Hi Henrymouse, I like the names Dudley and Gertie for the buns! (Dudders! -lol – I read your profile  )

Sounds like he’s a very active boy! This may reduce as he gets older but that probably doesn’t help you right now! Are your buns pretty much free range in the home? I wondered if you have a room you can completlely bunny proof (skirting boards incl) that bun can have when your not home. Are you able to prevent the chewing when you are at home?
I think they like to get their teeth into something that is fixed. Gives them more purchase to really rip into it. Like a barrier they have to get thru. A chew toy is too easy to toss aside so the challenge is less. (Just trying to think like a bun here!)

Have you got something like the Maze Haven? Would Dudley hang out in something like this? Gives lots of exercise and safe chewable material. Even a series of cardboard boxes.

I would avoid the chilli juice too – tempting thou it may be! There maybe something safer to use.

Hopefully some other members who have notorious chewers will be able to give you some pointers. 

Just had a thought – have you tried apple sticks for him to chew?  Maybe a bigger, heavier branch.

welcome here!

like Jerseygirl said, this might be something that lessens as he gets older… but… it might not. some rabbits are chewers, and they are always chewers. some reasons why they chew are boredom (if they’re confined to one room, he might be looking for a way “out”) and some of it is natural instinct. this is where you would give appropriate things to chew.

what kind of bunny-proofing do you have in the kitchen? i’d suggest you either construct barriers or line the walls with NIC cube grids so he cannot get in contact with the baseboards. or, when you’re not home, can they be kept in an exercise pen attached to their hutch to allow some room to play safely…?

a great article…

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/3-6/chew-stick.html

Welcome to Binkybunny!

Two questions: Is your bunny neutered? Is he a dutch rabbit?

Neutering decreases alot of the frantic behaviors like chewing like a mad man. Also younger buns are more prone to be destructive (although from their point of view whats the difference between the wood chew toys you give them and the wood on the side of the wall ? ). He may grow out of it, but he will always be a chewer (in terms of what kind of play he likes )

And I had to ask if he’s dutch (if you don’t know here’s what they look like, it’s very distinctive http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_rabbit) because they are very intelligent, which makes bunny proofing a bit harder-you have to stay one step ahead of them.

The sprays don’t really work but another thing you could try is perfume and/or vinegar. There is an excellent list of ideas on bunny proofing on this site under rabbit info. I’d done very well but reading through that changed my world!! (and protected alot of things from being destroyed!)

NIC cubes as barriers as Beka suggested are fantastic!! They are versatile and perfect and come in three main colors (grey/white/black) to match your decor! You can also bend them to make them fit in a small area (like try bending one in a c shape and stick that on any side of your fridge so he can’t get back there!)

I have a chewer – a hard core chewer. She has specific areas she likes best, s o I have had to find ways to either out think her, bar her from the area…or give her other things.

Of course, Coco was not interested in all the appropriate toys she had to chew. To this day, she doesn’t hold much with the willow balls, the throw toys etc. ( although I have seen her chew on the Binky bunny floppers garden)

For Coco I had to do two things

1. Out think her. And I mean SERIOUSLY out think her. Because she is smart. Super smart. I tried blocking her off from her favorite chew spot ( the satellite cable cord) – She looked and looked until she found a way around it. I re-built – she re-thought the problem and found a new way around my new solution.

I tried covering the cable with the black cord protector. She chewed through that. I finally wandered the home improvement store until I found thick, flexible plumbing tube that has proved too big for her to get her mouth around and not attractive to her for chewing. It also had to be heat resistant, as it sits near our heating element.

2. Divert. Once I figured out Coco’s rabbit “job” I had to find ways to engage her in work ( which is what she is doing when she chews…). If I was head rabbit in a warren, Coco would be my number one root clearer. So I had to simulate roots for her to chew…and made a weird looking toy that I posted in the Toy Forum.

I keep re-tying the knots so it changes every day or so. She doesn’t love that I mess with her work ( I get nipped in the bum) but she re-tackles the roots. She also has really enjoyed the Oxbow root bunglaow and I have used that as part of her “job”. She chews on that.

Again, I view it like I did with the kids I taught. They know the fake stuff ( which is why baby “keys” and fake “phones” are NEVER as appealing as the real stuff). They want real work.

At least Coco does. When she doesn’t have a problem to solve, she makes one to solve.

Oh! NOW I see the problem. I mean how can you discipline a bun with a face like that! He’s awesome! He and Frankie should hook up!! Have you see Frankie bun? Similar colouring and ambiguous ears.

he is precious! uncanny resemblance to Frankie!

Whoa! Hang on, you NEED to post another pic of Gertie because from what I’m seeing, there is one big bunny in the bottom of that basket!

WHOA!!!! good eye! i dind’t see the bunny on the bottom, i was too overcome by Dudley’s cuteness! pics of Gertie please…

she is beautiful! her fur looks so soft. i love the last pic, i’m just itching to give her forehead a rub! too cute!