I saw a thread about handling troublesome bunnies earlier, but I need to take this a step further. I just saw that one of our new does has some dried blood on her back foot. I was able to get a better look, and it seems like a nail on the other back foot was pulled partially off.
Here's the problem. The new buns HATE being handled. We have been trying to acclimate them to being touched, and that is a trauma itself. This particular doe is just getting used to me petting her and getting my hands all up in her business. She's super sweet as long as I leave her firmly planted on the ground.
How can I get in there and check her without her thrashing around? The only things that have worked so far when picking them up all involve lots of kicking. My husband has taken to throwing a towel over them and picking them up that way (like a cat) to move them when we need to. The breeder almost never handled his rabbits. When he had to move them, he would quickly grab their ears and neck scruff and do the football hold. I have yet to master that.
I've not tried to flip them on their backs yet. The breeder did this to show us how he sexed them, and they didn't fight it. Will they fight once I flip them, or is this along the lines of putting an alligator to sleep?
I'm definitely showing how green I am, but ANY help is needed and would be very appreciated.
Here's the problem. The new buns HATE being handled. We have been trying to acclimate them to being touched, and that is a trauma itself. This particular doe is just getting used to me petting her and getting my hands all up in her business. She's super sweet as long as I leave her firmly planted on the ground.
How can I get in there and check her without her thrashing around? The only things that have worked so far when picking them up all involve lots of kicking. My husband has taken to throwing a towel over them and picking them up that way (like a cat) to move them when we need to. The breeder almost never handled his rabbits. When he had to move them, he would quickly grab their ears and neck scruff and do the football hold. I have yet to master that.
I've not tried to flip them on their backs yet. The breeder did this to show us how he sexed them, and they didn't fight it. Will they fight once I flip them, or is this along the lines of putting an alligator to sleep?
I'm definitely showing how green I am, but ANY help is needed and would be very appreciated.