Any pet Rabbit experts?

Change his name from Rocky to Stewie?

I don't know about rabbits, but sometimes the psychological damage done to animals [as pets] while young is permanent, as it can be with humans in childhood.

I have two six month old male Guinea pigs, and they have developed into distinct characters in spite of being treated equally kindly. One, called Winston [after a historical character], is gentle, loves to be handled, and is the boss without trying, while Timmy [after a cowboy] is shy and does not like to be caught, but relaxes as soon I have! Winston is sociable with everyone, and Timmy is not - only with me and loves to eat out of my hand. Winston will not. They both play like mad things from time to time, but I suppose that they have a good home, and so I would not expect them to have vices. Initially Timmy would bite and fortunately he has grown out of that. Winston was always a calm and happy being from day one. Now he is so layed back that it is hard to believe.

But if you have not hurt Rocky and he is seriously vicious, then I would suggest that there is a big chance someone has been cruel to him earlier in his life. I had a school friend who kept and bred rabbits, and as far as I gathered the only time when males may be expected to get a bit aggressive is the mating season.

I don't think there is a Barbara Woodhouse for rabbits - at least as far as I know - to train them out of bad habits.

A "small animal practice" vet may be able to offer you advice  but it not be free. An "agricultural practice" vet would probably say have him put down and start with a youngster ... 

ATB from George

Dear Goerge,

I most certainly could see at first that he was depressed, been mistreated and very lonely. However as the weeks ticked by Rocky seemed to become much happier (bouncy) even his coat started to shine and his eyes were beginning to sparkle...a nice personality seemed to start to develope too.

It all felt kind of rewarding for a while and then out of nowhere as far as i could tell this otherside came out. It was quite shocking to say the least.

regards, Steve

Jim,

That looks nice. You got me thinking...i'll expect it'll boil over with Rocky in it 

Timmy is on the left here, and at the time [over Christmas] he was really nervous, though much better now! Winston is a proper bruiser being about twice Timmy's weight with a real strong head, and huge feet. They have both escaped at different times! Timmy went AWOL for 24 hours, and I was begining to think that I would never find him, but he is tempted by food! Winston seems oblivious to it, but was easy to catch when I found him!

When a pet shows an unexpected vice, it is really disappointing if all you have shown them is kindness, but sometimes early bad treatment can leave permanent scar. How many dogs naturally hate uniformed tradesmen, and yet many tradesmen are defensive and prone to kick any dog that looks remotely threatening, so the cycle continues. 

ATB from George

Stephen,

Yes, rabbits can be very complex and tricky to understand, but with the correct attention, they are usually a very loving pet.

Definitely, first thing is to have him neutered. They can become very territorial otherwise, even to their owners whom provide food. As he's relatively new and now settling in, he could be showing you who's land it is.

Attacking your legs could be a sign that he's trying to get your attention or show dominance (as he's a single rabbit and has no one else to dominate). Rabbits nip other rabbits for many reasons, but when it happens to a human, it can be quite alarming. Their teeth easily go through electrical cable (and my bloody finger!) and they don't know their own strength.

Check that he has no injury, abscess, teeth problems or anything causing him to be aggressive. 

Most rabbits don't like being picked up from the floor, so if you must, do it gradually. Being prey, they feel even more vulnerable without their feet on the ground.

Never hit or smack the rabbit. It doesn't work. They will only fear you and may react badly.

Some facts for a happy relaxed rabbit:

Diet is 80% hay, 15% Select Science adult food and 5% fresh greens. It's always 80% hay without fail! Oxbow hay is the best, it's the sweetest and it lasts fresh all day and so is cheaper in the long run.

ALWAYS have fresh hay and water available. Hay should be left in the bag until given twice a day. Hay which has been out for 6-7 hours will dry up brown and the rabbit won't eat it.

The rabbit hutch should be lined with Carefresh and not sawdust. Pine fumes can damage their respiratory system and the dust irritates their airways. They hate sitting in their own mess, so keep very clean.

Watch the kids with him for a while if he's biting. Tell them not to shout or startle him. They are very clever animals and have a very good long term memory.

Don't put your hand directly in front of his nose, as their eyesight is not too good close, straight ahead and they don't like it. Don't startle them from above or behind...talk to them as you approach.

Find a rabbit vet. You may be surprised to learn that the average vet has little knowledge on rabbits. They are still classed as exotics.

Don't give up, it could take a few months (even after neutering, as hormones take a while to subside). Don't ignore my diet advice above, it's very important.

I could write for pages...., but I'd probably bore others! Some of my advice here may seem inappropriate, but anything above can be causing stress.

Please ask here or leave your email address if you need anymore help.

Count.d,

Thankyou very much, this is great help!

I've purchased some good quality Timothy hay and some Burgess excess adult rabbit nuggets.

I have also decided to grow a herb garden in the green house. A mixture of corriander,mint, parsley,rosemary and tyme. 

Hopefully after his neuter, all being well and good, we can introduce him to a companion.

Warm regards,

Steve

"Hay should be left in the bag until given twice a day. Hay which has been out for 6-7 hours will dry up brown and the rabbit won't eat it"

What I meant to say was, all hay except Oxbow Timothy, dries very fast once out the bag and the rabbits won't eat it. I've tried loads of brands until I saw Oxbow being sold at a rabbit specialist vet. It doesn't dry, lasts all day in the feeding manger and the rabbits eat the lot with no waste. You can buy it in 22kg bags which brings the cost considerably £79 incl del. Expensive, but it will last for months and cheaper than the usual hay in the long run. I keep banging on about hay, because it's the single most thing for a rabbit's health. 80% of their diet, 80%, 80%........................

The Burgess Excel is good stuff, but I found my rabbits kept producing too many cecotropes... maybe it's too rich? I searched on the net and found many people finding the same result with Burgess. I use Select Science and never seen a cecotrope since. 

Hi Count,

Thanks. I shall do a search for select science, i'm all ears when it comes to advice from those in the know.

We only purchased a 2kg of Burgess, so, will try your recommended select science food and introduce it slowly as the Burgess one runs out. I have noticed some cecotropes in the hutch and in the garden.

I've been advised to slowly introduce new food as to not upset the stomach too quickly with the change.

Regards,

Steve

Well, i can't seem to break his pattern!

He's lunging with every stride now with everyone!

I had to pull Rocky off my eldest son's leg today. My son was screaming to let go but Rocky just latched on like a ferret.  I could see the anger in his eyes. I had to swiftly walk over and grab the rabbit to pull him off then swiftly put Rocky in his hutch. Luckily it was only Frankie's school trousers that were bitten.

This rabbit is living on borrowed time now!

If he does it again i'm gonna wring it's neck!

What am i doing wrong?

Help!

I'll try and upload an image of the DEMON.

I can forsee an Agouti tea cosy

Stephen, this is 1-2 days after my advice!

Without sounding too patronising, I think you need to read my post (which took a long time to write). Things aren't going to change overnight. As I said, watch the kids with him and don't startle him. 

This could take a few months to totally resolve, not 1 day.

Thankyou count,

Well, we seem to be getting there...

Rocky is beginning to get used to people walking about freely, although gingerly.

He still has moments but if you stand completely still when he's showing signs of aggression and talk calmly with the odd treat he will begin to show some affection ( marked improvement )

Must be doing something right.

BIG DAY tomorrow - In for the chop.

 Im getting the feeling Rocky's going to be one moody bunny upon his return from the vet tomorrow and i'm going to get the blame.

Protection suit at the ready.

I had my Welsh Collie doctored at about three and a half years old, after an unfortunate incident in the living room of my neighbors, where he decided that their pedigree Lab was a suitable vessel for his affections.

I expect you to have one miserable bunny on your hands after that unkindest of cuts!

Fred lay down [except for eating and drinking very little] for two days and was sore and not sociable - best to leave him alone when he was like that - for most of the week, and then he was back to normal ... well ... erm ... normal-ish!

Whereas before he would fight any dog, after the snip he would fight all other canines, female or male, but became rather friendlier to humans. Strange things, animals!

ATB from George

Rocky is back after his snip. He seems a little confused but is enjoying all the fuss, hutch cleaned out and cleansed and full of some local apple tree twigs for comfort. We have decided to lay a thick ( chew proof ) blanket out for him to lay on and not bothered with straw and things for the moment ( just hay). He is eating & drinking well from the off and using the litter tray, needless to say (it's good to be home) could be his thoughts. . .

We are going to leave him in peace for a couple of days and keep a close eye on him and then after his check up at the vet's on Saturday if all well and good Rocky can go out in his new run. Apparently it will take around four weeks for Rocky to become infertile.

I sure hope we can now build a trusting and healthy relationship with our pet rabbit and give him all the love and care and attention we feel he now deserves!

kind regards,

 Steve

That's good to hear.

I think you'll be amazed at how clever and entertaining rabbits can be, given a free run of the garden. 

Please keep me posted.

Hi, 

What a difference! Rocky has made huge improvements since his nueter.

It's great to see Rocky with all his new freedom to explore, laze around, eat grass, socialize and play.

You can see it in him that he's so much more happier and content with his new life.

Making the garden rabbit proof was abit of a challenge, having to move all the dangerous plants out of reach and seal off any escape routes should he be tempted.

I now need to get a crate to fill it with earth for his digging area too.

I would just like to say thanks all for your advice. It's been a frustrating learning curve though a very rewarding one to say the least!

Warmest regards, Steve

Great to hear he's doing well. Yes, giving rabbits the freedom to run around does let them show their characters.

Two or even three rabbits work even better. 

Yup, we have just got ourselves two (brother & sister) pure breed harlequin fawn mini lops, both 8 weeks old!

All i can say is they are so cute!

I have just built another module to go on top of Rocky's hutch with an apex roof obviously sealed off with fly netting attached to all the exposed openings and gaps.

I have just given them their first feed with top notch hay and they are feeding well with loads of exploration going on too boot.

I don't know what Rocky must be thinking but he can certainly hear all the rustling going on above him.

I will have to get an extended ramp for them both, leading into their own run, next.

As for Rocky he is doing really well since his neuter and he has access to most of the garden when we are around and his own private run at his own will (protected)

Never ever in my life did i think of owing three rabbits but i suppose the bug has bit me.

As with naim kit, i can just keep adding modules/ upgrades to the existing hutch and make it a triple decker or even down grade to a single one if need be, in case of unforseen circumstances. (No, not breeding)

The hutches are of the highest quality and should last years, even all the insides are lined with a very heavy duty plastic with pull out trays for easy cleaning or access. It took alot of web hunting to find the right one for the price, needless to say most were sub-standard in my view being too small and flimsey.

This took some hunting i can tell ya. A bit like decent HiFi.  

All the wood is 12mm fir wood with animal safe varnish and proper rust proof latches with very heavy duty gaurding.

Again, i will post a piccy once i've worked out how too, this may take me time as i don't have any patience at all when it come's to computers. 

Anyway, i just thought i would share with you our latest new comers.

 P.S.  We still cannot decide on names but may keep it musical as with Rocky. Blues & Jazz are springing to mind or even Drum & Bass  

warmest regards,

Steve

Yes, I honestly don't think people have any idea how fun rabbits can be. Please keep me posted.