Help! I don’t know why they hate her outside..

[Meg]

Hili!

I’ve been so nervous to reach out and ask for some help, and hopefully I’m doing this all correctly, but I just don’t know what to do any more, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Last April I adopted three female bunnies that were found in a cardboard box in a ditch, I couldn’t split them up so they all came home with me. Maisie is a lion head cross lop, Mabel is a old english and nobody can quite figure out what Martha is and we a guessing that they are coming up to their 2nd birthday. I’ve never had any problems with the three of them, they surprisingly figured out their ranking order and have been fine ever since. They don’t fight over space or food, and usually I will find them all cuddled up together – they’ve been a dream!

Now, this is where my problem comes in. Recently when I’ve let them have free run of the garden (something they’ve done since I brought them home, with no issues) Martha especially will chase Maisie round the garden until she runs back into the shed. It’s a full on charge across the garden if Maisie comes out of the shed and recently Mabel has joined in too. They don’t ever hurt her, just run at her. When they are in their shed or run (when i can’t supervise or the dogs are in the garden!) they are perfectly fine with each other. If anything its Mabel who sits on her own, Maisie and Martha love each other normally (head under the others head, grooming each other, sharing food that kinda thing)

So, I just don’t understand them, it makes absolutely no sense to me. So if anyone has any ideas or suggestions i would be super grateful. It’s not fair on my little Mais that she can’t go out and enjoy the sunshine with her sisters!

Thank you in advance.

Meg 

[Wick & Fable]

It sounds like not all of them are bonded, so there’s a territorial dispute when it comes to outside.

Have you taken them to a vet to see they are all spayed and are definitely all female?

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.

[Meg]

yes, they are definitely female, i got them spayed at the end of last year.
That is what i thought at first, but its only started in the last couple of weeks. They’re’s been no issues with outside in the neary two years i’ve had them, it’s literally only been the last like month or so? Can they turn territorial that quickly for no reason?

[Sirius&Luna]

Could you try enclosing them in a smaller area of garden, and gradually expanding it if they behave?

It does sound like they need their bond solidifying – a trio of girls is pretty unusual I think so maybe it will always be a bit trickier.

[Meg]

I’ve never had any issues what so ever with them until now, its not like I’ve increased the amount of space, they’ve always had the same amount.. can they just turn that quickly?

The strangest thing is that after they’ve chased her back into the shed, when I shut them up for the night Martha goes straight over an cuddles up next to her, they just don’t make any sense!! I’ll try that though, just shut off half the garden and try and see if thats the issue. Thank you!

[Wick & Fable]

There are instances where bonds are very up and down. One second they’re cuddling, the next they are fighting. This sometimes ends up in a rehome situation because although there are successes at times, the low points of the bonds were very dangerous for the rabbits involved.

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.

[Author]

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