Balcony safety

[catbalou]

I live in a 9th floor apartment with balcony. My apartment is north facing, so the only direct sunlight in entire apartment is on the balcony at evening time. I would like Murphy to have some fresh air / sunshine but obviously concerned about the balcony. He has been out for a little wander with me standing next to him, but I recently saw a video where a dwarf lop jumped up 4 feet to a kitchen work top which scared the life out of me and the dangers of him potentially jumping up to the railing of the balcony.

What I am considering is some kind of makeshift run (with roof), where I could open the balcony door and he would go straight into the run to get a little bit of sunshine/air.... the only problem I can see is that what if when i open the door, he jumps on TOP of the run, which would be an easy stepping stone to jump from there to the railings.

Ive attached a picture - the right hand door opens outwards towards the railings.

The only other option i can think of is to get a "bunny harness" and drive out somewhere where he can walk about.... but Im worried about flying predators or other animals... it would only take seconds for something to pounce on him. Plus, in the two months Ive gotten to know him, he tolerates being picked up - just - and i can imagine him hating the fact he is on some kind of leash.

I did see this, - hope the link works... but was wondering what you guys think.

Amazon.co.uk

 

[Cinnabun14]

I haven't had rabbits long, but I would definitely not do the harness. I recently just made that mistake on my own girls, and they freaked out having it on. I felt terrible. I learned it's actually really dangerous to have them in a harness with how they're able to slip out easily, and their fragile bones.

The run in the link looks good, since it'll discourage jumping on top of the roof. However, I'd probably remove the coffee table from the patio if you're worried about Murphy jumping off.

Maybe another option to consider is a catio? Not sure if you're able to modify your apartment (nail things to the wall, etc), but maybe a catio could give you better control/peace of mind for Murphy.

 

[Cinnabun14]

Also, I just saw Murphy in an old thread, and he looks absolutely adorable!!!

 

[catbalou]

I haven't had rabbits long, but I would definitely not do the harness. I recently just made that mistake on my own girls, and they freaked out having it on. I felt terrible. I learned it's actually really dangerous to have them in a harness with how they're able to slip out easily, and their fragile bones.

The run in the link looks good, since it'll discourage jumping on top of the roof. However, I'd probably remove the coffee table from the patio if you're worried about Murphy jumping off.

Maybe another option to consider is a catio? Not sure if you're able to modify your apartment (nail things to the wall, etc), but maybe a catio could give you better control/peace of mind for Murphy.

Yes, I had heard bad things about the harness and a rabbits fragile bones, I dont think my Murphy would adapt well to one, even in the short space of time Ive had him, Im getting to know more about him and his likes/dislikes.... and he certainly loves running round the dining table in this weird but fascinating to watch "figure of eight" kind of move, so I dont think a harness would give him the freedom to run in that manner.

Yes, I would definitely be removing the table, but thanks for the catio idea, I'll go have a look.

He's a little character (but I guess all Bun owners think exactly the same about theirs!).
I came home from work in my lunch break to spend time with him and he had knocked over his litter tray.... I went into his room to see him sat next to it, with a look that kinda said "weren't me mum, honest..."

 

[Shimmer]

Can you mesh / net the whole balcony off? Use cable ties to fasten it on securely at the bottom half, maybe use hooks on the roofline, and hide the edges under something so he can't push through / under (or wrap it round a length of wood to weight the bottom down).
I still wouldn't leave him out there unsupervised, though. I've had rabbits that could easily clear 3', maybe 4' at a push. If they can launch off something else (like a box or table), then you need to be even more careful.

 

[catbalou]

Can you mesh / net the whole balcony off? Use cable ties to fasten it on securely at the bottom half, maybe use hooks on the roofline, and hide the edges under something so he can't push through / under (or wrap it round a length of wood to weight the bottom down).
I still wouldn't leave him out there unsupervised, though. I've had rabbits that could easily clear 3', maybe 4' at a push. If they can launch off something else (like a box or table), then you need to be even more careful.

The problem with that is that it is a cantilever balcony... so it is completely "in the open", so to speak. I did buy some netting, but I tried it last night and it didnt really work, as it means I wouldnt be able to walk out onto it to join him.... I could crawl out, but then there is still the open door, and he could jump from my dining room area onto the net and onto the railings.
Yes, the video I saw of a dwarf rabbit jumping on a 4 ft kitchen bench scared me to death, considering a few nights ago i let him have a little wander onto the balcony with me next to him.

Seriously think the only way is an outdoor run, with roof, that I can place out there, then carry him in and plop him through the little hatch-door, close the door and put some lettuce leaves in and toys and sit next to him in the doorway to make sure hes ok

 

[catbalou]

incidentally... after all the research, trials and stress... cleaned his room out and he has decided to stay out of his room and settle under the dining table for past hour for a nap

 

[Pets mum]

Aw he is very handsome, and a lucky bun that you are providing enrichment for him. I do agree with others about a catio, or some other sort of enclosure, better safe than sorry

 

[Omi]

I think this is one of those things, which sounds like a good idea and I can understand you wanting to do it, but in reality maybe isn't. I think there would be very slight risk of Murphy trying to jump up onto the railings. This could occur if Murphy got spooked by something outside. But aside from that, whilst to us it would appear to be nice to be able to have fresh air and sunlight, I doubt that Murphy would appreciate it that much. To him it would be like a blank space, so you would feel it necessary to take some of his items outside as well, plus some food, water and a litter tray. For me all that would only be worthwhile if it would be a regularly used area and if I felt that it provided some benefit to him. You could consider having the door to the balcony open with a stair gate, so that he got some fresh air?

 

[catbalou]

I think this is one of those things, which sounds like a good idea and I can understand you wanting to do it, but in reality maybe isn't. I think there would be very slight risk of Murphy trying to jump up onto the railings. This could occur if Murphy got spooked by something outside. But aside from that, whilst to us it would appear to be nice to be able to have fresh air and sunlight, I doubt that Murphy would appreciate it that much. To him it would be like a blank space, so you would feel it necessary to take some of his items outside as well, plus some food, water and a litter tray. For me all that would only be worthwhile if it would be a regularly used area and if I felt that it provided some benefit to him. You could consider having the door to the balcony open with a stair gate, so that he got some fresh air?

Yes, Ive had a rethink and decided against it. Its too much of a risk and I really dont think he would appreciate the fresh air and sun the way a human would. If anything, any passing loud vehicles might unnerve him. Plus a couple of seagulls tend to land on the railings now and again.

The stairgate idea crossed my mind, but I wondered if he could jump over it?

It just seems a shame that he is going to spend his entire life not seeing sunlight :-(