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newbie. rabbits died today...fox? mystery
- Thread starter pepper n sooty
- Start date
Thumper & Boo
Warren Scout
I really can not believe the replies that I have read. I am horrified.
Someone has lost their two pets in a horrific way. They were killed and you are all lecturing them on how to care for them.
You know nothing about the circumstances. Maybe someone else was asked to check on them that didn't, maybe the person was ill or had an emergency.
Even if they had checked on them 20 times that day it wouldn't have stopped the fact that something got in during the night and killed their rabbits.
It shows the importance of checking hutch and run security certainly but in no way warrants being looked down for asking a question.
I had 6 chickens that were killed by a fox last year that broke into the coop. Was that my fault because I didn't check on them enough? Of course it wasn't, but I did learn how to make the coop super secure.
The rabbits were not roaming the garden, they were in their hutch.
Wouldn't a suitable reply of been, It could have been a fox have a really good inspection of the hutch and run and repair any damage. Also try google for some ideas on how to make the enclosure fox proof. It would also be worth inspecting the whole garden in case there are any areas that the fox has used to enter the garden as if you get rabbits again you will need to repair these too so that any future bunnies don't escape.
To the original poster, I am sorry to hear of your loss.
Someone has lost their two pets in a horrific way. They were killed and you are all lecturing them on how to care for them.
You know nothing about the circumstances. Maybe someone else was asked to check on them that didn't, maybe the person was ill or had an emergency.
Even if they had checked on them 20 times that day it wouldn't have stopped the fact that something got in during the night and killed their rabbits.
It shows the importance of checking hutch and run security certainly but in no way warrants being looked down for asking a question.
I had 6 chickens that were killed by a fox last year that broke into the coop. Was that my fault because I didn't check on them enough? Of course it wasn't, but I did learn how to make the coop super secure.
The rabbits were not roaming the garden, they were in their hutch.
Wouldn't a suitable reply of been, It could have been a fox have a really good inspection of the hutch and run and repair any damage. Also try google for some ideas on how to make the enclosure fox proof. It would also be worth inspecting the whole garden in case there are any areas that the fox has used to enter the garden as if you get rabbits again you will need to repair these too so that any future bunnies don't escape.
To the original poster, I am sorry to hear of your loss.
pepper n sooty
New Kit
If you ever decide to obtain any more Rabbits please do make sure you are able to attend to them at least three times a day
Poor Bunnies
i normaly see them a few times a day when i'm out and about in the garden. they were fine on friday morn.
They had plenty of water and have a large food bowl. i did not neglect them, this is not what this post was about. i loved them but i wasn't their body guard. i'd been their mum for 5 years and they were healthy. even if i'd checked them 14 times a day i couldn't have foreseen the fox attack.
I think that is a bit over the top, no-one has been nasty, mean or horrible to the poster, just concerned that her buns may not have been tended to for a few days. Everyone has offered their heartfelt condolensces and no-one has said it was her fault :?
To the original poster, I'm so sorry for your loss, it must have been an awful shock to find your bunnies like that. Binky free at the bridge together bunnies.
To the original poster, I'm so sorry for your loss, it must have been an awful shock to find your bunnies like that. Binky free at the bridge together bunnies.
pepper n sooty
New Kit
thnk you.
i did re-check the pen and there was one small gap in the wooden roof where i think i fox could have got a paw in...but it must've stretched and taken a sweep at her ear....otherwise it was fully fox proof - good wire, sides and bottom...and the little gap was a result of wear and tear and had only appeared days before......so sad. i thought we'd secured them enough until we got a sunny day to fix it proprly...apparently not.
i do check rabbits daily or at lest every other day. they always have water and food. just caught short this weekend with my new baby - 6 weeks old - and rain....so sad.
not your job to tell people how to post.. i think you should try using the report button if you dont like posts :?
pepper n sooty
New Kit
my partner also checks on them so someone sees them daily. just not always me. i have had rabbits for years and was not a bad keeper. my previous bunnies - years ago - died of myxomatosis so i am aware of dangers.
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I am sorry for your loss.
Maybe if you think about getting more in the future ( I know they won't replace bunnies you have lost) , you could get a completely fox proof hutch and run, and lock them in the hutch at night, so less chance of fox getting to them. It can also be a good idea to cover the hutch front at night, so that the rabbits don't get a shock from seeing a fox or cat?
Maybe if you think about getting more in the future ( I know they won't replace bunnies you have lost) , you could get a completely fox proof hutch and run, and lock them in the hutch at night, so less chance of fox getting to them. It can also be a good idea to cover the hutch front at night, so that the rabbits don't get a shock from seeing a fox or cat?
pepper n sooty
New Kit
going by the replies here I feel it's best i dont get anymore.
Least not for some time anyway.
I rescued one of my bunnies from a miserable indoor life where he was kept in a little cage, five years ago... I bet that the night the fox came he wished he was back in that cage.
Happy Hopping
Wise Old Thumper
it has to be a fox, rabbit doesn't kill like that. So sorry for your loss. Get yourself a bullet proof cage that brunt force from the fox paw cannot puncture thru
Can I suggest you don't get rabbits again!
once a fox knows where to go it will keep coming back. 
wendle
Warren Veteran
Thats the reason i never leave mine out at night, foxes can get anywhere if they want, nasty foxes sorry bout your bunnys , but without sounding nasty to you every other day isnt good enough when raising bunnys , i see to mine at 5am before i go to work clean out litter pans change all hay water etc, cant wait to get home at 2pm to do the same again, let them out of run for about 3hrs in2 garden feed n water clean all hutch out around 7pm, check on them again around 9pm then lock them up for the night ,
I hope you are coming to terms with the loss of your bunnies. Many people have lost bunnies to a fox on here, despite really trying their best to protect them. If you have a determined predator, even the best preventions do not always work.
Please try and remember that this was not your fault and you loved these bunnies for five years. When you feel better you might like to share some photos on rainbow bridge about them.
Please try and remember that this was not your fault and you loved these bunnies for five years. When you feel better you might like to share some photos on rainbow bridge about them.
pepper n sooty
New Kit
i guess i'm more of a country girl. Rabbits are outdoorsy animals. They are not kittens which need constant attention. I am a mother who cant spare time to see to rabbits 3 times a day... That isnt to say they were not cared for. I think my OH gets less attention than your rabbits!!Thats the reason i never leave mine out at night, foxes can get anywhere if they want, nasty foxes sorry bout your bunnys , but without sounding nasty to you every other day isnt good enough when raising bunnys , i see to mine at 5am before i go to work clean out litter pans change all hay water etc, cant wait to get home at 2pm to do the same again, let them out of run for about 3hrs in2 garden feed n water clean all hutch out around 7pm, check on them again around 9pm then lock them up for the night ,
Mine were healthy so please do not be disrespectful by saying my care was not "good enough". They were very healthy and happy.
Becky's Bunnies
Mama Doe
im so sorry for the loss of your little ones.
binky free.
x
binky free.
x
SOAD
Wise Old Thumper
As it happens rabbits need more attention than kittens (assuming you're talking about cats), many people on here are mothers too and manage to care for their rabbits as well as their children. It is good that you're not taking on any more buns if you can not care for them and leaving them for two days at a time is not acceptable. If you are considering taking on more animals you have a duty of care to attend to them at least daily, perhaps you would like to read the animal welfare bill http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200506/cmbills/058/2006058.pdf .
I am sorry you lost your bunnies
If you dont have time to see to them at LEAST 3 times a day i suggest you dont get anymore
My rabbits do like attention just as much as my dogs! Im not sure why people are of an opinion they dont:?Im sorry for your loss
