Girl bunny nipping boy?

[Bambam]

Sorry I am new to owning a bunny so excuse the question if it seems obvious!

Tonight I took my male bunny (3 months old) to my friends house to visit their female bunny (6-8 months old). We want them to bond and maybe even have babies and so obviously neither of them are neutered. It was a love at first sight scenario at first and they were circling each other and even had a bit of a good time BUT then, my bunny just jumped on the sofa and would not leave my side despite the girl coming and asking for cuddles (typical male haha!) and she kept nipping his tummy? Why is this? She didnt cause him to bleed or anything and there was no growling at all so I don’t think it is aggression. :S Please help!

[Malp_15]

I don’t know if you saw the disclaimer at the top of the screen, within the forums, but the subject of intentional breeding is prohibited.

“The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.”

[Bambam]

Its not intentional, I just feel bad that my bunny doesnt have a bunny friend. IF they have babies (which I doubt as my boy is being neutered in a few weeks and they don’t live together) so be it, but its not the plan. Sorry if it came across like that. The intention is more to bond the rabbits so they can be friends.

[Sarita]

Well it would be intentional if you put them together and they are not altered. The only way your bunnies can actually be friends is if they are altered. If they are not, they will just want to mate which is why you have to get them altered prior to any bonding so they can be friends.

I would recommend that you do not ever put 2 unaltered rabbits together until they are both altered.

Once they are altered then you can begin the bonding process in neutral territory.

[Stickerbunny]

Male bunnies can impregnate a female at as young as 3 months AND up to a month AFTER being neutered. If you put them together, you are going to have babies.

[Beka27]

In addition to both bunnies being spay/neutered prior to introducing them, if you do bond them they need to remain mates for life. You had mentioned in the original post that this is your friend’s female bunny. One or the other of you would have to give up your rabbit permanently. They cannot be brought together to play casually and then separated again for days or weeks.

Think of being “bonded” as being “married”. Married people live together in one home, the only difference is bunnies are together 24/7, bunnies don’t separate to go to work everyday, for example. Play dates with bunnies do not work. If you are going to bond them after they are both altered, make sure you have a plan for where they will live. And if you are both living with your parents, make sure the person who will be keeping both bunnies has permission to have two bunnies.

[Beka27]

Posted By Bambam on 06/08/2012 12:05 PM

We want them to bond and maybe even have babies and so obviously neither of them are neutered. 

This excerpt is from your original post.  The bolding is mine, but I did this just to highlight that you DID express the intention of breeding.  The topic of breeding rabbits is absolutely not allowed on this website.  It is considered intentional if you put two unaltered rabbits together.  It only takes a second or two for a male to impregnate a female.  It does not matter if they don’t live together, if you were watching them, etc.  

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