Holes...

[Cinnabun14]

Cinnamon and Chika are starting to dig. They love to dig, and they're working on a hole that's about 2 ft deep. Should I be worried? I've got a little over 2 ft of wire mesh skirting the outside and 1/2 ft of wire on the inside (which they obviously dug under anyways). I don't want to put wire under the actual run, since they're rexes. I want to leave the hole there for them, since it's so hot and holes are natural for rabbits, but not if it means they'll escape. Should I fill it in or rabbit proof the hutch better?

They keep flinging dirt into their water dish and turning it into mud...

 

[Omi]

Cinnamon and Chika are starting to dig. They love to dig, and they're working on a hole that's about 2 ft deep. Should I be worried? I've got a little over 2 ft of wire mesh skirting the outside and 1/2 ft of wire on the inside (which they obviously dug under anyways). I don't want to put wire under the actual run, since they're rexes. I want to leave the hole there for them, since it's so hot and holes are natural for rabbits, but not if it means they'll escape. Should I fill it in or rabbit proof the hutch better?

They keep flinging dirt into their water dish and turning it into mud...

I think the main issue here is that you have not got wire under the actual run, which here would be a big risk because of predators. Don't forget if your bunnies can dig down and potentially dig under the run wall and then escape, then predators can dig in. Here that would be the risk of foxes. Do you have predators in your location, which could be problematic? What is the reason why you consider Rexes can't have wire underneath them?

I fully understand that holes and tunnels are natural for rabbits, but for me the security aspects would over-ride that. My two bunnies live outside, but we decided when constructing their accommodation that it would all be on concrete, so that there would be no risk.

I do think that there would be a risk that your bunnies would escape. It would only take a night, while you are all asleep, of serious digging and then they could be gone.

There are however a lot of rabbit owners, whose rabbits build large tunnels in their gardens. Maybe have a look online at some YouTube videos to see how they are able to do this.

 

[Cinnabun14]

I meant wire on the ground, not buried under the dirt. I know rexes are susceptible to sore hocks, so I don't want to risk the wire. We don't really have foxes (or at least none that I've seen), but we do have cats, raccoons, possums, and dogs (although all the dogs stay in their yard). We haven't had any problems with predators, other than the occasional cat (which I always run off and the ladies ignore), but I put the skirting on anyway.

Unfortunately, concrete isn't an option for me, but I might be able to add in some paving stones. I'll fill in the hole today (again ).

 

[Moonstone]

I have underfloor wire that's under the turf. It's attached under ground to the sides of the pen which are sunk down into the turf. Would that be an option?

 

[Shimmer]

You can have wire bedded down into the soil slightly - just enough that they can't get toes caught in the mesh. It can be a bigger mesh size (and thicker gauge) than you would use elsewhere -they are not going to get stuck in it like they would if it was vertical. Some people lay turf on top of mesh.

Rabbits can dig quite impressive holes very quickly, so you need to make sure that they remain safe.

 

[Cinnabun14]

Okay, I see now. I think I'll go with your guys' suggestion and put some wire underneath, but I'm also going to get some topsoil to cover it, just to ensure it doesn't irritate their paws. I refilled the hole, burying a brick too, to discourage them until I can get the supplies in order. I think I'll also get them some more toys to play with, so they have something else to do other than dig. I think Chika would like some stacking cups.

 

[Omi]

This sounds fine. Rabbit-safe sticks to chew are good for distraction as well. Carboard boxes, with or without hay inside, are also good (if it doesn't rain) as long as they don't chew the cardboard.

 

[Cinnabun14]

I would like to get them better chew sticks, the ones they have are so little. Do you know of any chew logs?

 

[Omi]

I don't know which trees are easily available where you live. We feed Hazel, Hawthorn, Willow, Ash and Elder. Branches of Rose are also OK. They won't mind the thorns. Also Blackberry is beneficial. They can have all of it, including the wood and the leaves. It's very beneficial for both digestion and teeth, as well as relieving boredom. Just make sure that none of it has bird droppings on it or has come from a place where people walk dogs. If you want me to check whether anything you have there is suitable, then just ask.

 

[Cinnabun14]

Thank you so much! We've got most of those trees in the area, but not on hand. Do you know if maple or oak is okay? I thought I read something about oak being poisonous, but that might've been for horses...

 

[Omi]

Oak definitely not OK. I think most types of Maple are OK and we certainly feed Field Maple. But there are several different types and so I can't say that definitely all Maple is OK. Best to establish which Maple species it is and add it to this post. Apple and Pear are also other rabbit safe trees.

 

[Cinnabun14]

Thank you! I'm not sure which maple trees we have, other than a Japanese, and they're not getting that, it's way too nice of a tree. I think I'll look around and see if I can't find some thicker apple sticks first before I try to find any other kind.

 

[Cinnabun14]

The hole was filled yesterday, and boy, do I wish I hadn't put it off so long! I had so much to do, I thought if I put a large brick in there they wouldn't be able to dig past the brick. They didn't--they dug around it. I don't know how I could've been so dumb to think that would work! Anyway, the hole was at least 4 ft deep and probably longer considering I couldn't see the end... It's all covered up now, with some wire on top and dirt on top of that. Now the girls are free to cause some other kind of mischief and I've learned my lesson: animals will always find a way to do what they want.

Here are some pictures of Chika and Cinnamon in the pen while I fixed the hole. They look happy here, but Cinny was really mad. She kept stomping at from me. I tried to explain to her how dangerous the hole was, but she just grunted at me. She finally calmed down when I gave her some banana and a bucket to play in. It's a weird combo, but I suppose banana in a bucket heals all wounds...

Chika, my sweet, sweet derp, was perfectly content to lie on the cold tile and watch her sister go nuts. I guess we know who was in charge of all this bunstruction...

 

[a reader of books]

Clever bunnies They must've had lots of fun digging that deep! I can understand why Cinnamon was mad that you've ruined her entertainment I like that banana and a bucket of all things calmed her down

They're lovely Do they jump on the chairs?

 

[Cinnabun14]

They didn't jump on the chairs then because Cinnamon was mad, but they usually like to. I mostly put them out there for shade.

I think I'll try banana and a bucket for myself, next time

 

[a reader of books]

Ah, I did notice they seemed to be appreciating the shade of the chairs.

Excellent idea! Clearly you should've asked Cinnamon for calming down tips instead of us

 

[Cinnabun14]

Ah, I did notice they seemed to be appreciating the shade of the chairs.

Excellent idea! Clearly you should've asked Cinnamon for calming down tips instead of us