Wow I’m sorry, that seems like a really tough situation.

Have you thought about rehoming the bunnies?  You’re right that it’s not an ideal situation for them and they shouldn’t be exposed to elements and with such limited interaction and no out time.  I know it’d be hard for you to part with them but I think in this situation it might be what is best for them.

I’ve gone through this same situation. I have really bad ups and downs with my father regarding the bunny. I almost moved out even though I can’t afford it right now (same exact reasons as you – full time student, part time, low paying job).

It got to the point that I thought he might actually physically harm my bunny – I was so scared. He kicked in the cage and I took my bunny into my room to sleep with me that night. Needless to say it was a horrible few weeks after that.

Luckily, we got through it. I am not willing to give up my rabbit.

Do you have room for your rabbits in your bedroom or a close friend who would be willing to care for them, but you would still get to see them?

What about setting up an ex-pen in the yard for them?  If it wasn’t covered they couldn’t be out there on their own but atleast you could go and sit in there with them and maybe do school work or something while they got some out time.  That’d work for a place for them to go while you clean it too.  I also know they make those covered net type things for cats to go in outside, kind of like a tunnel..maybe you could let them out into something like that for a few hours each day? 

Has he said that they can’t even come in to just YOUR room with you sometimes?  Like closed door no chance of them being anywhere else in the house??

Oh I am so sorry for you and the buns.  This is not a good situation for anyone. Honestly, I think you really have to think about what’s best for the buns and I really think you should find them a better home.  I know you don’t want to give them up but it’s not fair to the buns either.  Good luck to you.

I know how hard it would be to give them up and trust me I know it’s easier said than done.   Exactly where are they being booted to?  Is it outside? Can you tell us exactly what the set up would be?  If your dad says they stink could you promise to clean their litterboxes daily?  I clean Edson’s litterbox every single day and keep his room spotless and I NEVER EVER have had a smell.  Could you make a deal with him? Maybe prove to him that bunnies don’t smell if their area is kept super clean.

I don’t think it’s anything that is in your power that makes them need a “better home”.  But unfortunately where you live you’re not allowed to keep them inside.  I don’t think just ventilation is going to make it cool enough for them in the summer.  They need to be where they will be allowed indoors.  I would try a rescue or shelter, they’d be able to make sure that they got a good home where someone would be educated and willing to cut up his hay and veggies. 

Hey, an idea for you! is there any income based housing in your area? it could be an option for moving out!

Ugh. I just don’t understand your dad.  Once you take on the responsibility of having animals it’s our responsibility to continue to give them good care for their lifetime. I’m sure you are very distraught over this.  I’m not sure how old you are but I personally would give him an ultimatum! Either they stay or I go!

Adding an exercise area would be a good thing for the buns if they can’t play inside, especially since it will be covered. I’m a bit spatially challenged so I’m having a hard time picturing your set up – so would the exercise pen area be safe from the elements too? I know it won’t be in your house, but I guess since it looks like you’re in Canada I’d just be worried about them hopping about out in the cold in the winter. Maybe some more details on how the pen would be attached in terms of flooring and stuff would help me understand.

But yeah, keep negotiating with the father figure. Do you have anyone else living in your house that you could get on your side to help your case, your Mom or siblings or something? Especially since you’ve had the buns so long already, it’s extremely unfair for him to change his mind now. Good luck with it all!

I would definitely give  dad a what for.   grrrrr..    I really want things to work out for you and your buns. Everyone else would go b4 my buns would go. 

My relatives used to say oh no buns stink….  They had them as kids outside and they stunk….. Then they came to visit and oh wow they dont’ smell…. No they don’t.  You know that and your family knows that.   dad is being very foolish to cause all these unneccesary problems for you.  Not enuf you go to school and work and study and take great care of your buns but on top of that dad is the problem.  He  should be ashamed of himself.

Yes try to make a deal with him and sister perhaps could help by saying she likes them in her room with you. And no they dont’ stink. dad does.

I’m really sorry to see things have taken this turn. I mentioned in your original post that it seemed there was some other underlying issue as to why your father reacted this way. Sometimes when someone is under stress, the things they just barely tolerated before become the untolerable. It seems for no reason and is very frustrating to be on the receiving end. It’s a bit like when someone held a grudge then thought they got over it. Then when some other unrelated issue arises and there is an argument, that “former” grievance arises. At the end of the day, this is a private matter for your family and as your Dad has put his foot down about the matter, try make the best of things. Hopefully we can help you find a workable solution.

OK!   So I was thinking perhaps you could purchase a second hand canvas tent and pitch it adjoin the playhouse. This could become a increased area to play that is weather proofed to a point. Being canvas, it would be quite tough but you would have to keep and eye on any bunny chewed holes! Also, if 2nd hand, you would have to ensure it is thoroughly cleaned to remove any mold beforehand. Some of these tents have flaps you can tie back to allow light in and they have flyscreens that would prevent bugs getting in. Some negatives thou would be the fly mesh may be too flimsy and getting into clean may be awkward unless it has too entry points.  

Could you get hold of some old screen doors and make a pen area out of those? They already have wire mesh to keep out bugs and you could drape something over them to keep out the draft in winter. Else, you could attach some wire mesh to an X-pen to bug proof.

Is the yard secure enough that you could give them some supervised time out aswell? If the smell is the main issue, then I really can’t understand how having them have exercise time out in the yard can be a problem.

The other possibility is to temporarily accomodate them elsewhere until you are able to live independantly. I’m not too sure how shelters operate but I thought if you able to home them at a shelter you could still go there daily to attend them. If you take full responsibility for their care and shelter volunteers need only keep an eye on their health? There would be a fee involved of course. Could you negotiate with your Dad to help you pay for this seeing as you would consider having them somewhere else? Could you arrange the same setup in someones private home? Temporary accomodation for the buns and you see to all their needs?  Like having them in a foster home until you can house them yourself.   Co workers, you Fathers co-workers, fellow students? I would ask your Dad how he could assist you in this. After all, he was willing to bunnyproof the playhouse to a point so hopefully he’s open to helping you further.

Keep positive and keep updates coming. We’ll help you as best we can!

Just remember, any determined little bun can chew their way thru most barriers so even if the mesh is wire variety, be aware of this! The old screen doors come in handy because they often have a grill with mesh behind it.

how are they out there if they are not bonded? is the playhouse separated into two sections?

A tent like   situation that sounds interesting and possible.  Maybe your Dad intended them to go outside when he started building that place for them outside…   Could a portable shed work for them???  

I know a lady in Florida who has angoras and is building a shed out back for them and putting a/c in there for summer. It gets real hot here in florida.  And she is putting in windows too. 

My dad had built a fenced in area with a roof and hung cages from the sides of the penned in area.   It protected them from the predators.  We had big sheets of plastic to cover the sides when the weather got bad. 

There was a solid building at the back of the pen for shelter too. A wooden shed actually where we stored their food etc. Dad was quite the builder. He built our first house too.

I know you are worried about them.   Mine did good outside.  Not where I want mine to be today but it was very good place for them if they were gona live outside.

HE put down sand on the bottom of the pen too.. My bro had to shovel the poo out and put it on Mom’s flowers.  He was mad cause he had to do it.  It was my job but I was only 11 or 13 and was  a real big job for me then heheee. Had about 10 or 12 rabbits was a big pile of poo.

I asked my Mom for some pics of that but so far I haven’t received any.

The tent idea may be the easiest cheapest route for you for right now. They would be sheltered from the winds and snow. And it could help them stay warm.  Their body heat would be held inside.

Yes it is a small window unit a/c.   I haven’t seen it but the lady emailed me and told me about it.  I beleive she was getting a portable shed  and having some windows in there for light.  And she can open windows and door for ventilation when needed.  Hmm a screen door would be good for something like that. And a regular door for when it too cold hot etc.

She might be having it built I would have to go check the email. OH darn I deleted it.

From what I understand rabbits can take cold much better than heat.  How cold and them being house buns I don’t know.  Also maybe your Dad would be willing to help out with better accomodations for them outdoors.

I suppose you will be doing lots of studying outside keeping your bun company.  I would keep working on him to let bun play in the bedroom with you if at all possible.   Maybe once things calm down.  He may be more open to suggestions on that issue.

Sorry about my 1st email I must have come across as gruff. Its that I feel for you and your bun.  I would like to go over and say something but I live here and probably isn’t a good idea to do something like that anyways. I truly want this to work out for you and your buns.

Well take care.

Ugh I tried to respond to this yesterday and I guess my response got eaten!

I was saying that I too have a difficult father. I don’t live at home and it’s still difficult to get along with him! Even when I was two I had a hard time getting along with him! I feel your pain and it’s even more hard to deal with im when he’s imposing rules that you can’t do anything about and affect someone else, your bunnies.

I think there is a lot of good advice offered here about how to make the situation for the buns more bearable…You know it’s not a terrible thing that they are outdoors, most people in the UK keep theirs outdoors and as long as you can protect them from the elements, predators and pests, then they should be fine. I know if they were physically or mentally in danger you would consider rehoming. I don’t think its at that point. I think you can work to make it better and keep working on your dad!!

For the outdoor run, purchase some mosquito netting (although not necessary now, wiat until spring) and drape it over the run! That’ll keep the bugs out and make it even safer

Love to see some pics of the playhouse. I understand you not being able to get stuff together and move out. Although we love our babies it may put you in a bad situation to move out before you can. Keep it in mind but don’t rush out the door.

If you do anything outdoors you need to make sure that the area is covered (because birds of prey can swoop down and carry a bun away), sturdy (because dogs, wolves, and foxes will try to get in to eat the buns), and that it either has a floor or extends down into the ground at least 1 foot (because the buns as well as dogs, wolves, and foxes, can dig out).  You also don’t want to use chicken wire as bunnies can chew through it.

Ideally you would want to dig down a foot for the fencing, to allow the buns to eat the grass (if it’s not chemically-treated).  You would want a space at least 6′ x 6′ (height is your choice, but it needs to be covered, so you probably want it where you can clean it).  Tunnels and playthings outside would be good, too.  Then you would need to shut them in the playhouse at night and let them outside during the day.  If you don’t follow all of the recommendations (buried, sturdy, and covered), you can only let them outside when you’re there to watch them, because the threat of birds and dogs/wolves/foxes is very real.  You would still want them inside the playhouse at night for that reason as well.

Hopefully by next summer you’ll be able to find another place where you can take them with you, or your dad will come around.  This really is not a good situation for them long-term, and you should either create a good situation (move, negotiate with your father, etc), or find them a good situation through rehoming.  Consider rehoming at least some of them so that the rest have more room to move around.  i know it’s hard to hear, and you must be sick of it by now because you consider them your babies, but think of their best interests and do the right thing for them, if this won’t be short-term only.

This is such a tough situation. I’m sure it is very hard on you.

BTW – I have been checking on canvas prices for a few projects I’m working on. Many hardware and home improvement stores – like Home Depot – have canvas drop cloths that range in size from 5×5 feet for about $8(US) to 9×12 feet for about $30.

Sorry, i think i got you confused with someone on another forum who is in a very similar situation as you, who has 4 buns.

Please keep in mind that anything canvas will be easily chewable and not sturdy at all. It will take almost no time for your buns to be able to get out of that, or for a predator to be able to get in! Honestly i hardly think that mosquitos are the biggest concern, but rather dogs, wolves, and foxes.

Do a search for Rabbits United forum. It’s mostly UK, and as a previous poster said, most rabbit owners in the UK keep their rabbits outdoors. Weather wise and culture wise, i think North American buns have it worse when outdoors, but you can get some ideas about outdoor pens and making them safe there, at least until you can move or rehome them or talk your dad into bringing them back in.

That’s a pretty sweet playhouse!!

i see… i think that looks pretty good as far as being wet weather proofed, but i’m still not sure how it’ll be in the dead of winter and the heat of summer. also, that is not really enough space for them to be in without exercise time, which i know you know…

they don’t find betw/ the bars of the cage?

That playhouse looks pretty neat. I think it is also easily modified to include an outside run, if you or your dad, or someone else you know, are handy with tools. You’d only need some posts, 4×4 or someting, and extend the little balcony outward. Make a frame and cover the top with plywood, extending the little balcony roof. Cover the sides with mesh, and either dig the sides down, or also cover the floor with mesh. This will allow the grass to grow through, but stop any digging into or out of the pen. If you build it sturdy enough, it should keep predators out and allow the buns free run outside all day.
Then as someone mentioned, you can drape the sides with plastic or tarp during bad weather, or with mosquito netting during the summer. Then you’d have a nice bugfree place to sit, too
You could even install some sort of cat door in the playhouse door, so the buns can go in and out, but still keep the warmth in, in winter.

earthisours, how hot does it get in the summer in Canada? I see there are windows in the playhouse, could they be opened in the summer to create a breeze, and air out the playhouse? With wire over them, ofcourse, and bug screening. Also, if you have a sturdy run attached to the house, you can keep the door open as well, for air and ventilation.

You could look at a vent to extract heat from the play house. A fan also would be cheaper to run than an a/c. Also, if the windows are removable, you could put hessian over the frame that you can wet down (ideally keep it damp). As the air passes thru the hessian, it cools down. Mega cheap cooling system!