Free range rabbits

[Firsttimer]

Well it’s that time of year again and we’ve suddenly realised that our NIC cage takes up the entire space that the christmas tree would have occupied.  I’m tempted to try letting Pepper and Dylan go free range this weekend to see how they get on, since I’ll be around all weekend.  I know Dylan will be no trouble, but Pepper still occassionaly pees on furniture and doesn’t have the best litter habits.  I’m not keen to move them to a different room just for a chrismtas tree.  Not sure how to sell this suggetsion to my husband though, Pepper is fond of chewing anything belonging to him!  If their cage is taken away and the litter tray and comfy bedding remains will this still be too much of an environment change for them and would Peppers habits just get worse? 

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

You know the first time I heard of free range, I thought “Are you freaking kidding me? Like a cat? Really?” But I can’t say enough about it. It’s so nice, easier and I know the buns love it.

It easier and harder in certain ways. No more rounding them up for bedtime or to leave the house. No more worrying that they have enough time out. Harder-you have to bunny proof really well. You have to constantly watch for any damage (sometimes they are good, sometimes they decide maybe a bite of Dave’s leather theatre chairs would be tasty).

I found I was able to trial free range by letting them out and taking a nap on the couch. That way they knew I wasn’t watching them, but I would wake up for anything bad. If you have enough toys and things to do they should do alright. I found they’d chewed the theatre chair a bit, so I put a phone book there and they were fine!

[Firsttimer]

Yes, I’m thinking of dismantling their cage tonight and sleeping on the couch.  That might reassure hubby!  The room should be bunny proofed enough because I leave them alone in the evenings if I’m in the kitchen cooking or in the shower etc, but you just never know.  I think my main concern is Peppers litter habits, she has been known to get comfy on the couch and then leave a puddle.  I’m going to bring in their old cage which is much smaller but could be used as a safe feeling area for them.  I might put out extra litter trays too just to see what happens.

[Cassi&Charlie]

My buns are free-range and it’s brilliant. The only thing we have to watch out for, like K&K suggested, is leather. The little buggers love it and it’s never good when boyfriends expensive leather shoes get chewed.
Bunny proofing is the main thing, and it’s an evolving thing that said, free range bunnies are great.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I don’t know why they like the leather?? Luckily they can only get under the theatre chairs which were cheap…My Natuzzi leather couches have been safe so far!!

You could always put uncomfortable objects on the couch when your not around; That’s how my parents kept the dog off their sofas! Flip the cushions up or put a pile of books or other objects (I’m sure your more creative then me!) on there to prevent them from hopping up.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Oh and it is a bit ongoing with bunny proofing when they are out constantly. Like we haven’t changed anything in months and Ruperts all of a sudden decided it’s fun to pull DVD’s out and toss them around-out of the blue. No big deal at all, just moved them. But he’s been free range for almost eight months!

[KatnipCrzy]

Another cheap furniture deterrent can be those plasic runners that old people use to cover their carpets- buy the kind with the nubs on the back that poke into the carpet to hold it into place- and put that on the couch nub side up.  The nubs are not enough to injure- but is uncomfortable to step on for people and pets (like stepping on a Lego!)

Julie

[Firsttimer]

I dismantled their NIC cage last night and I rewired one of my hubbies speakers so that it was attached to the wall and made it more space accessible to the buns. Then I tried sleeping on the sofa. But I gave up at about 3am because they were having so much fun that I couldn’t sleep! So I risked leaving them. When we got up in the morning there was a little pee on each sofa but no other damage and they hadn’t got past any of my bunny proofing.

I had put a thick old sheet down on one of the sofas which protected it but didn’t have another one for the other sofa.

I once bought that plastic runner material for our hallway because there is no carpet for them to get a grip, but Pepper enjoyed chewing it so it might be a bit risky. Not sure what else I could use.

Anyway, I don’t think either rabbit got a wink of sleep as they were having so much fun, the were so active. And my living room looked so much better without a huge cage in it. Lets hope the sofa problem can be remedied to allow them to stay free range.

[Hedi]

Can u buy or do you have some old big blankeys you can cover the couches with to protect them from stains? And hair?

[Firsttimer]

Yeah I have big throws over them at the moment but they seem to soak through to the sofa.  Last night I put a sheet on one of them which absorbed some of it but I’m not keen to use and wash sheets every day.

[Beka27]

your best bet will be limiting the space they have until she’s better littertained. as long as she’s not being supervised at night there’s not a lot you can do, unless you can fully block all access to the couches.

[Balefulregards]

and the up all night behavior tones down after the novelty wears off. Coco used to be crazy night rabbit at first, but now I think she simmers down and sleeps until the sun re-appears ( when all bets are off)

Have you thought about using those shower liners under the blankets?

[Firsttimer]

Pepper and Dylan had a ball their first night and possibly the second night, I was wondering if Pepper had even slept because she didn’t rest during the day either. Anyway they are much calmer now. I’m finding them much friendlier and also it is so much easier for me to clean up after them that I think Peppers litter training might be improving aleady.
Last night I put one of their tunnels on each of the sofas under the throws and this morning I can’t find a single puddle. It might be a one off but I’ll keep dong that, maybe the extra hight is putting her off or she got a fright when she tried the jump. If it turns out not to work I will try the shower curtain idea, only thing is Pepper will chew anything so it might not last long.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Awww I’m glad it’s working so well for you!!! They do seem much happier at first-like they’re thanking you for the special priveledge!! (Once, after going free range, Dave was mad that they ate something and locked them up in their three story condo -yes they’re such poor babies-and they were mad at *me*for over four days after that! Kahlua stomped all night LOL They do get used to and demand the extra priveledge!!)

[Dave]

I would liken free range rabbits to free range boys.  You know some things are going to get destroyed, but it’s worth it in the end.  I find that free range rabbits tend to be a blessing in disguise, if I don’t clean up after myself they wreck it.  I am forced to pick up my stuff then!

[Firsttimer]

Haha. My husband is not very impressed with Dylan today. We got up in the morning and every shelf on a five foot DVD unit was sprayed with litter. Dylan had obviously been digging or kicking or something. I found it really funny, nothing destroyed and bunnies happy.

[Cassi&Charlie]

Thats great that nothing was destroyed. Good to have a sense of humour about these things!

[Author]

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