Posted by Melony on 29/9/2005, 8:41 am, in reply to "Re: Need Advice" Top opening hutches are a problem. Do they have a favourite food that you could tempt them with? Or maybe just sit with the top open and talk to them. It may take a few days, but eventually they will work up the courage to come and see what's going on. Once they realise you are no threat, they'll be a lot more comfortable. The other problem with this type of hutch, as you've worked out, is actually getting to the rabbit. You end up contorting yourself into weird positions waving your arm around... not good for either of you. If there is any way possible, I'd see about changing it for a front opening one, preferably on legs. There are some examples below http://www.lamp-post.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=PEH4FP http://www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=134&pf_id=1014 so much easier to clean as well. Take your time, be patient and most of all, try not to get too frustrated as the rabbits will pick up on this. When you handle them, be confident and expect them to be frightened... it's not you, they'd act like that no matter who picked them up. I've got two babies that have been with me a week now. Although they will come to the side of the run to see what I'm doing, they run away if I go into their area. If I just settle in there, within a couple of minutes they're both moving around, sniffing me and seeing what's going on. However if I stand or start moving again, they'll both take off. I also have a 2 year old girl that behaves the same. She hates any sort of handling at all, and I wore bruises and scratches for a long time, she's 6kg so when she kicks, she hurts! It's take this long for her to realise I have to handle her sometimes, but that I'll try to get it over with as quickly as possible. Lately I've even managed to get the occasional pat in. Sometimes you need to force the issue a little, just so they know it's ok. Spend time with them on a daily basis and bring treats :o) Melony
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Hi Laura
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