We have one rabbit within a large group who is outwardly happy but approximately once a week she is jumping (or climbing) the fence into our neighbours garden. Looking for twofold advice why would she be doing this? And how to prevent?
Thank you
She's probably doing it just because she can, the grass is always greener etc. I recommend getting a large secure run at least 8ftx4ft and 3ft high made of wood and weldmesh and either lifting the grass and meshing under to prevent digging out, (or predators digging in) or slabbing the bottom, and attaching this to the hutch.
Their summer set up includes between 28ft and 35ft length of run, in different sections which are swapped around/angles changed (hence total length changes depending on where in garden it is ending up). However they are used to and like having the free range time even if they spend half the afternoons snoozing under favourite bushes.
Do rabbits climb wire? I can make it higher along the fence she seems interested in but if she is just free climbing it then that probably won't help. I can bend it over at the top if that would help.
:shock: I retract my statement about rabbits not climbing :lol:
I don't think they normally do :shock: :lol: and Dandy is pretty "wild" :shock: Dandy and Beano like to run up the outside of the runaround pipe leading into the hutch in the aviary, so that they can use it as a ramp to get on top of it :lol:
They can jump pretty high if they feel like it, most bunnies just don't use all their potential. I know my rabbit can clear a 4' baby gate if he wants, because he's done it in a panic previously, but he doesn't do it normally even though he'll sneak past the door at any opportunity. They can go higher if they can find something to climb on first - even going up the centre of a bush/plant near the fence for example, doesn't have to be very solid :lol:
Bending the top of the fence in may help climbing/jumping. Depending on the height it might be better to add to it, rather than bending the top of the existing mesh - you don't want to make it easier for anything predator wise trying to jump in the opposite direction.
:shock: I retract my statement about rabbits not climbing :lol: