I have 3 rabbits (Honey-tan, Pearl-white, Willow-white with dark gray/black nose, ears, and feet) that I got in May 2020. I adopted all 3 from a neighbor, whose kids were given them by a grandparent without permission.  All 3 were babies (approx. 6-12 weeks old) and female.  All 3 were spayed at the same time at approximately 5-6 months old in Aug. of 2020.  All are now about 8 lbs each.  All are litter trained. All will take treats from my hand.

Honey is smart, curious, confident, fearless, and typically the aggressor towards Pearl.  She chins everything she comes into contact with, and she will poop and pee around Pearl’s cage.  She will seek out Pearl and attack if she can. She is affectionate and playful toward Willow, but she has bitten her in the past.

Pearl is timid, fearful, socially awkward, but wants companionship, and likes her ears massaged.  She will defend herself against Honey and will go on the offense if she feels threatened by Honey.  She is playful and very affectionate towards Willow, but she attacked her after the big fight.  They are fine now.  Pearl does a lot of playful nipping with Willow.  Pearl has also purposely bitten my daughter hard (technically Pearl’s “mother” but away at college) and nipped me, but not hard. I think it’s fear based and possibly a get out of my way bite.

Willow is laid back, sweet, cautious, will do anything for food, and gets along with both.  She does not defend herself when attacked. She stays put or runs away.

In the beginning of September Honey and Pearl got into a fight, but it seemed minor.  I seperated them for a little while and then took them out together.  I corrected Honey every time she lunged or nipped at Pearl.  They seemed to have gotten over it until a couple of weeks later, they got into a major fight.  Chunks of fur were everywhere, and they each had scratches.  They have been separated ever since.

All 3 were living in a two story hutch (inside) about 4 feet long before the fighting.  Now Pearl and Willow are in the hutch, and Honey is in a small kennel placed right next to the hutch.  The 3 can see each other, and I try to place their food in a way that it feels like they are eating together.  They have play time every day.  Willow and Pearl are out for about 2 hours and Honey and Willow are out for about 2 hours.  I originally had Pearl in the small kennel, but she seemed lonely and depressed, so I swapped her with Honey, who does not seem to mind being by herself.  When Pearl and Willow are out, I put Honey in the hutch to sniff around.  I leave Honey’s kennel open so Pearl and Willow can go in and out and sniff around.

This is where I am.  I have not tried any stressing techniques because I’m afraid they will really hurt each other, but I feel like that should be my next step.  I would love some advice, help, thoughts, etc.  I really need them to get along so I don’t have to do everything twice.  Plus, I have a dog, who the rabbits don’t seem to care about, who has to go in her kennel while the rabbits are out.  It would be nice to shorten that for her.  Hopefully I haven’t left too much out.

Thank you!

Jen