Some buns don’t like to be held and there’s nothing you’re going to really be able to do to change that. With the scruff, it is okey to pick them up that way if you put your other hand under their hind end and lift them with it. You should never let their back legs dangle free as that is when they’ll kick and twist themselves in such a way that they can actually break their back.

Something you might want to do is sit on the floor while doing some small activity. I read a book, some others work on a laptop or do school work – anything that has your hands and some other item moving. Rabbits are curious by nature and they’ll come over to check out what you are doing. The hard part is resisting reaching out and petting them once they’re within range. Try to not even acknowledge their presence until they are climbing on either you or the item you’re working with. Hopefully just spending time with them will help.  Your family may want to look at playing board games at night.  Just the moving of the pieces and gathering of individuals on the floor wil pique their interest.

Another option is a palovian response. Everytime you offer a treat to them, accompany it with some ‘unique’ noise. If you have children, something you may want to try is a clicker. Although saying "Treats!" is fine, you want to make sure people say it in a uniform way. My rabbit is also one that doesn’t like for me to approach it when it is out and about (although some times it is a chase game with her). But if I give the treat whistle I have been reinforcing since I got her, she’ll stop and let me approach, hoping for a tasty snack.

You should also read up on the language of lagomorphs to help communicate your feelings towards them (there should be links to it on the main web page). The hard part for children is that rabbits aren’t like either dogs or cats. Dogs and cats are predatorial creatures and therefore have a bit more security with themselves around the world. Rabbits are prey animals and they live by running away. To a rabbit, there are two types of creatures in the world – bunnies and things that eat bunnies.

Oh, and as for the ‘deformity’ of the ear – is there an obvious deformity or does one just stand up and the other doesn’t?  There are bunnies that are literally ‘half lops’ that have this style of ears and it is quite natural.

I really do not recommend picking them up by the scruff of the neck – I always ask myself would I like to be picked up that way and the answer is no. They do need support for their hind legs. I would put my hand under their chest area and scoop up their hind end.

It is true that most rabbits don’t like to be picked up – it scares them to be off the ground. I agree with markusdark about getting on the ground with them – that is the best thing to do. The other ideas are excellent as well.

I think if you realize that rabbits are prey animals it’s easier to interact with them.

i’ll third the ‘on the ground’ method.  the more time i spend this way with my bun the more friendly she is and its taken years (7 to be exact) for her to not run away from me when i approach.  we’ve made more progress since i now work from home – last couple of years – and am around more often to do this.

my bun also is difficult to pick up since she doesnt like it at all, but i do as sarita described… swiftly & firmly lift her up with one hand under her chest and scoop her bum with my other hand.  i find when i pick her up this way and hold her back against my chest she feels secure enough & stops kicking & squirming.  possibly its because she’s tipped back enough to go into a wee trance.

Also, by placing one hand on top of the head and pushing that head to the floor, you usually calm the animal down as this is a submission action to them as you display your dominance. I find that this helps also to calm them a bit – then do the chest and butt scoop. The way I do it (and I am left handed) is right hand head, then left hand under chest, right hand from head to butt, scoop and lift.

I just want to mention that I always pick my rabbit up by the scruff (and immediately put her against my chest, feet first – I don’t just hold her out there like that). She always squirms when others, even experienced bunny handlers, try to pick her up with the under the body style. Maryann never flinches or attempts to squirm out of my grasp when I go to pick her up by the scruff so I figure she’s fine with it – probably in part that I am more confident that she wont’ hop out of my hands and that confidence transfer to comfort for her.

Welcome Mapaloda!

As other people have mentioned – sitting on the ground with your bunnies is a good idea. If you’d like the bunnies to interact with your children, try having them sit on the floor and give a raisin or two to each bunny, or some other treat that your bunnies like.

I am guessing that when you’re bunny “bolts” it is when you are reaching your hand out to pet them. This is partially due to their prey instincts – imagine if a bun was outside, and saw a bird overhead – it would look much like a shadow overhead, which is also what your hand would look like, especially if you are extending it slowly, and above their head. I have a bunny that is very much the same way – but if she is sitting on the bed, and I kneel down and am face to face with her, and my hand is more eye-level for her, she does not run away because she sees very clearly that it is my hand, and NOT some unidentified predator overhead.

I generally do not pick up any of my bunnies unless it is necessary – I really think they are much happier with their feets on the ground

have you also tried having one on one time with them?  they’re already bonded together… so what if you let one out to play 10-15 minutes before the other one?  sit on the ground with a few raisins and try to pet (groom) him or her?  after the running time, do the same thing.  let the other bun stay out a little bit longer and have one on one time with that one?  it’s worth a shot… and welcome here!

i’m not sure if you have any human children… but a parent needs to have an individual relationship with each child… try to have an individual relationship with each of your bunnies.  you’ll learn that one likes this, and one likes something else… and you’ll be able to better respond to each of their needs, rather than just lumping them together into "the bunnies".

edited:  i just saw that you do have children… so you know this…   i would try to bond with them after the children are in bed, or if they’re in school… maybe a less stressful atmosphere will help them to warm up to you, and later, once they trust you, you can work with the buns and the kids together.

lol!  i know what you mean.  i sure am glad i found this site too.  its great that you’re seeing some progress with hanging out on the floor.  rabbits sure are different than cats or dogs for pets.  as soon as you start getting the hang of how to communicate with them they’re so rewarding and sweet to have as part of the family.  have you posted pics of them yet?