Biting

[Loopy]

Hi,
I am an inexperienced rabbit owner. Recently I took on 4 baby lionhead sand have been working hard since to do everything right – learning a bit as I go along. The bunnies are 10 weeks old. They are living in a large shed – 8 by 14ft. Lots of toys, tunnels etc.

I went in one morning and there was a lot of bunny fur – I just knew they’d been fighting. I examined all of them – all good except for one who has three bite marks – look painful. He is a male. Two males and two females. The males are due for neutering in 2 weeks (vet says they can’t do it yet). So I have now separated them – girls in one half of the shed, and boys in the other.

All is now calm – no fighting so far. Lots of bonding and grooming between the two pairs. Once they’ve all been neutered and the hormones have died down, is it ok to just put them back together? Or how should I handle it? They can all see each other in the two halves of the shed at the moment…

I really don’t want them to fight when back together…

[Cocoa]

You have to do pre bonding and then go through a bonding process. They all need to be separated because the males will fight with each other and so will the females. Rabbits can seriously injure or kill each other

[Cocoa]

You have to do pre bonding and then go through a bonding process. They all need to be separated because the males will fight with each other and so will the females. Rabbits can seriously injure or kill each other

[Loopy]

Thanks for your reply. Once they have all been neutered will they get along ok do you think if I bond them all? Can four rabbits live happily together? They are all from the same litter.

[Loopy]

Thanks for your reply. Once they have all been neutered will they get along ok do you think if I bond them all? Can four rabbits live happily together? They are all from the same litter.

[kurottabun]

Unfortunately all four rabbits will have to be separated instead of just separating by their genders.

Male/male and female/female can fight too – it’s not just a male vs female thing. They may be grooming each other now, but once their hormones act up, it’s very likely they will fight. This can happen anytime and it’ll be disastrous if you aren’t around to break the fight. There are some bunnies who are all nice to each other one day, and get into vicious fights the next.

To be honest it may be quite difficult for all four bunnies to be bonded with each other. Not impossible, but it’ll take a lot of time and effort. Please go to the bonding section of this forum and you will be able to understand more about the whole bonding process. I’m not sure if anyone has tried bonding four bunnies all at once, because as far as I’ve read, most people have bonded two and then just add one more to the existing pair. It’s probably rare for someone to get 4 unbonded bunnies at once.

They will ALL need to be neutered and spayed before the bonding process can begin. The females are still too young to be spayed, so you can only wait until they are ready.

[Bam]

We have had examples here of fluffles of seven or five. It was some time ago though. But it is possible, especially if they’ve grown up together and have been desexed before any really bad fighting has occurred. Where I live it’s pretty common to have a fluffle in a really big outdoors enclosure, but that is a bit different because there’s so much space.

It’s good that your quartet can see each other. It’s really great that the boys are being done soon. Boys are worse fighters than females because they compete for the females. Right after the neuters, there will be some hormonal mood swings with possible increased territorial aggression and sexual interest, while their bodies are adjusting, so then you need to be extra, extra observant so fighting doesn’t break out.

[Sirius&Luna]

Also just wanted to add that there should be double bars between them all – rabbits have been known to mate through bars and the last thing you need is more babies! Males also remain fertile for 2 weeks-a month after being neutered.

[Loopy]

Thanks for all the advice. I have a double fence already – four is plenty!

They are due to be done in the next 10 days – just waiting on them to be big enough. The boys and girls seem so happy together right now, it seems a shame to separate them. Do you think I need to whilst theya re getting on so well? They sleep together and play together and seem so close. Once the boys have been done, do you think I should to separate them until their hormones die down? I can do so as there is enough space.

Will the girls need to be kept separate when they’re neutered? They are so close now I hate to separate them.

[Wick & Fable]

All need to be separated now, yes. There’s no knowing when hormones will kick in with one of them. No matter how well established a young relationship may be, hormones completely changes everything. It’s for the best.

After being fixed, you need to wait at least a month before reintroduction because the hormones will spike and need some time to settle before interacting with future bond mates.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Deleted User]

Echoing the others here, but yes, all four need to be separated into their own area. We have had stories of males fighting and ripping off testicles. Females are notoriously territorial and when their hormones kick in, you’re going to be in for more fur-flying fights. They may seem fine now, but it only takes a split second for a fight to escalate to somebunny’s ear being ripped off.

Also the one with bite marks needs to see a vet ASAP to prevent infection at the site.

[Loopy]

Just wanted to say thanks everyone for all your advice. they’re all now living separately but can see each other so I hope this will help when I later try to bond them. Another question, one of the boy bunnies (Blue) looks like he has a sore eye – it is weeping a bit and pink. Looks sore. I will take him to the vet tomorrow morning (BunNoob – the Vet has already checked over the bite marks and said they are superficial wounds and thanks for the advice). I’m sure the Vet will help but I am worried – what do you think it could be?

[Sirius&Luna]

It’s quite common for young buns to get eye infections. He’ll probably just need some eye drops I wouldn’t worry too much! He does need to see a vet though.

[Author]

Messages