As the title says really. Just interested to hear peoples views. Mine have a hutch and a run. I don't think I could trust them to be free range with supervision as they would never come back to me!!! I was thinking of maybe penning off one end of the garden so they can be with us in the summer, but they seem happy and contented in their run.
-
Forum/Server Upgrade If you are reading this you have made it to the upgraded forum. Posts made on the old forum after 26th October 2023 have not been transfered. Everything else should be here. If you find any issues please let us know.
Are your rabbits in a run or free range in the garden?
- Thread starter DDD
- Start date
norrielian
Mama Doe
Mainly in their run but free range in the garden occasionally under supervision only.
Lian x
Lian x
I thought free range meant living in burrows in your garden? No? well mine is free range then as she is in the garden all day(I am a housewife so here all day)with constant indoor access, but is put in a run with access to hutch if I' m away for the day. She comes in at night of her own accord mostly but if she's not in by nightfall I go and get her.-Sue:wave:
Bavarian Bunny
Wise Old Thumper
Mine are all in runs. Our garden is not suitable for free range, and we have some very fearless foxes in the area.
Mine have the run of a penned off large patio 3 times a day - I've let them on the garden and they dug out in about an hour - I've never used the rabbit run I bought initially as it's so tiny (3x6) - they really RUN on the patio but I wouldn't feel happy leaving them out there all day 
Mine live in a permanent compound that is 20' x 12' on grass. They live in there all year round. They have a hutch, an A-frame Ark to shelter in and underneath that they have a huge burrow they have dug. They generally sit in the ark and have a snooze or go underground to sleep. Bounce around a bit in the afternoon when their Ark is blocked off to stop them going underground for the night. Then they go to bed when it gets dark.
It is great that they have loads of space to run. They tear around the compound like rockets sometimes, bouncing and binking like crazy. It is a lovely sight to see. I can see the compound from the kitchen window and hubby calls it Rabbit TV.
We also have buzzards which circle overhead, but you are quite safe as they are primarily interested in carrion and not live animals. We have never had any cause for worry in the two years they have lived like this.
It is great that they have loads of space to run. They tear around the compound like rockets sometimes, bouncing and binking like crazy. It is a lovely sight to see. I can see the compound from the kitchen window and hubby calls it Rabbit TV.
We also have buzzards which circle overhead, but you are quite safe as they are primarily interested in carrion and not live animals. We have never had any cause for worry in the two years they have lived like this.
I don't have a rabbit anymore, but I would never have them free range unsupervised. The risk to them is too great. A fox killed two of mine two years ago Many people believe they don't have foxes in the area (I did), but don't be fooled- they may visit your garden at all times of the day and night.
A free range life is a great one though, perhaps the benefit outways the risk? I guess thats something everyone has to decide for themselves.
Many people believe they don't have foxes in the area (I did), but don't be fooled- they may visit your garden at all times of the day and night.A free range life is a great one though, perhaps the benefit outways the risk? I guess thats something everyone has to decide for themselves.
We don't have foxes in this area otherwise, I would have them out in a covered run. A neighbour down the road has two freerange buns who have lived in a burrow in a fenced part of the garden for over five years. We are very lucky up here. Yesterday, we had a red squirrel run along our street (we have woods at the back of the street behind us)
norrielian
Mama Doe
Hi :wave:
I don't think anyone can be 100% sure that they don't have foxes in the area. I just wouldn't be prepared to take the risk.
Maybe your neightbour has just been lucky?
Lian x
I agree, so many people think they don't have foxes.
The fox that killed my rabbits pulled the run away from the playhouse they lived in one night...I found their headless bodies the next morning. It was devestating and I will never forgive myself for not bolting the run on.
Since then I have seen the foxes several times, at all times of the day.
Unfortunately many people will read this and think it will never happen to them, that's what I used to think too
Leanne
Wise Old Thumper
I agree, so many people think they don't have foxes.
The fox that killed my rabbits pulled the run away from the playhouse they lived in one night...I found their headless bodies the next morning. It was devestating and I will never forgive myself for not bolting the run on.
Since then I have seen the foxes several times, at all times of the day.
Unfortunately many people will read this and think it will never happen to them, that's what I used to think too
Yes foxes are everywhere, I think ive been lucky so far because ive always had 4 cats (although only 2 now) and a dog that all hang out in the garden too and most foxes will steer clear of areas full of cats and dogs unless they are poorly, then they don't care and stumble about anywhere
I know the risks and like you said Mandy, weighed it up. My personal opinion is that if I were a rabbit I would rather have a short happy, free living life than a long, (still relatively happy!) confined one. So I have always kept them free range for the last 15 years (I think!).
I did have a rabbit killed by a fox as a child and it was horrific but over very quickly for the rabbit thankfully.
Each to their own though
RUSSIANBEAR
Warren Scout
Ours are currently confined to Quarters, due me overhauling the garden in preparation for their new shed/runs.
