2 New Rabbits; Pulling Hair; Whimpering

[CharlotteQC]

I’m not much of an animal person outside of cats and maybe dogs. The thought of having Guinea Pigs, Rabbits, Rats, Birds etc. always troubled me. Well I rescued a pair of rabbits that owners abandoned that the owners said were 4 months old.

However, I have a huge heart and I absolutely love my 2 rabbits to death. They’re the background on my phone, every free second I have I let them out and I want them to have the best life possible and I don’t ever want them to be scared, sad, depressed, etc.

So here’s the problem!!!

I supposedly have 2 four month old un-neutered males. One is black and one is white. The black rabbit had been humping the white one which I didn’t mind too much because I got up and it’d be done. They seem to love each other a lot. They were always beside each other etc. the more days that went on, the black one started to hump the white one more and more and more to the point where it’s becoming constant-ish.

I’d be fine with that (sorta) but the white one started to whimper a little. Then whimpered more to the point she sorta whimpered even when he came beside her (though he still goes up to sleep by him)

I’ve only seen the white one hump the black one once. Just once. The black one marks a lot, the white one doesn’t.

The white one is starting to get noticeable fat. Especially compared to the black one. When she’s laying down, it looks like he has a water Melon in his stomach. He has a very healthy appetite (all I do is shake a bag of Kale and he’s crawling all over me for it). The black one is sorta the same but not as bad.

So today on my day off I heard my white rabbit whimpering at 5am and I brought them upstairs to a rabbit proof room. THe black one tried to hump the white one so I took him downstairs and am watching him now.

He’s running around, playing “jump on the couch” running back and forth over me, running and binkying etc. So I went up stairs to check on my white one and when I opened the door, their was his fur on the floor. I think he ripped it out (like hear him chewing and pulling but I assumed it was a blanket or the carpet). Also I heard the white one playing with a blanket but he’s usually resting as opposed to running (but he did once – run while playing)

So my questions;

A – Is my white Rabbit maybe a female and pregnant and could be nesting

B – is my white rabbit stressed or depressed? He/She is eating very well, stool looks fine, grooming often just not as active.

I’ve had them 6 days and they both seem very open to me. The black one does nothing but binkys. And the white one chatters his/her teeth when I pet her head.

Sorry for the choppy post by the way; I’m using my cell phone. It’s a pain and I’ve looked on multiple forums but I feel like my situation is different from others I read (some are good but they might have 1 rabbit, or 2 females, or neutered males)

[Sarita]

It is very likely that could be the case. I would suggest you visit a vet to sex both rabbits since it sounds as if they are not altered. That will be the only way to know what the sex of both are and in the case that they are male/female you likely have a pregnant female on your hands…

[Baxter n Boos Mom]

I second Sarita that it does sound like your white bun is a female, and may be pregnant. If it turns out she is pregnant, and even if not pregnant but definitely a female – you should consider separating them until one or preferably both are altered.

[Hazel]

I would separate them right now. From what you’re describing it does sound like the white one is female and pregnant but since you don’t know any of that for certain they should be separated immediately. Every additional minute they spend together increases the chance of unwanted pregnancy as well as fighting caused by hormones. If she is pregnant she might become aggressive towards the male as well. She might be whimpering if he’s hurting her, since you said he humps her constantly I imagine she’s probably sore and has no way of getting away from him.

Separate them now and take them to the vet to be sexed as soon as you can. If it turns out you have a pregnant female on your hands, have an emergency spay done right away, if it’s not too late already.

[CharlotteQC]

…. Was pregnant! Found 7 babies.got them separated in a makeshift cage.

Try to help 2 rabbits and I bring 7 more into the world.

I’m going to nurse them and make sure they go to good homes and make sure there are no snake owners who lie or make sure the owners have the means to take care of them. I had to touch the babies. I hope domesticated rabbits don’t mind as much as wild rabbits.

Thanks do much for the answers you guys!

[CheriB603]

You are leaving them with Mom, right? Don’t try to nurse them yourself… Mom is best

[Baxter n Boos Mom]

Yes – please make sure to keep the buck separated from the doe….as he can impregnate her again very quickly. And yes – it’s best for the mom to nurse the babies.

[Hazel]

Don't blame yourself, you only had them for 6 days so obviously she was pregnant when you got her. Make sure the babies stay warm, keep them and the mom together, separate from the buck as the others have said. She will feed them a couple of times a day. Try not to disturb her, they often want a little privacy to feed the babies. As long as they have nice big bellies you know she's taking care of them. Just keep an eye out for babies that have fallen out of the nest, sometimes when the female stops nursing and hops away, a baby that doesn't let go quickly enough will get lifted out of the nest.

Given the mom's age she should have unlimited pellets anyway, but even more so while nursing, so make sure she has food at all times.

[MoveDiagonally]

Just wanted to second that you might not see her nurse them. Rabbits typically only feed once or twice a day and ignore their babies the rest of the time. Just keep an eye on their bellies and make sure they’re full.

Separate the buck ASAP. He can re-impregnate her pretty much immediately. Bunnies can breed through cages and are notorious escape artists so best to keep him as far away from her as you can manage inside your home.

[Irina]

This is a great site for general info regarding care of newborn rabbits:

http://www.curiousbunny.com/newborn_rabbits_detail.pdf

Good luck! Keep us posted!

[Eepster]

This would be a good time to have him neutered, since they need to be separate till the babies are weaned anyway. You can get her spayed once the babies are weaned.  Then they can be rebonded.

[jerseygirl]

You certainly have your hands full. Thank you for taking these rabbits under your wing.

I had to touch the babies. I hope domesticated rabbits don’t mind as much as wild rabbits.

This is fine. you can actually handle them daily to check their bellies are full. : )
Here’s some additional info of mums and babies.
http://rabbit.org/domestic-baby-bunnies-and-their-mom/

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