Suggestions for dealing with this whack-job of a doe!

[fuzzy9]

This is her second litter. She's always been a bit psycho, but I kept her because I've always been able to manage her madness. She has always let me gently put my hand on her head to hold her in place while I take the nestbox out.......till today. :shock: She's had episodes of "losing it" before, but today she went totally psycho! Trying to bite me, attacking big time, and flipping out to the point she nearly fell out of her cage. I had to check on them, I found one dead this morning in there, and I was worried. It was next to impossible to get the box back in there, she looked like one of those cartoon bulls, spewing smoke from their nose. :lol: She was so worked up, and PEE'D off at me. I actually wouldn't be surprised if I find her sneezing tomorrow. I hope I don't, but I wouldn't be surprised.

I just need to be able to deal with her until the kits can be on their own, and then she's in the crock pot! I will not have this type of behavior in my rabbitry. :evil: Any suggestions on how to deal with her, so that I can at least check the kits.

 

[PatS]

Maybe offer her a favorite treat to occupy her while you check the nest box? Good luck!

 

[Demamma]

Fuzzy I am having problems with a crazy doe myself. I got 3 New rabbits that are in quarantine 2does and a buck. They are 5 months old. Her sister and brother are settling in but she is scary. She charges growls scratches and bites. I bred her sister to the brother just fine. Crazy doe no way. She is bouncing off walls and won't let him bred her. I have been trying 2 times a day for4 days. I am wondering if there is a chance she is pregnant from before I got her. I usually would not breed right away but I All ready have buyers if she has kits. I think if I get a few litters from her and she is still crazy she will make a nice plump meal.

 

[Tegan]

Put her on the ground and "attack from above". One of my does was a big old meany till I put her on the ground in a colony. Now she's super sweet. I'd stick her in a larger cage, on the ground with a top opening door. If you have one...

ETA: She may be feeling "cornered" with you coming in the front of the cage at her, and is defending herself. That's why I suggest a top opening and larger cage, more room to "get away" and you're not thrusting yourself at her face.

 

[UK-backyardbunnies]

As an immediate protection - thick gardening gloves?

 

[carebear]

With Frankie (Franken-doe) I would put on heavy leather gloves, take her out, and put her on a table under a milk carton. Then I could check the kits, clean the cage and do the food and water thing and put her back in when I was done.

 

[CWD]

I have had a few that acted like your is doing.
I was able to tame them down with an old trick I learned for dogs and cats.
this may sound mean, but it worked for my rabbits.
I get a spray bottle with warm water, When I open the gate. I will say NO. and then if the rabbit acts aggressive.
I say No again, this time followed with a full stream of water right between the eyes.
The rabbit usally will back away from me.Long enough so I can do what ever I need to do in the cage.
I will pet the rabbit and talk to them in a calm voice. but I always have the spray bottle handy, just in case
they want to try and bite.
most of my rabbits have only had to have a couple of spray treatments to come around.
I was told to use warm water because the rabbit will think it is bleeding, and will stop being aggressive
when it thinks it is wounded.
I always follow up with petting so they rabbit will come to understand I am there to give it comfort. I am the good guy.
If they do not come around, they are off to freezer camp.

 

[fuzzy9]

Thanks for the suggestions thus far! This morning she's taken to attacking the cage, without me even opening the door. :lol: Psycho doe! My hubby made me a hook from a steel sheep fence post, so I'll try that tonight, and if it doesn't work I'm tempted to foster all her kits between the two others. She only had 5, one died, and she was fostering the runt from another litter. I do like the warm water spray, I may try that. I've got to leave for work in a bit, so I'll deal with her later I guess.

 

[WallTenter]

I use the lid of a rubbermaid tub - I just put it in so she's in one corner of the cage and the box in the other, I pull the box out and check on kits then put the box back and the doe never knows I was messing with it I have a doe who is really witchy 1-1.5 days after kindling before she goes back to being her totally sweet loving self, so I have to be careful with her.

 

[cathyd]

I always offer new momma does something yummy, banana, spinach, apple, ect and I pull the entire nestbox out to check on babies. The best item I have found is a "horse sweat scaper" Use the sweat scraper to push an agressive bunny back or retrieve bowls, ect. If the doe continues to be crazy too long they go to freezer camp. I have found the crazy does instill this behavior and most times pass this trait to their young. Best to foster if you can.

Another thought. I have a few cages that the door pushes up and inward...the bunnies tend to attack the door. We are taking the doors off and going to attach them so they swing outward.

 

[Demamma]

Cathy my rabbits hate the swing in doors also.

 

[ladysown]

having dealt with a psycho doe before.

1. either use something between you and her. a box, a lid, a pot, anything that you can fit into the cage that's between you and her.
OR
2. VERY quickly and in as straight-forward manner grab her sorry butt and haul her out of the cage. Get her out of that small (to her) cage where she's in control and put her somewhere else... a bigger cage with a top open lid where you can put the kits close to the front where YOU are in control.

Sometimes that very action puts a STOP action into her brain and she'll just chill out a little.

 

[fuzzy9]

I'm going to try the lid (don't know why I didn't think of that :lol: ), and the hook, I have a lid that might fit in the door. The kits are going to have to wait till tomorrow though, I'm exhausted, and my feet and legs are killing me from all the back and forth on the concrete floors at work. Long busy day.

 

[ladysown]

pan lids from soup pots work well...just saying....

 

[fuzzy9]

I tried the lid this morning, and she freaked out, scratching, clawing, and trying to jump it. I tried the hook, and it worked AMAZING!!!! I noticed if I reach in, that's when she flips out, and if I use the hook she just runs from it. The steel post it's made from is long enough that I can stand further back away from the cage. NO flipping out! Best thing EVER! :lol: It's sturdy enough too that I can push the nestbox back into the corner, and get it right where I need it to be with ease.

 

[ladysown]

glad that's working for you.

 

[fuzzy9]

Thank you!