The Proper Way to Pick Your Rabbit Out of Its Cage

[dinasaur1432]

is that ur bunnys cage? cuz if it is its a horrible one

[marshmellow8059]

U sounded really nervous then lol x

[TheWhiteMage745]

I just got a pet rabbit from a friend at school, she's a gentle rabbit as far as i know, she lets me and my family pet her, but I'm sorta nervous about picking her up, because i've heard that if they kick the could potentially hurt their handler and themselves. so i'm watching videos on picking them up and handling them. Thank you for posting this! =3

[1MikalaB]

Omg I really hope that rabbit does not actually live in that cage. It is way to small. Rabbits should also never be kept on wire flooring. It is terrible for their feet.

[4HLancasterNE]

@1MikalaB The cage used is a travel cage only and rabbits should not be housed long term in a cage of this size. However, for travel a small cage works well as it provides security to the animal and prevents injury from the rabbit slipping around in a larger cage. You are correct -- sock hocks can be prevented by providing a solid surface in a portion of your cage for the rabbit to stand on.

[Motevia]

The look on the girl's face at the end looks like "yay! I have bunny cuddlez!" So cute.

[legendofwalkthroughs]

@dazzleglass721 depends on where you're from. Here in Canada we have game, sheep, cow, dog, rabbit, horse, pig, goat, crafts, cooking, photography and gardening. Probably more too.

[dazzleglass721]

can you please give me a link to where i can get started showing small animals? and what small animals are able to show in 4h?

[4HLancasterNE]

@dazzleglass721 4-H differs from state to state and even county to county as to what projects are available for youth to participate in. Contact your local extension office to find out about your local 4-H program lancaster.unl.edu/office/locat­e.shtml

[MicrowavedTofu]

@32500looney1 shes already said its a travel cage only.

[pegerickson]

Do you keep your rabbit in that tiny cage? I hope not. Check out the Bunny bunch for more info. Lots of helpful basic info

[4HLancasterNE]

@pegerickson The cage used is a travel cage only and rabbits should not be housed long term in a cage of this size. However, for travel a small cage works well as it provides security to the animal and prevents injury from the rabbit slipping around in a larger cage.

[Sammy78girl]

mine scratches how do i train it to unscratch?

[4HLancasterNE]

It takes a lot of patience to get your rabbit to not scratch. You want to make sure you are calm and relaxed when handling them. Wear long sleeves so that it doesn't hurt as much when they scratch. Practice carefully lifting your rabbit from above it, rather than reaching in and grabbing it head on as this makes it more nervous. Make sure you fully support it's back legs and abdomen to make it more relaxed. You can also wrap the rabbit in a towel to keep it relaxed and to prevent scratching.

[Myminirexisthumper]

I have a mini rex named thumper any tips on showing him in 4h?

[Myminirexisthumper]

Football hold haha this girl seems like a sweetheart that cares about her bunny (:

[JeffStm]

that cage is really small...

[4HLancasterNE]

That cage is used for travel only and provides a secure space for the rabbit to go while being transported from one location to another or to another cage. It is not intended for the rabbit to be housed in long term.

[JeffStm]

Ah that's good to hear. I just hate it when people have bunnies in really small cages. Hope you understand. Take care.

[kissmabut1]

when i try to pick my rabbit up it panics and runs away why??

[4HLancasterNE]

If your rabbit runs away when you try to catch it, you need to keep practicing and work with it in a calm and confident manner. Hopefully, your rabbit cage opens from the top. Reaching down from above is less stressful and threatening than if you come at it from the front at face level. If your rabbit has a particular treat it likes, you can start getting it to approach you by providing the treat. This will allow the rabbit to realize something good will happen when it's held.

[mulcahysgirl]

How old is your rabbit?

[ashleygot]

um i really just grab my rabbit casue i dident get it fixed yet and its attidtude is bad, but when i do i will try this on him :)

[lollipoplemonade]

Hello, all of your videos have helped me out a ton! But I've heard that rabbits are pretty high maintenance and should not have children looking after them. I am thirteen and have researched a ton [I have a notebook full of my research] and am wondering what you suggest because 4H is made up of young people. I do not want to hurt a rabbit, but it would be splendid to own one. :) P.S.: I will be looking after it most of the time.

Also, would you suggest a Netherland Dwarf to be a gentle breed?

[4HLancasterNE]

Rabbits can be fairly easy to care for in comparison to some other animals, but they do require some work. They live for about 10-12 years when kept as a pet so you are making a long term commitment. They need to be given fresh food, hay, and water every day. Depending on where you plan on housing your rabbit, they can be litter trained and are pretty clean animals, but their cages should be cleaned every few days.

[bighairgirl]

that is a really good demonstration!!!!!!! I might get a DWARF RABBIT..............(SOOOOO CCCCUUUUTTTEEE)

[busterrabbit1995]

i have a dwarf rabbit named buster

[mulcahysgirl]

I have a mini-lop named Thumper.

[tortsalem]

these videos are very good and easy to follow. I think they are very helpful!

[BUrnOnHapPYgOluCKY]

i prefer to adopt.. and u can always go and meet ur rabbit so u know its calm when u adopt.

[SonicN687]

Well...I have a rabbit (hes a lop ear dwarf) and all of the videos and info's that I watched or read (the pick up a rabbit ones) you HAVE to touch its chest and my rabbit runs away when I touch his chest! Can you find another way to pick up a rabbit? For me,and my cute bunny Vincent? Please?

[4HLancasterNE]

It is best to pick up a rabbit by supporting it's chest. You may want to try reaching down from above your rabbit and sliding your hand under his abdomen. Make sure you support his back legs so that he doesn't kick them backwards as he could hurt his back if his back legs aren't properly supported.

[scheff10]

that helps because i am getting a rabbit and what kind of rabbit is calm

[4HLancasterNE]

Some ideas for calmer breeds are Polish, Mini-Rex, Holland Lop, or Dutch, but rabbit breeds vary in temperament based on genetics too.  It's best to purchase one from a breeder that you can talk to about what temperament the rabbits they produce are to ensure you will get a calm one.