Rough Play or fighting???

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 6sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 9 years ago by sarahthegemini.

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- 02/14/2017 at 7:33 AM
  Tara
  Participant
  26 posts
  So my roommate and I wanted some furry companions so after researching we got two young buns, around 6w each(we are already prepared to have them spayed/neutered at about 4 mo). Ive had a bun before, but everything i thought I knew came from my mom. Who gave me wrong info now that I have done research. But this is both our first times being independent and having animals/buns. We have had a very good experience with them so far. They are named Tiddles and Frisk. Both of them seem super comfortable with us, they were practically binkying from day one. They seem to get along great, sleeping right next to each other, flopping down on each other, grooming one another. There has been no food aggression or anything. But, i was woken up early this morning by the sound of frisk chasing tiddles in circles in their cage. Worried i wiggled my fingers in the cage and they stopped to sniff me as per usual. Then when i laid back down they were back at it. I temporarily separated them just in case it was a bad thing. I hope that wasnt a bad call.or something. They are fine now that ive put them back together. I don’t mimd the noise. Im just worried this might be them fighting or showing aggression towards each other.
  
  So really i want to know if this is play or fighting???
- 02/14/2017 at 8:10 AM
  tobyluv
  Participant
  3311 posts
  If they are only 6 weeks old (which is earlier than suggested for being separated from their mother) they are probably just playing. It sounds like you have a male and a female, but in any case, you will need to separate the bunnies before they are 12 weeks old to prevent litters and to prevent the fighting and injuries that can occur when they reach puberty. When you separate them, make sure that their cages or pens aren’t right up against each other. Rabbits have been known to make through cage bars, and they can also nip noses or ears if they can reach the other.
  
  It may be best to go ahead and separate them now, in case they are older than you think. Otherwise you could let them stay together for another 2 or 3 weeks before putting them in separate pens. I’m really not sure if it’s best to separate them from the beginning or let them stay together for a little while since they are in a new place and may need some comfort. You definitely should separate them if the chasing looks like it’s getting aggressive. You can keep them in the same room near each other when you do separate them.
- 02/14/2017 at 8:31 AM
  Tara
  Participant
  26 posts
  Would it still be safe to let them play outside their cages together? Whats the earliest that these problems usually manifest? Sorry if I sound ignorant or something i just wamt what is best for them.
- 02/14/2017 at 8:34 AM
  Tara
  Participant
  26 posts
  Would it still be safe to let them play outside the cage together? Or should that be scheduled separately?
- 02/14/2017 at 1:15 PM
  tobyluv
  Participant
  3311 posts
  If you plan to house them together for another couple of weeks, then you could let them play together outside of their cage. But once you separate them, they should continue to be separated. Then they will have to be exercised outside of their cage separately. Puberty and all the hormones that brings, along with the capability of reproducing, can start at around 12 weeks of age, so they should be separated before then. Rabbits can mate in the blink of an eye, so don’t think that you can have them together outside of their cage, without risking pregnancy just because you are sitting near them.
- 02/14/2017 at 1:45 PM
  Tara
  Participant
  26 posts
  See, none of the research I did told me THAT. It told me they reached sexual maturity at 4mo. So I was prepared to get them neutered and be done. Thanks for telling me about the 12we thing! I’ll have to separate them soon then. Should I keep them within eyesight? Separating them makes me a bit worried that reuniting them later on down the line might have problems. Any suggestions for when I reunite them after surgery and healing???
- 02/14/2017 at 1:53 PM
  sarahthegemini
  Participant
  5584 posts
  Posted By Tara on 2/14/2017 1:45 PM
  
  See, none of the research I did told me THAT. It told me they reached sexual maturity at 4mo. So I was prepared to get them neutered and be done. Thanks for telling me about the 12we thing! I’ll have to separate them soon then. Should I keep them within eyesight? Separating them makes me a bit worried that reuniting them later on down the line might have problems. Any suggestions for when I reunite them after surgery and healing???
  
  Keep them within eyesight of one another but make sure they can’t touch each other. You’ll have to bond them once they are recovered from their surgeries and their hormones have settled.
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