New rabbit possibly aggressive and what run?!?!

Hi All,

Haven't been around for quite a while but hopefully you can give me some advice

So long story, I no longer have Piper and Minstrel as Sean kept them when I moved back home as they are all settled there in their playhouse although I do get them when he goes away

However a 'friend' who I go to vet nurse college with every week (I hopefully qualify in september whoop!), has a rabbit that despite being a student vet nurse she doesn't look after properly. This bun has been praying on my mind as she never has any hay or toys or much food and she's never let out of her 3ftx1ft cage to play as 'she goes mad', no wonder!! Anyway she has now becoming aggressive too. I asked yesterday if I could have her if she wasn't bothered and I'm going to pick her up later today She's gorgeous looks like a nethy except she has Massive ears!!

So i'll obviously get her vacc'd and spayed over the next couple of weeks and give her plenty more space to run round and become a rabbit. At this stage i'm thinking I won't keep her as she'll have to live in the garage (which has no windows) at night and a run in the garden during the day. But I'll get her sorted and friendlier and then hopefully I can find her a lovely home. Although knowing me i'll fall in love and get her a friend etc!

I'll approach her in her own time and give her plenty of time to get used to me etc, will sit in her run with her and let her come to me rather than the other way round, try to hand feed her but apart from that I'm a bit stumped. Any other advice on bringing round aggressive rabbits? It may be that she's just frustrated and once she's got space and hay and veg etc she may come round on her own but any advice would be much appreciated.

The other thing is NIC cubes, are they still available to buy from B&Q etc or only on the internet? If I can get hold of some are they strong enough to use outside until I can persuade my dad to help me build a run? I'd peg them into the grass but only if they are fairly strong. There are foxes round here and I don't want to put her in any danger.

Erm and thats it I think. sorry for the huge essay!!

Cheers

Helen

Well done you

Sounds as though you are pretty well clued up on trying to win the bunny round. Hopefully with time and patience she will learn to relax. A check at the vets may be a good idea too to rule out any health problems that could be causing the agression.

As for the run - Emma (Magoo) has just bought some NIC cubes, so check with her where she bought from.

Have a look at zooplus too - you get 10% off it is your first order

http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/rodents/cages/pens_fencing

I wouldn't like to say if NIC cubes are fox proof - cetainly anything without a lid wouldn't be

ETA: posted at the same time as Sixer!

Hi I'm sorry you didn't to keep your two, but good you still get to see them.

One of our members posted about NIC cubes recently on this thread.

Mine was quite nippy and aggressive when he got here. It may be different with yours, but basically it needs patience. She may have associated anxieties with people, but these can be overcome to some degree.

I'll approach her in her own time and give her plenty of time to get used to me etc, will sit in her run with her and let her come to me rather than the other way round, try to hand feed her but apart from that I'm a bit stumped. Any other advice on bringing round aggressive rabbits? It may be that she's just frustrated and once she's got space and hay and veg etc she may come round on her own but any advice would be much appreciated.

I think this is the right approach. We used to sit in his room (housebun) and read, or just listen to music, and talk to him a lot. It took a while, but he did eventually start showing an interest in us, and it sort of escalated from that.
I remeber that once Bertie started to eat from my hand, that was a big breakthrough.

Keep us posted on this poor girl, I can't believe a vet nurse has done that

Great that you qualify soon too, good luck

thanks guys i'll have a look and see what I can find. She's currently enjoying the plentiful grass in the back garden, just under the top of her cage so under eagle eye view of my mum and me as its not secure! She's gorgeous

Hi, I don't have any advice other than what has already been offered but I'm the one who posted about the NIC cubes which Jay posted the link for above. They have them at B&Q online (they dont have them in my store of anywhere near me but they might do at a store near you)

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=10687690&fh_view_size=10&fh_location=%2f%2fcatalog01%2fen_GB&fh_search=cubes&fh_eds=%C3%9F&fh_refview=search&ts=1271524052410&isSearch=true

Check to see if they have them in your local store to save you waiting if you want but I recommend using the place I got mine from for price difference if nothing else.

As for stability, I think if you build a run from them and pegged it really securely to the ground they would be strong enough. The main issue on safety would definitely be the worry of the run being knocked over by wind or a predator but if secured to the ground properly it should stand very well. Also be sure to provide a place for the bunny to hide if a predator does come up to the cage.

I'm thinking of getting more cubes to build a run in our garden now!

Well i've ordered two boxes of cubes to make her a run and will no doubt find some wood to fashion a shelter for her tomorrow and some pegs to keep it secured to the ground, rope my dad and his tools in! She's now called Florence
As for being aggressive she's just spent the last 20mins running around the kitchen (only on the run rather than the laminate floor) climbing on me and my mum! She did nip my mum but only to find out what she was rather than with aggression. Think i'm going to have trouble with her tho, straight away she wanted to jump on the sofa, think i've got a climber on my hands!
Into work next week to be spayed if we're not too busy.
Am borrowing Piper and Minstrel's metal run tomorrow for a few days until the cubes arrive so at least she can get out in the sunshine and havea proper run round.
I've missed having bunnies.
H x

Sounds like she has soon settled in and making herself at home

Is there a picture of her in the offing?

yep I'll take one and upload asap, she does have another rabbit's ears tho, not sure where she got them from!!