Advice please re shy Polish Bun

[JoBananas]

Hi

I hope that someone may have some advice for me please. I have posted previously as my 2 neutered males were not getting on resulting in me separating them and getting them both spayed girlfriends from the RSPCA.

The 2 bigger buns are thriving and totally smitten, it is the smallest of the new additions that is causing me worry. Sweep the male that I have paired her with is lovely and sweet natured and has never shown any aggression at all, but Sugar (female spayed polish rabbit) is still very very shy. Unlike the other pair they don't seem to sit together or really bother about each other at all. He is his usual friendly self and she just runs and hides under something in their run so I can' get to her.

I have just managed to catch her and she is sitting on my lap dozing while I'm typing this. I'm not sure what to do or in fact whether I am worrying over nothing. Is this the right environment for her or would she be better suited to someone looking for a house bunny that can give her more time and attention?

She is so adorable I really just want what is best for her.

I welcome any thoughts or advice about this situation or about the breed.

Thanks in advance
Jo

[Tamsin]

How long have you had her? It seems to take some rabbits longer to settle in than others.

Does she have red eyes? Red-eyed rabbits can have poorer eye sight so startle more easily.

Plenty of hidey holes will make her feel secure as she knows she can hide if she needs to. If she doesn't like being picked up then tempting her into a carrier to move her about might work better.

Tam

[JoBananas]

Hi

We have had her about 4 months now. They have a hutch with under-run that has a wooden box in it and also a plastic stool that she loves to go under, so lots of places to hide.

She is white with red eyes so I don't know what her eyesight is like.

Once I have got her she is very affectionate and doesn't struggle at all, if I put her on the floor she just comes back on my lap to be cuddled and I don't like putting her back but I have to! My husband is allergic to rabbits.

Sweep is fine with her when I put her back, I just want the best for them both.

Jo

[JoBananas]

This is Sugar:

[neeshkabeesh]

Aww she looks just like my pole Rosie (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v282/Lysine/bunny1.jpg)
She doesn't sound that shy if she is okay about being handled, my Rosie dislikes human contact shes such a madam and will bite you easily (not an aggressive bite, a don't-you-touch-me bite!) Maybe it has something to do with the way you approach the run. Are you able to sit by, or inside, the run and talk to them or just read a book until she comes over to investigate? Maybe she associates a human walking towards her home as a threat, something to do with her past perhaps?

[JoBananas]

Rosie looks so sweet :) Does she live outside? Is she part of a pair?

When I go out to see them Sweep always comes straight over (as do my other 2 buns) but Sugar just hides and doesn't really budge. It is so odd because when I do persevere and catch her she is so very placid, I can't imagine that she would ever try to bite.

I could do with setting up a spy camera so that I can see what they get up to when I'm not there! Perhaps a bit extreme - LOL. I can't see their run from the house as it is at the side.

[neeshkabeesh]

Yes Rosie lives outside with my two other rabbits :) Shes seven years old now, that pic was only a couple of months ago :D

Maybe Sugar just needs more time to settle in, Rosie took a while to become keen on me. I'd just try sitting in their run and let them explore you but don't go to touch any of them. Take in some food and feed one bit at a time, she'll soon associate your company with something good and happy.