Lifting Rabbits by Holding Shoulders (8 pics)

[Secuono]

Kinda like lifting a dog, I was never fond of an arm under the gut. Its not the best feeling in the world and can't be good for any kits that might be in there or a rabbit w/gas issues.
But you are not lifting by the shoulders, just holding them still in a similar area the rest of us use to lift them.
My cages won't allow all that space needed to do it that way, nor will the yard allow an escaped rabbit to be caught. I'll stick w/scruff, up and tuck.
Thanks for the pics, though.

 

[Random Rabbit]

My cages won't allow all that space needed to do it that way,

Sadly we also have quite a few cages with very small doors... i'm not at all certain that i could actually Get them out using this method. I will give it a try and see how it goes. The thought of being able to move rabbits causing as little hurt to them as i can appeals to me !


I use the Kelvar sleeves and they do protect my arms much better than anything else has... however the little darlins can still manage to get me good Between the fingers ! owie !!! Perhaps gloves could help with that... never considered it before actually...

How large a rabbit can one lift with this method ?? We have some fairly good sized rabbits... i'm not certain that i could actually Support all that weight on one hand while lifting.

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

I have noticed at livestock auctions, where the rabbits are picked up and held high-- they are scruffed, but OVER THE HIPS!!! The rabbits do not fight this--and are easily removed and replaced in their boxes. So, IN a Pich, a good scruff just in front of the hip bones--
' I love the pictures- they show things nicely, AND, show a way other than the show style scruff and flip..

 

[skysthelimit]

I am considering buying a pair of kevlar gloves for the summer when I have on just tshirts. The chickens get me good too.
My doors are only 12-14 inches wide, and i am reaching two feet deep to get into the cage to get a skiddish bunny. I'll post the question in another forum, but the bunny used to be a sweetheart, now she's the only one that runs to the back when I open the cages. I bred her lat month, I hope she'll return to normal after the litter. She's got such a nice arch it would be a shame, but I won't keep anything that can't be handled.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Chickies,

Everybody needs to find a method that works for them. I don't think it would hurt the kits by lifting a doe this way- they are floating in amniotic fluid, in their own personal bubble specifically designed to protect them against impact while in the womb. I don't know about gassy rabbits, but with my gassy babies, putting them in the "football hold" with a hand on the belly is the only thing that brought relief!

Quote RR: I use the Kelvar sleeves and they do protect my arms much better than anything else has

They make "bunny-gauntlets"?? I might need some of those- I doubt my flannel will be very comfy in the summer!

I think you could lift any size rabbit this way- you are still using both hands, after all, and it only takes a second to lift, spin, and tuck.

My cages are from Bass with the standard sized door- 12"x12". Despite how I look in the pictures, I am pretty small at 5'4" and 115lbs, but it is a tight squeeze getting head and shoulders through the door to reach the back of a 30" cage. I try to "herd" the rabbit to the front end of the cage to make it easier to get them out.

Frosted, over the hips there is probably more loose skin- not much to grab at the scruff! Interesting way to pick them up. I haven't been to a show, so haven't seen the "show" method- hopefully others will post pics of their techniques. Just as this method may not work for every handler, it may not work for every rabbit, either, so I'd love to learn other ways to pick them up.

 

[sommrluv]

I have small cage doors, too. I either scruff with a hand on their butt, or if they are my nice buns, I can pick them up 'under their armpits' so to speak, like children. I have an, ahem, ample bosom so once they reach their destination there it's a short trip. lol

A couple of the sweet ones I can bop on the butt and they will come out of their cage for me.

I'm going to see if this method is doable for my space. Thanks for going to all the trouble of posting these pictures.

 

[LilFish_JWQueen(:]

Thank you so much MamaSheepdog for posting these pictures! I have to admit I have also used gloves on some animals but those situations..the rabbit never stayed in my barn for long because it was the rabbit not the method

No problem, LilFish! Did I explain the method well, or do you do it differently?

My poor hands are in pretty rough shape- I have very poor nails, and add in the callouses and rough skin... umm, let's just say it ain't pretty, and scratches wouldn't help. So even with my "good bunnies" I wear gloves, and have other gloves I use for feeding hay, mucking out, etc. Years ago, my brother who is a cabinetmaker told me I have "Carpenter's hands"- not exactly feminine! Oh well- I'd rather be a farmgirl than a fashionmodel.

Well thats one way i do it but like i do it a little differently sometimes by actually picking up by the armpits..by like ok the first picture you have on here is your hand infront of the rabbit(palm toward you) which is how i would do it sometimes. but another way is to have your palm on the back of the rabbit putting your thumb and index finger under the armpits with other fingers holding the side of the rabbit and other hand under the rump of the rabbit. And just scoop them in your arm. Does that make sense? It might be hard if you have small hands but I know I have small hands..I have gotten told i have preschooler hands LOL But the pics you have are awesome. Its exactly the way I was talking about for one of the ways to do that method.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Well thats one way i do it but another way is to have your palm on the back of the rabbit putting your thumb and index finger under the armpits with other fingers holding the side of the rabbit and other hand under the rump of the rabbit.

I'll try that hold next. Depending on which way the rabbit is facing at the time, I grab them differently- that grip may be better in some cases. Thanks!

 

[Random Rabbit]

I have noticed at livestock auctions, where the rabbits are picked up and held high-- they are scruffed, but OVER THE HIPS!!! The rabbits do not fight this--and are easily removed and replaced in their boxes. So, IN a Pich, a good scruff just in front of the hip bones--
' I love the pictures- they show things nicely, AND, show a way other than the show style scruff and flip..

I've watched a very experienced English Spot breeder, lift his rabbits by his hand over the loin area...they just 'hang out' there don't seem distressed by it at all... It is not scruffing over the loin, but grasping the rabbit thumb on one side, the rest of the hand on the other. I have used that to pick up fryers and it does work quite well on that size. My hands are just not large enough to do that with a large size rabbit.

 

[Jessykah]

I have noticed at livestock auctions, where the rabbits are picked up and held high-- they are scruffed, but OVER THE HIPS!!! The rabbits do not fight this--and are easily removed and replaced in their boxes. So, IN a Pich, a good scruff just in front of the hip bones--
' I love the pictures- they show things nicely, AND, show a way other than the show style scruff and flip..

I've watched a very experienced English Spot breeder, lift his rabbits by his hand over the loin area...they just 'hang out' there don't seem distressed by it at all... It is not scruffing over the loin, but grasping the rabbit thumb on one side, the rest of the hand on the other. I have used that to pick up fryers and it does work quite well on that size. My hands are just not large enough to do that with a large size rabbit.

I lift fryers this way as well. They do get too big for it though. Their body gets too heavy to be lifting them this way... But it's a safe and easy way to lift young rabbits.

 

[MaggieJ]

For protecting my hands, I took an old pair of kid gloves and cut the fingers off, leaving just enough to protect the tender skin between the fingers. Good protection for the backs of hands and wrists and they are very supple.

 

[yanni]

My daughters have arm warmers. They cover the hand and thumb, but leave the fingers free. No scratches!

 

[Secuono]

I take them out differently out in the open than in a cage. One hand holds ears/neck down to keep them still. Other hand goes under the chest and they are just scooped up and next to my side under my arm. But again, only if the cooperate! rabbits...

 

[LilFish_JWQueen(:]

Well thats one way i do it but another way is to have your palm on the back of the rabbit putting your thumb and index finger under the armpits with other fingers holding the side of the rabbit and other hand under the rump of the rabbit.

I'll try that hold next. Depending on which way the rabbit is facing at the time, I grab them differently- that grip may be better in some cases. Thanks!

Yeah i think it depends on which way the rabbit is facing that depends on what way you pick it up.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

For protecting my hands, I took an old pair of kid gloves and cut the fingers off, leaving just enough to protect the tender skin between the fingers. Good protection for the backs of hands and wrists and they are very supple.

Oooooh! I want some! I love the feel of well worn leather.

My daughters have arm warmers. They cover the hand and thumb, but leave the fingers free. No scratches!

Arm warmers? We had "leg warmers" in the 80's, but they were more of a fashion than a necessity in Ca. I've never even heard of arm warmers, and doubt there is even one pair in CA!

:shock: Does this mean I need to learn how to knit?

 

[MaggieJ]

You can often pick up kid gloves on eBay fairly cheap or try your local thrift shops.

 

[yanni]

I found the arm warmers at toys are us. They are not quite the leg warmers we had way back when. I don't think they are meant for warmth, but for fun looks. They came as a trio, mismatched.<br /><br />__________ Fri Jan 06, 2012 12:46 pm __________<br /><br />I found the arm warmers at toys are us. They are not quite the leg warmers we had way back when. I don't think they are meant for warmth, but for fun looks. They came as a trio, mismatched.

 

[Random Rabbit]

I have been woring very hard to do the "hand/shoulder... hand/belly" lift. It is paying off with some slightly better cooperation from the rabbits.

With one minor exception.... :?

I needed to lift a young buck yesterday. He hadn't been handled much...plus he comes from a skittish momma. Simply trying to position him for the lift was a chore.. then in mid lift... he squirmed and managed to get me rather good on the back of my hand. lotsa blood ! yuck.

I've named him Edward ( not of vampire fame) Anyone care to guess why ???

 

[OneAcreFarm]

For protecting my hands, I took an old pair of kid gloves and cut the fingers off, leaving just enough to protect the tender skin between the fingers. Good protection for the backs of hands and wrists and they are very supple.

Such a good idea, I had to try it! Ordered myself a pair of kid gloves off EBay...

 

[MamaSheepdog]

lotsa blood ! yuck.

I've named him Edward ( not of vampire fame) Anyone care to guess why ???

Wear gloves for the ?able ones!

Scissorhands?