Noisy Rabbit

[islandofsodor]

Last year one of our neighbours (our garden backs onto his road) came round and told us that he had heard a lot of noise in the night and it was some stray dogs trying to break down our fence to get to the rabbit. We moved the hutch from the end of the garden to just outside our bedroom window so further from his house.

He then came around one morning at 7.30am just as we were getting up and the kids ready for school complaining that they had been kept awake all week due to her thumping. He had been round at 4am but couldn't wake us up (though the kids were up really early that morning). He wasn't happy.

That weekend we were away so mil came round and she actually slept in the conservatory right next to the hutch and didn;t hear anything.

I occasionally hear the odd thump and scuttle if womething disturbs her (like me going out to the the shed last thing at night) or someone being around on the car park that backs onto that part of the garden. However I mostly just hear noise from the birds or car engines on the next road or another neighbours flagpole you know.

Anyway he came round again yesterday complaining and demanding we do something about it. He said that every time he hears her he will come round and knock us up. He suggested putting her hutch inside the shed!

What can we do? We have checked with our next door neighbour and next door but one neighbour and they don't hear a thing.

Can you leave a recording device somewhere near the hutch? Then when he comes round, play it to him.

well I very much dont want to go giving unsolicited advice wrt rabbits - but if it is a legitimate thing that she is doing there could be reasons. If you want I can give you the rabbit third degree (I have 10 animals and have read a stupid amount of animal books and belong to pet forums) and I may be able to come up with some changes you could try. At any rate you are right about not letting her alone with the dog that is usually not a good idea. There are other ways you can make her a temp. house bun.

At any rate the mind boggles how he can hear her but she could be making an excessive amount of noise for various reasons. Let me know if you want the rabbit Q&A

I personally think that there are foxes or stray dogs around (hence the fence getting broken) and that she does smell them perhaps.

However I only hear it if I am already awake (I tend to go to bed very late and read in bed or the kids someties get up early). It certainly isn't excessive in my opinion.

He openly admits that sounds travels to his house and he has the windows open. My garden backs onto a WMC car park and he hears noise from there too. That's not really my fault is it?

Much closer to his house is a garden with a flagpole that goes ting, ting ting in the wind. I hear it sometimes but it isn't excessive.

She is a lop but I can't remember what breed exactly. Woman in the pet shop told us to get a big hutch as they grow to a fair size.

So what kind of hutch do you have, and does she have a built on run space as well? If you remember the make of the hutch I'll probably have heard about it.

The thing with rabbits is they get really really antisocial when they arent kept "just so". I know they have traditionally been considered "easy" pets - and in some ways they very much are! I have 4 and they tick along quite nicely on their own. But the initial set up to get them running like that is a bit of work.

They need a lot more space than just a hutch. Rabbit muesli isnt good as they are selective feeders. They need a stupid amount of hay, and some pellets - the type where each pellet looks like every other pellet. Science Select are probably the best, Excel are good. The diet can affect their behaviour because their teeth never stop growing so if they dont eat properly the will hurt them terribly.

Also hate to be the bearer of bad news but most rabbits want a companion. And a lot of aggressive or nervous rabbits calm down when you give them a friend. It isnt natural for a rabbit to live alone. Of course what you really dont want is babies! What a bloody PITA.

Also you called her she so she could be in season. Rabbits really do go mental when they are horny. They are like little savages. You can spay your lady rabbits and this mellows them out enormously and adds years to their life as most female rabbits will die from a uterine cancer.

Well look I said I wouldnt give you unsolicited advice and I just have! LOL I have believe it or not greatly restrained myself I could bore you with a lot more rabbit trivia.

Firstly I think your neighbour sounds insane (rather like crazy rabbit lady here!) and I cant imagine it is that much of a problem. But I can see there might be issues your rabbit is having that is causing her to make more noise than normal.

There are a number of things you can do but I really wont tell you unless you ask I'm going to give myself 30 lashes for giving unsolicited advice.

She doesn't have a run at the moment. We had to take the hutch off the grass and put it on the patio (I was more frightened the stray dogs would get to her than worried about complaint man)

The hutch came from Pets R US, have no idea of its make/name. It has two sections sleeping and normal.

She does destroy water bottles, we had to buy a really big heavy duty one. She also throws her food bowel around.

She has a cube of wood think in to chew and we mostly feed her something that looks like tiny dried dog food (but isn;t obviously)from a local pet shop Excel sounds familiar actually. She also has the odd corn stick thing and a few greens but I was told not to give too many greens.

I will definately consider spaying, after all we had our do neutered straight away.

A friend hey! Nearly ended up with another dog today when dh found a stray but we found the owner (who had lost the dog 2 days ago but not reported it hmmmm)

Have to admit rabbits are not really my thing. Dh mostly deals with her, I of course make sure she is fed, watered, clean etc when he is not around but he does 90% of the caring so sorry if I do sound a bit vague.

Pets R Us what am I thinking (got kids on the brain), I of course mean Pets at Home!!!!!!!!

Pets R Us LOL

Look I really do not want to be a pain. But the thing is with animals you get out what you give in most cases. And rabbits have been a bit unfairly lumped in the "dont need to bother too much" category. They are actually really fascinating in a zoological way if you get their balance right. I would be really happy to tell you some fantastic easy and not expensive ways to make her a pampered bunny.

Some of what you have described sounds typical, but still not terribly healthy for her. I really do not mean this in a nasty way, most people are just not really knowledgeable about the psychology and physiology of rabbits (what a surprise!) but sadly I do!

I dont want to overwhelm you or scare you off (do check my other posts I am not a crazy rabbit stalking woman!) but really, I can help with some advice. When it comes to rabbits & many other animals I have been there and done that. So please just say if you would like me to tell you step by step how to look after her in a way easy for you and your DH and also the best for her. It may stop the thumping but it will certainly make her happier.

I'm off to bed soon but I don't object as long as it doesn't involve spending extortionate amounts of money.

We have put in planning permission for a house extension so she will have to move soonish anyway and dh was thinking of etting a new hutch.

Ok cool, It wont involve loads of money. And I have done all the crap for you so all you have to do is tick these boxes It took me months to sort out my rabs now I know it was seeming harder than it was.

1. get her a friend. must be neutered male. You can get one from the RSPCA much better than P@H. There are also loads of rabbit only rescues - if you tell me the part of the country you are in I can tell you who is nearest I know most of the rescue owners. That is easy peasy. A boy will cost you I guess anywhere between £15-30 ish?? Not sure I havent bought one in ages. 2 of mine are lops (RSPCA - £15 each) 2 are half wild - rescued.

1. if you get a boy from a rescue they should be able to help you with bonding them. This is very important as rabbits can be cantankerous but with male female pairs it is usually fine & I think your girl will be so grateful for a companion you wont have any problems. Again I can help you with the specifics of bonding when/if you do it. In a nutshell you introduce them on neutral territory - somewhere neither has been before i.e. bathroom.

1. You dont say if your hutch is single or double story. Either way I am afraid it isnt big enough. Rabbits have got to be able to hop about, stand up on their back legs etc. But dont panic it hasnt got to be expensive. When I finish this post I will put a pic of my setup on my profile so you can get ideas. Mine is huge, but I have 4 and I had the space so I could do it. We actually spend a lot of time in it with the rabbits eating out of our hands etc. Imagine a hutch with a chicken run panel set up around it to make a sort of box around the hutch. You can make this yourself with cheap wood and chicken wire - dead cheap and easy, you just wire the panels together. Or you can buy them. Look on ebay for "run panels".

Your rabbits will not be healthy or happy unless they have space to run every day. It is like getting a cat but never letting it out of the bathroom - they are not sedentary creatures that is a total myth.

1. They must eat SO much hay. It is much much cheaper if you get it from a place that sells big bags without a brand, just go to any place that sells farmy type stuff and they will have it. You can get a giant bag for £2 as opposed to a weeny peeny one from P@H. Rabbits need to eat pellets that are uniform in shape, size and colour. That is how you can tell a healthy pellet from an unhealthy one. Excel are sold at P@H and it is good and popular with rabbits. I prefer Science Select as it is that little bit healthier and the same price (or less) but it can be a bit harder to come by so Excel would be fine and much better than something that is non uniform and much better than muesli. Per rabbit you want to give one handful of pellets each day. They dont have to be in bowls most rabbits turn bowls over. Fresh veg several times a week as well. Fruit is ok once a week, like some apple chunks. Try getting a heavy ceramic dog bowl for their water. Rabbits in the wild drink out of ponds etc not bottles and many rabbits reject bottles.

1. Lots of fresh straw for bedding - again dont pay over the odds at P@H. Go to a farm shop. They are everywhere and you can get SO much for next to nothing. You will probably find your rabbits poo in a certain place most of the time. Line that with newspaper instead of the straw, then when you need to all you have to do is fold the paper up, chuck it, replace it and then just freshen up the straw every couple of weeks - again cheaper and easier than cleaning the whole hutch.

A rabbit wants to dig. You can give them an old cardboard box filled with earth and they will love it and stay busy. They have to chew their teeth down so wood chews are great. Some rabs like playing football with balls with bells in them or scrunched up bits of newspaper. A rabbit must have time out of the hutch every day. I know I keep banging on about it but just as we now understand dancing bears is not a natural thing, so is keeping a rabbit in a stationary position. It hurts their bodies and will cause a much earlier death.

Also you would be doing your rabbit a kindness by vaccinating it against myxi. My vet charges £15 each but some places (like RSPCA) do it even less and it hasnt got to be done all the time - people disagree between once a year and twice. But myxi is a very painful death and not pleasant for you to see and deal with either. It is transferred by mosquitoes not just other rabbits.

If your rabbit hasnt been having a really good amount of non hutch time her nails might be overly long - have a look & if they are take her to the vet they will clip them down for next to nothing. Then from now on if you give her the space she needs you shouldnt need to worry about her nails really, mine have never had to be clipped.

Ok there is loads but I will stop now that is a lot for you to read! Try this forum Happy Hoppers we are a very friendly bunch if I do say so myself and there is lots of friendships and indeed brilliant rabbit advice. There is a section called property ladder and also rabbit care articles plus the forum boards which will tell you everything you need to know.

Dont be put off by all the information, I know it seems a lot but honestly it is one of those things that setting up can be a bit of work - wrt hutch run building a weekend or something but the rest is just amending your habits - and usually you save money and the rabbit is far happier so it really is worth it. You can email me if you want someone to hold your hand on a rabbit forum senatorvass at gmail dot com

Also they can be a hell of a lot of fun. Mine piss me off no end but they are fascinating to watch when allowed to live a normal rabbit life with you as observer.

Sorry for ranting!

fuck that is a long post. Sorry!

there are some pics on my profile. I make no excuses I am different with animals than a lot of other people. but I cant help knowing a lot about them so dont think I am a freak! It is just one of the things I chose to study.

Your rabbit MUST have a run.

LOL Mrsmaidamess you are much more to the point than me! But you must admit I typed an astonishing amount of advice out in under 5 mins!

Hereidrawtheline

Can I ask you some rabbit questions?

I have a male uneutered rabbit. He seems pretty happy, and has a very large amount of space to run about in. We have cats, that he like to be around, but the cats usually try to avoid him.

Would he be happier if I got him neutered, and got a female rabbit to keep him company?

What is wrong with rabbit meusli style food? That is what I have been getting, as the pellet type foods look pretty boring, and when he has his meusli he eats the vegetable bits, and leaves the pellets (he also eats a lot of grass, dandelions and other leaves).

I dont think my rabbit eats hay. I give it to him, but I had assumed that he was using it for bedding, as I have never seen him eating it, or noticed there being any less of it. Am I doing something wrong?

bigstripeytiger I am happy to answer your questions. First I want to say I am going to give you the advice that is recommended and for the best of the rabbit but I dont mean it as a criticism in any way at all - the thing is no one tells you a lot of this stuff til you chance upon the right person so you couldnt be expected to know all of it.

Meusli food for rabbits is not good because they are selective eaters. It is like giving a child chocolate, sweets & broccoli. They are likely to not fill up on broccoli. Not only are the "sweet" bits not as healthy but they also do not do the required job of wearing your rabbits teeth down. This is essential as their teeth will get totally out of control, cause them great pain, sometimes death even. The reason uniform pellets are so healthy is that all the nutrients from a complete diet are mashed together and put into a mould so that when your rabbit eats it they cant help but eat the healthy stuff. And they are much harder so the rabbit gets to chew down their teeth. Food is the most important thing to get right for a rabbit and sadly the thing most often got wrong.

Also a rabbit has to have about 80% of its diet hay. A rabbit wont eat hay if they are given too much of the other types of food. Hay wears the teeth down and gives them the fibre they need to keep their systems going. Rabbits have really horrible digestive tracts, a little blockage can hurt them a lot.

If you are going to change your rabbits diet for the better best to do it gradually, mix some pellets (SS or Excel) with the meusli gradually getting rid of the meusli altogether over a week. Your rabbit is likely love the pellets so much you wont have any problems. Then make sure you give fresh hay every day. A rabbit wont eat stale hay. You can use straw for bedding and hay for food that is a good way of monitoring how much hay they eat and both are really cheap.

It is a very rare rabbit that wont be happier in a pair or group. Rabbits dont like living alone as a rule. They are prey and social animals and they actually fall in love! Its true - you get a male/female (neutered) pair and they will adore each other, grooming, sleeping, cuddling, chasing.

If you are able to get another I would it is really for the best. But your boy will need to have been neutered first, I cant stress enough how much you dont want babies. They will cost you a fortune to take care of and also add to the huge problem of rabbits in rescues. There are hundreds of thousands of them. I can tell you the rescue nearest you if you let me know what part of the country you are in. I may even know of lady bunnies looking for love near you. Your boy will need to be neutered for 3-4 weeks before you bring a girl to him because he will still be fertile in that time. A good rabbit rescue can help you with bonding the pair but they will make it a requirement that one or both is neutered. Rescues are swamped with unwanted rabbits, especially now because people are handing them back because they cant afford them. We see some really sad cases and there are so many lovely bunnies who would adore a great home.

Your female really should be spayed too, even if your boy is done, because as I said earlier it will add years to her life and also very importantly make her nicer to be around. Horny female rabbits are neurotic and a real PITA. They get much more mellow and happy once you have relieved them from the need to get humped every 5 mins. You are very likely to find though if you go through a good rescue a female will have already been done. Some rescues do this as a matter of course before they release a rabbit to a new family.

As you can see I really do know a stupid amount of rabbit stuff - sadly not just rabbits also cats, degus, blah blah blah. I wanted to be a veterinary nurse but I've been in the animal care world a long time. If you have any other questions at all or want to join the forum I belong to you can email me senatorvass at gmail dot com - it is a really friendly bunch. This particular forum is great because no one jumps down your throat or anything. Some animal forums are quite literally rabid & I think it puts people off a lot.

Hope thats helped a little & there's more where that came from

My rabbit plays football.

yeah mine do too. And they pick up empty sand buckets in their mouths and chuck them around.

We have a barked area in our garden.

If I drag the run over to that bit she goes NUTS digging like mad, with a huge pile of bark flying out behind her. We call her Steve McQueen, as she has attempted escape many times (and succeeded.)

Your neighbour sounds quite mad. If he that sensitive to ambient noise, maybe he should invest in earplugs.

By islandofsodor on Thu 18-Jun-09 23:07:34

"We are detached 3 bed house. His is 4 bed I think. Our house is at the end of the street then a private road runs along the side and around the back behind our garden. His house faces our garden on the other side of the private road "

i think your neighbour has got it into to his head that whatever is waking him up is your rabbits.

If your rabbit is making enough noise to travel across your garden, then across a road and his garden surely it would wake you up right next door.

I think it just something to complain about.