Need advice on handling rabbits

[Treelove]

I thought I had it figured out how to pick up our silver fox kits, but then I went away for two weeks, and they've turned into little kicking monsters. They are about 8 weeks old now. I don't know if it's just because no one was picking them up for two weeks during their development period, but they kick like mad now. I got scratched to bleeding twice in one day and had to get a pair of leather gloves. I try to do it like how the books and videos say, supporting their feet, holding them close--I've tried a few different ways to see if it would make a difference, but they don't trust me anymore I guess. Any ideas?

 

[RabbitsOfTheCreek]

You could wear wrist guards to prevent scratches

 

[eco2pia]

Nope this is totally normal. Get some garden gloves, and a thick jacket, and learn to scruff them like a kitten. Tuck heads under your upper arm, with your forearm under their feet and they will settle. Then you can slowly re-acclimate them. This is not likely to be because you were gone, so much as just a developmental stage they go thru. The females can become viciously hormonal at around 12 weeks, and it happens overnight. I have a bite scar on my upper arm from a doe who is now sweet as pie.

 

[hotzcatz]

There's also a genetic factor to temperament, so always breed the nice ones to the nice ones. But, then there's still outliers, so for those, long sleeves and practice. Once the bun gets used to it, they should settle down. You can also try bribery. Pick up the mellowest bun you have and give them a really tasty treat in front of everybunny else. Then pick up another bun and give them a treat. Eventually, they'll all be begging to be picked up. Just pretend they're all toddlers. Assume they've all got a ton of self interest, don't want to share and if that other bun has it, they want it too.

 

[KelleyBee]

@eco2pia is right. This is normal. Think about being a rabbit. First, mom cannot pick them up, so being picked up is not a natural occurrence for any rabbit. Second, the only thing capable of picking up a rabbit is a predator in the instinctual mind of a rabbit. They have no real ability to know that you are not a predator because ultimately you are a predator in the rabbit universe. That said, with time they do learn to trust you for the most part and won’t object quite as much to being picked up. But I have noticed that no rabbit really likes to be picked up and have reasoned out the why of this as I have described. Some rabbits, however, love being held once the picking up part is over.

 

[Treelove]

Nope this is totally normal. Get some garden gloves, and a thick jacket, and learn to scruff them like a kitten. Tuck heads under your upper arm, with your forearm under their feet and they will settle. Then you can slowly re-acclimate them. This is not likely to be because you were gone, so much as just a developmental stage they go thru. The females can become viciously hormonal at around 12 weeks, and it happens overnight. I have a bite scar on my upper arm from a doe who is now sweet as pie.

Thanks for the warning!

 

[Treelove]

There's also a genetic factor to temperament, so always breed the nice ones to the nice ones. But, then there's still outliers, so for those, long sleeves and practice. Once the bun gets used to it, they should settle down. You can also try bribery. Pick up the mellowest bun you have and give them a really tasty treat in front of everybunny else. Then pick up another bun and give them a treat. Eventually, they'll all be begging to be picked up. Just pretend they're all toddlers. Assume they've all got a ton of self interest, don't want to share and if that other bun has it, they want it too.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Treelove]

@eco2pia is right. This is normal. Think about being a rabbit. First, mom cannot pick them up, so being picked up is not a natural occurrence for any rabbit. Second, the only thing capable of picking up a rabbit is a predator in the instinctual mind of a rabbit. They have no real ability to know that you are not a predator because ultimately you are a predator in the rabbit universe. That said, with time they do learn to trust you for the most part and won’t object quite as much to being picked up. But I have noticed that no rabbit really likes to be picked up and have reasoned out the why of this as I have described. Some rabbits, however, love being held once the picking up part is over.

Makes sense!

 

[HTAcres]

Had to separate 7 week old Rex kits by sex today and yeah, they are little kicking machines and the claws have gotten really sharp and strong at that point. I used Kevlar glove sleeves - once in a while a claw can get through but I find it easy to maneuver in them. Every time I don't bother to put them on I am sorry. By wearing them consistently my arms usually only sport one or two scratches. I also have these adult bib things I wear to protect my neck and chest especially if I just have a T shirt on.

 

[arachyd]

I've also used kevlar sleeves with kickers. They work very well. My suggestion would be to pick them up as often as possible, use bribery and hold them as long as possible while walking around. Another helpful tool that many overlook is using your voice. Speak the same words for whatever task you're doing and the rabbits will eventually grow calmer because they will know what you are doing sooner than if they have to figure it out. For example: Tell them you are changing the water when you give them fresh water and use the same words every time. Tell them you are picking them up before you do it. Tell them you are giving treats. That way they have no surprises. Rabbits are wired to fear surprises and they are smart enough to learn a few words.

 

[Treelove]

I've also used kevlar sleeves with kickers. They work very well. My suggestion would be to pick them up as often as possible, use bribery and hold them as long as possible while walking around. Another helpful tool that many overlook is using your voice. Speak the same words for whatever task you're doing and the rabbits will eventually grow calmer because they will know what you are doing sooner than if they have to figure it out. For example: Tell them you are changing the water when you give them fresh water and use the same words every time. Tell them you are picking them up before you do it. Tell them you are giving treats. That way they have no surprises. Rabbits are wired to fear surprises and they are smart enough to learn a few words.

Thanks for the tips!

 

[rockyhillrabbits]

Kevlar sleeves are a life saver! Even my babies that are handled and picked up frequently get a little squirmy. I just do picking up and handling in small doses and try to make it a positive experience.

 

[Rabbits by Accident]

You could wear wrist guards to prevent scratches

You can buy 'welding sleeves' which are thick, but flexible leather/suede at Harbor Freight cheaply. They will protect you from anything - they were $10 when I bought them, but they probably have gone up some. They have elastic on the top and bottom and you slip them over your arms. Very handy especially when it's hot.

I had to wear them a lot when I started but never now. It's just practice, and breeding only sweet rabbits LOL (although I had a really obnoxious, attacking doe who had the SWEETEST kits. ... go figure)

 

[Treelove]

You can buy 'welding sleeves' which are thick, but flexible leather/suede at Harbor Freight cheaply. They will protect you from anything - they were $10 when I bought them, but they probably have gone up some. They have elastic on the top and bottom and you slip them over your arms. Very handy especially when it's hot.

I had to wear them a lot when I started but never now. It's just practice, and breeding only sweet rabbits LOL (although I had a really obnoxious, attacking doe who had the SWEETEST kits. ... go figure)

I noticed the prettier ones hate being picked up more. So not sure I want to breed from any of this batch lol. Maybe I'll have better luck next time.