The bunnies are not bonded so theyre fighting. The breeder smells like her own rabbit(s), so your rabbit is attacking her as well. Its not that either rabbit is afraid, its that neither are bonded together.

If rabbits fight, they are not bonded, it is that simple.

Just because two rabbits came from the same litter, it doesn’t mean they’re bonded. Bonding is a process you have to go through, it doesn’t just happen. Often two rabbits that are litter mates are nice to each other until they get hormonal, then they start fighting. You’re lucky that yours didn’t, but it seems like smelling other rabbits on the breeder made your two start fighting.

Rabbits dont see family like people do. There are no family ties. To them, all other rabbits are strangers and invaders. Theyre fighting, because you two are allowing them to invade the others territory. Theyre fighting to protect their territory. Since the breeder is still known as a breeder, she likely smells like other rabbits as well; other rabbits yours isnt bonded to, causing yours to act out, again, in territorial instinct.

The bonding process is a long one and first needs to undergo prebonding and all rabbits involved need to be spayed/neutered and given two+ months to heal. Until this happens, the rabbits will always fight when allowed.

Im a little confused; how many rabbits do you have and is the breeder bringing over any rabbits?

They didn’t go through the proper bonding process, which is why they have fights when the breeder comes over. The smell of other unaltered bunnies on her makes their issues come out, even if there aren’t many. There bond wasn’t ever really cemented because they were just put together. Even if they were bonded-bonded, the smell of an unaltered bunny can break their bond. It has happened numerous times on this forum. A bonded pair will “breakup” once they smell an unaltered bunny in the mix. It brings out those territorial and aggressive behaviors all over again.

Can you keep them in a different room when the breeder is over? As long as they smell her unaltered bunnies its going to keep happening and creating problems. The main problem is if they ever get in a bad enough fight where they start holding a grudge against each other. It’ll make them really not get along or trusting of each other.

I do want to note that while I do not have bonded rabbits, I’ve read on these forums that rabbits with poorly-bonded relationships do not constantly fight or bully each other. There can be cuddling and sleeping together as well, but it’s a much more tumultuous and sensitive relationship when other factors come into play, like being away from each other for a while, smelling another rabbit, or even a slow development of overdemanding/under-reciprocation of grooming which leads to some strain.

It doesn’t sound like they were bonded, which is why they erupt into these little episodic fights. Bonding is a process of building trust and cementing that mutual feeling. Keeping them together just because they didn’t fight doesn’t mean they are “bonded”. Think of it this way: it’s kind of like two people in a very new relationship moved in together. They may like each other, but they lack a certain sense of security. Things can be good sometimes, but when things get rough it’s likely to be quite a topsy-turvy relationship.

Keeping them completely separate at all times. Potentially even in different rooms so they can re-get-to-know each other on more even footing. After a month of this you can keep them in enclosures side by side and prebond for another month. Swapping their litter boxes between them and other items with their scents as well as swapping them between enclosures. After a month of prebonding you can start doing short sessions on neutral territory. Start with 10 minute sessions and the more positive behavior they show increase it by 10 minutes. After an hour of positive behavior you can start increasing by hour increments. The goal is to go 24-48 hours without any incidents that way they can start living together again.

They’ve been together for a long time, so they should be a relatively easy bond.

That makes more sense, thank you for clarifying I think its a mix of both: not being properly bonded and the breeder smelling like other rabbits (ie, intruders/invaders/strangers). When either of your rabbits smell her, they go after one another thinking they are the stranger and go after your friend because she smells the strongest of the intruders.

I wouldnt even go as far as to put them into different rooms since their fighting isnt bad. They do each need their own space (cage, pen, or cage+pen), though. To prebond, everyday youll swap the bunny (first day: bunny1 into cage1 + bunny2 into cage2, second day: bunny1 into cage2 + bunny2 into cage1, third day: bunny1 into cage1 + bunny2 into cage2, etc). Allow them to mark as much as they want to, and try to avoid cleaning too often. Prebonding allows the rabbits to swap scents and learn to share territory. Youll do this for a month or two.

For bonding, I would follow what A&B wrote

I think it’s quite unwise to leave them alone. Yes, it is good that they are ok when the breeder is not around, but now you know that they fight when triggered. Bonded rabbits shouldn’t be fighting at the drop of a hat…. You don’t have to separate them completely, but I really suggest that you work with them on solidifying their bond.

There have been stories here of rabbits that were “bonded” the same way you describe, by just being left together. Then something sets them off and they have terrible fights. If that happens, their “bond” might be permanently damaged. Rabbit fights can get vicious very quick. One member had one of her males rip off another male’s testicles….

I strongly advise you to AT LEAST work with them if you refuse to take steps back in the bonding process. For their own safety, please.