To desperately ask for help RE destructive rabbit!

[Blobsealy]

Not the type that needs batteries ;)

Rescued a female bunny a few months ago, she had a rough past and has every right to be traumatised.

But she eats EVERYTHING.
Digs her way out of everything.
Jumps out of everything.
We've put chicken wire at the bottom of the hutch covered with soil, built a roof for the run so she can't jump out anymore.

She has a companion and they are happily bonded, have a good diet, plenty of space and toys... but I'm running out of ideas.

Came out this morning and she's torn up half the floor to their indoor bit :(

Never ever considered rehoming a pet but she's getting so difficult to take care of. This wasn't mentioned when rescuing her, and only found out the truth about her past after I collected her from the foster.

I know IABU to rehome her but I don't think she is very happy and I'm running out of ideas and ways to keep her safe.

Have tried to rabbit proof the garden but we share an unfenced path at the end with a neighbour.

So basically, if you've made it this far,

YABU find another way of keeping her happy and secure

YANBU try and find her a loving home with Miles of space and tunnels to dig?

Any suggestions on bunny welcomed

You could always make a pie...

It sounds like she doesn't have enough space or enrichment. Try some food treat balls, hay balls, tubes and get a bigger run if you can. Also does she have somewhere she can dig? It's a natural behaviour for rabbits. I used to have a big deep tub of sand/soil for mine.

@questionableMouse
Yum 😋

Dig box is the next thing I'm looking into, unsure as to what material to get one in though as she destroys everything so quickly!
She has eaten her way out of the side of the hutch more than a few times.

She obviously needs to dig.

We had one, also happily bonded, that lived in a tunnel he’d built under the shed. We couldn’t have stopped him from digging without putting him in a straight jacket! He just needed to do it.

Also had another that lived in our house like a little dog (entirely his choice) and wouldn’t have known how to dig if his life depended on it, but that’s another story.

I think on your case it probably makes her feel safe to be able to dig, like she has an escape route if she wants one.

@SmidgenofaPigeon
That makes sense, digging to feel safe.

Okay so any ideas on how to make a secure dig box for them welcomed please

I’m thinking some sort of sandpit set up? I’m pretty sure child friendly sand is fine for them to burrow and play in.

It’s lovely that you’ve rescued her and are trying to help her settle with you smile]

I used a big plastic trough. www.tanks-direct.co.uk/165-litre-plastic-water-trough.html like this one.

I used a mix of soil, gravel and sand so it didn't hold as much water and drilled holes in the bottom. Attached a ramp and it worked really well 😁

Is she neutered?

Excuse the silly question, but have you checked how much space they need? I’m always amazed when people expect them to be happy in a little hutch with a 1m x 1m run. Apologies if you have!

Try RabbitCareandsupport. I'll look for a link.

Help here
there you go

I have a house rabbit who, like PP, is like a little dog. A very diggy dog. If he doesn't have enough enrichment he will start digging out of boredom. So lots of toys, things to make them think, hide treats in her hay etc. Also, they NEED interaction, so if she is outside permanently, please consider getting her a friend.

Apologies! I missed that she has a companion. Ignore that bit!

We attached a run to our she'd. We used a bunny door to connect them. DH then dug up under the run and placed wire and bricks under so no foxes could get in and they can't get out. Buns dig shallow holes and sit in them.
Have buns been fixed? Really important in female rabbits as sis danger of cancer of lady bits. Plus neutering reduces aggressive behaviour.

Both buns have been spayed/neutered, their run is attached to their hutch but gets closed off between midnight and 6am as the hutch is more fox proof

They have lots of toys, tunnels, regularly get boxes stuffed with hay/treats to tear apart and keep them interested

Their run is huge and nearly takes up the whole garden... spoilt buns :p

Off to try and find a good box for layering with soil for her to dig in in the morning, going to try a plastic tub at first as plastic is the one material she hasn't eaten through yet...

I've had rabbits who have lived in burrows. One took over the burrow the previous rabbit had started and write happily slept down there, only going to his hutch for food. Another gave birth in a burrow she'd dug (very saw her a few days before she birthed and 'wasn't sure' if she was pregnant or not!).

My current lot (last two of aforementioned litter) have a 2x1m shed in a 6x6 run. There are heavy duty carparking squares (things you put on grass) buried half a metre below the surface, and the chicken wire is dug down curved into the pen. They have various drainpipes and a woodpile to hide in.

Probably ott but it's kept them happy.