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Is it just me that finds it a chore to look after the buns?

nessar

Warren Veteran
Since the buns have been outside (9 months) I've found it gradually harder and harder to look forward to seeing them. It was fine in the summer and at first I'd spend every spare minute out there, but in this horrid cold rainy weather I really dislike it. It's so cold and usually dark by the time I can get out there in the evening, and my hands hurt so much from the cold. I find myself leaving it till the last minute (around this time) every night as I am putting it off, and then I try to spend less than 15 mins out there if I can. It sounds horrid but I no longer socialise with them much, just doing their litter tray, giving them their pellets, sorting their hay and water and sorting out some greens for them, then I wait till they are done eating, Barney gets a cuddle and a kiss and I put out my hand for Anna to nosebonk (she doesn't do strokes anyway). Sometimes I have a little chat with them, but I feel bad that they don't get much attention these days. Mornings are also rushed as I'm in a rush to get off to work, so the only time they really get me spending any real time with them is the weekend.

I feel really bad as we spent loads of time together when they were indoors, now I feel like I'm neglecting them. I'd spend ages just sitting watching them, or cuddling up with Barney. I mean they're not that interested anyway because I've just plonked food down, so they are much more interested in that, but normally (when food isn't around) Barney likes human attention. Anna is happier without it anyway tbh, she doesn't like being touched.

I enjoy their company, I just dislike the cleaning out (especially as they poo EVERYWHERE but their litter tray) and hate the cold. I feel like such a bad bunny-mummy, it shouldn't feel like a chore to have them, should it?
 
Sounds awful and I wouldn't like it either. My buns are indoors though and it is just so much easier. You said yours used to be, what made you put them outside then, and would you not consider bringing them back indoors?
 
I think this weather is enough to make anyone dread it! I'm so glad the nights have got lighter so that when I do get time to clean Marley its actually still light. AND as soon as I go to start I have to come back in for a wee :lol:. Just wqit until the sun starts shining more and it'll be back :thumb: as long as you still love them and they still love you it'll work itself out. I'm sure they don't mind each others company in this weather. Why did you move them out if you don't mind me asking? I'm waiting until I can move Marley in :lol:
 
It has been a long harsh winter , i empathise!!! I'd love to spend more time too, thank god for the lighter nights!
 
Hi nessar,

I do know what you mean, peters currently indoors but will be moving back outside as soon as the weather picks up as he is far, far happier outside. I'm dreading having to deal with him outside though, its just so easy when he's in, not having to face the cold etc
 
I got like this when my rabbits used to live outside.
In the summer I would sit out there with them for hours but in the colder months I would spend as little time out there as possible and I felt really bad.
That's why I brought them inside.

They have each other so even though you're not spending much time with them they have attention from each other :)
That's what I used to tell myself anyway.
 
You don't need to feel bad. Most rabbits would be perfectly happy with zero human interaction so long as they were cleaned, fed and watered.

I spend far more time with mine in the summer than the winter. Yeah, for the coldest darkest weeks it's feels a bit rubbish but it's soon forgotten.

If you're really unhappy with them outside would it be possible to move them back in?
 
Glad I'm not the only one :( I'm about to go out now. I'm gonna buy them some more boredom breakers tomorrow as I feel like a guilty absent parent! Yes, I guess they have each other.

I can't have them inside, if I could I would :( I want to. When I eventually manage to get a better job so I can afford to move, then I'll be able to bring them back inside, or at least get a cosy shed to sit in with them. So that will hopefully be in the next few months, as I've now widened my search out of desperation to anything with a decent wage. I can't wait to have them inside again, I miss it. Although I don't miss the bunny hair and hay everywhere.

Yes, I think it will get easier now with the evenings getting lighter, and hopefully warmer too.
 
I am exactly the same. I'm fed up of doing detailed applications to specific places and not even having a sorry or no thanks :/ chin up it'll all be different in no time!
 
I go out and sit in the sheds with mine...just wrap up warm :) I actually prefer having the buns outdoor than I do indoor and Rosey and Bertie will be going out as soon as it warms up a little :) Iv just been out in the garden and its freeeezing and they have all taken themselves into their sheds/playhouse so fed them, tucked them up with lots of hay and turned out the lights :) I might be alone but I am MUCH happier with outdoor buns than indoor ones :thumb:
 
I feel the same.

Since moving lucky outside I feel it a chore to give him hay etc.
Me and my brother have quarrels about who's going to giv it first. :oops:
:oops:
 
I go out and sit in the sheds with mine...just wrap up warm :) I actually prefer having the buns outdoor than I do indoor and Rosey and Bertie will be going out as soon as it warms up a little :) Iv just been out in the garden and its freeeezing and they have all taken themselves into their sheds/playhouse so fed them, tucked them up with lots of hay and turned out the lights :) I might be alone but I am MUCH happier with outdoor buns than indoor ones :thumb:

Whsy that if you don't mind me asking? The mess?
 
Whsy that if you don't mind me asking? The mess?

No I dont mind the mess at all (I have three kids lol) but the garden is like my therapy..i love escaping to the garden and loosing myself in bunnies and piggies :love: and I just prefer being outside to being inside. Plus Rosey and Bertie are in my bedroom and becuase im in and out of the garden all day I actually see them less than the outdoor buns.
 
No I dont mind the mess at all (I have three kids lol) but the garden is like my therapy..i love escaping to the garden and loosing myself in bunnies and piggies :love: and I just prefer being outside to being inside. Plus Rosey and Bertie are in my bedroom and becuase im in and out of the garden all day I actually see them less than the outdoor buns.

I think I'd like mine indoors in some respects but I agree with you. I love having mine in the garden because I love spending time out there. Having a change of environment from the house, getting away from the internet for a bit, etc is all so therepeutic and the rabbits just make it perfect. Without them I'd get too bored outside :lol:
 
My rabbits have always been outdoors They get their main clean out on a Wed and I wake up 'dreading' it but love being out once I've strted, rain hail, snow, sun... I love watching them interact and rearrange their houses after cleaning but I also know ithey like our arrangement. They are happy with their bunpartners and the food etc I provide. If I try to do more they would probably reject me and I'd feel worse! Don't feel bad - they have a brilliant life and are happy. You are imposing human emotions and feeling unecessary guilt. As long as they are healthy and checked and you can see when they need vet attention, they wil be fine with their partner and their big houses! x
 
It's weird, I'm the opposite way round. I loved them being inside because I didn't need to worry about any outside dangers, but I hated sorting them out. They were in my room and it stunk because Grim couldn't use the litter tray. The floor was covered with poo and hay and I trod it all over the place. Now they're outside I can just go out and see them, yes it's cold but I can sit with them with no poo on the floor, hug them and not spread it into the house and it doesn't smell. Plus Grim's eyes are so much better!

But I know how you feel as that's how I felt when they were in my room. Days will be warmer and longer soon so see how you feel then, otherwise is there any way you can move them in to appreciate them more? :)
 
Got to be honest and say when the piggies and buns were outside I didn't find them a chore at all, only when I was poorly.

Can you get yourself into a better routine?

I found doing them all after I'd eaten a big dinner and taking out a big hot cup of tea helpful because I wasn't hungry and didn't feel so cold. Though they were all in big sheds and cabins that I could at least sit in and I wouldn't get rained on.

I think leaving them until the last minute sounds like a bad idea, then it'll be hanging around you all evening. Get it done earlier, that way you can do it, then come back indoors and warm up knowing you've done them and the rest of the evening is yours!
 
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