New rabbits pulling fur

[karis109]

Hi everyone.

I bought 2 rabbits 3 weeks ago from the farmers market as they were going for slaughter and I felt sorry for them.

I bought them home and put them in a big cage I purchased from my neighbour that same day. With the intention of seperating the cage into two as it was big enough, off I went to the DIY shop to buy some wood.

What do I see when I get home? Boy bunny going like the clappers on the doe. I know the saying has to come from somewhere, but seriously?? 15 minutes??

Anyway, as it stands they huddle together all day and are not very happy with me picking them up. Actually, the last week the doe has growled and bit me when I tried to get near (she used to tolerate a stroke before she would hop away..I've not picked them up since I bought them home as they don't come to me and I don't want to force it on them when they are still in a new enviroment).

I cleaned their cage 2 days ago, replacing sawdust with straw and a straw and hay in the part for their bedding.

I checked today that they had enough hay and not eaten it all and there is quite a lot of grey fur buried quite deep in the bedding. Now, I know they can do this when the are preggers, or a phantom pregnancy as I have read, but the grey fur is from the male.

So, whats going on? Do males take fur for the nest too? And what should I do now without being attacked?

This will teach me for trying to do a good thing without looking first..however, I'm glad they are safe rather than in someones stew... I just don;t know what to do now, apart from build a new hutch asap for the boy.

Thanks for any help, it will be VERY much appreciated
Louise x

 

[Azerane]

I suppose it's entirely possible that the female herself is pulling hair from the male to put in the nest, rather than pull her own fur. Not sure if that happens but it's a possibility. If she is pregnant you will definitely need them separated asap, as mum could harm dad and dad could harm the kits.

Can you still divide the hutch into two like you originally planned at least until you get new living arrangements for the boy organised?

 

[majorv]

I highly recommend you separate them before the doe has her kits, assuming it's not a false pregnancy. If the hutch is big enough you could use hardware cloth and cut it to make a partition, though separate cages would be a better solution. I would not bother the doe any more than you need to right now. Provide her with hay to help build her nest and wait until day 31.

 

[karis109]

Thank you for your advice, I will separate the buck today. No babies today so I guess I am playing the waiting game. I will keep you posted..how many babies do they even have and should I buy anything special for them?
I have no idea of the ages of the rabbits, the boy just came with a note that said young lop eared male..I'm getting quite attached to them now..hope they don't bite me when I move the boy across to his new hutch..it hurts hehe

 

[majorv]

Is the doe a lop also? On average, a small breed could have up to 6-7 kits, but average is 3-5. The kits don't need anything special. Mom usually takes care of them without human help.

If you can reach into the cage with your hand above them instead of straight at them then the chances are less that they can bite you. You could do this to stroke and pet them and eventually they should get better about your presence in the cage. I had a doe that I bought from someone else who wasn't handled much because she would grunt and lunge when I put my hand straight in. By coming at her from above I was able to pet her each time I fed and now she's better.

 

[karis109]

I managed to seperate the cage in half and the doe let me pick her up.. I think she is just frightened of me, bless her. I held her for a while a stroked her but didnt feel anything in her tummy. But then, I don't know what I am feeling for!
I will try the over head approach with the buck..hes a bugger !!