Mature male rabbit advice

[Jane S]

Hi all. I have been checking around the forum for advice on older rabbits.

I have today brought home a boy bun to bond with our 7/8 year old girl. She is not spayed and my vet said she’s too old now.

He is 5 years old and was neutered just 3 days ago.

I have kept him quietly all day in his own hutch and am going to start the bonding process in about 1 month (very slowly and carefully as she’s intact).

The thing is, he had a long journey home to ours this morning and was very scared. However, he has taken a good drink and eaten well.

I just went to give him a little more food but when I put the food in (the hutch opens at the roof) he sort of crouched and lunged at my hand (not sure if I may have felt a claw or tooth!) but then when I dropped the food he ate ravenously.

My girl came to us at around 12 weeks and has always been gentle so I feel a bit nervous of him now.

Do you think he was just really really hungry or do you think he was stressed or do you think I have a dominant scary bun!

Bit of back story for you – he was a stud (hope that’s the right word) and the lady is selling off her stock as retiring and I was pleased to find him as he’s older. He has apparently been handled every day since born and he was a favourite of one of the young girls who works at the breeders. He did seem very tame when picked up by the breeder but not so much when I put him in his hutch.

Your advice would be great on how I should treat him for the next few days.

Their names are Bella and Aaron.

Thanks for reading.

[Mikey]

Although neuters are fairly easy on bunnies, with everything around him being new and the constant moving around, he likely lashed out due to being scared and stressed. Try to be extra loving and extra gentle with him for the next week or so to help him settle into his new home

[Jane S]

Thanks Mikey. That’s reassured me.

Also, should I let him out in his run today? It is not a grass run, mainly soil and hard standing (might sound a bit harsh but there is lots to do and explore plus places to sunbathe and burrow quite deep although I’ve blocked the burrows off from him for now). He has his own temporary hutch but it is very small at 3ft x 1.5ft because it will only be used for nighttime sleeping/safety until he’s bonded (hopefully) with Bella. Should he perhaps have another 2 or 3 days quietly in his hutch but he must be bored. PS. Sorry if this should be on a different thread but as you were kind enough to reply I thought I’d come back to you.

Thank you ?

[Mikey]

For about five days after his surgery he shouldnt be running around or jumping. It can irritate his wounds while theyre healing. As for him being new to your home, I would give him about a week before letting him out, unless his run area is very bunny proofed and you have an easy way of getting him back into his hutch

[Jane S]

Helpful info thank you. He was neutered on Wednesday so I’ll give him another couple of days. The run is bunny proofed but don’t want to have to chase him round to catch him so may leave him quiet for a few more days.
Thanks very much again for the help.
?

[Mikey]

Not a problem! Welcome to BinkyBunny Hope he continues to calm down and heals up fast

[Author]

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