Need advice on outdoor run setup

[Shadman]

Hi everyone,

I have an indoor rabbit named Shadow, and we live in a flat in London. I work as a nursery practitioner and at the nursery we have access to a large grassy outdoor area for forest school activities. I'm considering bringing Shadow to work once a week so he can enjoy the grass and interact with the children. My plan is to set up a very large playpen, and I'll bring along his wooden hideaway for when it rains, a tunnel, a cool pod for the hot weather, and a hay roller. However, I'm concerned about him digging and possibly escaping if I'm not watching him closely. Would setting up an outdoor digging box help, and what materials should I use for it? Also, should I bring a litter tray for him?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Shimmer]

I suspect that Shadow would find it stressful being in a totally different environment with loads of noisy and nosey kids around, however well intentioned, plus the travelling there and back. Rabbits are a prey species and really don't do well with stress.

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[Omi]

Sadly, I would have to agree with Shimmer and wouldn't think that Shadow would enjoy the experience. I also saw your previous thread about the possibility of taking him to someone else's garden. I would have similar concerns with both suggestions regarding stress. I would also be wary of predators, not only harming him physically, but also causing him stress. Any temporary outside run isn't going to be as secure as a permanent one and importantly, in your case, neither you nor anyone else would be able to keep a watch on him all the time.

I think also that, although you live in a flat, there are many ways you could enrich his inside accommodation. Many people on the forum keep their bunnies indoors and are quite happy doing so. My bunnies actually are housed outside, but their run is on concrete (to prevent any predator digging in or them digging out), plus foxes are a real threat either in rural or city areas. I do not let them have access to a run on the grass, as I am unable to watch them all the time.

If I were you, I would consider finding some clean outside area, where you could collect fresh forage and cut some grass for him. He would also like to have some sticks to chew. The forest school area you mention might be suitable. I think he would be happiest of all, if you could get another bunny to bond with him indoors. Bunnies are very content living with other bunnies

 

[Babsie]

I agree with the previous comments about taking him anywhere. He would find the whole experience extremely stressful and would gain nothing positive from it. Bunnies are so much happier when they are bonded to a companion (ie a castrated male with a spayed female).

 

[Shimmer]

I would look at bringing back some items for enrichment, eg willow & other suitable branches with leaves on. That way you can use the regular access to safe forage for him. It would be a shame not to use that opportunity. Just remember to introduce new foodstuff gradually.

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[Shimmer]

I've previously considered taking some of my guinea pigs (but never the rabbits) to my allotment to help clear some of the ground as they do such a good job at home and it would save me some weeding . However, even for the couple of hours they might be there and the fact that I can leave a suitable run on site in a fenced plot, I can't guarantee that they would be safe, or that I would be able to catch them if they escaped (a loose rabbit is almost impossible to catch, even in my garden - so there's no chance in a bigger open space). We have foxes (as the hen keepers know due their frequent losses), random cats (which my dog tries to see off regularly) and off-lead dogs (even though they are not allowed) - and that's with me working no more than a few metres away, in a secure compound with individually fenced allotments. I can't even guarantee that they will be comfortable on the journey as the car can be too hot / cold on the short journey, and the changes in temperature are not good for them.

So my rabbits and guinea pigs benefit from my weeding and pruning by enjoying the forage in the safety of their permanent set up at home.

 

[Shadman]

Thank you for all your replies and advice. I've had a lot to think about and I can't see a way of this working like you mentioned without causing stress and being a risk fo his safety. I just hoped there was a way he could enjoy that outdoor space and would of been good for the children. I bought the book about foraging for rabbits to enrich his current indoor environment but I just want to do more. I think I just need to move to a new place with more space for him and me.