When to separate boy and girl?

[Florida_Bunnies]

So I recently acquired two baby buns that were from an unwanted litter. The owner of the mother said the babies were between 6-8 weeks old. I am pretty certain that I have a boy and a girl bun based on their sexual organs. (I also got an opinion from a very experienced rabbit raising friend of mine who is also a veterinary technician). I know we can’t be positively sure, but still I don’t want to take any chances. I intend on getting them both “fixed” regardless of their genders. But still, when should I separate them to make sure I don’t get an unwanted pregnancy? I know I can’t get my girl spayed until she is about four months old, and I can do the boy as soon as his testicles descend, but it is possible for a pregnancy to happen before then, correct? I just don’t want an accident to happy!

Thanks for all your help!

[RabbitPam]

Yesterday.

Seriously, I think you should separate them immediately. There is definitely the possibility of a pregnancy happening before then, and it’s also possible that at this age their gender is not what it looks like now, but still a boy/girl is a high risk. Usually fertility is possible before anything is visible enough to avoid it.

You have a week or so if you need it to shop for the right separate habitats so you can house them separately, but please don’t wait. They will break any bond once they get hormonal, so you will be bonding them later after one or both is fixed, so don’t worry about their relationship. If they continue to smell each other and know they are present in the house, it will help the bond later.

[bunnyfriend]

I echo what RabbitPam said. Definitely separate ASAP. Rabbits can develop way earlier than you think or what is normal. That will also save from one or both getting hurt once they are matured and aggressive (aggressiveness will go away after being alter).

[BinkyBunny]

Typically bunnies can get pregnant at 12 weeks, but I wouldn’t wait right up to 12 weeks as you’d be just asking for trouble. Who’s to know for sure the exact day around 12 weeks that that can happen. And what worries me is that the “owner of the mother” didn’t know if they were 6 or 8 weeks? Didn’t she know exactly when they were born? So that worries me too that she could be off on how old they are. So you want to be extra careful

[Roberta]

Separate them NOW… This is not based on expert advice only experience. I currently have a 6 day old Whoops Litter and never want to go through this stress again in my life… Get both of them to the vet to be sterilised, they will be much healthier and happier. If a Whoops occurs do not let them back together again as they can mate and impregnate within an hour of Kindling (I am stressing that one at the moment as I did not find out until too late that sperm is still active up to three weeks after neutering the buck). Mummy is now fine as are babies but I almost needed valium and did need large quantities of alcohol for the nesting and kindling phase. Every waking moment is spent concerned for the well being of the new babies and I am starting to look like a bag lady due to personal neglect as most of my time is spent on checking to make sure every one is fed clean etc etc……. If nothing else the after care is enough to send you screaming to the vet to get them sterilised. My Sunday has been spent installing a baby saving barrier so the kits don’t wiggle out fall on the floor and get eaten by the cat.. Now I am having nightmares about what happens if I can’t find homes for them or if the people they go to are going to care for them properly… Trust me, separate them NOW, keep their hutches together so they don’t lose their bond but do not risk in anyway shape or form the arrival of a littler. AND REMEMBER Male still capable of impregnating up to 3 weeks following desexing. Female can fall pregnant again almost within the hour of kindling, gestation is only 30 odd days but kits take up tp 10-12 weeks to ween. DOUBLE LITTER More stress. Do not do it to yourself or your Bunnies !!!!!!!!!!!

[BinkyBunny]

Posted By Roberta on 11/19/2011 11:16 PM
but I almost needed valium and did need large quantities of alcohol for the nesting and kindling phase.

I’m sorry but I had to giggle — only because  I would be the same exact way.   

If I were in this member’s position, your experience surely would have convinced me!  Thanks for sharing it.   Good luck with your new little fuzzy crew. 

 

[Roberta]

I am having a wine right now. Finally got the babies out of the nest for a check. One had a flea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have changed bedding and checked the whole nest. Hope the flea was a random event but will be checking in with my Pet Shop Owner who is bunny savvy just incase. Have finally found bunny specialist within an hours drive of home. Phew!! Piglet and Pepper also flea checked but will be getting treated this week regardless. Little Blue Grey runt of litter has led an escape earlier and started a Cuddle Puddle landslide out of the nest. He/she made a gap in the nest and everyone slid out behind him/her. My hair has gone from grey to white. One managed to make it to the ground floor unnoticed and Piglet (Daddy) bundled him/her up in the baby rug to keep him warm till I found him/her. If I had not seen the rug wriggling I might have missed it and thrown the baby out with the old bedding. Hell, My glass is empty…Need more wine.(or maybe a herbal tea)

[BinkyBunny]

Let us know what the vet says about the fleas.   Rabbits can use Revolution or Advantage HOWEVER…NOT at the dose on the box.  (My vet gives me the recommended dose based on my rabbits weight  and note: that weight/dosage is not always equal to the cat/dog weight/dosage)  I also have never treated babies with fleas so that may have a whole different protocol. Maybe someone with more baby bunny experience will be able to also help. 

Oh, and I have to share this old video of my previous bonding session— just pay attention to the very first part, you will understand why I “get it” about the wine.  (notice all the finger prints on the wine, lots of “calming” going on.)   http://youtu.be/8rDJGIZB8Vs

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