Stiff fur on a Rex

[Aviodont]

I have a 3.5 year old blue standard Rex buck that is literally out to pasture, meaning he is a free bunny that we have let loose in the yard. He is such a sweet lovable bunny!

When he sheds, he gets these raised patches of fur (usually orange) that fall out in clumps.

But lately, he has this orange fur over his back, sides and top of the head (but not the back of his neck). But it is very stiff as if he has hair gel in it. It won’t come out if I pull on it.


below is photo. I will try to post a video

 

[Aviodont]

Here is a video:

 

[Aviodont]

And the underside, which you would expect to be even more clay colored, but is perfectly soft and clean.

 

[ladysown]

my guess... pee. so a male bunny nearby that is new he needs to protect his turf from or a young lady he's smelling?

 

[Aviodont]

my guess... pee. so a male bunny nearby that is new he needs to protect his turf from or a young lady he's smelling?

Interesting. He is a free ranging bunny “out to pasture” in our yard. He is almost always under the rabbit cages in the outdoor hutch. Perhaps he is getting urinated on from above.

 

[Aviodont]

And if that is the case, how can we clean it? I have heard baths are stressful for rabbits.

 

[Julie Stade]

That absolutely looks like Rex fur which has been consistently peed on. Is there a way to block him from sitting under the hutches? Give him an alternative shelter right next to them? Even if you did bathe him, it wouldn't really remove the staining/damage, just the currently crusty pee.

 

[Aviodont]

That absolutely looks like Rex fur which has been consistently peed on. Is there a way to block him from sitting under the hutches? Give him an alternative shelter right next to them? Even if you did bathe him, it wouldn't really remove the staining/damage, just the currently crusty pee.

Thanks for the info. This has got to be it.

He goes under our shed for shelter.

I will have to put hardware cloth around the perimeter of the hutch