Lawn mowers

[craneman54]

I have started building my rabbit hutch/cages. Only thing is the best place for me to put it is right next to my 60" commercial zero turn lawn mower. Will rabbits get use to the noise or would it be too much for them to handle?

 

[SA Farm]

My rabbits are fine when I mow the lawn...They are comfortable in their cages and hutches. My breeding does have raised hutches, so they feel much safer than if they were on the ground like my grow outs are.
I would be very careful not to start it with a doe that's very close to being due or has newborns though - just to be on the safe side.

 

[craneman54]

My rabbits are fine when I mow the lawn...They are comfortable in their cages and hutches. My breeding does have raised hutches, so they feel much safer than if they were on the ground like my grow outs are.
I would be very careful not to start it with a doe that's very close to being due or has newborns though - just to be on the safe side.

Thanks, I will try to get them use to the mower before I breed them. They will be in raised cages so maybe they wont mind too much.

 

[Bossroo]

Rabbits are a prey animal and will try to escape from a predator or perceived predator. Most rabbits can and do adjust to any noise. Once the rabbits are used to any noise, one's dog or cat or even your own actions nine out of ten times, but what about the next time ? They can and will panic at even the slightest provocation ( causing the rest of the rabbits to do the same ) at any time and just may break their neck when hitting the cage side or top.

 

[P.O. in MO]

It is scary when they freak out. I have seen it a couple of times and they do run around the cage walls and hit the ceiling. They don't get excited when I run the mower by the windows and I have run a shop vac in the rabbit shed and they don't mind that either. I have startled them by walking by the windows at dusk and learned to make some noise anytime I approach them.

 

[SA Farm]

It is true that I have very well-adjusted rabbits...They mostly just run around in a circle when they're excited about food or a doe (Yes, my buck gets very excited every time he sees me walking towards his cage with another rabbit! lol)
So, definitely look for laid back stock! And making noise around them before you approach is a good idea

 

[craneman54]

Thanks for the info folks. I will have to teach them I make alot of noise when I am in and around the shop. When I do get some rabbits I will have the mower off to the side and once they get settled I can run it around passing closer and closer to them till they adjust.

I finished the frame work for my cages today. Tomorrow I install the water line and auto watering system and start building cages.

 

[treeclimber233]

is there a way you can cover the front of the cage while you mow? I once had rabbits in all stages of pregnancy and babies in the nest......(over 50 does ) behind a barn. There was a tree that was in danger of falling on the barn that needed to be cut down. I covered the cages with some sheets and blankets before the chain saws started and the rabbits never showed any concern with all the noise. There were three chain saws going within about 40 feet of the cages. I guess they thought "If I can't see it it must not really be there".