Indoor outdoor bunnies

[Bella&donna]

I have two rescue bunnies that are still getting used to people. I let them free range around much of the house in the evenings and during the day if I am home. I have a large 4metre long cage outside that I have put them in during the day a couple of times – it has shelter food water etc. but every time I bring them back in in the evening they seem to have reverted to being scared of me all over again and I have to start again with them. So I’ve stopped taking them out, but it seems to me that they need room to run outside sometimes. Any advice appreciated – I’m new to rabbits

[Bam]

Most of us here keep our buns indoors all the time. There are a few exceptions though. I think I’d keep the buns in the house until they’ve gotten over their fearfulness towards people.

[Vienna Blue in France]

Hi and welcome
I agree with bam (nearly always do ) – they need to see and hear normal life so it becomes the norm for them, (which is why its not recommended to keep them in a quiet room (child’s bedroom for when at school then when excited (and loud!) kids comes home for bunny cuddles, the bunny is all afraid and shy and nervous). keep them in a busy (ish) pace in the house so they get used to the comings and goings of ‘ordinary’ life…

You are right that they need exercise and to explore and to stretch their legs, it will help their confidence – can you let them out in an xpen in the house ? (I currently have a 3m cage you’re talking about in the house !!!!! LOL)

[Gina.Jenny]

Hi, I have six buns, five of them rescues, and three of them are very highly strung girls. I do like to get mine out into the garden for at least a couple of hours if the weather is fit. How do you get yours in and out? Carrying buns in yr arms can be very scary to a bun. I use a pet carrier, and the buns know the carrier means garden time, then pellet time when they come in, so they accept going in the carrier quite well. I use an up-side-down small doggy bed to ‘heard’ buns into the carrier if needs be, with the open bit facing the carrier door. Its quite effective.

as others have said, they need to be in the centre of action to settle in, mine are in the dining room of an open plan house, so are always able to see and hear whats going on in the living room.

[Bella&donna]

Thank you all
I have hutch for them in the lounge, but the door is open all the time except when I go to bed. It may be that it’s so quiet outside they just don’t want yo come back in. I do carry them, but your idea is a good one . I’ll try that, but as you say I’ll keep them inside for a while so they get used to me and others.

Thank you

[Vienna Blue in France]

Sorry Bella, I didnt see that they already free roam in the house. Oops.
They need to go against their instinct which is to run when loud noises frighten them….. so it will take time but if they are free roam in the lounge then thats great.!!! Most buns on this forum are 100% house bunnies so never get to see the outdoors… just so long as they are not cooped up in a tiny closed hutch indoors or outdoors, bunnies adapt to where they are

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