Rabbit advice appreciated?!!

george31

Hi everyone! Wondered if anyone could give me some advice. Inherited a rabbit from a neighbour who was moving (they didnt want to take it with them!) The hutch we had was just a bog standard single level hutch, not giving the rabbit much room but it didn't matter so much as girlfriend only worked part time so could let the rabbit out in the garden most days. Her job turned full time though so we decided to get a bigger hutch as we wouldn't be able to let him out as much. We got a fair sized 2 level hutch, with like a sloping bit of wood at one end to allow rabbit to get up and down. Here began the problem! The rabbit seems to have no problem going up the slope to the upstairs bit, but in the 2 weeks we've had the new hutch he's not been down the slope at all! This makes it really awkward to get him out (previous owners never let him out so he's not very tame, doesn't like being picked up etc!). It also means he has less space at the mo than in previous hutch, so not good! I've tried keeping him down the bottom for a few days by blocking the top of slope which made no difference, and I've tried just keeping his food and water on bottom level, which also makes no difference, and I don't want him to starve!! Just cant get him to go down the slope no matter what, so any advice would be appreciated big time!! Thanks in advance for any help!!

Twig

Hi and welcome! Very Happy

has he got a run? Rabbits should have access to a run at least during the day as a hutch alone is too small. Perhaps if you got him a run he'd use the ramp more? Is the ramp very steep? What if you removed the ramp and added a shelf below it so he could hop on and off it? I don't know what type of hutch you have so its difficult to help, have you a picture of it? Very Happy

Also, seeing as you are new to rabbits, do you know if hes neutered, wormed and vaccinated? If not, you may want to consider them, and if he was neutered he could have a spayed doe from a rescue for a friend, that would make him a much happier bun as buns are very social and become more confident and content with a friend.

This site should help, and has an excellent forum I recommend you join! Smile

www.rabbitrehome.org.uk

Good luck, sorry I couldn;t be anymore use!