To Peel or Not to Peel

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 12sd replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 16 years, 9 months ago by RabbitPam.

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- 12/05/2008 at 8:16 PM
  BunnyMuffin
  Participant
  350 posts
  The willow that is!
  
  So, I recently bought an assortment of willow items for the buns and am appalled to discover that they devour the unpeeled willow, and want NOTHING to do with the peeled willow! And I don’t understand it! There’s been a peeled willow ball sitting in their cage for weeks on end, and no one will touch it. I thought that maybe if I didn’t offer anything else, they’d eventually get bored and munch on it, but no go.
  
  Does anyone else have picky bunnies that refuse peeled willow? I just don’t get it…
- 12/05/2008 at 8:39 PM
  MooBunnay
  Participant
  3087 posts
  Mine usually like both..could you try putting some hay inside the willow ball to draw their attention to it? All bunnies have different tastes and different likes and dislikes, so I wouldn’t really be surprised if yours have decided they don’t like the peeled willow – but try putting some hay in it, or moving around the cage to see if it attracts their attention.
  
  What kinds of unpeeled willow toys did they try? maybe they just don’t like the idea of a willow ball? Mine prefer to chew on big willow boxes or baskets.
- 12/05/2008 at 9:18 PM
  BunnyMuffin
  Participant
  350 posts
  The unpeeled willow toys were all balls as well. I’m saving the interestingly shaped ones for Christmas! I’ve tried to explain to them that’s it’s the exact same thing, but they just don’t listen! And Wally is a big chewer, so I thought for sure he’d go for it, but no such luck.
  
  I’ll try to shove some hay in there – see how that goes. Thanks for the tip!
- 12/05/2008 at 11:58 PM
  Kokaneeandkahlua
  Participant
  12067 posts
  I find that really spoiled rabbits (like everyone on here has ) usually ignore new toys and treats…I think its to avoid looking thankful and making us think we’re doing a good job; They’ll usually play with it later -for instance Dave made this hideaway house months ago; And they just starting going in it yesterday *bad bunnies*
  
  I’d just leave it for them and you’ll find it gone soon!
- 12/06/2008 at 3:42 PM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  oh i totally read your post as too Pee or not to Pee!!! hahaha
- 12/06/2008 at 8:18 PM
  BunnyMuffin
  Participant
  350 posts
  Oh funny! Nope, just peeled willow here. I stuffed the ball with hay, and still no takers. They just baffle me. Maybe it’ll disappear when I’m gone over the holidays if they get bored without their usual amount of roaming space.
- 12/06/2008 at 9:18 PM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  is one better for them than the other? (peeled vs. unpeeled?)
- 12/06/2008 at 10:08 PM
  BunnyMuffin
  Participant
  350 posts
  I don’t think so. I just bought a mixed bag that has about half and half, and it’d be nice if the peeled half didn’t go to waste!
- 12/07/2008 at 9:50 AM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  mine LOVE unpeeled and will kinda nibble at peeled if they HAVE TO… i’m guessing there’s just a difference in texture that is more satisfying to some buns…
  
  the great thing is that the willow toys are cheap, so even if they don’t take to one, it’s not like it’s a huge monetary loss… lol. next time you’ll know not to get the peeled…
- 12/07/2008 at 12:59 PM
  LittlePuffyTail
  Moderator
  18092 posts
  My buns go nuts with the unpeeled. The last time I gave them all an unpeeled basket they ate the whole thing in one night! The peeled stuff usually stays in the cage untouched for a few days/weeks until they start slowly working away at it.
- 12/07/2008 at 1:29 PM
  BunnyMuffin
  Participant
  350 posts
  Well I’m glad to know that my buns aren’t just being uber picky and that other bunnies prefer the unpeeled stuff too!
- 12/07/2008 at 2:46 PM
  Hedi
  Participant
  969 posts
  BunnyMuffin my buns are the same way! Out of the four of them none of them will touch peeled willow. So strange. Even if they sit for months they may chew on it if they get bored but thats it.
- 12/07/2008 at 5:03 PM
  RabbitPam
  Moderator
  11002 posts
  Ack! Samantha did exactly the same thing!
  
  I received a peeled (huge) tunnel for my birthday and she barely walks through it. I just put a raisin in it tonight to lure her away from the coffee table. She’s taken a couple of token bites of the willow.
  
  But I found an unpeeled willow ball that I bought last spring, and this tiny bunny tore it up in one night! I’ve never seen anything like it. The thing is, I sent them the link to buy the gift, so I could have just as easily chosen the unpeeled tunnel.
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