a lion loose in the garden!

[crisgal]

My gorgeous lion head rabbit has been free in the garden for months. He is very sociable and loves to be with the children whilst they are playing.
I don't know whether i can leave him out all winter though. Should i put him in his hutch? he looks so unhappy in there but i wouldn't want him to get cold.

[divegirl]

I would say that the biggest problem with leaving a rabbit out all of the time is foxes[and to a lesser degree cats].. If he has access to his hutch then he can always take shelter there if he is cold, but foxes will go into a hutch after a bunny if the door is open and believe me it isn't a pretty sight! Can you not just put him in at night? Foxes become braver in the winter as there is less natural food for them, so I'd suggest out in the day.....safe in his hutch at night.
Lisa x

[crisgal]

i know what you mean, divegirl, but he's so clever, i think he will soon realise what we are picking him up for! He'll probably avoid us after that!
Do you think a fox could jump a six foot fence? My husband does but I thought he'd be safe.

[crisgal]

Obviously I mean the rabbit and not my husband!!!

[divegirl]

...believe me....a fox can most definately jump a six foot fence....and walk along the top off it!!! Because we had so many bunnies we eventually built a 12' sq run[chicken wire underground to stop digging as well as a chicken wire cover] Try to get him into a routine: feed him in the evening in his hutch...then shut him in....let him out first thing in the morning, he'll soon get used to it. If you start now, he'll be used to it come winter.
Lisa x

[divegirl]

.....outdoor runs are an excellent idea for husbands too.....just leave plenty of treats ;o]

[crisgal]

now there's an idea...........

[divegirl]

Hi again....just one last idea.....If he is pretty tame, have you ever considered having him has a house bunny.... I know this leads to a whole new set of issues[wires, chewing etc...], but I thought I'd mention it.
Good luck
Lisa x

[Catso]

You are very lucky the rabbit is still with you. Don't leave him out at night, or you will lose him.

Foxes are more widespread than ever, and even worse than that would be a stoat or escaped mink.

[crisgal]

are you sure? we live in a little fishing town!

[skylight]

Hi crisgal. If you leave your rabbit out it might be a good idea to get him/her vaccinated for myxomatosis. skylight

[crisgal]

thanks everyone.
After reading all your comments, I think he'll have to go back in for the winter, whether he likes it or not!
I'd hate anything to happen to him.