fights

[LeonDjannovic]

So ok. I am new to this site, just joined because I was looking online about why bunnies start to fight suddenly and I came across another thread that had already been started about a similar topic. I am starting my own thread on this though because my situation is a little different than hers. so here goes:

We have two bunnies, both lionheads. A male and a female named Simba and Nala (i know I know how original right? Blame the boyfriend)Well they have both been neutered/spayed for close to a month now, and they were bonded right at the time of being neutered. There has never been any aggression in the past and they have been great buddies since they were both fixed and they healed up well. 

We don’t cage them as they are litter box trained and we have the space for them to run around though I plan to move them outside in the next few weeks and keep them outside in a nice hutch until it gets too cold next winter at least lol. Nothing has changed in their environment recently aside from adding a few more chicks to the brooder that is in the same room, but there have been chicks with them in that room for over two weeks now (just added some more two days ago) and there was never any issue with it before. They have plenty of food and water, and the room is a comfortable temperature. They are both about the same age, there haven’t been any vet trips or meds or anything since they got fixed.

Today I heard some banging around and heard them running like crazy. I ignored it at first as I thought they were just playing as they normally do when they run and jump together and then once they have had their fill of physical activity they just spread out together on the carpet. Well about an hour later I heard it again but this time I heard high pitched squealing so I went to check things out and I found my male viciously attacking my female and chasing her around the room. I decided to separate them and brought him out to the living room with me and checked on her to make sure that she wasn’t hurt. She wasn’t not a scratch on her, just missing lots and lots of her fluffy fur. Well I kept them separated for several hours while I debated what to do about it and waiting for my boyfriend to wake up (they are his technically while the chickens are mine ha). Well when he got up I told him what was going on before I went outside for a bit. When I came back inside he had put them together again despite what I said. Well they have been fighting non-stop since at least he has been attacking her. I literally had to pull him off of her he had latched on to her so hard. He had some blood in his mouth, but I couldn’t find any blood on her or him so not sure if maybe he snagged something in his mouth though once I cleaned the blood off I didn’t see any bleeding. I have re-separated them to be on the safe side. 

So what do you all think? Do you have any ideas as to what could be causing this behavior given that nothing has changed? I am willing to do everything in my power to resolve the issue especially because the female was basically neglected (attention wise anyway) before she came to me so I view her basically as a rescue. Do you guys think I should take them both to the vet or just wait it out and try the bonding process from the beginning once I make sure there aren’t any other weird behaviors?

[Sarita]

I would start all over on the bonding process. It wouldn’t surprise me though if living with the chickens has caused some problems too. I’m not sure what chickens are really like to tell you the truth.

I’m not even sure that it is a good idea to house rabbits and chickens in the same area.

[tanlover14]

I think the chickens may be the problem also. Since I’ve bonded my bunnies, little things like changes in environment can quite easily set them off on each other. Whether it be the chickens or the new area you’ve set them up into.

I would start the bonding process over also and do a lot of stress bonding to help strengthen their bond.

[Deleted User]

What is “stress bonding”?

[LeonDjannovic]

Posted By Sarita on 04/02/2013 10:27 AM

I would start all over on the bonding process. It wouldn’t surprise me though if living with the chickens has caused some problems too. I’m not sure what chickens are really like to tell you the truth.

I’m not even sure that it is a good idea to house rabbits and chickens in the same area.

You have really never seen rabbits and chickens together? Thats odd haha. I know many urban rabbit and chicken raisers who keep them together. And when I say together they aren’t like in the same cage. They are just in the same area of the house. honestly the chickens are rather quiet. It hasn’t affected them in the almost month that the baby chicks have been in the brooder so I don’t really think thats it, but I did think of something. We just changed their food the day before they started fighting and they have barely eaten any of it. could the change in the food be part of the problem?

[LeonDjannovic]

Posted By tanlover14 on 04/02/2013 10:50 AM

I think the chickens may be the problem also. Since I’ve bonded my bunnies, little things like changes in environment can quite easily set them off on each other. Whether it be the chickens or the new area you’ve set them up into.

I would start the bonding process over also and do a lot of stress bonding to help strengthen their bond.

well like I said though, the chickens have been in the room with them for a month and there hasn’t been an issue until now. Do you think a change in food could affect them too? How am I supposed to stress bond them when they can’t even be in the same room together at all. The second they see each other they go at it. 

[MoveDiagonally]

I’m having a hard time picturing the chicken/bunny set up. Do you have a picture maybe?

Generally you should not bond rabbits until a month or two after they’re altered. It takes about 30-60 days for their hormones to dissipate. If they were put together when they were altered and that was a month ago, I think this could also be part of the problem. They may not “recognize” each other because their “scent” has changed.

What steps did you take to bond them the first time around?

Tanlover and Sarita have given you great advice and I think starting over is your best bet to keep your bunnies safe and give them a lasting bond.

[bunnylova123]

Stress bonding is putting bunnies in a stressful situation, such as a car ride, or on top of the washing machine, so they forget about how much they hate each other, and snuggle up because they are stressed.

[Deleted User]

Thanks Bunnylova!!! I was really wondering., I’m particularly interested since I’m mildly concerned in case my two have any problems once they come home.

I adore Watership Down so Love your signature!!!!! A book that quite literally helped shape my thinking for life, I was seven when I first read it.

[Author]

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