New buns suddenly humping

[Jcbunz]

Good evening all. We recently adopted two 6 week old half mini lop half Netherlands lols from a friend that could not take care of them. Unfortunately we do not know the sex of either yet. They are sibling from the same litter. Currently they are housed in the same cage. Night one was fine they were cuddled up with each other and grooming each other. All day today they were fine together until tonight when they started chasing head to butt then Theo started humping Wrigley. Not wanting it to escalate they were separated for about an hour, then we tried to rejoin them in the cage. Almost immediately wrigley started humping Theo and then Theo escaped and mounted back and started nipping and pulling fur. Currently have them separated. Are separate cages gonna be our best bet?

Thanks!

[DanaNM]

Hi there, and welcome!

You will definitely want to separate them until you can get them spayed/neutered! Sounds like their hormones are kicking in, and they could seriously injure each other. 

Once they are spayed/neutered, and their hormones have settled (several weeks, longer for females), you can try bonding them. I recommend reading the basic bonding info on this site. 

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Mikey]

Are you sure theyre six weeks? That would be very early for bunnies to be sold, I think. Coupled with both acting hormonally, six months sounds much more accurate

Seconding that their hormones have kicked in. Youll need to separate them for safety and because you dont know either sex, you want them apart to avoid accidental litters

[Jcbunz]

Thank you! Was told they were six weeks by my wife’s friend at work. We adopted them from a friend of hers whose rabbits had a surprise litter, so pretty sure on the age. Thought they were a little young but we wanted to make sure they were taken care of. Sounded like the owner of the parents had too much on his hands.

[Jcbunz]

I did check out the bonding info as well. Thought since they were siblings they could live together for a little while before we got them fixed. If they are indeed 6 weeks would it be too soon to have a vet determine sex?

[Mikey]

Its safe for babies to stay together until they become hormonal or reach the age they can breed. Yours are hormonal, so it is no longer safe to keep them together. Youll need to separate them asap

A vet could possibly tell, although it is easier to tell once the rabbit has hit puberty

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