Crap! Boys are fighting!

[CheriB603]

Well, I should have known it was too good to last. The boys had their first fur-flying, teeth baring, bunny screaming fight this morning. . I pulled them apart, checked each for wounds (none, other than to pride, and my hand!). After about 30 minutes they came back together and BAM! Instant fight! They are 9.5 weeks old now, and have been a loving, snuggly pair of brothers up til now. Beau has been humping Simba for about 2 weeks – not often, maybe once or twice a day – and Simba has just tolerated it, but I think this morning he had had enough! Really vicious twirling balls off teeth each biting the others rear end. They are now in lockdown. So, BB geniuses – what do I do now?!!!!!

[Irina]

That is so not nice! I had the exact same experience with two of mine at the same age! They went from cuddling together and loving each other to one chasing and mounting the other. It was so sad.

You have to separate them. It is likely that they are becoming hormonal and trying to sort out the dominance/territory issue. They can hurt each other if they are allowed to be together. They need to be neutered and after 4-6 weeks, when their hormone levels have normalized, you can try boding them.

Even though it is normal
Stuff, I was so disappointed when it happened to mine! Of note, they were very easily bonded (took 6 days) a few weeks after being neutered (when they were around 4 months old). Good luck!

[CheriB603]

Thanks.
So sad to have to separate them… Was just saying how cute they were all snuggly!

[Irina]

I know- I felt the same way! But the advice I got on BB worked well for me. I suppose separating them for a relatively short time (compared to having the rest of their lives together!) is a reasonable compromise to eliminate the possibility of injury. Also, I am told that bunnies hold grudges- so if they fight too much now, it may interfere with successful bonding later.

[CheriB603]

From last night… when they were pals.

 

*sigh*

[MoveDiagonally]

Awww…. I’m sorry Cheri!

They’re growing up so fast!

[Bam]

Wear good, thick gloves when you separate them. My boys had a fight a week ago (my last, unsuccessful attempt at bonding these two) and my hand got in the way. I’ve still no sensation in the left side of my left thumb and up to where my index finger begins. The wound wasn’t deep because I wore gloves, but only thin, rubber-coated gardening-gloves. Not good enough, when your bunny goes Monthy Python on you.

(Don’t worry about bonding your boys once they’re neutered, since they’ve grown up togeather they’ve got much better chances than my two who were fully adult when I introduced them to each other.)

[LBJ10]

Yep, the best advice would be to separate them until after they are neutered.

[CheriB603]

Dang.

[Beka27]

It’s only for 1-3 months… Depending on when they can get neutered and how quickly the hormones dissipate. Hopefully by January they can be back together…

[CheriB603]

Beau in bunny jail.

 

Simba getting some relief from Beau attacking his cage.  Poor Simba is clearly not a dominant type and does not bother Beau when he’s out. Beau makes it a point to bother Simba and box at him thru the cage bars when HE is out.

 

[Irina]

Adorable nonetheless! How old are they?

[tanlover14]

Definitely separate! Poor buns. They will do more harm than good being together before neutered from here on out. It’s not punishment for them as it’s obviously causing grief between the two so I wouldn’t feel bad

[CheriB603]

They are 10 weeks. 5lbs already!

[Irina]

Very cute!

[CheriB603]

. Yours too!

[Author]

Messages