Suddenly freaked out bunnies

[Medeina]

I have 4 rabbits, 3 girls and a boy. They all live happily together in a huge enclosure. This morning when I woke up, I fed them all some pellets and a chunk of fruit like I do every day then I came back an hour later to hoover the floor, they’re not scared of the Hoover, they like to chase it.. They’re all very brave and nosey, used to all kinds of noises , they are fine with new things, and fine around dogs. I put in a new toy for them and lwft them to play. When I came back at lunch time around 1pm, I gave them some veggies, kale, squash, broccoli and peppers. They were eating the veggies very happily, I left for about 5 mins to do something and when I came back, as soon as I came in, all the girls frantically ran and hid from me, continuously thumping their back feet.. I went to pet one of them to see what’s wrong and she lay very still, didn’t move at all, she remained close to the ground as small as she could get huddled into her sisters.. The male is fine, it’s just the girls. They are always very happy and nudge my hands and follow under my feet wherever I walk .. So this is very concernerning for me. It’s been a while and they’re still acting strange, I’ve left them alone as to not distress them but they’re still thumping and keeping their eyes on me watching me. They’ve never had squash before, that’s the only thing I can think that may cause them to act strange.. Does anyone have any suggestions

[Azerane]

What did you go and do? Did you get anything on your clothes or hands that may have made you smell different? Another pet or person, soap etc?

Otherwise I’m not sure, it’s possible that they simply got a bit spooked when you returned.

[BellaRabbit]

You may have starteled then when you entered, sometimes mine do this if I catch them off guard. Would agree with Azerane aswel with the smell of another pet. Sometimes when I go to my girlfriends house and come home they can smell her dog and get scared initially

[jerseygirl]

Another trigger may be if you walk in the room holding something that changes the shape of your outline. Like a basket or box.
One of my rabbits also gets a bit timid when I wear dark clothing.

Maybe the girls were already on high alert right before you entered. Say, if they heard something outside for instance. Then when you came in they went into flight mode. Strange that your male didn’t react to their running off though.

[Author]

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