can't offer the buns enough

I've been feeling really down about this. With the baby coming, all the buns have to go outside. I bought a 8x6 shed but because of the resident foxes the shed has had to go close to the house.

Basically the only way to split the shed up only gives each pair 6x3 approx, 2 pairs on the floor, 1 pair on an upper level (need to have a 2ft space at the front of the shed for extra protection for the buns and food storage). I can't attach runs to the shed as there is no space around it. And money is incredibly tight right now and I don't have the cash to buy any runs.

I feel like I can't give the buns enough and I should rehome at least 1 pair. I don't want to and it would truly break my heart but I don't see any other way around this.

Awwwwwww I am sorry things are stressful.
I too have been questioning what best to do for my Buns and tbh I still dont know

Mine dont have massive enclosures but they are not confined to a hutch. They have food, company and are cleaned out daily. I cant offer them perfection but they all seem happy enough.

If you really feel that you must rehome some of your Buns then no-one here will think badly of you and we'll help if we can. Sometimes, in our efforts to make things better for Buns we can become so self critical and assume that because we cant all offer a huge shed with a 10ft run attatched then we just aren't good enough. But I think as long as the Buns can move about, exhibit 'natural' behaviour and are well cared for then we are doing OK.

Dont rush into any decisions, especially if you are feeling down ( *note to self to heed own advice* )
Just let us know if we can help in any way

Could you perhaps invest in one large run and give them rotational time outside? As you will be on maternity leave I assume you would be able to switch them over after 4/5 hours for each pair?

We have been left with a similar problem re exercise since our garden was shingled and I have to exercise the buns in shifts now.

Sooz wrote:Could you perhaps invest in one large run and give them rotational time outside? As you will be on maternity leave I assume you would be able to switch them over after 4/5 hours for each pair?

We have been left with a similar problem re exercise since our garden was shingled and I have to exercise the buns in shifts now.

If I had the money I would. We are totally spent up getting the house ready and getting all the baby stuff. We're not in the best financial situation ATM anyway because Wes hasn't got a job over the summer.

I have three seperate pairs too and two pairs are in the house with cages and pens attached and one pair is in a large hutch with a large of the patio to play in. Because of this, i feel guilty about my house rabbits. But they have three/fours hours in rotation downstairs in an evening with me and the o/h. They seem perfectly happy with this. At weekends when i try to brigng them down during the day, they hate it! They like bein in their own space to sleep and cuddle during the day, then downstairs for a few hours with me at night. The rotation things works out great. if you have the time to do it!

I think the biggest things to remember is you obviously love your buns and want the best for them. I sometimes get panicky when i read about some people's fantastic set ups. But we've all seen rabbits who are not loved, not looked after and sometimes abused. When i see this, i look at my own, gave them a cuddle and lots of kisses and i know they are happy, massively loved and extremely well cared for an protected. THESE are the most important things...and you clearly feel the same way. Remember that. :luv:

Yes, whilst I agree that it is important to try to provide as much room as possible the fact is its a minority of people who can provide a Bunny Mansion.

I felt absolutely dreadful when, on another Forum, my Buns home ( and mine for that matter ) was refered to as a 'Shanty Town'. OK it may not be asthetically pleasing, but each Bun/ pair of Buns has an adequate sized pen, with different levels to hop up onto and also time out in the garden.

Sometimes it almost feels like a competion of 'well my Buns are in a 6ft shed'....well mine are in an 8 footer etc....etc

If you really feel that you cannot provide adequate accomodation for all the Buns and rehoming some is necessary then fair enough. But if its just that you cant provide perfection, then dont rush into rehoming.

i have to agree ... no everyone can offer loads and loads of spce ... while this is great for the buns who do have it ... as jane says , there are other things to consider as just as important ...love , cleanliness , care when ill , good food.

i too think you should mosey along awhile and see how things go ... would be such a shame to re home then regret it .

i agree.

' The Bigger The Better' is a true phrase but just bcus you dont have THE biggest, doesnt mean its not good enough.

we made a HUGE run for £25 with batton from B and Q (just five pounds for a pack) and mesh.

The way i see it is if they are in a loving home like yours, getting fed, fresh water and room to be comfy in then dont panic yourself. You may not be able to afford runs just now but why not put money away when you can and then get a nice run for them? maybe your hormones are flying just now, and you may do something you regret. Hope you feel ok soon, and if it is a case of rehoming, nobody will think bad of you xx

I think a loving home that can offer them the best care is more important than anything. Its not like they are locked up in tiny enclosures, they are in happy, bnded pairs, they have a knowledgeable mum and are getting love. That is what is really important. Don't be too hard on yourself. Especially not when you are soon to be a mum too. We women are excellent at guilt.

Catswhiskas wrote:I think a loving home that can offer them the best care is more important than anything. Its not like they are locked up in tiny enclosures, they are in happy, bnded pairs, they have a knowledgeable mum and are getting love. That is what is really important. Don't be too hard on yourself. Especially not when you are soon to be a mum too. We women are excellent at guilt.

great post completely agree
Sallyx

i totally agree with everyone, i think you are doing a great job; accomodation is good, happy bonded pairs, lots of love and a good bunny mummy.....this is so much more than a lot of bunnies get.

I know you feel like you could do better, i quite often do to, but think about the positives and you'll realise things aren't as bad as you think.

i agree with making a homemade run (it's dead easy) and rotating the buns for exercise. You're in sheff.....if you buy the stuff and don't know what to do, I could always ask OH to pop up with me one weekend day and he can knock one up for you (excuse the pun, you've obv had that done already!) but am sure he wouldn't mind. he's done all the bunny stuff for me.
xx

I ditto what everyone else has said about bunny care. I am sure we all agonise over whether we are doing the best for our bunnies. I feel bad that Gabe and Nia are in a 6" x 2" hutch combo (albeit insulated) when the others are in sheds BUT they love each other, have 'quality' food , and time out on the grass in a 12 panel Greenline run when weather permits. We are dafties over our buns!

If there is a freecycle group near you it may be worth putting a request in for a run through them.

Thanks,

I think being pregnant has made me more emotional and self doubting and it's difficult to truly get perspective IYKWIM. I love all the buns to bits and couldn't bare to part with any of them.

I think things will seem better when they're all in the shed and settled.

I might ask my dad to make an 8x8 run for the grass, and then at least each pair could get out of the shed for a few hours each day.

what does IYKWIM mean? Abbv's are getting so much longer these days!!

Laura wrote: what does IYKWIM mean? Abbv's are getting so much longer these days!!

Sorry
If you know what I mean

6X3 is fine for a pair of bunnies, the way I see it is there are loads of rabbits shoved into teeny tiny hutches in horrid conditions. At the moment my 2 are in one of those Fennel fold hutches with a small run attached, its small but its enough room for now, and it will be grately improved in a few months.