Stray/semi-feral rabbit -what should i do

Question
QUESTION: Hey
I live in the UK but am wondering if you can help as I have read your postings on this site with great interest.
I rent a cottage on a small farmstead, in the summer one of the rabbits (who my landlady had originally taken in as a rescued rabbit) escaped from his hutch and could not be recaught. Since then I had often seen him chewing grass or playing with wild rabbits that came on the land.  However, now winter is here he seems to have taken up in my garden(some 200  metres from his orinigally hutch) and  has been living here the past 3 weeks, and I dont know what the best thing to do for him is. He is really happy chewing away at grass all day, but at night he just seems to sit in the corner of my garden (which isnt very well protected) and makes no effort to hide under the decking of my house or take shelter anywhere else...last night he was in the same spot from 6pm -1am.
I have tried to approach him and give him Timothy Hay, but he is quite nervous of me, but on a recent visit my mum was able to stroke him, and he does show some interest if I happen to be in the garden,unlike wild rabbits who run off.  He is agouti in colouring but quite big so I dont think he is originally a wild rabbit.
In the past few days two other (definitely wild) rabbits have started coming into my garden my garden backs on to open fields. One of these will happily chew grass with him, but the other seems to be chasing him off his turf.
I really dont know what is the best thing to do for the rabbit.  I would happily get him a large hutch with run attached, but would he be happy given how much freedom he currently has. He does seem to be coping in the day time at least with his situation. Am I being overly sensitive because my way of thinking is that you wouldnt let a stray cat or dog roam free if they had escaped.
All advice would be greatly appreciated.

ANSWER: Dear Helen,

No, you're right to be concerned about him.  Although he appears to be getting on well with the wild members of his species, he may not be as well equipped as they are to handle the cold, as he has been subject to human breeding in his ancestry.  No way to know for sure.

If he will allow it, you might consider bringing him indoors at night, and housing him in a warm, comfortable space where he can have access to hay and good food.  If he seems very agitated, let him have some freedom in the house.  But if he's a feral domestic rabbit, he should calm down and get used to being inside where it's comfy and safe.  

He should be vaccinated against VHD and myxomatosis, both deadly viruses carried by biting insects, and it would be best if he were neutered, as well.  A domestic rabbit really will not thrive as well as a wild one if left outdoors, and you would be kind to take him in.  When the weather is warmer, you might be able to train him to go in and out of the house so that he can choose where he wants to be.  But at night (or better, at dusk), he should always be indoors and away from the reach of dangerous, nocturnal predators.

You can read all about the proper care of a domestic bunny here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

If he's used to being free, it might take some adjustment for him to feel comfortable inside.  But once he's spoiled, he'll likely want to stay with you.  Rabbits are wonderful companions, intelligent, social and friendly.  I hope you can help him.

Good luck!  And Happy New Year!

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Dana

Many thanks for this answer, and Happy New Year to you too. As I write this (9pm GMT) he (tho not sure what sex it is) is sat in the corner of my garden which is clearly his safe place...not very safe to me. I totally agree re vets and vaccinations and would love to be able to take him in as a  house rabbit, but unfortunately I have a cat who has already been eyeing him up with suspicion,and I wouldnt trust her. Would an outdoor hutch (well insulated) and large run be a feasible alternative and if so would I need to get him a mate/guinea pig?
Thanks again for your speedy response
Helen

Answer
Dear Helen,

Cats and rabbits can be great friends, if properly introduced.  But precautions must be taken, such as filing the cat's claws so no accidental injuries can happen during introductions.  This article can help:

http://www.rabbit.org/journal/2-11/cats-and-rabbits.html

A hutch might work, but a large, covered run might be even better.  The problem is that he's used to running free, and unless he's inside with socialization and interaction, he might be quite miserable outdoors and lonely and unable to run where he's used to running.

I'd favor something like a cat enclosure, preferably attached to the house so bun can come in and out.  You can see pictures here:

http://www.catsofaustralia.com/cat-enclosures.htm

The pictures there are very luxurious, but can give you some ideas for scaled-down versions, if the fancy one isn't feasible.

Once he's spayed/neutered, a better companion than a guinea pig would be another spayed/neutered rabbit.  You can contact the Rabbit Welfare Association:

http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/

for help adopting a spayed/neutered rescue bunny, but s/he should be the one to choose his/her mate, and this must be done with care so no fighting takes place. (You've already noticed that bunnies are territorial.  You ain't seen nothing yet...)

Hope this helps!

Dana