Differentiating between fighting and playing?

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 8sd replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 2 months ago by Peony.

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- 01/08/2014 at 4:33 AM
  Annabel93
  Participant
  161 posts
  Ahoy
  
  My rabbits have been getting a bit rowdy recently, I’ve noticed. All 3 are neutered males, about 8 months old. The first thing I noticed was how humpy they are with each other – they will hump each other out the way if there’s a piece of food they want, or if they’re being ignored when they want grooming they’ll hump the other for attention?!
  
  As well as that they’ve started grunting at each other (I think). It’s really quiet and the sound they make is actually adorable but they seem to do it whilst circling each other and sometimes giving each other nips. Bill also now has a bald patch on the back of his neck from where another pulled it out whilst humping him.
  
  On top of that, I was woken up this morning at 6am as they were all chasing each other. It looked quite aggressive but I realised none of them were actually biting each other. I broke it up by waving a pillow around between them (that was the most imaginative thing I could come up with at that time in the morning), which worked for the most part, but they still seemed to be teasing each other. Bill hid out the way and flopped behind a box, but Rufus kept running up to Ted and then running away so Rufus would chase him. I’ve heard bunnies do play tag so is this it? Is it meant to look so violent?! If it happens again I’ll try and get a video as it was going on for at least 30 minutes.
  
  Basically, my question: WHY is this happening when 99% of the time they’re in love with each other, and they’re all neutered?
- 01/08/2014 at 5:43 AM
  Deleted User
  Participant
  22064 posts
  Hi Annabel93 (I hope you and the boys had a wonderful Chrissy and New Year). As you know Henry is a lone bun with 3 dog companions, and I know this isn’t the same…. but my lot play tag all the time. Henry starts it, then cheats by getting into a space that the dogs can’t get him. Then he comes out and starts it again. (I know, not the same, but thought you may get a laugh while waiting for serious responses). Henry humps my 14 year deaf and blind dog’s leg (poor girl) and has decided she is his girlfriend! (again, poor girl). He literally stalks her – and the only relief my dogs get from Henry is that they can literally (go out the doggy door) get away from him! I think the prob with your boys – they can’t get away, ha ha hah! What you described does sound super cute and lots of fun – but cause I don’t have any experience I’d hate to say or suggest it’s all good fun? Just keep that pillow (weapon) close! Lol….
  You said ‘why does this happen when they are all in love’? I’d like to give my hubby a good smack on occasion cause he annoys the crap out of me! Something to think about…. ha ha ha hah! All the best Annabel, cheers!
- 01/08/2014 at 10:46 AM
  Peony
  Participant
  219 posts
  I do not know why boys are doing it to other boy bunnies but:
  
  It’s really quiet and the sound they make is actually adorable but they seem to do it whilst circling each other and sometimes giving each other nips.
  
  Pretty sure that is a mating thing. I think this is pretty much normal as there is love nipping and such. (there is even light nipping to tell another to move, along with nugging with the head) The only thing I am a bit concerned about is the bald spot from the nipping but even that, does not sound severe compared to the other bonding stories I have heard.
- 01/08/2014 at 2:06 PM
  NuggetBuns
  Participant
  348 posts
  they will hump each other out the way if there’s a piece of food they want, or if they’re being ignored when they want grooming they’ll hump the other for attention?!
  
  This is exactly what happens with my bonded pair! I’ve been trying to figure out if the chasing is all fun and games or if they are actually mad and fighting. I’ve seen them jump over one another and jump up at the same time slamming into each other. Has that happened to your trio?
  
  It does help to feed them separately if food is causing this behavior. I’ve also tried to give more attention to the rabbit that begs for grooming and pet them so they don’t get mad and start humping when they’re ignored. You could also try stress bonding once a week, it could help strengthen their bond. It seems to help my lovebuns, but we still get humping/chasing every now and then.
- 01/08/2014 at 2:33 PM
  Beka27
  Participant
  16016 posts
  It does sound kind playing to me. They’re still young and even tho they are neutered, they’re still going to have some of that “baby bunny” energy. If they do this in the morning hours when they’re most active, it could be a good way to get their energy out. As far as food aggression, try to spread it out around the area so they can graze around the space.
- 01/08/2014 at 4:24 PM
  Annabel93
  Participant
  161 posts
  Oh ok, well this is all positive sounding! The feeding isn’t too much of an issue, I tend to feed them just in a big box that they can all sit in as the bowl is too small for all 3. The humping thing seems to only happen if I give them all a leaf or something, then one doesn’t realise he has his own so will hump another to try and steal his.
  
  It would make sense if the sounds they’re making are a mating thing. They tend to do a little routine beforehand so maybe they’ve not quite twigged that they’re all male, siblings and unable to reproduce anyway…
  
  NuggetBuns, mine do that too! It must just be play.
  
  Thanks for the replies anyway! It’s put my mind at ease a lot, although I think it’s safe to say it’s gonna be a while yet before I fully understand bunny language. I just witnessed Rufus stealing a poop out of Ted’s mouth. Don’t think I’ll ever understand that, but all 3 are now flopped at my feet so I’m pretty content :3
- 01/08/2014 at 5:25 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17234 posts
  It does sound like playing and, as Beka said, they are probably just being young rowdy boys.
- 01/09/2014 at 9:24 AM
  Elrohwen
  Participant
  7318 posts
  It could very well be play. It could also be non-play chasing, which is common – my female chases my male away from food, or perceived food. She’s not playing, but she’s not intending to start a fight either. She’s just really bossy 😛
  
  She’s also pretty food aggressive, so I make sure to spread food around the area (at least 3 food stations for two buns, so I’d do 4 or 5 for three buns) so that my boy always has somewhere to eat while she picks what she wants.
- 01/09/2014 at 3:54 PM
  Peony
  Participant
  219 posts
  Posted By Annabel93 on 01/08/2014 04:24 PM
  
  I just witnessed Rufus stealing a poop out of Ted’s mouth. Don’t think I’ll ever understand that, but all 3 are now flopped at my feet so I’m pretty content :3
  
  Was it a normal poop? I made this thread because I thought this was odd:
  
  https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/128256/Default.aspx
  
  There is two kinds of poos though and it might be an issue if they are fighting over the “special poop” called cecotropes because then that means one is not getting the chance to eat them
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