A Bit Too Close to Home
Last night after midnight, we heard a ton of noise coming from our rabbit hutch outside. They will often play and chase each other around at night, so I figured that was what they were up to. There was so much crashing around and it was going on for a few minutes so I finally looked out our blinds to see what was going on and saw a coyote pacing right outside their hutch. Of course I panicked and yelled to Derek that we had a coyote on our patio and he went running out there to scare it away. He was easily frightened off and was gone before Derek even got out there. Still, bunnies are pretty fragile and I knew that they could easily die of a heart attack even if the coyote hadn't touched them. We brought them inside for the night (they are still hopping around in one of our bathrooms) and now we have to figure out what we're going to do about it for the future.
The coyote knows that we have rabbits and will be back - that I am sure of. Plus, even if they aren't out there, their cage smells like rabbit. We will surely have to bring them in every night in order to keep them safe - we just don't want him to return at a time when our kids are outside. Not sure if it's just safest to get rid of the bunnies or if things will be fine if we just bring them in regularly. I really want to keep them, but not at the expense of my children (if you know what I mean). I will say that I am very glad that we made some adjustments to our rabbit hutch ahead of time. We cut the legs off so it is very close to the ground and put a board on the floor of the cage so their feet wouldn't be exposed on the wires. The coyote wasn't able to go underneath - but if he did, he still couldn't get to them because of the board. They were unharmed, but it gave all of us a scare.
7 comments:
That is creepy. Because I know how adorable your bunnies are...that made me so sad that it was such a close call. They don't come around during the day - so bringing them inside sounds like something I would do too. Maybe - move the kitchen table and put a little cage right by the window. sigh.
Two weeks ago I saw a whole pack of Coyotes on the UCI golf course sunning themselves. I couldn't believe it.
Grandma Cookies is right. The Coyotes usually don't come around in broad daylight to hunt. You should be safe bringing them in. I would offer to take them but we have a live in dog who was bred to hunt bunnies so I am sure they would have a bad heartattack here as well.
Good luck!
So scary! Good thing you were there. Ethan was just telling me all about your bunnies again this week (he was most impressed that I remembered one of their names was Leo). He would be so sad if they were gone!
That's so scary, Jenny. I'm really glad everyone is okay. I would be nervous about letting my kids outside now, too, but I agree with everyone else who says the coyotes won't come during the day. And don't get rid of the helpless bunnies - just bring them in at night.
Jennifer - can I see my sweet grandkids now. I don't want to see that wolf eating your bunnies anymore!
Oh my gosh! I am right there with you! The other night, I got home with the kids really late and I could hear the coyotes howling really close by, so I quick shut the garage, got my kids and ran inside. It's so scary! I hope your sweet little bunnies are okay. Poor babies!
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