How do I release baby rabbits?

[BamaHam]

I'm ready to release baby bunnies now. They are big enough but should I do it in the early morning or late in the afternoon/dusk? How should I go about releasing them? Help please?:dono

[pappy1264]

Have they been outside at all? I like early morning myself. Where do you plan to release them? I live on the edge of the woods so I release in my backyard....but most don't have that set up.

[BamaHam]

Yes. They have been acclimated to the outside temp.s for about a week. My neighbor 2 houses down has a creek and a wooded area behind her house. I see rabbits there from time to time. Although these rabbits are not from this area. they weigh about 200 gms.

[pappy1264]

Watch the weather, make sure you will have at least three days of no rain so they have time to get set up somewhere, early morning release.

here is a link to one of my posts, I just released three a few days ago. Two have been in my yard every day. Here are some pics (I am also doing possums, but for the pics of the bunnies, they are there, too.)

http://thesquirrelboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28748

[squirrelsrule&bunniestoo]

Pappy has posted good advice. I look for areas with some open field and some brushy areas so the bunnies can get food (in the field, usually clover) and have safe places to hide.

I release in the early evening (around 7 pm) most of the time, but occassionally release in the morning if I'm home and awake. Either is just fine for the bunnies, just wouldn't want to release them mid day (I'd say release by 10 AM or wait until at least 6 pm) because that's when they sleep.

Good luck :thumbsup

[BamaHam]

Early morning release sounds good to me. I don't think we are expecting bad weather any time soon. I may wait til after the 4th so fireworks don't scare them. Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it. :tilt

[pappy1264]

You're welcome (abd yes, as B&S2 said, you want both open for eating/cover for hiding/sleeping.) I am blessed with the way my yard is, as they have both right out my back door! I usually release as early as possible, but 8 am usually (and yeah, a couple more days to let all the fireworks stop would not be a bad idea!)

[astra]

may I ask why it is best to release bunnies either early am, or evening, but not midday?.. I know nothing about bunnies.:thankyou

[pappy1264]

They generally will stay hidden during the heat of the day (plus, early morning, and early evening the 'shift change of predators' tends to happen, so less threat from that, as well.

[lilidukes]

We release at the state park by our house around 7 pm. That's about the time you see the other wild rabbits come out. We use an area near the lake that has a lot of under brush.

[astra]

They generally will stay hidden during the heat of the day (plus, early morning, and early evening the 'shift change of predators' tends to happen, so less threat from that, as well.
Thanks for explaining, pappy:thankyou