My Warm Weather Companions
After posting about my bunnies disappearing during the winter and spring, somewhere around the middle of June I spotted my first visitor. It was the tiniest little bunny I think I’ve seen for a while. I’ve always been amazed at how they seem to not be around when I would think they would welcome help feeding. When you consider how much more danger they would be in without leaves on my trees and that the grass normally dies back in winter, it’s not that hard to imagine they would find another place to call home during winter. The only thing this year that made it strange is how mild the winter was. Grass stayed mostly green throughout. Leaves still did fall and I have no shortage of hawks looking for a quick meal so I guess it still makes sense.
Since I spotted my first bunny, I’ve seen one other juvenile and both of the adults on separate occasions. They very rarely come out together. It must be a survival thing. One time, I saw two youngsters playing, another time one youngster and one of the parents and another time I saw both parents. They have numerous escape routes but their favorite is under the fence at the back of my property which leads directly into the woods behind me.
What Have I Been Feeding Them?
I’m able to put some food out on my patio for them so I’ve taken that opportunity to try out some different stuff. I’ve put out the parsley greens, a wildlife mix(corn,sunflower seeds,rare peanuts), safflower and baby carrots. I had originally put out the safflower for the doves and cardinals but found a little guy munching away one evening so I try to time it for him. The corn in the wildlife mix has been the hands-down favorite. It’s so cool to put some of that out and, like ringing the dinner bell, see one of them appear seemingly out of thin air and just be sitting there munching away. The only challenge they have are the squirrels who will bully all but the adult female. It makes me feel good because the corn is both more substantial for a growing bunny and it’s good for cleaning their teeth. Plus, it’s not nearly as expensive as the rabbit food mixes I’ve seen. The parsley greens got taken but I’m not sure it wasn’t the squirrels. They’ll eat the carrots but they prefer the wildlife mix. One the the adults has even learned to drink out of the birdbath I keep low to the ground. Otherwise, they eat a bunch of corn until their parched and then start on the grass for the liquid it contains. I’m one very satisfied bunny landlord right now.
What About You?
Do you have bunnies in your backyard now? Do you keep them all year? Just for the summer? Winter? What? Leave a comment below and let me know how you’re taking care of your backyard bunnies.
Jeff – 4th generation of kits born this past spring 2022! Each year a new litter is born under the shed. I leave veggies out for the new mom over winter. By the end of winter, the mom usually lets me hand feed her. After the kits are old enough, she leaves, sometimes she’ll visit, but not until the litter are independent. The kits eventually leave the fenced in yard, but there’s always one straggler. This year’s litter of 3 were picky eaters, didn’t like Timothy hay pellets (small amount each day as supplement to sea of clover in back yard – haven’t seeded/ treated lawn in as many years). The straggler left, “Daisy” prefers the leftover sunflower seeds from the bird/ chipmunk/ squirrel feeder to Swiss chard. A tip for winter feeding – I buy the decorative winter kale (it looks lovely over Christmas here in NJ on the front porch), then just move the pots to the backyard by the shed and by spring they’re eaten down to nubs. Good for the bunny’s nutrition and teeth. Hope your having a wonderful nature-filled summer!
Hi Valessa,
I LOVE the winter kale idea! How cool is that?
Kudos on taking the time to care so much how they’re all doing!
Jeff
I had bunny momma and babies in my front yard. I found baby alone and wearing using gloves i syringe barreled him water. Now i see hes growing. I leave carrots spinach water for him. He was here 3x tonight. I think hes getting used to me . Its been in 90s and no rain.
Hi Lucia,
I know he/she appreciates you helping but don’t forget to allow mom time to tend to them. Moms can be very sneaky and you’ll think she’s not taking care of them but she really is. Still, I’m glad you were able to get them some water.
Good work!
Jeff