telling bucks and does apart

[Peanutthebunny]

hello everybody, when you go into, see the rabbit breeders bunnies are there any behavioural differences between baby bucks and does and what is the easiest way to differentiate the baby bunnies apart

 

thankyou for your help 🙂

 

[Wick & Fable]

There are no behavior differences between rabbit sexes, just like there aren’t really behavioral differences between different breeds.  Even hormonal behaviors, like spraying and humping, are found across both sexes. The most definitive thing is the testes descending in a male, but that doesn’t happen until after 12wo usually.

People can take their best guesses by looking down there, but just keep in mind that it can be wrong, regardless of how confident or historically accurate the person may be. We have a ton of topics on this forum as well as others where very experienced rabbit owners and volunteers wrongly sex a rabbit.

I will mention that if there are rabbit rescues around you or shelters with rabbits, you may consider looking their first. Any rabbits up for adoption will typically already be spayed/neutered, meaning it’s an expense you do not need to cover or go through, and there is certainty which sex the rabbit is. I recall you mentioning wanting to female rabbits, and with females, it is highly recommended to spay them because of the risk of uterine cancer.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Peanutthebunny]

ok I was also thinking of getting 2 from this place called the New Forest and Hampshire County Show in England

and I will check out the shelters after easter my only doubt about getting bunnies from the shelter is when they are young will they be aggressive

and in England do people even dump all the bunnies in the shelter?

thankyou for the advice 🙂 🐰

 

[Louiethebunny]

Shelter bunnies can be super sweet! The main reason some may show aggression is usually hormones or maybe a lack of affection, but there’s nothing a little love couldn’t fix. My bun Louie is a shelter bunny and I think the experience of not being around people giving him attention made him a little more anxious, but he is the absolute sweetest little thing!

[Peanutthebunny]

thankyou Louie I will have a look

[Wick & Fable]

<p style=”text-align: left;”>Usually when someone posts or speaks about an “aggressive” rabbit, the reason is unlikely to be something permanent, like “it’s their personality”. That’s rarely the case. Unfortunately, I find many times aggression is due to improper treatment of the rabbit, leading to aggression in fear, pain, or distrust. These things can be remedied with a caring, knowledgable owner. That being said, the majority of rabbits will not enjoy cuddles all the time, but I do not really find a correlation between whether that occurs when you rescue a rabbit versus get them from a breeder young.</p>
My Wick, who I’ve had since he was 8wo, is much more of a pain in my behind than my rescue Fable, who I received after she was 1yo.
<p style=”text-align: left;”>Even if you are not the one to raise the rabbit in its younger months and years, it does not mean that being a caring and vigilant owner will not reap rewards of a lovely rabbit.</p>
Lastly, the idea that rabbits from a breeder are not as aggressive than those from a shelter. It’s a skewed, bias observation I believe. Most breeders sell rabbits when they are young, so before their hormones develop. It is very hard to find a young rabbit who is “aggressive” because they simply dont have the hormones pressuring them to mate and defend territory. When hormones hit, you may see those same rabbits lunge or grunt or chew at things you dont want them to  Shelter rabbits can be old, adult, and young, and as a result, you have rabbits along the spectrum of life and personality development. If a rabbit is mistreated, even if you obtain them at a young age, they may become aggressive, and virtually any rabbit is going to surprise an owner with how they react to their hormones developing, whether it’s starting to spray pee up walls or humping. So keep that in mind, and I encourage you to think of shelter rabbits! I absolutely love my Fable and she is a much more mild mannered lady than my Wick, haha.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Peanutthebunny]

ok thankyou wick I knew that it wouldn’t be permanent and that you cant be cuddling a rabbit all the time because they’re prey animals and please note that I am thinking of getting a rabbit from the RSPCA or another rescue

[Louiethebunny]

YAY rescuing rabbits fills your heart with so much love! Knowing a rabbit will be living an improved life makes me so happy! Shelter and rescue bunnies may take longer to warm up to people but they are absolutely darling and rescuing a bun is so rewarding!

[Peanutthebunny]

yeah I know I will love  having two little buns hopefully the end of 2020 or the start of 2021

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