Loud noises causing problems?

[Kelly_Guy]

Is it a bad idea to raise rabbits in a workshop area where equipment is run, ie routers and saws? Too much stress, especially to the newborns?

I'm trying to decide over inside the shop where there will be AC/Heat, or behind shop outside under a lean to but no AC/heat.

Kelly

 

[dbunni]

My husband is a cabinet maker. His area is the center of our barn. Around him are Angoras (and the other breeds), Ducks, Geese, Chickens, Goats, and the dog kennel. Yes there are walls, but for the most part it is a large open barn. No room really closed off from another (except now with the plastic wall barriers).

My suggestion is to introduce sounds slowly. New animals I cover with a blanket to cushion the sounds until they adjust. As we don't keep things perfectly quiet, the buns seem go handle shows and the confusion/disturbance of traveling better ... this is an old dog show trick.

 

[treeclimber233]

Where I used to keep my rabbits (beside a barn) there was a dead tree that was about to fall. Three men came to cut it down. All three had chainsaws. The noise was unbelieveable. I covered my pens with whatever was available (horse blankets, feed sacks.....). While the cutting was going on I peeked under the covering and was surprised to see some of them eating. No signs of stress at all. As long as they cannot see out they feel safe I guess.

 

[Kelly_Guy]

Thanks to both of you for your shared experiences. It sounds like it is doable for me if I decide to go that direction.

Kelly

 

[Heartlandrabbitry]

If you already have older rabbits then I would say kind of wean them to the different sounds. The newborns should be okay with the sounds if they grow up around them. My rabbits live in a house which is close to the road, we have a fence up but the different noises are still loud. We have people go flying down our road in loud cars and my rabbits don't seem to mind. Their ears go back but they never freak out. I have had many litters born out there and the kits don't seem too bothered by the noise either. When they are very little though, they do hide by mommy but are fine after!

Good luck