Holland Lop Cecotropes excessive

[Alexandra]

Hello. I recent added a new bunny Chica to my home with my other bunny Luna who is also 5 months. Chica is a very skiddish and jumpy bunny i got her from a breeder here in Colorado. When we were going into the barn the lady told us to be very quiet cause the rabbits scare easily. Right when we stepped in all the rabbits jumped up and ran around in their cages frightened so I am guessing this is where shes use to be skiddish. 

I usually feed my rabbits 1/4 cup of alfafa (oxbow young rabbit)pellets a day. Unlimited hay (oxbow) and no veggies or fruits yet, I’m waiting until they get older. 

About a week ago i noticed that Chica liked to stash her cecotropes in her hut and would bite me whenever i tried to clean it up. I removed the boxes hoping this would help but the past two days shes been pooping cecotrophes every where. My other rabbit Luna only produces cecotropes towards late night and i never find extra cecotropes. Im not sure if this is healthy how much cecotropes Chica is producing. I cut back on the pellets and she was still producing a lot and then i completely stopped giving her alfalfa hay for 2 days and the same thing happened. 

Also today Chica got in a fight with my other bunny Luna. They are both unspayed and i know thats can create issues. I think Chica is getting very territorial so i am going to have to separate them until they are old enough to get fixed then i will reintroduce them. Chica bit luna on the neck and drew blood and pulled out a lot of Lunas hair. 

If anyone could let me know what to do about the cecotropes or if they have any insight on that, it would be very helpful. Also if it is a good idea to separate the bunnies. 

[Cocoa]

It is very good you separated them. They can really hurt each other if you don’t. Once they are spayed you will have to bond them again

[Alexandra]

Do you have any insight about the cecotrope? Chica seems to produce a lot through out the day and it stashes, she doesnt eat all of them. I am not sure if this is healthy

[Cocoa]

My bunnies don’t eat all of theirs. I think as long as they are eating some I think they are okay. Some bunnies just have a particular place where they like to go to the bathroom. That is all that I really know. Sorry

[LBJ10]

I wouldn’t be concerned. At least not about that. The extra rich diet baby bunnies have tend to result in extra cecotropes. I would only be concerned if it continued into adulthood when she is switched to an adult pellet and grass hay.

I agree about keeping them separate for now. At this age, hormones are likely kicking in. It would be better to reintroduce them after they have both been spayed and time has been given to allow their hormones to settle.

[Alexandra]

Ok thank you all. Yes she produces a lot and eats some of them. She’s very protective over her cecotropes as well. I was concerned because my other rabbit only produces them towards the night and I have never seen that many left over. They hardly eat alfalfa hay and I cut back on the alfalfa pellets I also mix in Timothy hay pellets. I don’t think their diet is too rich for her to be producing that many

[Deleted User]

What does she get besides pellets and hay? How much pellets do you give a day?

[Alexandra]

Only pellets and hay. Both oxbow brand. And about 1/4 cup a day mixed with her adult pellets

[LBJ10]

She’s 5 months old now, it wouldn’t hurt to switch her over to all timothy to see if that helps.

[Author]

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