Bunny Dance (the Binky)

Springtime! It is the time we are charmed by Peter Cotton Tail, jelly beans, and baby chicks.  As I was reading up on bunnies to answer questions for new owners, I found an article in Critters USA, 2011, “Give Rabbits Shelter” by Anastasia Thrift that discusses whether to cage a bunny or to have a pen.

In all instances, rabbits should be confined when you are not able to supervise them, until you have a bunny-proof area where they can play. Consider that most rabbits are confined up to 20 hours a day. The rabbits need space to move around, play, and perform their bunny dance, or binky.

When a bunny is happy and excited it leaps into the air, does a sideways kick with a twist, a 90 – to 180- degree turn or a wild run around the room. It often ends with a head shake. That’s quite a performance!  So, Sandi Ackerman of Rabbit Meadows Sancturary in Seattle, WA, suggests a minimum cage size for small to medium-sized rabbits (up to six pounds) be at least 8 square feet. For example, a 2 by 4 foot area. Sixteen square feet is even better and she even suggests stacking the 8 foot square areas on to each other.

Ackerman suggests pens consist of eight 2-foot panels that, when set up in a square, will total 16 square feet. A space saver size might be a 2- by 6-foot pen to give your bunny 12 square feet.  Of course you can also do the 8 foot areas, too. Pens come in heights from 2 feet to 4 or 6 feet. And, in case your rabbit is a jumper, you may want to put a cover over the top.

Cages work best for dwarf breeds or shy bunnies. Most bunnies prefer the exercise pens.

In your pen, you will want to have a hay rack, food bowl, water bowl or bottle, bedding, litter, litter box, chew blocks, nest box, and toys.  So enjoy Springtime and your new bunny! May you enjoy your pet doing the bunny dance!