Anyone know about pet bunnies? - at end of my tether...

[Finedon.Dandy]

Last Spring my sister rescued two intact male bunnies but upon becoming pregnant decided it was too much work and we decided to take them on. They arrived Oct/Nov last year and we named them Mackworth and Dolben (old local surnames). I got them a run off ebay and (they came with their own hutches) even though I knew I would eventualy need to get them castrated, we were sorted.

Then Dolben developed a sore willy - had no idea how or why. Basically it was swollen and he couldnt retract it.I was advised to bath it in salt water. I found both bunnies enjoyed a bath so I set about trying to ease the problem and it seemed to work for a while whilst I started to save up the money for the ops.

I then decided not to take any more chances with them and take them both for a check and to see what was the prob with the willy - vet soon saw that poor Dolbens willy had a slit all the way down its length but said I had been doing just the right thing. She gave him some antibiotics just in case and said she would do the op as soon as it had healed.

A week later though we had the good friday massacre; hubby brought one of the rabbits in from the run and he was covered and I mean covered in blood. I bathed him and found that that his balls were cut to shreds. Stopped the bleeding and rang vets who said to bring him in next day. Cut this part of story short; both bunnies were booked in for the chop the following week. Dolben wasnt done though as he still wasnt healed so although it was a pain I had to keep them separate at least they got done.

I was told to give them two weeks past op till they could go together but as soon as I tried they were at in again. At first I found it funny as Dolben the previous submissive one was the one who was doing the mounting almost as if he was trying to get his own back. Mackworth dont help though as he keeps nudging his balls as if to say come on then.

There they have been ever since and I am sorry but I am getting really fed up with it. One hutch is on top of the other which makes them difficult to clean - would be much easier if they could be back together. Also they cannot go out in the run together - STILL! - cos they keep bloody mounting each other and trying to bite each others balls. Anyone got any advice?

[jackie j]

I take it they are both males sorry but they dont really like being together I only ever had one bunny at a time all males the last one we had came with a guinnea pig both only a few weeks old. Im afraid you will have to keep them seperated unless anyone else knows more than I do.

[Polly Fouracre]

Shall I be the first to say it? Rabbit pie!!(Just kidding)
It may take months before they settle together and testosterone fades away but meanwhile you could place the hutches where they can see each other then you may be able to judge their attitudes toward each other.
You will probably always have one that's dominant and if it gets too much of a problem I wouls suggest re-homing one and getting a doe to keep the other company.

[NSB]

Cant you find a new home for one of them? I know not about rabbits but this may be an idea

[Finedon.Dandy]

Just had a tearful chat with Hannah (her rabbit is the one least easiest to handle) and suggested we get Mackworth rehomed and get her a little girl. She agrees but asked if we can get Mackworth rehomed localy so she can still visit. Will look into this but think it will only be a short term phase that she will go through - prob lose interest in a while.

Just told hubbie and he doesnt see why we need to do anything. Phah!

[jackie j]

Freya had a male bunny when she was about 3 yrs old it came with a female guinnea pig and the guinnea pig used to sit on the rabbits back. Unfortunatly guinnea pig died after a couple of years so promised Freya could have another one. Was told couldnt put new one in with rabbit as he may attack so had to get another hutch and two guinnea pigs.
One ater the other the guinnea pigs died ( not straight away ) and finally the rabbit died last year Freya was so upset but it was me who always cleaned them out etc. For us no more caged pets, just two cats one about 14 yrs old the other about 8 yrs old.
You can put rabbits and guinnea pigs together they are easier to handle for little children.

[Flummery]

I read the first sentence and thought "Blimey, can you get pregnant from keeping male rabbits?"

Had a lie down, read it again, recovered.

[Nicos]

I used to breed pet rabbits. ( not difficult !!!)

I think your 2 males should be apart- they need 'doing ' at a very early age for them to stay friends.
Female bunnies will mount any type of rabbit ( male/female/intact or 'done')as will males.
They are also prone to mounting guinea-pigs and because of their extra weight often cause permanent back injuries to them. I'd avoid mixing the two breeds if you have an active male bunny- you could end up with a stressed/injured guinea-pig and never forgive yourself .

Rabbits are sociable and need company- your idea of a young female may well work- but I'd consider having her done too in case her scent sets him off again.
There are loads of unwanted bunnies in sanctuaries and you could probably 'borrow' one after another until you find one which is neither dominant nor submissive to your male.

The alternative is to bring one male indoors (that is if you are getting rid of the other one) and he'll then get loads more attention- and be out in the run on his own during the day.

Two sayings come to mind......

'The only place a hutched bunny can go to is heaven'......ie they are dependent on you to release them from their 'prison'

and the other one is...

'A bunny should not be treated as a living garden ornament' .....ie they need loads of attention.

My daughter has a house rabbit and I'm now truly aware at how much attention a bunny needs on a daily basis. It's a humbling thought

[squashysu]

my friend has exactly the same problem, two males and one with sore "bits" they think the other is eating it!!!!!

apparently two males together are not good and defo not a guinea and a rabbit as said above, because the rabbit can hurt the guinea, we have 3 little lady pigs and they are great together, they are sisters, they need like rabbits to get out everyday and we have a huge run for them.

My friend will also have to re-home one of her rabbits as it is not fair on the other and she has so far spent about £150 without having any of them "done"

Bless, i bet your daughter is upset, i know i would be too.

I do have another friend who had a pure white albino one, who was friendless, but he ate himself, starting with his feet and had to be put to sleep!! poor things, it could be interbreeding!

SS

[areia]

rabbits are sexually active from 3 months of age, males are normaly the calmer of the sexes, but in good few cases the hormones will take over, the reason one of rabbits has sore and bleeding genitals is that when they fight that is what they go for, i dont know how you play or handle them, the head lowering to the ground is a form of submission as well as protection as the fighter will push under the others head to force the other up so the fighter can reach the genitals to bite, its a dominance thing, cartrastration, is the best thing, but this does not always work im afraid, i have a foster giant grey cross " the general " i nickname him as he has tried to attack my rabbit, when mine is a placid curious thing who wants a friend, its all do with dominance mine (biggles)is very protective over me, and will spray, i havent the heart yet to have him neutered (plus theres the cost ) but they do live longer too castrasted, simon my foster bunny has been done, he has become much calmer and more dopey, but will not be put with mine again as he still tried to show his dominance by pooing and weeing all round my back door,(my bunny is a house rabbit ) and chining is another form of marking scent as well any other questions i will be happy to answer

[areia]

in terms of the poor bunny eating himself, interbreeding is one thought,also boredom is another they have to be stimulated, each have differant characters and how you spent time with them (same with any pet ) reflects this, toys dont even have to be expensive an old towel they will play with and do a thing called bunching, and cardboard box fold shut with a small hole in and there favourite treat in and they have to tear at the box to reach the treat, empty sellotape rolls, cuddly toys you will rabbits will lie next to them for "company" tip is to never buy a pet from a pet shop always from a breeder or rescue home where they will have all the history

[areia]

Two sayings come to mind......

'The only place a hutched bunny can go to is heaven'......ie they are dependent on you to release them from their 'prison'

and the other one is...

'A bunny should not be treated as a living garden ornament' .....ie they need loads of attention.

totally agree

[Two_Sheds]

You can put rabbits and guinnea pigs together

Sorry, I would strongly disagree. Rabbits are too big and too aggressive, esp.in breeding season. I had a rabbit who kicked my guinea pig to death ~ never again. See here: Keeping Guinea Pigs and Rabbits Together

Often guinea pigs are housed with rabbits, especially at pet stores.
It is a common practice, but the advice from most expert sources is - DON'T DO IT! a rabbit has very powerful back legs which often does great harm to the more fragile guinea pig!

Also, they are different species, and in general terms should not be kept together, as their dietary requirements differ (pigs need Vit.C every day, which is not present in rabbit food mixes.

"a little known fact about Rabbits and Guinea Pigs and why you should never, ever, house them together. Rabbits can be carriers of a bacteria called Bordetella which does not cause any illness in the rabbit but causes pneumonia in guinea pigs. Although not all rabbits carry this bacteria, most do"

Guineas are much better pets than rabbits ~ more sociable, friendlier, more placid, they eat less ... I don't understand why people always go for rabbits.

[shirley]

I agree with 2 sheds. Never the two breeds together.

Unless the two male rabbits were together from a very early age and shared a hutch even when castrated it could be difficult for the two to come together without fighting or showing other signs of aggression. You have made the right descision to part them.

[Ethansmum]

Oh no! What have I done??? We caved in to the kids requests for a pet and got 2 'male' guinea pigs on tuesday. Well today I noticed that that they were getting a bit too frisky- they were doing the deed!! I asked the shop keeper to check we had boys (the girl were in a seperate enclosure too). Now I'm petrified we have got a male and female