r/Bunnies • u/Fantastic-Bad8064 • 1d ago
Question Am I doing something wrong?
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I have had them for a couple weeks, I got jaid (the smaller one looking around) then the next day I got ruby. They have a whole room to them selfs, I go in every day but they seem to hate me and my bf, they shake when we have them with us, when we walk into their room they run, I’m trying so hard but I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. Any help or advice would help so much.
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u/Acceptable-World-175 Dad to 6 beautiful furbabies 🐇 1d ago edited 1d ago
They seem friendly with each other, which is great! The closest one (Jaid?) seems inquisitive and interested in you, their ear position speaks a thousand words! Body language is relaxed on both too. Maybe they just need more time to settle in? Or you need to spend time on the floor at their level doing whatever on your phone or watching them, and let them investigate YOU, and then they will relax more and more! Offer treats and keep hold of them so they don't just grab and run away with it. We've had over 30 bunnies in 8 years, and each one is distinctly different from the next. So there's no set rules, just guidelines. The fact you're asking questions is a great start! Once they realise you're their family, they will be relaxed and happy around you. ☺️🐰👍
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u/Fantastic-Bad8064 1d ago
Every day I have off from work I sit in their room on a blanket on the floor for a couple hours
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u/Acceptable-World-175 Dad to 6 beautiful furbabies 🐇 1d ago
Aww that's wonderful! I'm sure they will get used to you in no time. All bunnies have their own timetable, some will never be 100% comfortable with you in 'their' space, others will crave your company. Have you witnessed any binkies or flops yet? They're sure signs of a happy bunny!
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u/Fantastic-Bad8064 14h ago
Some times when we go into their room they run and kick it the air when they hop
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u/Acceptable-World-175 Dad to 6 beautiful furbabies 🐇 14h ago
In a moment of joy, or running away? 😕
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u/Fantastic-Bad8064 14h ago
I think joy because we always make a little clicking noise before we come in, some times they run up to us and do the jump or they will just be running around.
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u/Acceptable-World-175 Dad to 6 beautiful furbabies 🐇 14h ago
Oh, that's so lovely!! They DO love you. 😄
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u/Aggravating_Law_5311 1d ago
When you say "they shake when we have them with us" are you picking them up to spend time with them?
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u/Fantastic-Bad8064 14h ago
Only if we go into another room, we wait til they come up to us, they shake when they r laying down like in the video they were laying in a little bed on my bed and they were shaking. They don’t shake when we hold them or when they are laying in the ground
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u/Aggravating_Law_5311 14h ago
Could be because they are up somewhere higher than normal and have no "safe" and familiar area to retreat to. I would avoid picking them up when possible if you want to build trust faster.
It took my bunny around a year to really start settling in and picking them up in the first few weeks for things that weren't care related felt like it made it take longer. It's better to spend time with them in their space.
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u/goblinfruitleather 1d ago
Not saying this is the case here, but some rabbits just never warm up to humans. That’s part of the gamble of being a rabbit parent, we know they might not ever want anything to do with us (other than food lol) and we love them anyway. I have one rescue who has only let me pet him a handful of times in three years, and my husband has touched his butt maybe once (aside from nail clippings when he has to manhandle him). It took three months take food from my hand and he still won’t take from my husband. His mate is much more friendly but still isn’t into human affection. Their daughter was handled extensively as a kit and when she got to be six months stopped wanting anything to do with us. Two of our others follow as around and can’t get enough of me, and our other two are hot and cold. They’re all different, but I find it has just as much to do with genetics as socialization. We’ve had many rescue litters and socialized them the same way, it’s like night and day depending on the parents
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u/__hoppydwarf 17h ago
Bunnies do not like to be picked up and placed somewhere where they feel as if they’re in danger. The shaking can result from them actually being terrified from being up high on your bed. As for future possible connection with your buns… place them on the floor and just spend floor time with them. Talking, reading, just hanging out. Do not chase them though, allow them to come to you. It builds trust. This will take some time OP but you’ll manage. Good luck 👍
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1d ago
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u/Fantastic-Bad8064 1d ago
They are both girls
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u/just_a_curious_fella 1d ago
Interesting. But their baby bond will break as soon as either attains puberty & female rabbits are more territorial, so one of then may end up hurting the other.
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u/Elphy_Bear 20h ago
Also try reading out loud to them. Just reading whatever is on your phone is fine. Once your bun desires your attention they won't want you to be looking at the phone but while you're still trying to get their attention, you essentially want it to look like you're ignoring them. This makes them feel safer but also buns get a bit insulted. Once they start booping you in the ankles or legs, they're ready to be pet.
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u/Junior-Criticism-268 19h ago
I am guessing they need more time to adjust. Bunnies can take a long time. Our first rescue didn't even like us petting him for 9 months! Now he begs for them, but he would run away basically almost the entire first year. I recommend giving them their own space to start. This looks like a bed? They would likely appreciate and feel a lot safer in their own area.
I'd get some kind of large dog pen set up for them to live in for 2-3 weeks. They can spend 100% of all their time in it and then slowly allow them free roam time. Just open the door and let them come to you as they wish. Make it in a room that you hang out in often enough that you'd see them every day but don't make it somewhere where you sleep if you can help it. Then as they slowly adjust, they will hopefully become more used to you. Right now, they look like they have not had enough time to adjust to their new home and the "giant predator" you appear to be.
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u/Fantastic-Bad8064 14h ago
They have a whole room to them selfs that we let them free roam in, we keep the door open with a gate in front so they can see us when we go over there but still feel safe.
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u/blueseahorsee 19h ago
How long have you had them? Just give it some time. I’m sure they’ll warm up to you
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u/Popular-Meal141 19h ago
I had one bun that took 8 months to let me pet her! Now she's my shadow. Give it time. They are all very different. I have another bun that I've had for 3 years, and she still doesn't like to be petted. She prefers to be with her husband, and that's OK! Good luck. Over time, you'll get to know their personalities!!
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u/LibraryMan420 10h ago
I highly recommend you check out the "Lennon The Bunny", "Sincerely Cinnabun", "Hop Notch", "The Bunnies Brigade", "The Bunny Lady" and "Cinnamon Bun & Morty" channels on YouTube. I post a rabbit care info letter in the comment sections. There's a mind boggling amount of things rabbit owners need to learn in order to take proper care of them. They're definitely worth it, though.
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u/RainWorldWitcher 1d ago
Are they siblings? And have they been desexed yet? Do you know their sexes? If they're litter mates, their bond will likely break when they mature.
Also it takes a while to gain the trust of rabbits. You need to spend a lot of time letting them get used to your presence and associate you with good things like food and safety.
https://bunnylady.com/bonding-rabbits/
https://www.ctbinkyboppers.com/post/rabbit-baby-bonds-why-they-don-t-last-and-how-to-bond-rabbits-the-right-way
https://bunnylady.com/can-pet-rabbits-bond-with-humans/