New rabbit owner

[Sandy]

Hi, its me again. I was just reading someone else’s post which brought up some more questions for me. I bought 2 Lion Lop  bunnies that are supposed to be both girls and sisters. It is ok for them to be together since they were already together in the litter correct? I’m going to take them to a vet and get them sexed to be sure. I’ve never seen any humping. The breeder I bought them from was feeding them regular pellets, they are not for young rabbits, should I change it? I am also feeding Timothy hay which they will eat some but they prefer pellets. I read somewhere that after settling in for 2 weeks I can start giving them leafy greens, is that correct? They will both be 8 weeks old. Thanks

[Luna]

Hi! As you said, they are both “supposed” to be girls . You should keep them physically separated until you are sure. Also, even though they are from the same litter, they can still end up fighting until they successfully go though bonding (bonding cannot start until a few weeks after both are fixed). In the meantime, it is ok if they are housed in two different cages that are set a few inches apart from each other in the same room.

If you do change their pellets, it must be done in small amounts and gradually over time because their tummies will not respond well to sudden changes in diet. The same goes for leafy greens, which you can start introducing once they reach 3 months of age .

[tobyluv]

Definitely start keeping your bunnies separated. People have been told that they had the same gender rabbits, then were surprised with a litter soon afterwards which meant they had a male and female instead. Sometimes people are faced with 2 litters, if they do turn out to be a male and female, if it isn’t known that the female is pregnant and if the male is still with her after the first litter is born. Rabbits can conceive immediately after giving birth.

Even if they are both female and have been together since birth, they should be separated now. Once puberty hits, with all the hormones that brings, everything changes. You can have fighting and severe injuries.

[Bam]

You should separate at age 12 weeks at the latest. At that time, puberty can start and if your buns are boy and girl, you risk unwanted pregnancy.

Timothy pellets are fine. The difference between adult timothy pellets and young bunny alfalfa pellets is the amounts of protein, calcium and calories. Young buns need richer food or a bigger portion size of not so rich food.

Timothy hay is very good for buns to get used to from a very early age. Good hay eating habits are extremely important for the bun’s long term health.

The HRS says 12 weeks is a good age to start feeding veggies. This is because the stomach microbiota of the very young is immature and the bun might have trouble digesting fresh greens. Some buns have had vegs already when they were with their mother and siblings, and if that’s the case, the same type greens can be given right away, in small amounts.

[Author]

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