7 Litter-Trained Rabbit Family still poops outside of box, HELP?

[Jill K.]

I have 7 litter trained house buns. They do go in there litter boxes about 75% of the time. The other 25% may not seem like alot but multiply it times 7 rabbits and it accumulates. They have been in the same environment for over a year and I have tried several methods. 

I have tried:

• different litter materiel
• putting fresh hay in frequently
• putting water bottles above litter boxes so they have to go in box to drink
• putting all poos (they only poo outside, not pee) inside box
• rewarding for going in box
• adding multiple boxes (have 5 now)
• re-litter training (never improves habits)

Their environment is my large enclosed patio. It is a neutral temperature probably between 65 – 82 F year round. They have lived in this 400 SQ FT space for over a year now and honestly love it. They have in the middle of my patio a large exercise pen with a door. I leave the door open because I have the main litter box they go in about 50% of the time. This is also where I put them when I re litter trained them. The other litter boxes are on the patio outside of the pen and they use these occasionally. They are all spayed/neutered and bonded. They love each other and are pretty laid back, loving bunnies. Hay is placed in the litter box frequently and I clean it about once every other day. Their pellet/treat bowl is near the main litter box in the pen as well. I cannot think of any other reason as to why this is happening. 

Before this they roamed my apartment and were fine, never had that problem. But it has been almost 2 years since we lived there so there environment is not new to to them.

Here is a URL of a photo of their environment (it was too large to upload) This is just after I cleaned it as well!

To view the photo larger: http://s32.postimg.org/la0rnh1bp/20160327_123245.jpg 

[jerseygirl]

Welcome Jill

What a wonderful bunny family! Quite an achievement to have bonded 7!

So, to clarify, it’s just since living in the patio area that the litter habits have deteriorated?
Or were the set up in this area and had good habits for a while that are now going awry?

The only thing I can think of at the moment is because their area is closer to outside, that they are picking up on smell or sound of something outside. Making them want to mark territory more.

I also wonder if an increase in light could come into play. Not sure where I;m going with that… I just vaguely recall something about circadian rhythms, light and hormones production. I’ll have to investigate further. 

ETA: I can only spot 6! Somebunny’s hiding. 

[Jill K.]

Hahaha they are always hiding to the point that sometimes I get nervous and have to crawl in spaces to find them!

But yes they’ve been out there for two years. Previously we lived in my apartment and they roamed free inside the apartment. They have little to few accidents in the apartment a big difference from how they are now which is a mess every single day.

I never have thought about the natural light. I was thinking about getting shutters, but I know they enjoy the sunlight because in the early morning they are always doing binkies, everywhere! But the outside being nearer is something to think about and research as well. Thank you.

[Author]

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