I had a thoroughbred gelding named Solitude with a hackney marking on his forehead and white socks. He was a tall one, he was 16 hh at a young age. My dad had a horse that was retired from the race track named King (of gold :S odd name). They were both great but I found them to be spooked too easily and got stepped on by Solitude, since then have a HUGE fear of horses.

 

[Mariah]

What a LONG day! I worked 10.5 hours and had to go straight to the barn after work. It's going down to 4 degrees tonight and my boys needed their blankets back on! Of course I think to myself it will be a quick visit... It never is but they always make me feel good as soon as I see them and I forget how tired I really am

I now do understand what you guys are saying about the divider and putting the one door in the middle. I read your post at 630 this morning. Apparently my brain does not work at that time! That is a really good idea If I have time this weekend, I may try and do just that!

Holtzchick- we live so close to each other! I am originally from Oakville so I know Mississauga quite well! Horses are just in my blood! I broke my hand (third metacarpal) when Billy tripped and fell and I fell off... And I recently tore my MCL when Sully decided he had enough work and dropped and rolled on me... Keep in mind, i was on his back when he dropped and rolled!! Bad boys! I'm sure they didn't do it on purpose... Horses will be horses!

Both bunnies are in good spirits tonight! When I got home (later then usual) they were both sitting by their x pen doors like they were saying "helloooooo mother... Where have you been? We wanna play and were hungry!!!" What a tough life my buns lead

No meds again for kiwi lemon! Hopefully the decrease in pellets will keep her stomach issue free

 

[JBun]

You should keep a tally of days Kiwi feels well and doesn't need meds. Isn't this day two? Let's keep it up Kiwi Girl!!!

Gotta keep those horses warm and happy I had a horse tripping accident too, but I broke my forearm. I was riding a mare I used to have, and she slipped on the highway, and I flew off and hit my arm and head. Luckily I had a helmet on or I'm pretty sure I would have been unconscious in the middle of the road. Even with the helmet I had a concussion. I still rode after that. I was training her for an endurance race that we still ended up competing in. You have to really love horses to want to go back to it after a bad accident and injury.

That's so cute your buns were sitting there waiting for you. Our buns don't like it when we mess with their eating and playing schedule

 

[Mariah]

You are right Jbun. You really have to love horses to keep riding them, especially in this weather!!

I do keep a record of kiwis daily activities If there's no writing, or minimal writing that means it was a good day! I haven't given her meds since Wed evening, so this is day 4

I'm home with them now and I've locked them in kiwis x pen together. This will be my first attempt at seeing how they are together in an enclosed space. I will use your idea and take out of one the cubes to create a door. I just need to relax for a bit first

Edited to say: the cats bowel movements are also on the calander as he was having a bit of a constipation issue. None of my animals are normal...

 

[Imbrium]

whee! four days off meds, that's gotta feel great

 

[Mariah]

It really does Jennifer! For kiwi and myself! I can actually enjoy my bunnies "full time" instead of worrying all the time!

Buns were very happy bunnies today. After i got home from work, I let the buns out and Papaya of course ran to see kiwi! I think he really likes his big sister. It's actually really cute. He will hide behind her when he's scared. Anyways, I decided to relax for a bit so I thought I would try something. I closed kiwis x pen door and left Papaya in with her. Before I actualy fell asleep, I checked on them. They were snuggled together sleeping under kiwis foot stool which is kiwis favourite place to sleep I figured they would be ok so I went and had a nap. When I woke up, they were both still sleeping but not together. Kiwi was under her foot stool, and Papaya was sleeping by the x pen door. I think he was confused as to why he was in there LOL

Anywoo, all went well for my first session on leaving them alone together. I was home and would have waken up if I heard them fighting- I hope I would have anyways! I have a mama instinct when it comes to my buns. Any weird noises that come from the bunny room, I immediately hear. If I ever have human children I hope I'll be the same way!

Buns had extended time out tonight as its Saturday and I didn't see a reason to put them to bed at 11pm since I was still up!

Does anyone have an issue with living below someone and the bunnies being scared or annoyed of the noises they hear from upstairs? I live in a basement apt, so our landlords live upstairs. Of course the only part of the house that's not insulated is the bunny room. My landlord didn't know he would have a crazy bunny owner living downstairs... He actually told me that tonight! Lol My landlords are super nice! He meant no harm by saying that. I know I'm crazy when it comes to my buns! I'm going to insulate it but I don't know how much that will actually help. Any suggestions?

Edited to say: I have a radio that's plugged in so that helps a bit I think with the noise, but I don't have it super loud either cause I don't want that to upset the buns either.

 

[JBun]

That's alot of sick days on that calander! I know, it's so nice when there are no sick buns, and you can just have fun with them.

Lol, Papaya probably just decided he wanted to go take a nap in HIS favorite spot instead of Kiwi's.

My buns will startle when my mom walks into the room cause they're used to me and my footsteps, but not so much her's.

Insulating might help. Is the wallboard already up?

So my bun Pip was pregnant when I got her this summer. So I have these 5 babies and I have this playpen set up in the living room, so they can run around and play. I sat in there with them tonight, and I swear they think I'm their own personal jungle gym. They run, jump, and climb all over me. They are constantly trying to nibble on my clothes, oh, and they love my slippers- nom, nom, nom. But they are so cute!!! They binky, bunny 500, and dead bunny flop all over the place. Then they all layed down next to me to take a little bunny nap. So cute

 

[Imbrium]

aww, so glad they did well together. I'm a sound sleeper normally, but will jolt out of bed at "animal in distress" noises - I was wide awake at the sound of unusual scuffling in the bunny pen when Nala got her head stuck in a grid and rushed to check on them without it even crossing my mind to think "I'm sure they're fine" and go back to sleep. I also got woken out of bed on numerous occasions by my kitty when I had her - I'd hear yowling and crying from the living room, like she was in fear for her life, and when I got out there the only "problem" was the neighbor's cat was on our patio and she could see him through the glass door >.>

my bunns don't seem to get annoyed by noises (like the hammy wheels or the TV if have theirs on) but sometimes freak out a little if there's a noise from the house settling or something unusual outside that we can't identify. Nala will freeze and listen intently, then as soon as I say "is ok" she goes back to whatever she was doing.

 

[Mariah]

Jenny, you have babies!! That is so cute about them having a bunny nap beside you! Please post some pics! Baby bunnies are the cutest!

What do you mean by wall board? Sorry, I'm not the most technical person! Ha. It's just board up there and there no cover so you can see all the wires etc that are in the ceiling.

My buns startle very easy. I don't know why cause kiwis always been around noises since I got her, same with Papaya.

Kiwi ate ALL her hay overnight! I was shocked when I looked in this morning and it was all gone! Papaya only had a tiny bit left. I'm so proud of my little buns for being such good hay eaters!

Lol, about the cat Jennifer. My cat does the exact same thing

 

[JBun]

Wallboard is just the sheetrock that covers everyones walls and all those wires. Insulating will help a little, but I would suggest researching the best ways to soundproof walls. There's probably some better way to do it that will work better than regular insulation. Some buns just startle more easily than others. Papaya is probably just taking his spooking cues from Kiwi.

That's great about her eating all that hay!!! Kiwi seems to be on the mend. I'm so happy for you. Who would ever think such a simple thing like too many rabbit pellets, could cause so many problems. I think the stress of losing Citrus maybe caused her to be more sensitive to digestive issues. Glad that's turning around.

Yeah, I have babies. Right now they are napping in their playpen, but they had to run around for a while, and make a big mess first. Oh well, at least they're happy
These pictures are from when they were a little younger.