Moving animals around the farm and changing groupings and housing is always complicated, especially so when you have several species, each with their own management needs, and then each animal is an individual with his or her own personality. It was time to combine the two flocks. I did this to ease my workload in the winter. I also anticipate more deaths (it happens with hens) and I didn’t want one flock of fewer than three birds. Melding the Gems and the Ladies has gone especially well! I haven’t seen any pecking order aggression.
But, I had an additional reasons to move the Ladies. I was also thinking about Phoebe, the rabbit that lived with them. Phoebe is my second bunny to abide in the smaller coop. The first was Candy, an imperious, imperturbable lop ear.
Candy liked to put herself right in amongst the hens. Candy was at the top of the pecking order. I called her the Empress.
Phoebe is not so domineering. She’d rather keep the hens at a distance. She doesn’t join the scrimmage for the morning treats.
I had a feeling that she’d be happy to have the Little Barn to herself. After I moved the hens, I cleaned it out, and gave her a litter box in a spot where she was used to peeing in the chickens’ bedding. (Something Candy never did.) Phoebe immediately used it.
Now that I know she’ll keep the barn tidy, she has cozy pine shavings to romp in.
I’m not going to get another rabbit to keep her company. She’s already three years old and has never had a bunny friend. (I got her from a rescue, and she was a lone rabbit in her previous home.) But, she’s not lacking for friends. There are the goats, and us humans.
Phoebe shows no signs of missing those bothersome chickens. Now she’s waiting for snow!
Luckiest pet rabbit if there ever was one.
If I remember correctly the rescue group was hesitant in letting you adopt her. Have you shared with them Phoebes world lately?
I’ve heard from numerous people who have had run-ins with rabbit rescues. I agree that a lone bunny in a hutch doesn’t have much of a life, but they are adamant that all rabbits must be indoors. Luckily, the rescue I went to wasn’t a house rabbit group, but a mostly dog rescue. I showed them my cams and they could see what a good life my rabbits have.
Yes sometimes rescue groups whether dog, cat or bunnies can be a bit over the top.
The rescue group I got my Boston Terrier, Lulu, from initially wouldn’t let me adopt her because no one was home all day. (That type of home situation doesn’t exist much any more) and why I haven’t adopted a puppy in 20+ years.
For whatever reason I knew she was the dog for me. So I was persistent. Long story my vet came to the rescue. He basically told the lady it wouldn’t be wise to let this home slip through her fingers. ;-)
“This is Phoebe…she’s not “indoors” but she has her own pad and is an internet star.”
Well looks like Phoebe is all set. I am with her – bring on the snow. By the way, she is so stinking cute.
I had that problem with rescues when I wanted to add a bunny so even though I desperately wanted to rescue I had to buy from a local breeder, She is a black/white Dutch named Oreo Cookie Puddin Pie. I love her, she gets along well with the chickens, a few nights per week she has to spend the night in her hutch so I can leave the run door open for the chickens. I do find her nibbling on the duck food even though she has a bowl of pellets right next to it, , which is weird because it has fish in it. I love her she’ s cute as a button and seems happy!
And so through their hard and fast rules they perpetuate the problem. You had to buy from a breeder.
YES! Animals can be perfectly happy and healthy in a variety of situations. I will never get an animal from a shelter/rescue that has a clause that it can come to my home and take the animal if things aren’t to their liking. I know of a number of situations, all dogs, where this was done to the detriment of the dog involved. -AND- the family that had a pet they adored.
I applaud their intent, I truly do. But they need to learn/understand that you can’t cookie cutter housing and love. Through my vet, I know a guy who lives in a tiny apartment with a Great Dane. No destruction. No behavioral issues. The picture of health. The guy is a runner and his dog goes with him. :)
Both my rabbits have loved eating the chicken food. No idea what attracts them to it. But, they also eat the hay and rabbit pellets, and have been very healthy.
It’s good to see the pictures of Candy again. She was a bunny of a lifetime. Glad that Phoebe has a housing upgrade from her perspective. Lucky girl lives next door to Pip!. Too bad some rescues work at cross purposes.
phoebe is busying herself organizing her memoirs
Isn`t great that our animal friends are all different in their personalities. You never quite know just what you are going to get when you bring them home. Just like our children…..:)
Pine shavings release phenols that alter a rabbits liver function. It can reduce the effectiveness of medications by 40% or more and may cause liver disease.Kiln drying removes the phenols so some pine products are safe. Aspen is another good choice.
Thanks for that caution. I use the safe shavings – in fact they have very little odor of pine. I’ll also caution people not to use cedar. Some people can get free shavings from a friend who is a woodworker. Be careful about that! Dangerous woods, like black walnut could be mixed in.
OMG. Horses and black walnut. *shudder*
Now that Phoebe is on her own, where does she sleep? Still underneath the nesting boxes?
She varies it – sometimes in her tub filed with hay, sometimes in a nesting box, sometimes on the floor.
This is Sunday at 4:00EST. Watching the henCam I can see your goats. They are ‘going at it’ jumping and head butting. I’ve never seen them do that. Quite a show.
Oh, they do that all the time, especially when they see me – they like to show off.
I am considering getting another Mini Lop in the Spring I really want a Blue one….My intention would be to breed her with my current Mini Lop, then I will get him nuetered, I haven’t nuetered him yet because I always considered breeding him and for being intact he still has such a sweet demeanor no aggression at all, I have heard of some intact males rabbit being very aggressive and well Jerks… Indy is an outdoor bunny but he is very very very social. He loves when our cat Olive goes in his kennel with him an plays with him and then just cuddles up next to him…. He did like the chickens perhaps a little much. He tried to make Cadberry eggs with one hen, and she turned around and pecked him in the eye…. That was a $140.00 dollar vet visit, THANK GOODNESS, that is all it cost…
I’m sure that whatever you decide to do, those rabbits will be well-cared for! You really lucked out with Indy, but so much of that temperament has to do with this enriched environment and thoughtful owner.
Hi! I live in England U.K and I love watching your hencams. I got very worried when they all disappeared. I’ve only just now found your website. Nice know your rabbit’s name. She’s a lovely colour and is enjoying that giant pumpkin!!!. The hencam in the big barn doesn’t appear to be working and I miss seeing the girls. I was amazed at the amount of snow you had last winter, is it always that deep? . I live on the south coast and we get very little snow, not that it’s warm here! You hencams give me lots of pleasure, thank you. Have a wonderful Christmas! Best wishes Carol.
Oh! Me again. I’ve just looked at your webcams in this site and I see the Big Barn cam is active. I watch you on the app. ispy and the view shown of the Big Barn is just a photo. Did you know?
Thanks for the report Carol! I’ve fixed it.
I can see your lovely hens again!
Thank you! Best wishes, Carol.