There's a very small rabbit in our yard, how can we make a small part of it like a mini habitat for it?

Question

We don't want to attract rats...is there a way to attract rabbits but not rats? is here a difference in what they like.

also i have read on the internet that you can domesticate orphaned baby wild rabbits. I'm not sure this one's a baby, although its quite small (smaller than a petstore rabbit that is). Is this a good idea?

BTW, we aren't necissarily EXPECTING to interact with the rabbit. for the last day or two we've just been watching it from our dining room window.
If anyone knows what is safe to leave out for the rabbit would be great as well.
let me know if any of these jump out as bad/good decisions.
any input is greatly apppreciated.

Answer 1

I would leave the rabbit be, while you can domesticate orphaned bunnies it's hard and they tend to die. Also if the bunny is bigger than about 4 inches it is weaned for sure, if it's bigger than 5-6 inches it's left the nest. At this point it's not really a "baby" anymore.

I don't know if it would work but you could make a small house with two doors (rabbits prefer spaces with more than one door) and put in some hay. Hay is useful as food and bedding. Somehow I doubt that would work though, rabbits like to live underground where it is cool.

Mostly all rabbits need is grass. You could put out a very small quantity of oats or fruit for it (like 1/4 of an apple, a small amount of watermelon rind, banana skins, etc) and it will enjoy them. But too much can cause intestinal problems.

Also don't use pesticides, herbicides, or chemical fertilizers.

Answer 2

I am a wild animal lover and actually photograph wild animals for a hobby. I live in a town not in the country but have a field behind me. We have landscaped our back yard and I like to grow climbing roses. I positioned a trellis in a corner of our yard about three feet from the house. I had my husband gather some sticks from the trees and "build" a little shelter that little bunnys could get in and NOT cats. Don't get me wrong...I love cats, just not indoor/outdoor cats. About ten feet from the shelter, every spring I plant wildflowers. This gives the momma rabbits a place to nest and they have the shelter close by. In the event that you have stray cats keep a BB gun close by and shoot the cats in the rump with the BB gun. It doesn't hurt them and they will learn to stay our of your yard. This way you will have a wonderful rabbit-tat and will be able to enjoy watching tham grow.

As far as feeding, I've noticed that when I lay out scraps they aren't quite as interested in the scraps as they are my container of lettuce that I keep on the patio. So, this year I planted a very small patch of lettuce on the "other" side of the wildflowers and we have bunny's galore. we have also been the proud foster parents of two litters this year.

So, it goes.....lettuce, wildflowers (it dosen't matter what kind , as long as they are tall enough to conceal a nest-and you can cut flowers for your table later) climbing rose on a trellis.

For the rose, I chose Golden Shower in one corner and Jacobs Coat in another. The trellis was made from a sheet of lattice and two sticks joined together. this works just as well as any expensive trellis. Roses are great because most domestic animals that have encountered them know there are thorns and well, they are wimps. The roses will protect the bunny and they are not hard to grow.

Please don't try to domesticate the rabbit. Wild animals are wild and you can not take the wild out of them. If you get scratched or bit you can not blame the animal it is a defense for them and it would be your own fault.

I hope this helps. good luck.

Answer 3

the world is a wild rabbit's habitat :) orphaned wild rabbits do not usually do well when hand-raised. they tend to have heart attacks. any treats you try to put out for the bunny will probably end up getting eaten by squirrels and other wildlife... I would say just enjoy watching him/her use your yard and leave it at that... maybe toss out a carrot or some dark leafy greens every once in a while?

Answer 4

sounds like he is old enough to leave teh nest he is a wild rabbit then let him be a wild animal if you really want a rabbit then go get a domestic one.
trying to pen one up isn't right. Tehy are fine they eat grass and some weeds and like to steal things form gardens. just leave him be.

Answer 5

What I do is this, when cutting the grass( i cut bout 15 lawns a week) when I see a rabbit patch, I put the mower on low blade and just gun it, no more babie rabbits, get the hose out and wash down the mower

Answer 6

Do NOT try to domesticate the rabbit. If you could manage to catch it. We have had our cats attack baby rabbits and we managed to rescue them. Definately do not get a cat if you want the rabbit to stay. Rabbits are not good infection fighters. Maybe you could plant some carrots lol. Idk if you have clover in your yard, but where we live it grows wild. (no fake grass around here). My aunt's bunny loved that.

Answer 7

i would live the bunny alone. it is more harmful to interact with wild animals then just leaving them alone. i'm sure its fine