Letting Bunny run free

Well, I have my rabbits loose in my back garden, with me there, but
it's completely fenced, 6 feet high with sturdy wooden fence and it's
only a small garden. (England - they've stopped making land here!)
Mostly they are house rabbits, though.

They love to play, run, jump, sunbathe if it's not too bright, hide
away from me till I'm frantic with worry then wander up to me in case I
might have something to eat.

I have harnesses and leashes which they hate, but lots of dogs live
near me and I'm not sure how far I can trust any of them, so don't take
the risk of taking the bunnies out for a walk in the street. Besides,
it would be them taking me, and not necessarily in the same direction -
change that - not LIKELY to be in the same direction.

I would never take the risk of letting them loose in an area that
wasn't fully and securely enclosed. I am a bit nervous still with the
newbie Mr Nutmeg in case he's a burrower - not a problem I've come up
against yet - and if he turns out to be, I'd have to consider sinking
perhaps chicken wire 3 feet into the ground to prevent his escape. I
really think it's very unsafe to take them somewhere they can run off
and you might never find them again. Wild rabbits, as well as the
diseases they carry, wouldn't accept them into their warren, so they'd
have nowhere to go and it wouldn't be long before a predator would get
their scent.

Having said that, if you have a safe, enclosed area, yes, under
supervision, let your Bunny have some freedom. Perhaps you could build
a wire enclosure for her that would keep her in. If you do, remember
that they generally hate bright sunshine. They are crepuscular animals
- they're active at dawn and dusk when the sun isn't really bright as
they can't really see very well at all when it's dazzlingly bright, and
so you'll need to provide a shady area where she can rest her eyes and
keep cool. Put in a water dish too.

I have a folding rabbit run in case I get any visiting rabbit if the
local shelter is overflowing. (It folds flat for storage so takes
little space) The visitor goes into the run and mine have the rest of
the garden. It has a wood frame, with about 1/3 of it boxed in with
wood so the bunny can shelter from whatever weather conditions it
dislikes. The rest has wire inserts so it is open to the fresh air.
The bottom is open so the bunny can eat the grass and if it pees it
just soaks into the ground. Of course it could burrow out and some
have tried that, so you need to be vigilant.

Good luck with Bunny and well done you for giving her a home.

Ros, Mrs Cinnamon and Mr Nutmeg

James wrote:

> My rabbits run free in my back yard but it's got a chain link fence.
> They've escape as far as 3 houses away. Although they would probably
> come back at feeding time, it's really scary when I can't find them in
> the yard. After about a year, I have no fear of them running away but
> I keep the gate close just the same. I still get anxious when they
> don't run to me right away at pellet time.
>
> One time I took them out to a grassy area away from home figuring they
> would come back to me. They gave me a scare because I lost one in the
> woods for a long time. He was probably just near by but out of sight.
 >> Stay informed about: Letting Bunny run free 

My rabbits run free in my back yard but it's got a chain link fence.
They've escape as far as 3 houses away. Although they would probably
come back at feeding time, it's really scary when I can't find them in
the yard. After about a year, I have no fear of them running away but
I keep the gate close just the same. I still get anxious when they
don't run to me right away at pellet time.

One time I took them out to a grassy area away from home figuring they
would come back to me. They gave me a scare because I lost one in the
woods for a long time. He was probably just near by but out of sight.
 >> Stay informed about: Letting Bunny run free 

oh, just as another side note here....

when I had murphy outside on his leash and harness... I have NEVER seen as
big of binkies on any bun ever!!!!

He was leaping and binkying like crazy... and I hadn't mowed my lawn for a
couple of weeks either so when he hunkered down you could just see his ears
sticking out of the grass... He LOVED it...


<1337 RemoveThis @fork.yu> wrote in message news:Yagth.2249$dk1.1484@trndny03...
> Hi,
> I'm new here. My name is Greg and I take care of a doe named Bunny (ok,
> creativity's not my strong point!) I got her from a woman who'd gotten
> tired of taking care of her. She didn't really know how old the rabbit
> was, but from her best guess she'd be about 2 1/2 now. Actually, the
> former owner didn't even know she was a she.
>
> Anyway, before I got Bunny I'd had a guinea pig. In warm weather I'd take
> him up to my mom's or elsewhere and let him out on the lawn. I'd sit with
> him and he could munch fresh grass to his heart's content. Whenever he'd
> start to head off to somewhere out of the way (under a big bush, into a
bed
> of tall plants), I could just scoop him up and bring him back.
>
> My concern is that, if Bunny decides to take off, there's no way I'll
catch
> her. I see videos on Youtube and Google of people with rabbits running
all
> over the yard. Do they have fences up? Do they not have predators
around?
> I feel like she's pretty comfortable and a happy bun how do I know if it's
> ok to let her out on the lawn (with me right there, of course)?
 >> Stay informed about: Letting Bunny run free 

Hi Greg and welcome to you and Bunny.
We don't let our bunnies run around outside as it would just make me
too nervous. This article speaks to why your bunny shouldn't live
outdoors, but will give you some idea of the dangers of being outside:
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/indoorbun.html
We do let them out on the screen porch in the summer and they have the
run of the house when we're home to supervise. When we're not they
live in a rabbit proof room that is about 7' x 10' so it's pretty good
size.
I have heard horror stories of bunnies on a leash or harness getting
tangled up and choking, so if you take yours out, I would build some
sort of protection that she can't dig out of or predators can't get
into. Maybe you could use a dog exercise pen and put a top on it?
Also, is she spayed? This topic is always hotly debated, but the
likelihood of her getting uterine cancer or other diseases of
reproductive organs is in the 50 - 80% range.

Here are some links that I've collected that can help you learn more
about rabbit care:
Rabbit References: http://homepage.mac.com/mattocks/morfz/rabrefs.html
Medi Rabbit: www.medirabbit.com
American Veterinary Partner:
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=673&S=5&SourceID=43
some good articles by top rabbit savvy vets
The Language of Lagomorphs: Very amusing and good insight into why
your bunny does what he does
http://www.muridae.com/rabbits/rabbittalk.html
House Rabbit Adoption and Rescue (H.A.R.E.)
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/rabbithealth.html many excellent
articles on rabbit health and care.


And if you get more creative, you can always rename your bunny....as
you get to know her, her personality may suggest a different name!
Have fun, Martha

1337.RemoveThis@fork.yu wrote:
> Hi,
> I'm new here. My name is Greg and I take care of a doe named Bunny (ok,
> creativity's not my strong point!) I got her from a woman who'd gotten
> tired of taking care of her. She didn't really know how old the rabbit
> was, but from her best guess she'd be about 2 1/2 now. Actually, the
> former owner didn't even know she was a she.
>
> Anyway, before I got Bunny I'd had a guinea pig. In warm weather I'd take
> him up to my mom's or elsewhere and let him out on the lawn. I'd sit with
> him and he could munch fresh grass to his heart's content. Whenever he'd
> start to head off to somewhere out of the way (under a big bush, into a bed
> of tall plants), I could just scoop him up and bring him back.
>
> My concern is that, if Bunny decides to take off, there's no way I'll catch
> her. I see videos on Youtube and Google of people with rabbits running all
> over the yard. Do they have fences up? Do they not have predators around?
> I feel like she's pretty comfortable and a happy bun how do I know if it's
> ok to let her out on the lawn (with me right there, of course)?
 >> Stay informed about: Letting Bunny run free 

hi greg, welcome to apr. just a note to let you know i think it's great
that you have adopted that rabbit and are willing to love it and care for it
(unlike the first selfish person who thinks they are disposable.)

there are some excellent websites for new rabbit owners (you don't say if
you've had rabbits in the past or not.)

here are a few to help you with any questions you may have:

www.rabbit.org

www.carrotcafe.com

and i'm sure someone else will be along shortly with more helpful info.

mickey, morgan & dipper

<1337 DeleteThis @fork.yu> wrote in message news:Yagth.2249$dk1.1484@trndny03...
> Hi,
> I'm new here. My name is Greg and I take care of a doe named Bunny (ok,
> creativity's not my strong point!) I got her from a woman who'd gotten
> tired of taking care of her. She didn't really know how old the rabbit
> was, but from her best guess she'd be about 2 1/2 now. Actually, the
> former owner didn't even know she was a she.
>
> Anyway, before I got Bunny I'd had a guinea pig. In warm weather I'd take
> him up to my mom's or elsewhere and let him out on the lawn. I'd sit with
> him and he could munch fresh grass to his heart's content. Whenever he'd
> start to head off to somewhere out of the way (under a big bush, into a
bed
> of tall plants), I could just scoop him up and bring him back.
>
> My concern is that, if Bunny decides to take off, there's no way I'll
catch
> her. I see videos on Youtube and Google of people with rabbits running
all
> over the yard. Do they have fences up? Do they not have predators
around?
> I feel like she's pretty comfortable and a happy bun how do I know if it's
> ok to let her out on the lawn (with me right there, of course)?
 >> Stay informed about: Letting Bunny run free 

oh yes... you must also take pictures... heheh... we can't ever have too
much cuteness on this ng...



"Mickey" <mixter.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:51mjv9F1l2qfiU1@mid.individual.net...
> hi greg, welcome to apr. just a note to let you know i think it's great
> that you have adopted that rabbit and are willing to love it and care for
it
> (unlike the first selfish person who thinks they are disposable.)
>
> there are some excellent websites for new rabbit owners (you don't say if
> you've had rabbits in the past or not.)
>
> here are a few to help you with any questions you may have:
>
> www.rabbit.org
>
> www.carrotcafe.com
>
> and i'm sure someone else will be along shortly with more helpful info.
>
> mickey, morgan & dipper
>
> <1337.TakeThisOut@fork.yu> wrote in message news:Yagth.2249$dk1.1484@trndny03...
> > Hi,
> > I'm new here. My name is Greg and I take care of a doe named Bunny (ok,
> > creativity's not my strong point!) I got her from a woman who'd gotten
> > tired of taking care of her. She didn't really know how old the rabbit
> > was, but from her best guess she'd be about 2 1/2 now. Actually, the
> > former owner didn't even know she was a she.
> >
> > Anyway, before I got Bunny I'd had a guinea pig. In warm weather I'd
take
> > him up to my mom's or elsewhere and let him out on the lawn. I'd sit
with
> > him and he could munch fresh grass to his heart's content. Whenever
he'd
> > start to head off to somewhere out of the way (under a big bush, into a
> bed
> > of tall plants), I could just scoop him up and bring him back.
> >
> > My concern is that, if Bunny decides to take off, there's no way I'll
> catch
> > her. I see videos on Youtube and Google of people with rabbits running
> all
> > over the yard. Do they have fences up? Do they not have predators
> around?
> > I feel like she's pretty comfortable and a happy bun how do I know if
it's
> > ok to let her out on the lawn (with me right there, of course)?
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Letting Bunny run free 

We also have ravens out here some are just huge... and I know there are some
hawks in the hood, as well as our fair share of crows...

not good for the smaller buns... might be okay for nibs, he is larger...


"Drachen" <drachen.TakeThisOut@sasktel.net> wrote in message
news:12rc2l2sog27j36@corp.supernews.com...
> oh, just as another side note here....
>
> when I had murphy outside on his leash and harness... I have NEVER seen as
> big of binkies on any bun ever!!!!
>
> He was leaping and binkying like crazy... and I hadn't mowed my lawn for a
> couple of weeks either so when he hunkered down you could just see his
ears
> sticking out of the grass... He LOVED it...
>
>
> <1337.TakeThisOut@fork.yu> wrote in message news:Yagth.2249$dk1.1484@trndny03...
> > Hi,
> > I'm new here. My name is Greg and I take care of a doe named Bunny (ok,
> > creativity's not my strong point!) I got her from a woman who'd gotten
> > tired of taking care of her. She didn't really know how old the rabbit
> > was, but from her best guess she'd be about 2 1/2 now. Actually, the
> > former owner didn't even know she was a she.
> >
> > Anyway, before I got Bunny I'd had a guinea pig. In warm weather I'd
take
> > him up to my mom's or elsewhere and let him out on the lawn. I'd sit
with
> > him and he could munch fresh grass to his heart's content. Whenever
he'd
> > start to head off to somewhere out of the way (under a big bush, into a
> bed
> > of tall plants), I could just scoop him up and bring him back.
> >
> > My concern is that, if Bunny decides to take off, there's no way I'll
> catch
> > her. I see videos on Youtube and Google of people with rabbits running
> all
> > over the yard. Do they have fences up? Do they not have predators
> around?
> > I feel like she's pretty comfortable and a happy bun how do I know if
it's
> > ok to let her out on the lawn (with me right there, of course)?
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Letting Bunny run free 

I would stick to a leash/harness or an enclosed (with a roof!) area. An
H-style harness works the best, rather than a Figure-8, which has a
noose-like neck. Anything that tightens around the neck reminds rabbits of
being trapped by a predator and can panic them. I use a Comfort Harness, by
Super Pet, which is almost more like a vest, and we get along fine with
that. Even my cats use it, without resorting to the belly-slink walk that
they used with other harnesses.

And if you have any birds of prey in your area, be doubley careful. Someone
here -- was it you, Ronie??-- had a hawk swoop down and try to snag one of
hers from her yard, and it was not one of her small rabbits, either. And
then it came back the next day to try again!

When I do take The Phooka out, it's only on a short leash, and usually on a
blanket with me sitting right there. I'm always nervous about him eating
something he shouldn't, thus the blanket. He usually stretches out next to
me and dozes. Nothing phazes him much ;) But he's the exception, not the
rule. Gekko used to take me on runs in thirty foot spurts.

--
Camille
The StealthBunny
Owned & Managed by The Phooka
http://stillstealthy.tripod.com/thephooka


<1337.RemoveThis@fork.yu> wrote in message news:Yagth.2249$dk1.1484@trndny03...
> Hi,
> I'm new here. My name is Greg and I take care of a doe named Bunny (ok,
> creativity's not my strong point!) I got her from a woman who'd gotten
> tired of taking care of her. She didn't really know how old the rabbit
> was, but from her best guess she'd be about 2 1/2 now. Actually, the
> former owner didn't even know she was a she.
>
> Anyway, before I got Bunny I'd had a guinea pig. In warm weather I'd take
> him up to my mom's or elsewhere and let him out on the lawn. I'd sit with
> him and he could munch fresh grass to his heart's content. Whenever he'd
> start to head off to somewhere out of the way (under a big bush, into a
> bed
> of tall plants), I could just scoop him up and bring him back.
>
> My concern is that, if Bunny decides to take off, there's no way I'll
> catch
> her. I see videos on Youtube and Google of people with rabbits running
> all
> over the yard. Do they have fences up? Do they not have predators
> around?
> I feel like she's pretty comfortable and a happy bun how do I know if it's
> ok to let her out on the lawn (with me right there, of course)?
 >> Stay informed about: Letting Bunny run free 

To answer some questions:
I could get some sort of portable fencing to keep her in for a while, I
guess. I'd only done it with the guinea pig for short periods when I'd sit
right there with him on the grass, because there ARE hawks (and fox, and
other things) in the area. Unlike the piggie, though, if Bunny decides to
take off and explore I can't catch her.

I actually DO have a leash I bought for her when she first came to live with
me but she was not at all socialized towards people then and HATED the
leash. I could try it again.

She is NOT spayed (well, I haven't had her spayed and I'm quite sure the
previous owner didn't get it done either). I know it needs to get done and
she has been to the vet for a pre-spay checkup (she's very healthy) but
I've been putting it off. 10% lack of time, 90% not wanting to put her
through that. Especially now that she's come out of her shell. It was so
hard to go from a well-adjusted guinea pig who was squeaking at the sight
of me to a rabbit who ran and hid in the corner when I came in the room.
It took months to get her warmed up. But yes, spaying is on the to-do
list. The vet is the same one the guinea pig went to and I checked that he
uses isofluorine. He says he spays about one rabbit a month, and has only
ever lost two during his 15 years (both died from the anesthesia; he never
got to the point of starting surgery).

One of the links on rabbit health that Martha posted led me to a page
on "Putting Bunnies in a Trance". I thought this would be great for nail
trimming and such as she does seem to go through a lot of stress. Bunny's
not even comfortable being on her back so maybe it's not (yet) realistic
but I tried this and it didn't work. Has anyone had luck trancing their
bun?
 >> Stay informed about: Letting Bunny run free 

On Jan 23, 9:56 pm, 1....RemoveThis@fork.yu wrote:

> One of the links on rabbit health that Martha posted led me to a page
> on "Putting Bunnies in a Trance". I thought this would be great for nail
> trimming and such as she does seem to go through a lot of stress. Bunny's
> not even comfortable being on her back so maybe it's not (yet) realistic
> but I tried this and it didn't work. Has anyone had luck trancing their
> bun?

It really depends on the rabbit. Some will be totally relaxed the
first time you try it. Puppy on the other hand don't really like it.
After 6 months I still have to hold his hind legs under my armpit and
he only relax for a very short time. He then kicks and bucks to jump
free. Wearing a leather jacket prevents cuts and scratches on me.

Perhaps you can ration her pellets and every time she sees you she get
some pellets. She might warm up if she knows you = pellets.
 >> Stay informed about: Letting Bunny run free 

Hi Greg,
In my experience and from what I've read, rabbits don't "run away" like cats
and dogs do.
First off, I would hold Bunny and see how she reacts to being outdoors in
the first place. Some rabbits are very unused to and afraid of being
outdoors. It may take them sometime to be comfortable with it. In that case,
your rabbit might be in danger of bolting out of fear then you could lose
her in any underbrush. Any rabbit can bolt. But a calmer one will just go to
a safe spot and stop.

For a rabbit that is comfortable being outside, their general instinct is to
have a designated 'safe' zone. You could take Bunny out in a carrier that
she is familiar with and feels safe in. You'd open the door in the yard and
let her come out on her own. Usually a rabbit will explore the radius of
their safe zone and return. Once they feel it is safe, they will go farther.
They are very inquisitive, so will continue to push their territory limits.
Usually if they get scared or unsure, they'll return to their safe zone.

My rabbit would go out in our unfenced yard daily while I walked with him.
His safe zone was our house and he demanded the front door be kept open, so
he could make a hasty retreat if need be. If I shut the front door, he would
sit in front of it and refuse to go anywhere until I opened it. Ok, we got
flies in the house, but small price to pay for bunny piece of mind...LOL

Cocoa did eventually find other 'safe' places in the yard and they would be
his secondary havens: underneath the big spruce, under the neighbour's
garage. I would just walk around with him. If he tried going somewhere
unsafe, like the road, I would clap my hands and say "NO!" very loudly. He
would stop instantly...then try again. It usually took about four "No's"
until he would turn back from the road. Rabbit's don't like that sort of
loudness. It mimics a danger signal.
Cocoa was very obedient, but you could see the gleam in his eye as he would
look at me and then at the road. I think he knew it got a rise out of me,
like little kids running for the street. He probably chuckled to himself
when I got flustered.

It's a good idea to define the area Bunny will be allowed to roam in -
inside the yard. Once he gets a taste of the under brush, it will be
difficult to stop him from going there.
If there are cats and dogs loose in the area, I wouldn't let him go out
without a pen and you being right there. We never had dogs, but curious cats
did come to visit. Cocoa usually scared them away with his in your face
curiosity. :)

--
God Bless,
Arlette, Cocoa & Brownie in heaven (See us here)
http://photos.yahoo.com/cocoa3c
Need a vet? Click here
<http://www.rabbitvet.net>
For Cocoa's body sling vids Click here
<http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=cocoa3c>
 >> Stay informed about: Letting Bunny run free