Ok, bit of background, we recently agreed to take on a rabbit for a friend’s daughter who was not coping. The bunny is a 6-month old lop, very healthy and active and very affectionate (loves cuddles and actively seeks strokes, although we don’t pick her up too much as I believe rabbits prefer all four paws on the ground)
She has been kept outside in a two-story hutch with a 1.5 x 2.00 mtr pen attached and has been allowed to come and go without being caged at night.
We acquired her, hutch, pen and about 2 months supply of food as well as soft fabric bedding and lots of toys. We were assured she was toilet trained and used the litter tray sited under her hay rack to do her business whilst eating.
As we live in Central Scotland we decided to put her hutch in the greenhouse (4 x 3 mar on mono blocking) rather than leaving her outside and give her free rein to fun around as she pleased.
However, since moving in she has taken to using her ‘bedroom’ as a toilet and spends her nights either on top of the hutch or huddled in one corner of the greenhouse.
We use the soft, fabric pads in her bedroom, but these obviously need washing every day as they are soaked with urine and covered in droppings.
I have had the hutch apart and washed and sanitised the floors, I have used deodoriser in all the areas she uses as a midden, but she simply goes back to using the same areas as a toilet.
As I say, she is healthy and active, but I am concerned at her behaviour as I am sure she must be feeling the cold.
Sorry for the ‘War & Peace’ Length post, but any advice, suggestions or comments most welcome.
She has been kept outside in a two-story hutch with a 1.5 x 2.00 mtr pen attached and has been allowed to come and go without being caged at night.
We acquired her, hutch, pen and about 2 months supply of food as well as soft fabric bedding and lots of toys. We were assured she was toilet trained and used the litter tray sited under her hay rack to do her business whilst eating.
As we live in Central Scotland we decided to put her hutch in the greenhouse (4 x 3 mar on mono blocking) rather than leaving her outside and give her free rein to fun around as she pleased.
However, since moving in she has taken to using her ‘bedroom’ as a toilet and spends her nights either on top of the hutch or huddled in one corner of the greenhouse.
We use the soft, fabric pads in her bedroom, but these obviously need washing every day as they are soaked with urine and covered in droppings.
I have had the hutch apart and washed and sanitised the floors, I have used deodoriser in all the areas she uses as a midden, but she simply goes back to using the same areas as a toilet.
As I say, she is healthy and active, but I am concerned at her behaviour as I am sure she must be feeling the cold.
Sorry for the ‘War & Peace’ Length post, but any advice, suggestions or comments most welcome.