How do you tame a baby rabbit ?

Question

I purchased a 4 month old rabbit from a local breeder.
It is a female (I was told.) It was, up until yesterday, running almost wild outside all the time.
I don't think it is adjusting well to being caged. It drinks and eats, okay. But, when you pick it up , gently, it fights and scratches and bites. If you try to pet it, to try to calm it, it squeals horribly and shakes.
I put it down on the kitchen floor while I cleaned the cage
and it raced away and hide behind the fridge.
Any ideas on how to get it out from behind the fridge ?
The fridge is too heavy for me to move. I tried it.
Any ideas on how to tame the bunny ?
Also, any ideas on a name ?
It is a New Zealand white rabbit.

Answer 1

Yeah your going to want to tame it soon because New Zealands tend to grow quit rapidly once they hit 12 weeks old. If you don't tame it now you'll have a rabbit who is 10-11 pounds who doesn't want to be held! Okay for your question. It's common for rabbits to scratch and wiggle when being held as a baby. All you have to do is keep holding them to show that you aren't going to hurt them. She shouldn't scream unless she's in pain or extremely scared. I don't have any ideas on how to get her from behind your fridge other than trying to push her out. Give her treats of grass, hay, oats, or shredded wheat. Don't give anything else as it will upset her stomach. Once she starts to trust you she will take the treat out of your hand, while she's eating the treat pet her on her head and down her back. Once she is used to this then gradually pick her up more and more each day until you can hold her for an extended amount of time without her trying to get away! Good luck.

Answer 2

Well becuase i've got 3 rabbits i reckon i'm quite experienced, but even i have problems. Don't worry you're situation isn't rare, they're normally lil' buggers at first. To get her out from behind the fridge i'd say appeal to her curiosity, becuase rabbits are known to be REALLY curious! What i'd say is put something in her sight or near her and she'll investigate it then you can find some way to catch her. If that doesn't work i'd try tapping on the floor or rubbing your hands together or try and make some strange, QUIET noises. To tame her i'd say put her in a safe room with you where she can't really hide and either lie or sit on the floor she'll soon come sniffing. Just lie there so she can suss you out. Carry on doing that often and then maybe introduce treats. Then you can start stroking her and she'll get used you. Gradually you'll notice changes and you'll know when she's ready to be picked up, but when you do start at a low height. Squealing often means pain so you may wanna take her to the vets. Erm... becuase of her wild behaviour i'd say call her WILDERNESS! lol hope this helps! xxx
P.S THE KEY IS PATIENCE!

Answer 3

Use a yard stick to tap it to get it to back out of their or wait a bit and it should come out on its own if it can back out. If it can't you may have to move the fridge.

Your biggest problem is that this rabbit is use to running wild all the time. You've got to get it use to being caged. When a rabbit runs wild and you try picking it up it will almost always squeal. The rabbit feels like it is being caught by a predator and will squeal even if you are not hurting it.

I'd recommend getting a cage with a wire floor that has a pan that slides under the cage. That way you don't have to take the rabbit out while you clean the cage. You just slide the pan out from underneath and dump the pan out and clean it.

Don't get too large of a cage. You want one that is small enough that you can reach all the way to the back corners. I raise New Zealands. A good size cage for a New Zealand is 32 inches wide by 24 inches deep by 18 inches high. Or a 24x24x18 inch cage can also work.

Next, you want to get the rabbit used to you handling it. I normally start handling them regularly when they get 1-2 months old. You need to learn how to pick up your rabbit properly out of the cage.

First thing is to get control of the rabbit's head before you attempt to pick the rabbit up out of the cage. Put one hand on top of the rabbit's head right above its eyes. With the other hand reach under the rabbit's chest and pick the rabbit up underneath its chest. Move your other hand now from the rabbit's head to it's rump. About half the weight of the rabbit should be supported from underneath the chest with the other half supported underneath the rump. Make sure to keep the rabbit balanced. If the rabbit is not balanced in your hands, it will want to kick and squirm to regain balance. Lift the rabbit up and place its head in the armpit of the arm that is the arm of the hand on the rump. Placing the rabbit's head in your armpit gives it a place it feels like it can hide. Don't hold the rabbit like a baby or you'll risk large scratches all up and down your stomach from the rabbit's back feet.

Place the rabbit on a table with a piece of carpeting on it. Then start petting your rabbit on the forehead between the eyes all the way back to the ears. Petting a rabbit between the eyes will calm it down and help to tame it.

If you can, handle your rabbit daily or every other day if you can. Slowly but surely it will calm down and get used to you handling it.

Don't let it run around the house for a good while (several months at least). Doing so will just make it wilder.

Answer 4

I use to raise New Zealands and they are typically very gentle and calm. Just set up a cage with some kind of treat (apple, lettuce, carrots...but not too much of these things- they will make her sick after too much) next to your fridge- when she goes in to eat it- shut the door. Then to try and tame it- (make sure that you have long sleeves on) hold it and pet it every day- make sure that you are supporting it's rear end- otherwise it will not feel secure in your arms. Try holding it with its head under your arm, cradled in the same arm, petting it with the other hand. You can buy a small dog harness and leash to tie the rabbit to a chair or something with for when you clean out its cage next time. Good luck!

Answer 5

First off, what kind of a breeder doesn't take the time to tame their animals before they sell them?! As a former rabbit breeder, that sounds absolutely rediculous(especially for that extended period of time!)!
That aside, rabbits are, by nature, very timid creatures. To be held or touched would be the equivalent of being captured, in the rabbit's mind. Like all animals, they will only stick around if there is food and water, so the best way to get your rabbit to trust you would be to make sure you personally provide for her needs. Hand-feeding is a great start. Instead of your petting your new pet at first with your hand, try using a soft brush. With time she may even enjoy her grooming sessions and allow you to personally handle her. Building trust takes time, so remember to be patient!
As for getting her out of her cage without a big fuss; that's just something she will have to get used to. There is a correct way to pick up a particularly "squirmy" rabbit: Gently but firmly grasp the nape of the neck with one hand and grasp with your other just above the hip bones and lift. This will help keep the animal's head steady and restrain its hind legs from kicking and scratching.
Catching loose rabbits is also a bit of a tricky business. You can try to lure it out with food or gently prod it with a hanger. Once it's in the open remember this: rabbits run in circular paths to avoid predators. Try to find the path and secure it from there.
Above all: spend time with your rabbit at any opportunity! The trust level will build dramatically as she gets to know you. Good luck with everything!

Answer 6

ok first of all she is scared of u so block of a area for her to run aroud in make sure it is big so u can lay down in it. let her run in there for a hour or 2 the go in there and just lay down and do something very quite. she will come and sniff u, and u dont do anything just let her find out by her self that ur not a treat.
and for getting ur bunny out from behind a fridge try just waiting she has to come out for food and water
hope this helps

Answer 7

Well someone can help you get her from behind the frig, they will chew anything, electric cords...etc so that's a must do. As for taming her, it will take time, handling & petting, you can help protect your hands & arms by using gloves, covering your arm with a towel while holding her or wrap her comfortably in a small blanket or towel, they like hiding when feeling scared !

Answer 8

Hand feed it and gentle it. If that doesn't work look 4 a vet.

Answer 9

pay attention to it. keep it company and it should follow your behaviors