Aggressive Male Rabbit(s)

[captainrabbit]

I received two rabbits from a neighbor who’s disabled friend found them abandoned in her yard. There were originally three, but the third was evidently so aggressive that they put him down. All we know is that they were found at the same time and that they are both males – we don’t know if they’re fixed, or litterbox-trained, or have names, or are related, or anything! That being said, they were outside rabbits and so we tried keep them outside in a hutch, but they hate each other – whenever they are near each other they furiously bite, scratch, and “box” with each other. So now one is in the hutch and one is in a little cage because that’s what we had. We’ve been trying to work out ways of getting them to tolerate each other so one isn’t stuck in the little cage, but nothing’s working. For about a week now, we’ve been switching their cages so one isn’t stuck in the smaller cage all the time, and we’ve kept their enclosures near each other in the hopes that they’ll get used to each other’s smell.

The first of the two, a grey/brown mix breed, is just the sweetest rabbit! He’s not too sure about being handled up in the air, but he loves being petted. The second, a black rabbit that is also a mix like the first, doesn’t mind being handled but hates being petted. He’ll run and hide if you approach him, and sometimes he’ll nudge your hand aggressively (we put a hand over his head if he does that). But earlier today when I was handling him he bit me… he’s not injured as far as I can tell, and I don’t know if they’ve been fixed or not. Money’s pretty tight right now, so we can’t afford to get them a vet appointment, and then fixed if need be.

We’re going to keep the grey one for sure, but we don’t know what to do with the black one. I’ve tried handling and petting him at other times than when I take him from his cage, I don’t put my hand right in front of him when I try to pet or handle him, and I don’t hit him if he’s being mean to either myself or the other rabbit. It’s not territorial, because even if he’s placed in an area he’s never been in before, he’s still aggressive.

Is he just going to be an angry rabbit until he’s fixed (or even after)? If so, what do I do with him? I don’t want to send him to the pound to be put down for aggression, and I don’t want to dump him on some one else who might do that anyway. And is there any way for me to have them get along?

Also, this is probably worth mentioning, I’m an experienced rabbit owner. The last three rabbits I’ve owned (which were hutch rabbits, too) lived to be almost seven years old! So I doubt this is a case of bad body language or handling or something like that.

[Mocha]

If you want to bond them, wait until they are both neutered, and get them neutered ASAP. Just because they are “hutch bunnies” doesn’t mean it’s best for them to live outside. I think they might become a little friendlier if they live inside with you. Play with them and make sure they get lots of human interaction.

7 years is a good age for an outdoor rabbit, but indoor rabbits can easily live from 9-12

Report back with any more questions. I would get them neutered as soon as possible. That will make the bonding MUCH easier. Some rabbits may never get along, but it’s best to use as many advantages as you can (neutereing.)

[Sarita]

Usually aggression is fear based. He is probably just fearful. But I wouldn’t just say he was an aggressive rabbit if this is a one time incident…

If neither are neutered then they will fight each other so it is best to keep them separate. I would probably say that neither are neutered, normally that is the case, if they were the owner would have told you.

I agree that living inside will help socialize them more.

[Author]

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