Outside bunnies

[freerange freaks]

I house two bucks together with out problems. They are in an outdoor enclosure that is 625sqft. There are several places for them to hide and dig. And also several feeding stations. My first buck lived there alone for 6 months.

When I brought home my second buck, I set up one of those portable wire pens that people use for puppies inside the large rabbit pasture. I put my new buck in it and left him in there protected for 3 months. The first few days they would fight through the fence but they couldn't get to each other. After a few weeks they were sitting next to one another. I started placing their feed together or stick an apple through the fence so they could both reach it. They started spending more time beside each other rather than apart. Then I removed the temporary pen. They mounted each other and chased a little but with in minutes they were sitting together.

They are buddies. But I took it slow and I was prepared to have them seperated if things did not work out.

Good luck.

 

[FarmerChick]

Now that I'm older and wiser I ask many many questions no matter how dumb it makes me look or sound, just for the sake of the animals


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LOL-LOL
I hear ya on this one.
I even ask the same dumb question twice to be sure "I KNEW" what I was asking...LOL

 

[coffeemama]

Quote:
Meighan-

This is a subject that has a variety of answers from different people. My rabbits don't get much outside time because I breed and show them and have too many to let out every day. I do try to handle them on a semi-regular basis and I give them treats and toys to keep them occupied.

There was a semi-heated discussion about this on one of my rabbit forums recently. What I pointed out to the person who was saying it's wrong to have more rabbits than you can let out everyday for a run is that if they are receiving food, shelter, treats, ect., they are more lucky than the bunnies that spend their lives in a 18x18 cage and see nothing of the outside world. Every rabbit I raise can't find a perfect pet home that can let it run everyday, but hopefully they are lucky enough to get a person who cares about them as a caretaker.

 

[FarmerChick]

hey meggers

your bunny pics are nice!

for me, I am a farmer type and I don't throw real love emotions and such on animals. So for me, I take good care of them and do provide adequate run time etc. for my bunnies when I had them.

But I don't think those bunnies care for you as much as you might think. Animals are based on instinct. I don't think they like us as much as we care to believe!

So I never worry if animals get enough "me" time cause I just don't think about it that way.

When I had my bunnies I would pet them for a bit, let them run around the yard, heck they ignored me big time, and would take good care of their needs etc. But that was about all I would worry about spending time with them. I spent time with them when I needed to hug them cause it was my feelings that needed to hug the bunnies...lol...I think they could care less about me..HA HA HA

just my point of view. way I see things...........but yes, you will get tons of answers on this one about how you feel about animals in general and what feelings you put on their behalf.

But I say everyone do their own thing. If you think they need more of your time, then give it....if you think they are doing fine as is then just enjoy that.

 

[meggers32]

Farmerchick,

I like your take on things! Deep down that is how I feel too, just was second guessing myself. Thanks for your input!

Coffeemama,

You are right, sometimes finding someone to care for them is the most important thing. That would be hard though to let all of your bunnies out everyday, a little much huh? It depends on your situation.

Thanks for the advice everyone!

 

[gypsy2621]

Rabbits are normally solitary animals only seeking out each others company for reproducing.
Humans have forced them to live together which is not conducive to healthy animals.
A lot of bad information is out there about how "rabbits need company in order to be healthy and happy" Not
They have to learn to be tolerant of another rabbit in their space 24/7 some can most cant.

As for human contact on a schedual , forget it, they could care less, food water and a clean habitat is all they really care about,
As above they learn to tolerate human contact but usually will not seek it out, remember Humans are Preditors and this is ingrained in their little survival instincts.

 

[freerange freaks]

Rabbits are normally solitary animals only seeking out each others company for reproducing.

I'm going to have to disagree with that statement. Many rabbits live in colonies or warrens. They are loosly structured groups but there is still a social order. Rabbits are also territorial and claim there own space within the group this is were the fighting can occur. As long as there is adequate space, rabbits don't just tolerate each other, they actually thrive when together.

There are many common rabbit behaviours that demonstrates just how social rabbits can be. For example, they thump the ground as a warrning for other rabbits. If they were not social, they would have no need to warn others of danger.​

 

[gypsy2621]

Quote:
I'm going to have to disagree with that statement. Many rabbits live in colonies or warrens. They are loosly structured groups but there is still a social order. Rabbits are also territorial and claim there own space within the group this is were the fighting can occur. As long as there is adequate space, rabbits don't just tolerate each other, they actually thrive when together.

There are many common rabbit behaviours that demonstrates just how social rabbits can be. For example, they thump the ground as a warrning for other rabbits. If they were not social, they would have no need to warn others of danger.

Startle is startle, people yell when startled, rabbits thump.
and as for the warning its the same with beaver they slap the water when scared or annoyed, not to warn other beavers soley, but to warn others as well as a warning to stay away. same principle with rabbits.
crows in a tree screaming , to warn other birds sure but to alert others of a possible danger, same principle. I could go on and on but wont.
Warnings do not make an animal social is my point.

 

[FarmerChick]

I don't see it as "social" either.
I see it as survival instincts and natural breeding instincts, and safety in number herd instincts, etc.

For me, I don't put my emotions on animals. Social means to just hang around, enjoy company etc. to me and I don't see animals doing that....when they are together there is a natural instinctual reason.

again, just how I view it. Could be dead right or dead wrong..LOL

 

[freerange freaks]

Social does not mean "hang out and enjoy each others company". It is a codependancy that offers a better chance at survival. Housing rabbits together reduces stress due to the fact that they no longer have to be on the look out for threats 24/7. They can now share that responsibility.

This has nothing to do with emotion or "rabbit feelings". This is basic nature. Your arguments just prove the point I am trying to make:

safety in number herd instincts

and as for the warning its the same with beaver they slap the water when scared or annoyed, not to warn other beavers soley, but to warn others as well as a warning to stay away. same principle with rabbits.
crows in a tree screaming , to warn other birds sure but to alert others of a possible danger, same principle.

Do you think biologists are delusional when they are out studying rabbit behaviour in warrens?

Just so my position is understood. I have no problems with rabbits raised in solitary confinement. I eat rabbit and quite enjoy it. Animals do not think like humans nor do they relate to the world around them like humans. A 2'X2' cage is adequate space for a rabbit. The animal is not sitting there wishing it was able to run free. But at the same time the O.P. asked if it was possible for bucks to be housed together. And it is IF there is adequate space. In fact, it would be more representative of their natural behaviour to have rabbits raised in colonies.​