My bunnies are fighting again

[Deleted User]

I’ve previously posted on here about my two male rabbits. When I initially got them I was unaware of what needed to happen for them to be truly bonded and was questioning why they had got into a serious fight after I had got them neutered. Anyway after reading lots on here and taking on the advice about letting the hormones die down, looking for all the positive signs like the mutual grooming etc. They were separated when I wasn’t there, and spent time together supervised when I was at home. I had their pen set up in two halves with a space in the middle so there was no biting or anything through the bars. I swapped them between each other’s spaces and toy swapped etc so they got there scents equally in both areas. Throughout all this time they just displayed a very loving relationship. With no other signs of fighting or aggression. But I continued with this for a few weeks like I have seen recommended on here. I eventually reintroduced them to each other again because they seemed to miss each other’s company when separated at night.

Everything has been fine for weeks. This past week I have been away for a week and left my mum staying at my house to watch them. I’ve been very strict in my instructions on how I wanted them cared for (8 a4 sheets of paper with information to be exact). I have come home today and my mum has told me they have had 2 fights this week. One on Wednesday which has resulted in a bite to Daryls head. And she told me that they had another this morning, a few hours before I got home. The first fight she said happened when she was upstairs using the toilet and she came down and only saw fur around. So she separated them. I don’t know the in between of what she has done with them between Wednesday and today (Saturday where I am). But the fight they had today she said she witnessed and said that it was Daryl who wouldn’t release his grip from rick and was just biting him. She told me she had to pull them apart. Obviously if this was me I would have separated them after the first fight. My mum is a cat owner and even said to me she didn’t fully understand the seriousness of them fighting until she actually witnessed it and said it’s much worse than seeing cats fight. So I can’t be upset that she didn’t realise to separate them.

I just really don’t know what to do with this situation. It’s making me really uneasy and I don’t know what is causing it. I’ve sat and watched them both today and their body language towards each other just seems so different. I feel like they might hold a grudge with one another now. Is this a situation where they should just be two rabbits living separately?

Also she said after the first fight, where Daryl had a wound on his head that rick was cleaning the area for him.

Any input would be great just to help me weigh up what’s best.

Thanks in advance

[Limit]

I would personally keep them separate but living side by side (where they can see and smell but not touch) for a good 6-8 weeks before trying to re bond them. I don’t think you should give up just yet, these things happen, rabbits are complicated and perhaps they hadn’t bonded fully or settled their differences which led to fights later on.

If rebonding after the 6-8 weeks living side by side doesn’t work then I wouldn’t add more stress by trying again.

You will be able to tell when rebonding if they’re holding a grudge! I’m hoping that their difference in behaviour toward one another is just wariness from their scraps.

I’m sure someone with more bonding experience will come along with some sound advice but thought I’d pop in and add my thoughts! Hope you don’t mind

[Deleted User]

I’m having a lot of difficulty with the separation. What is the best way to let them have a run around outside of their pens? I’ve noticed that rick is now charging at Daryl if he is having outside time and he is in his pen. And this happens when it’s the other way round too. When rick is out and Daryl is in. Today I had to put blankets around the pens so they couldn’t see each other while they came out for a run. Daryl is trying to avoid eye contact with him but he’s going for him anyway. I noticed whilst rick was doing this he was lifting his tail and back end up which I have never ever seen him do before. The behaviour has completely changed. Also I don’t know if this is relevant but I have noticed that Daryl is a lot more relaxed now they are separate. I mean Daryl was always the one who was more keen for the company with rick and snuggling him etc. And when they weren’t cuddling he spent his time hunched in the chicken position. But now he full on sprawls out. Do you think he maybe prefers being a lone bun? I’m so confused and really don’t know what to do.

[Teddy_baloo]

Just read your post from December and I am having exactly the same problems with my male rabbits. They are currently separated but one seems to be happy about this and more relaxed whereas the other seems distressed and missing the company. How are your rabbits now, what did you do?

[Author]

Messages