Introducing Young Buns

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Bunnykinz

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, Washington, USA
Ina couple ofweeks I'm going to be bringing home a 6 week old N. Dwarfand a Holland lop that may be just a bit older (both will be females). What's the best way to introduce them after they get settled in? Should I just let them meet each other for a "playdate"?:bunnyhug:The hutch has a divider if needed.
 
First of all, I would wait until both are at least 8 weeks old. 6 weeks is barley weaned and not really ready to leave the breeder. I would want them to have been weaned for about 2 weeks before you take them home. There is just a better chance of survival and they will be more used to only having solid foods at that point. Some breeders loose kits that are 8 weeks due to digestive problems.

Young rabbits do tend to get along. The trouble comes when they mature. As both breeds are on the small end of rabbits, they will mature at about 4-6 months. So they could fight and become territorial at that time. Females tend to be more territorial than males. You might also have to deal with them being mis-sexed and possible litters.

You can put them together and see if they get along. You should be in the area with them and there should be enough space from them to get away from each other. An x-pen will work. Have somewhere to put one of them if they do not get along right away.

There is a chance that even if they get along now, they will not get along later. Getting both spayed can help, but that shouldn't be done until they are about 5-6 months. You can just wait until both are fixed before you try to bond them.
 
Thanks, but I am also wondering if I should keep them separated until they're settled or should I just put them in a pen right away?
 
I would let them have some joint playtime, but I would absolutely *not* house them together until they are both spayed. Females can turn hormonal and territorial at the drop of a hat and start fighting. I wouldn't leave them alone unsupervised.
 
Also, make sure the new one is definitely a female first. Even experienced breeders have been whacked by the gender fairy from time to time!
 
This is a old post but I'm wondering how you are doing with you bunnies???? Mine are 7 and 3 1/2 month, unspayed and are housed together. I'm getting a little worried now that the baby one is getting closer and closer to the "territorial" age.
 

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