Wednesday 23 November 2011

A Barn in my House?

Photos Copyright: Maggie May

My lucky little rabbits have just received an early Christmas present.
It was a friend who first put the idea into my head. She told me I was making things hard for myself transferring Ash and Lily from hutch to run each morning and evening and having to clean out two lots of accommodation. She suggested a Bunny Barn and told me to look on the web site for a bargain.
Well, I soon found one and within three days of ordering, the flat pack was delivered.
My son, Sam, being a carpenter by trade, soon had the barn standing in one piece. In fact it took him less than 15 mins from start to finish.
As the bunnies were quite used to their old way of life and knowing that rabbits like routine, I wondered what they'd think of their new abode.

After the shock of finding themselves in a completely different environment, they gingerly sniffed their way around their new habitat but avoided the steep ramp to their sleeping quarters for a long time. I knew Ash, the black rabbit would soon get over his reservations because Netherland Dwarf rabbits are quite agile jumpers. However, Lily is a little more sturdy and chunky and her legs are much shorter. I wondered if she'd ever get the hang of going up to the top level. It wasn't until the next day that she tentatively started to mount the ramp but when she got to the top, she couldn't quite grasp how to get off the ramp and onto the landing so she let herself slide all the way down again and chickened out. She didn't attempt it again for a long time. Ash, on the other hand was by then, racing up and down the ramp as though he'd always been doing it. He practically leaps off the top of the landing in what looks like a suicide jump.
A day later, Lily finally plucked up the courage to go and inspect the upstairs living quarters but then she decided she couldn't get back down.
I can remember having to show my late cats how to use a cat flap and I had to do the same with Lily and the ramp.
Anybody coming into my house would have seen me lying on the floor with my head inside the run, coaxing the bunny up and down the ramp with dried apple treats.
The effort definitely paid off and everyone seems satisfied with this new abode. It certainly looks better than the run, is easier to clean and the rabbits still use their tray as a toilet and they have so much space to exercise in and I seem to have more time as I'm not transferring the bunnies to another place twice a day.
They come out regularly for cuddles though.
So thank you, dear friend, for putting me on the right track. sometimes other people can see things more clearly.







23 comments:

rosecreekcottage-carol.blogspot.com said...

Beautiful solution, Maggie! I bet they love it!

Happy Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Maggie May~

Carol

Irene said...

What a neat Bunny Barn. It Looks like a luxury house. I bet they are real happy in it. You did well, Maggie. XOX

Sandi McBride said...

I love their new digs! I'll bet they do too...so glad that you have found this solution because not only is your life easier, their's is too! You may not recognize the picture Maggie, I'm writing from my 2nd blog...hope you'll like it...hugs
Sandi

Sally Wessely said...

The bunny barn is really something. I am very impressed. I hope the bunnies will be.

Shammickite said...

what a lovely bunny barn, I thin Ash and Lily should be very grateful to you for providing them with such top notch accommodation. It's the Ritz for bunnies.

Anonymous said...

Wow -- that is quite a great bunny home!

Akelamalu said...

What a great idea! Lucky bunnies. :)

Hilary said...

They've moved up in the world. That's truly a nice looking abode for your sweet creatures, Maggie and a great solution. They look so adorable nuzzled up together. I can only imagine you with your head in the run, teaching Lily how to go upstairs.

Celia said...

I'm sending this to my sister who is a rabbit person, what a great habitat.

RNSANE said...

That is, indeed, a most luxurious setup you have for your bunnies! I'm glad they have mastered the skills to put it to proper use. It really does looks like the cat's meow...whoops, that isn't what I meant to say.

Bernie said...

This is great Maggie, more room for them and less work for you. What a great idea. Hope you are both well....:-)Hugs

Mimi said...

Win, win, isn't it Maggie!
I'm so pleased for you! When we had Crash (our rabbit) we had a run with an enclosed end, and during the day he ran free round the garden, but it was a big effort to get him into the run/hutch at night.
Hope you're getting stronger, Maggie. Less work is bound to help!

Wendy said...

What an amazing bunny barn! It looks like so much fun. And I can just see you lying on the floor, head in the barn, coaxing bunny with apple slices. LOL!
Great idea!

Clare Dunn said...

Whatever it takes to lighten a workload works for me! Great solution, here! Hope all is well!
xoxoxo, cd

Brian Miller said...

what a treat for them! and it looks pretty cool too...hope you had a great thanksgiving!

Rose said...

I've missed seeing Ash and Lily--thanks for sharing this, Maggie! The bunny barn looks like such a beautiful home; I bet the two of them will get used to it in no time. Cutting back on cleaning jobs will be a great bonus for you, too.

Ruby said...

Oh such cute bunnies. This is the first time I'm visiting your blog!

Ayak said...

That's a lovely home for the rabbits Maggie. I'm sure they'll be happy in it. And they are looking really lovely x

CiCi said...

The new abode looks like the perfect solution, and in fact, it looks so nice and tidy. The biggest issue though is you not having to transfer the bunnies from one place to another.

secret agent woman said...

Wow, what a great set-up for your rabbits!

Suburbia said...

That's lovely Maggie, what lucky rabbits!

Michigan Food Blog said...

I always wanted a rabbit..but I'm afraid they will chew everything!

aims said...

That is indeed a steep ramp. I'd probably be a little timid about it too!