What was I thinking?!

[Nibbles_NZ]

Okay, so I have been asking a lot of questions and getting great info about getting a second bunny for my 3 month old NZ buck. I took that info into consideration and this is what I came up with: Get a baby doe (since there are no shelters around here with rabbits) , DON’T house them together. Put the across the room from eachother with thier own seperate bunny houses and a nice sized play yard. Since they are both so young introduce them and let them sniff and bond for a few minutes (whatever they can handle) per day. That way , I could bond with both of them to get them comfortable with me and they will get used to thier smells since they are in the same room. Then, when old enough, get them both fixed and try to really bond them.  I thought this plan was pretty good and safe.

So, I went to the pet store. That was the only place I could find a female. I am not 100% sure it is a female. We all thought that it looked like one but because it is sooo little can’t be 100% just yet. Anyway, I have been wanting a dutch. I just think they are so beautiful. I brought her home, let Baxter “sniff” her. He immediately sniffed her private parts and jumped onto her and humped! This was the LAST thing I expected. I was shocked. I really thought he was too young. I can handle it.  It just changes the “Bonding” a little. I have enough space in thier room to happily house both without any problems. Baxter needs neutered!

[Nibbles_NZ]

If the smells become a problem…which I am not sure it will make a difference. I can move one.

[Barbie]

Congrats on the new addition! Pictures required!

I definitely would NOT let them be together at all until at least Baxter is neutered. They reach sexual maturity very young, and may be sexually mature before you even know it, so you don’t want to run the risk of a pregnant bunny. Also, mounting is a dominant move, so it’s possible he was just asserting his dominance over the new bunny. But I wouldn’t run the risk.

[Barbie]

Also, even if they do “bond” before being de-sexed, their personalities and interactions with each other will change once they don’t have those hormones anymore. So then you’ll have to rebond them. I suggest just using this time to get them used to each others’ scent and so you can bond with each bunny individually.

[Nibbles_NZ]

I will not put them together again! I don’t want any other little ones. Not to mention, having babies isn’t really that healthy for her. I am going to make an appointment for Baxter to see when would be a good time to get him neutered. When she is old enough I will get her spayed.

Thanks for the congrats! She is beautiful…well, I think she is a she lol

[Nibbles_NZ]

That’s exactly what I was thinking! I’m learning lol

[Barbie]

Yep, learning is good! And that’s what we’re here for!

[jerseygirl]

Be sure to keep them well separated for a month even after he is neutered. If she’s the right age, he can still impregnate her up to a month after the snip. The mind boogles!

[Nibbles_NZ]

Thank you for that information! I didn’t know that! I wouldn’t have even known if she got pregnant until after she had kits. That wouldn’t be a pleasant surprize. I will keep them seperate. I’m kind of enjoying them seperate now! They give all of thier attention to me. he he

[jerseygirl]

Good, enjoy it!

Yes, I wish that info was more widely known! I only learnt it about a year or two ago.

[usagi]

I learned it on here a week or so ago… Maybe from you, jerseygirl? Thank goodness for binkybunny, that’s all I have to say.

Congrats on your knew lil one! It sounds like they both have found a wonderful home!

[Nibbles_NZ]

Well thanks! And yes, thank goodness for binkybunny! I bet if you took all of the info everyone knows around here, they could write a great book! I would buy it! LOL I can’t seem to find a really good one!

[jerseygirl]

Lemony, that might have been RabbitPam?

haha Nibbles_NZ, you should check out the Book thread in Q&A forum. I’ve seen The House Rabbit Handbook and Rabbits for Dummies recommended time and time again. They are like bunny bibles.

[RabbitPam]

Thanks for the credit JG, but it could have been any one of us.

Still, the new girl definitely needs to be kept away from him, including not putting their cages closer than a couple of inches apart until a month after he is fixed. But Nibbles_NZ (love your name, btw) if you get him neutered asap, as long as the vet feels he is old enough, you will never have to worry about any females he meets after that waiting period. Here’s hoping you new little dutch girl works out. Pix please.

[Nibbles_NZ]

Thanks, I am defenetly getting him neutered. Thier cages right now are about 6 inches apart.I am going to go get some supplies to build them a house and play yard, then, they will be all the way across the room from eachother.

Thanks for the name compliment I chose it because that’s what I sometimes call my Baxter….and now Bella lol. they both nibble on everything!

[Elrohwen]

Congrats! Glad you’re keeping them separated – they can get pregnant sooo young.

I’ve been told not to let a neutered male near a female until it’s been 6 weeks (not four). Not sure which is correct, but I would be safe and stick to the 6 week rule.

[Nibbles_NZ]

I will do that. I going to spend this time bonding each of them to myself and my family. It’s been fun!

[Beka27]

Posted By Elrohwen on 04/25/2010 01:07 PM
Congrats! Glad you’re keeping them separated – they can get pregnant sooo young.

I’ve been told not to let a neutered male near a female until it’s been 6 weeks (not four). Not sure which is correct, but I would be safe and stick to the 6 week rule.

 

We always say 4 weeks, and I think even then the chance of impregnation at that point is slim to none, but of course there’s never anything wrong with being overly cautious.

Depending on when you neuter him, and then wait 4-6 weeks, keep in mind that at THAT point, HER hormones may kick into high gear (since she’s a little bit younger than him).  So let’s say you neuter him in one month, and then wait a month.  She is now 4-5 months old.  If she’s hormonal then, but can’t be spayed til 6 months, you’re waiting an additional 1-2 months.  Then another month for her to heal.  So be prepared for separate bunnies for at least 6 months, not counting bonding time. 

This is why *ideally* the first bunny is neutered and healed BEFORE a second is brought home, but I know it’s hard not to be impulsive when faced with cute little bunnies.

[Andi]

You may want to maybe just switch blankets or toys from each cage, so they continue to get used to the others smell, just an idea for the later bonding.
Grats on the new additions

[Elrohwen]

Beka, I was told 6 weeks by a local rescuer. So as I said, not sure if 4 or 6 weeks is more accurate, just that some people believe you should wait even longer. I would definitely want to be safe than sorry

[Author]

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