Rabbits

Re: Rabbits

Gemma Burden RVN — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 22:16:01 GMT

I've seen male pairs get on really well as long as they were neutered early enough - my boss actually has two neutered males one of which is older than the other that get on great. If we get a mixed sex pair in we tend to neuter both of them as soon as possible, usually at around 14-16 weeks assuming that the female is big enough (if not the male will be done anyway). If you aren't too bothered about having very young rabbits then getting a pair that are already neutered and living together from a rescue centre could be an easier option and lower the chances of problems.

Re: Rabbits

Becci Faulkner — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 17:31:18 GMT

if you havent got any buns yet (sorry joined post bit late) i had two mini lops in january. both sisters. got them from my tutor at college who bred them. they get on so well. when they reached about 4months they did start trying to hump each other, but only when out in the run. i had them neutered about 4.5months and had no probs since. they dote on each other, always grooming each other. i live in solihull so if you still need some help im local. good luck though

millie jenni

Re: Rabbits

Rachel Jayne — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 18:33:02 GMT

I agree with neutered opposite sex pairs

I have 2 pairs at the moment & it's so lovely to watch them mutual grooming etc

Re: Rabbits

claire Speight — Mon, 17 May 2010 12:46:36 GMT

Undoubtably the best combination is a neutered male and neutered female, but other combinations can and do work (but have a higher faliure rate).

I did have 2 males and 1 female living together (with all neutered) and they got along fine (but had one of them PTS a couple of weeks ago :-(

You could opt for litter mates (one of each sex) and aim to get the male castrated at around 12 weeks when his testicles appear and the female at around 15-16 weeks. But they will have to be seperated from around 10 weeks of age and the male is still fertile for 4-6 weeks post castration.

If you could seperate them but so they can still see and smell each other then getting them back together post neutering of them both would be easier, but shouldn't be that difficult anyway, as long as your introductions are on neutral territory, with lots of distractions (toys, food, tunnels etc). Rub each others scent on a towel and rub this onto both rabbits. Make sure they have lots of room to get away from each other and have a brrom to hand to seperate them should fighting occur (so your hands don't get scratched to pieces). Some rabbits will bond almost immediately, others may take several weeks but persevere with it.

Another option is to get a male or a female, get them neutered when old enough and then go to a rescue centre and get them a companion. Most will already ahve neutered the bunny for you and will offer introductions. And if they really won't bond then you always have the option to take the second bunny back...

The RWF does a good leaflet on bunny companions and how to bond them.

Hope that helps?

Clare

Re: Rabbits

Nicola Smith — Mon, 17 May 2010 08:13:30 GMT

I would definitely recommend a girl and boy combination have seen single sex pairs of both sexes fight terribly even siblings. If getting babies we neuter the boys from about 14-16 weeks if living with a girl, as long as testicles down and big enough, we then do the girls at about 5 months. I would get the two together so they grow up together, but if introducing alwasy do on neutral ground and thoroughly clean any hutches so noones scent on it.

I would go for a rescue pair anytime - there are lots of rescues about with bonded pairs waiting for homes. In he past I have homed from rabbit and guinea pig welfare in Rugby, and Honeybunnys in Leicester. The RSPCA also have bonded pairs - my friend got some from Barnes Hill. Have a look on the rabbit rehome website as that lists all the local rescues - there are often more than you know about. Can I ask who the rescue is that is refusing new people?? Just that I am not far from you and often give numbers out so would be inteested to know. PM me if you prefer. Dont rule out a rescue too far away - I once homed a rabbit from Essex and they arranged a relay of transport to save me the travel - alwasy a thought if there is something that catches your eye!!

Re: Rabbits

Ju_xx — Sun, 16 May 2010 21:46:55 GMT

Nah little bit further away :)

Think i'll go for boy and girl or possibly 2 sisters. Will have to do more research! If anyone else has any more tips or help it is greatly appreciated :D

Re: Rabbits

Vicky RVN — Sun, 16 May 2010 21:33:01 GMT

Ah ok! I was thinking we were in the same area, but we're not!

Re: Rabbits

Ju_xx — Sun, 16 May 2010 21:30:52 GMT

nah shirley solihull just outside of birmingham

Re: Rabbits

Vicky RVN — Sun, 16 May 2010 21:23:19 GMT

Shirley...as in Southampton?!

Re: Rabbits

Ju_xx — Sun, 16 May 2010 21:19:41 GMT

they certainly do! she managed to get one from a small family run pet shop in shirley so was all good :)

Re: Rabbits

Vicky RVN — Sun, 16 May 2010 21:12:26 GMT

That is sooooo silly! Some rescue places have funny ideas don't they?! I got a single pig from pets at home to go with my pig at home when her sister died, they let me have a single one with no worries.

Re: Rabbits

Ju_xx — Sun, 16 May 2010 21:10:10 GMT

I have no idea! one of the girls at work wanted a female guinea as a friend for her neutered male and pet shops only sell them in pairs now so she was having no luck and she asked this rescue place and they said no! and she knows us all well!!!

True i'll try there i always forget they have that bit now!

Re: Rabbits

Vicky RVN — Sun, 16 May 2010 21:07:54 GMT

[quote user="Ju_xx"]We do the vet work for our local rabbit sanctuary and they have just stopped rehoming to new people. They will only rehome their rabbits and guinea pigs to people who have had some from there before or already have rabbits from there![/quote]

Why on earth have they done that?! Surely they're going to be very restricted, and therefore get over run?! Do you have a pets at home near you? Because they have rehoming sections.

Re: Rabbits

Kim Buckley — Sun, 16 May 2010 21:07:03 GMT

What is their reasoning for that??? You'd think they'd be crying out for people to take them. Very strange!

Good luck with the buns!

Re: Rabbits

Ju_xx — Sun, 16 May 2010 21:05:40 GMT

We do the vet work for our local rabbit sanctuary and they have just stopped rehoming to new people. They will only rehome their rabbits and guinea pigs to people who have had some from there before or already have rabbits from there! Otherwise I would have gone to have a look up there. All the other rescues are miles away from me.

I think it will be a boy and a girl personally and get them at different times. would you say get the girl spayed before i try and put the together (obviously boy will be castrated by then!)

Re: Rabbits

Kim Buckley — Sun, 16 May 2010 20:58:13 GMT

We advise keeping 1 male and 1 female rabbit together (neutered of course!). Not had many rabbits myself but a friend of mine had a neutered pair and they loved each other and she just put them together once they were neutered and they got on straight away. Probably best to introduce the female into the males environment as female buns can be a bit more aggressive than male ones. I know rescue centres have loads of rabbits at the moment. You might even be able to get a bonded pair who are already neutered.

Re: Rabbits

Vicky RVN — Sun, 16 May 2010 20:50:11 GMT

Firstly, sorry to hear about your bun.

Personally i'd go for 2 sisters. At least then there is more chance of them getting on with each other ok. A nurse friend has always had sisters and never had a problem with them getting on, but knows of someone who got 2 brothers who they had to keep separate.

Good luck