How do I get these rabbits on their back?

[Snowfie]

I have just recently gotten rabbits (for the intention of breeding for meat). I've been letting them settle into their new homes but now I need to start handling them better and I am at a loss of how to hold them right. I have figured out how to lift them and carry them short distances but I dno't know how to get them on their backs.

I have a large buck (about 5 months old and a giant cross of some kind) and a californian doe (about 6-7 months old). The buck is very personable but doesn't like being held and the doe is very NOT personable. She's GENERALLY submissive but she is not what I could call emotionally well adjusted and gets scared over the smallest things.

What is the best way to get them onto their backs (to inspect/groom them) that doesn't involved me getting my arms scratched to all heck?

Thank you,

 

[Ms. Research]

I have just recently gotten rabbits (for the intention of breeding for meat). I've been letting them settle into their new homes but now I need to start handling them better and I am at a loss of how to hold them right. I have figured out how to lift them and carry them short distances but I dno't know how to get them on their backs.

I have a large buck (about 5 months old and a giant cross of some kind) and a californian doe (about 6-7 months old). The buck is very personable but doesn't like being held and the doe is very NOT personable. She's GENERALLY submissive but she is not what I could call emotionally well adjusted and gets scared over the smallest things.

What is the best way to get them onto their backs (to inspect/groom them) that doesn't involved me getting my arms scratched to all heck?

Thank you,

I've just recently got my boys used to flipping so that I'm not getting scratched to heck. Plus clipping the nails help too. I don't know if I'm the best person to tell you how, but IMHO everyone needs to find their own way. I basically take my rabbits place my left hand on their back near their shoulder blades and then put right hand on rump and sweep up and turn on back. My boys are used to it. Dobby struggles a little but I can calm him down by talking to him or rubbing his forehead. He will then go still. I check everything and then flip him over. Believe me first few times, left arm was scratched. All I know is that when you do it, don't hesitate. Be confident. You are showing your bunny who's boss by putting on his back. It's like pinning a dog to the floor. Both do not like that position and will submit. Any hesitation shows weakness. And they will take advantage of that by kicking and squirming. That leads to scratching the heck out of you. Good Luck. You will get the hang of it.

PS: I have small rabbits (2-3 lbs) just to let you know so it is a bit easier to handle them.

 

[DRPepper]

I'm in the same boat with one of my does, she is 6 months and hates to be handled. she is a generally standoffish rabbit, not mean or aggressive, but hunkers down in the back of her cage and scratches like crazy as soon as you pick her up. I have noticed that she calms down a lot faster if I set her on my lap instead of on the grooming table. Perhaps she feels more secure up against my body. Have you tried flipping your rabbits over in your lap? That's what I've started doing with everyone, turn them over and have their heads against your stomach. it sort of convinces them to close their eyes, plus then the back feet face away from you so you don't have to worry about those claws so much.

 

[bluemini]

My rabbit is only 5 pounds so it wont be the same but what I did was after he recovered(had been attacked when I bought him) I got him used to me first and being handled,then I moved on to the back . IMHO , I would wait til the female is more used to you and doent freak out because that might make it worse but then again i dont have large rabbits . :/


Also I sit mine on my lap then just pick him up , supporting his back legs still and turn him , kind of hard to explain , but maybe if you try a few times they will get used to it , just pet them and stuff . I got scratched the first time or two but then he settled down , good luck !

 

[Ms. Research]

Laps or grooming table. Try both. Mine do not like to be in my lap. Found that out with lots of scratches. All I can say, is keep building trust and then find the best way for you and your rabbits to work together. Everyone is different. Just don't give up.

 

[secuono]

I only roll them over onto their sides, they are always calm. I'm sure they would loose their heads if I rolled them all the way over. Side is enough for me. Easy to roll them onto the other side too. Plus they can get up on their own, no need for me to flop them back on their feet.

 

[woodleighcreek]

Here is what I do when clipping big rabbits and really mean cavy's nails. I sit down and have my legs up on another chair/ottoman/ rabbit cage than I put one hand on their belly and one hand on their back and flip them over into my arm so the head is resting in my elbow and the rest of their body is resting in my lap. Sometimes, I cover their eyes with a towel so they dont squirm as much.

And with my experience, you will get scratched up unless you are wearing arm warmers or long sleeves and gloves

 

[doubled]

Let me ask the obvious question, I raise for meat only so I am apparently ignorant for the need to put a Rabbit on it's back. Could see doing an Angora maybe because of the fur but why else would you need to "FLIP" a rabbit. Thanks

 

[woodleighcreek]

Let me ask the obvious question, I raise for meat only so I am apparently ignorant for the need to put a Rabbit on it's back. Could see doing an Angora maybe because of the fur but why else would you need to "FLIP" a rabbit. Thanks

I need to flip to trim the nails.

 

[Ms. Research]

Let me ask the obvious question, I raise for meat only so I am apparently ignorant for the need to put a Rabbit on it's back. Could see doing an Angora maybe because of the fur but why else would you need to "FLIP" a rabbit. Thanks

Judges need to flip rabbits to check them out. The more your rabbit understands the "flip" the easier it is to handle and less stressful on the rabbit. They get used to it at a young age. Plus I like to be able to inspect my rabbits thoroughly. Completely hands on and my rabbits understand that they need to be checked out completely. Flips are done when grooming and nails.