Unspayed Female Making Male Aggressive?

[Mykl]

A couple of weeks ago I adopted a baby girl (the vet thinks she’s about four months old) to keep my two year old neutered male company. Unfortunately he is VERY aggressive towards her (so obviously I keep them apart). Could her developing sexually be making him more aggressive? Would he be less aggressive a few weeks after having her spayed?

[JPetrucci84]

Out of curiosity, is this a territorial aggressiveness? That is what it sounds like TO ME, but I’m a single rabbit owner so don’t bank too much on my advice. What is their living space like? If you haven’t already, you should probably try and bond them in neutral space before housing them together.

[Roberta]

I would keep them apart until your girl is spayed. If they get into a fight before hand it can hinder the bonding process later.

[Mykl]

It’s probably territorial, on account of him living here nearly two years and his older companion having died recently. My best friend has two girls and they come over and play frequently with no issue. I’ve bonded two unrelated males before so I know a little about this.

What’s the youngest age for spaying? The vet linked to where I got her (who will therefore do it for free) wants to wait another two months (until she’s six months old).

[Mykl]

At long last my girl is spayed and it’s been a month so I started introductions yesterday in neutral ground. It went well, there was even some mutual grooming. Afterwards I had them both on my lap for an hour, they snuggled together, there was no hint of struggle and plenty of mutual grooming. Later that night I had them both on my lap for 20 mins or so and he bit her and she bit me.
Today I put them together again under close supervision on a slipper floor. When I put them together they snuggled and he groomed her. If I gave them a bit of space he would turn around and try to find a way out then try and attack her.

What should my next step be?

[MoveDiagonally]

Glad things seem to be going well!

I think the best way to move forward with bonding is:
1. Neutral Territory until they seem to get along
2. Semi- Neutral Territory until they seem to get along
3. Cementing, together in what will be their new home, if this is in a territorial area deep clean and re-arrange it first. This is the most grueling for the human as it requires constant supervision for 24-48 hours. Once they seem to get along in their new home for 24-48 hours without fighting then I would consider them bonded.

This process happens at a different pace for each group of bunnies. You want to be careful not to push them too much too quickly as it can cause setbacks. Sometimes other methods need to be employed (stress bonding, ect..) and sometimes you have to take steps back to move forward.

I highly suggest checking out BB’s bonding article:
https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/tabid/53/CategoryID/9/PID/940/Default.aspx

[Mykl]

OK, just be patient and do more of the same for a while then. Thanks, I’ll read that article later.

[Mykl]

Article read. I didn’t learn very much (this isn’t my first bonding) but there’s one useful idea in there for later.

[Author]

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