Help pls, Baby mounting mom

[DethronedbyQueenB]

Dad is 3 weeks post neuter and in a separate room.

Babies are 9 1/2 weeks old. 

Mom is still nursing but I don’t know why since they eat regular food…

But she is acting different lately. The past couple of days she is acting more like a regular rabbit and less “so serious”. More friendly, running around, chewing on everything and playing. She has also ran circles around me and babies a couple times- new behaviour. Digging in items such as my blanket, etc.

This morning I noticed one babe trying to mount her. I picked the bunnies up to see if I could tell boys from girls, I know it’s hard but I was right in the past. I can’t tell for sure but I *think* that one was a girl because the REW sure looks like a boy and different.

The vet said he can neuter at 12 weeks so I’m going to make an app to get them in ASAP for a sex check and schedule surgeries.

In the meantime since it could be a few days to a couple weeks- do I need to do anything? 

I CAN’T HAVE ANY MORE PREGNANCIES. There is no one for me to adopt out bunnies to and I can’t have any more.

[Sarita]

Moving to behavior.

[JackRabbit]

Ask the vet if mom can be spayed NOW! You could pm Roberta about them still nursing, but at 9.5 weeks, breeders and pet shop babies have moved on to their new homes without mom. Personally, I would immediately separate them and try to get mom in quickly for a spay. While the boy probably isn’t fertile yet, its not a guarantee.

[Sarita]

You need to separate the males from the females and get your mother rabbit spayed now.

[DethronedbyQueenB]

Thanks everyone for the replies.
Shortly after posting this, the vet called me back and let me bring them in.

The vet had an assistant with him that used to have pet bunnies and she seemed very knowledgeable and rabbit loving.
They examined all 3 buns and said I would need to bring them back in 2 weeks as it is too early to tell with certainty but they both *think* all 3 are boys.
They do not spay female rabbits so I’m trying to put out fires as best as I can and keep more from popping up. :/
They said, with the assumption that all 3 are boys, that the 2 tan ones are big enough to start trouble soon but the REW is too tiny.
They said he looks healthy, not skinny, but he is very much smaller and lagging so possibly the runt.
They suggested I put the brown ones with the dad for now and leave the white one with mom….

But before I left, the assistance kept talking about her old buns and playing with one of the tan ones that is really cute and friendly and goofy.
She asked me about rehoming and I told her I hadn’t been planning on it but if a very good home came along I felt it would be for the best to let go of him or the other brown one. I can’t part with the REW.
She asked about the fee and I told her I didn’t need money, just a great home where they live indoors, etc.
Well, she kept him.

I’m kinda sad but I know it really is the right decision.

I guess I will start introducing the other tan one to DM and see how that goes. Take the 2 back in 2 weeks for another check and schedule surgery….and try to find a vet for Queen to get hers done.

[Flopsie]

aww. were you put on the spot, too bad you couldn’t get some closure, i’m sorry but at least it is going to a good home right?

its too bad they don’t spay the females…

[DethronedbyQueenB]

Well,
It was completely unexpected for her to ask but when she did I really jumped on it because it was a great opportunity for a good home and realistically I do have my hands full. I told her all about him and what he likes, etc because even though it’s kinda sad- I really did need a good home for one or 2 if the opportunity came along. She asked me repeatedly if I was sure and I am. I didn’t feel any pressure at all and with the sadness is a sense of relief that he is in good care and my load is a tiny bit lighter. I love them but I could tell she fell in love right away and was having a hard time putting him back in his travel cage, lol.
She was really surprised at how calm they were but they are so used to being around people and being handled it’s nothing out of ordinary for them.
I offered to go shopping for her and such but she said she didn’t need anything and would go to store after she gets off work at the clinic.
She said she would call if he ever needs to come back and since she works in this little town I’ll be seeing her lots too.

I am slightly concerned about REW, I hope his size really is ok.

[DethronedbyQueenB]

*sniffles*

I don’t know how people breed animals for sale. That would be way too sad for me to have to do this over and over forever, I get too attached.

[Roberta]

Sounds like Mummy bunny is getting her groove back and has decided to get on with life. You are right, it is time for the buns to be weaned and she will slowly distance herself from them during that time. I used this time to get Pandora spayed and she recuperated whilst the babies got used to normal food and no more milk on demand.
If it is too early to tell you needn’t be concerned about them breeding at this stage. After the 12 week mark things can become a problem but for boys it is generally 4 mths when they are capable (BUT there are some early developers which is why 3 months is advocated) The sooner you can get them done the better though as once they get past 4 months someone is going to want to be in charge and fights can start. Being neutered early may result in a bond.
As to the REW’s size it is not uncommon to have smaller and larger buns in a litter especially a rescue or oops litter. Pandora’s bubs were all REW’s, mainly girls and they all vary in size and attitude.

[Author]

Messages