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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

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Forum BEHAVIOR Sharing a cage/ play area – Brother & Sister Giant Flemish UPDATE

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    • WRXFamily
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        I am picking up 2 Giant Flemish 11 week old babies and i am trying to get their habitat ready. I am wondering if they would be okay living together seeing as how they are brother and sister and they currently live in the same area at the breeders house. I am planning on getting both spayed/neutered as soon as they are old enough. The buns will eventually be free roam indoor babies but i still want them to feel like they have their own space while they are litter box training. Would it be okay for them to live together without being separated? Will this change with hormones? Thanks for any advice/input.


      • sarahthegemini
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          You’ll need to separate them before their hormones come about to prevent mating and possible fighting. Then once they’re healed from their spay and neuter, you can bond them.


        • Azerane
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            I agree with the above comment. Ideally they should be kept separated from this point on, but at the very least from 12 weeks. Once hormones start to kick in they may get territorial and this can lead to fighting and severe injury, it can also ruin any potential bond they may have had otherwise. You also obviously don’t want them mating before you can have them desexed.

            Keep them housed separately but nearby each other so that they are still see/smell/hear each other etc and 4-6 weeks after they’ve both been desexed you can start to reintroduce them on neutral territory.


          • WRXFamily
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              Update: Thank you so much for all the help, I was able to get another housing unit for my buns so they can be seperated, as he immediately tried to mate with her once we got home (We were setting up the males cage as he tried it.) They are doing wonderful in pens that are about 2 feet away from each other. They still have full visibility and can smell each other. I have their appt at the vet set up already, we are just waiting till they are old enough as they are only 11 weeks. Thank you all for the help ?


            • Vienna Blue in France
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                WRX – errrr, you’re forgetting the photos !!!!!!

                TWO flemmies !!!!! Come on – indulge us – pur-lease


              • WRXFamily
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                  King Tonne & Queen Kaleigh at 11 Weeks ?


                • Hanz
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                    Just curious when your vet is doing your buns spay/neuter? I ask because I too have a flemish giant. He is doing all the mature bunny things too but vets here won’t neuter until he is 6 months. I don’t get it.


                  • Krayl
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                      Hey WRX! 

                      I have two giant Flemish as well! They’re both from the same litter (both males) and they’re 8 weeks old. Mine did the EXACT same thing! When I got them home and let them run free in the bunny-proof room one IMMEDIATELY started to mount and hump the other (even though they’re both males). After a day, they’ve settled down, but they still try it occasionally. I’m prepping another room to keep them separated because I know this could get ugly. But for now they’re cuddling and sleeping together and seem very happy. 
                      Their paws and ears are COMICALLY oversized and they hop and flop around like big clumsy puppies. And they LOVE to be petted on their nose. 

                      The fawn colored little guy is Benjamin Buntons, and the light grey one is Admiral Jerry Chinchillaface.


                    • sarahthegemini
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                        ^ ^ Oh.My.Word. My heart!!!!! 


                      • WRXFamily
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                          T


                        • Limit
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                            What absolute cuties! On another note, this is my conti giant at 1 yr and a few months – I reckon yours will be even bigger than my Monte! And he’s larger than my chihuahua/pom  

                             photo IMG_5601_zpsewtftnxc.jpg


                          • WRXFamily
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                              I was told by my vet that it is at 5 months. So not too big of a difference but I am anxious to get them fixed so I can make sure they are totally healthy and can bond properly ?


                            • sarahthegemini
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                                My heart can’t take any more, stoppppp!!! 


                              • Vienna Blue in France
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                                  WRX, Hanz and Krayl – its Flemmie explosion time !!!! I’m loooving it !!

                                  I hope you’re all keeping a weigh-in chart – I wish I had for my big bun (not a Flemmie but prétends she is !!)
                                  I thought i’d remember, but of course i’ve forgotten ! Dory who ?!! LOL


                                • Krayl
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                                    @vienna I am! lol they’re 4.2lbs right now and eating like machines

                                    @WRX your buns are so CUTE! the fawn one looks just like my little ben!


                                  • Vienna Blue in France
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                                      WRX – I thought it was a mirror at first, but I couldn’t quite work out why the reflection wasn’t reflected but was copied in the same direction !! D’oh !! LOL

                                      Krayl- get used to it – it doesn’t ever slow down !! (and the poops and wees get bigger !!!!)
                                      Your two are cute – I hope they do settle down together easily post neutering – you really don’t want it to get ugly…. they have big claws and biiig teeth

                                      Could you not keep them in the same room separated by a HIGH barrier? LOL (like 1m20 minimum – trust me!) If they go in separate rooms, they won’t get to see each other or smell each other and could make bonding a harder job… just a thought


                                    • WRXFamily
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                                        Vienna – That’s how I have them currently. They are both in my bedroom in separate x pens. They are about a foot apart so they are still really close. They do get to be out and play together at least 3 times a day for about 2 hour chunks each time. but I am obsessed with watching every step they take since they are getting to that age. No signs of aggression at all. I’m afraid their play dates may come to an end soon since I am so weary of them being out together at this age ? They just enjoy it so much.


                                      • Vienna Blue in France
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                                          I understand completely!
                                          Though I’m not sure aggression will be your major worry at the moment… more like an oops litter which poor Kayleigh is not ready for (nor you !! LOL)

                                          At what age can you get each one ‘done’ ?


                                        • WRXFamily
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                                            Right!!! lol I was told 5 months of age by my vet, so July basically. It seems like that is such a long time away!


                                          • Vienna Blue in France
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                                              Can you get one done before the other? I don’t know at what age the testes are visible but if the male was done then you would have to wait just a month before you can put them together and then get female done later… I don’t know ?


                                            • WRXFamily
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                                                That may be a smart option for them. I’m just so worried about them not getting along with having to wait so long with them separated. I will ask when they are in their vet appt ?


                                              • Vienna Blue in France
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                                                  I think they’ll be just fine – they can see and smell each other.
                                                  It’s almost as if they are together.

                                                  You can keep the ‘prebonding’ techniques going by swapping their living spaces & litter trays over every day or two (or rather swapping the buns over – much easier! lol). One, they won’t become territorial, two, they’ll be able to reeeeally smell the other and so not be bothered by it when they do meet up close and personal again

                                                  It does seem a long time now, but it will be over before you know it

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                                              Forum BEHAVIOR Sharing a cage/ play area – Brother & Sister Giant Flemish UPDATE