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FORUM BEHAVIOR Chasing – can we do anything?

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    • boogercj
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        Hello all! It’s bee quite a while since we posted on here. Hope everyone  and their bunnies are doing great!

        Anyhoo, we’ve recently (3 months ago) moved house and the bunnies (Ariel and Miranda) have been bonded now for about 10 months. They are allowed completely free access to our lounge, with their maze haven being the main “house”, so they don’s have an enclosure per se, just litter trays and their hay and water out on a large rug.

        Generally they’re really good together – they snuggle together, flop out on the floor together (which they’re doing right now! ) ,mutual grooming and it seems like they really love each other.

        Lately though, probably in the last 4 weeks or so Miranda (or “Doos” as we like to call her) has been chasing Ariel alot , usually around their meal times and when either myself or Anita go near Ariel. She has managed to pull some fur out occasionally and we always clap and tell her off. During the day, when I’m working from home they are fine, and they always have grooming sessions and they play and binky then go to sleep together.

        Ariels is a sweet little thing and just runs away; it doesn’t really seem to bother her, but I can’t help wondering if she’s going to start getting fed up and be scared to eat or accept strokes and nose rubs from us.

        From what I’ve read it can just be part of their relationship, but I was wondering if there’s anything we can do to discourage this behaviour?

        Cheers!

        Chris.


      • jerseygirl
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          Why am I not surprised it’s Miranda?! lol Bee in her bonnet. Is she still generally the more dominant of the pair or is it more even footing now?
          Is she going through a shed? This can make them a little cranky. I would look to any health issues arising, this might be a clue to when something is brewing. Hopefully whatever is causing it will resolve itself.


        • boogercj
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            Hi Jerseygirl!

            Yeah, “Doos” is definitely still the boss. Touch wood, there’s no obvious signs of anything wrong with either of them – they’re both generally very relaxed, happy buns – no problems with teeth or poop, they’re eating us out of house and home. Doos went through a molt about 3 weeks ago; she still has a slight “tide mark” so I guess it’s possible it’s not quite over yet, although she’s not shedding much now.

            We’ll definitely keep an eye out though, as like you said – it could be trouble brewing and if she’s not feeling 100% she coudl be taking it out on little Ariels. They are overdue a checkup at the vet, so I guess we’ll make sure we do that sooner rather than later and make sure.

            I’ll get some up to date piccies of them to post, as they’ve grown quite a bit since we were bonding them.


          • Elrohwen
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              It’s definitely part of Otto and Hannah’s normal relationship, so I wouldn’t be surprised if your girls were the same. Hannah has backed off on the chasing a bit, but she still does it, especially at meal times or if she thinks Otto is getting too many treats and she’s not getting enough. lol

              Otto has actually learned to handle it really well – half the time when she gets behind and nips him, he turns to face her and then shoves his head under hers for groomies. She usually doesn’t groom in this situation (she’ll groom at other times though), but she completely forgets that she wanted to chase him and just hops away. Haha.


            • jerseygirl
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                Same with Jersey. Growly nippy butt-head but Rumball could care less.

                When you moved, did they transistion well? Maybe in the new place she’s feeling the need to re-establish her dominance (even over the humans!). Or she could even be a little insecure. Did they have time initially in their habitat or pretty much free range? I’m just curious really whether new environment effects them, not necessarily saying that’s Mirandas problem.

                If it’s not stressing Ariel out too much, I’d be letting it settle itself. Buns seem to go thru these little episodes now and then.


              • boogercj
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                  Thanks JG! I think it’s probably something that will subside. I think half the problem is since we moved in we’ve been changing some stuff around and they’ve probably not properly settled yet. This morning Doos chased Ariels away from the food, but they’ve been really good today, snuggling together, loads of grooming and flopping – even some binkies so I think they’re probably fine!

                  They’ve pretty much been free-range since we moved in here.


                • Elrohwen
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                    This morning Hannah chased Otto all over the cage because I was too slow getting their veggies ready (they already had pellets). These female rabbits can be so pushy! Haha. Hopefully Miranda settles down and leaves her buddy alone.

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                FORUM BEHAVIOR Chasing – can we do anything?