Please help- bonded boys fighting

[matthewandkay]

Good morning not sure where to put really but I need help I adopted two
Bunny’s who have been bonded and been together since they where born they both boys and 3 years old they where in a small area when we got them but when we got them home they had the run of the house as I believe they shouldn’t be lock up the last couple of weeks they been fighting I don’t understand where I have gone wrong I’ve had to separate them and it’s breaking my heart today I had to break up a big fight to where I got hurt they are booked in to be nurtured on the 9 th but I’m worried and scared they won’t bond again please help me I really don’t know where I gone wrong they have there own beds food and water tray toys ect please help

 

[JBun]

They need to be kept completely separate until they've been neutered, or you could risk them causing very serious injuries to each other. It's not recommended to keep intact mature male rabbits together because of the risks involved. Fatal injuries are even a possibility. Complete separation is absolutely essential. The more opportunities they have to fight, it also can affect any future possibility of them rebonding.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Spaying_and_neutering_rabbits
You'll need to wait a minimum of 4 weeks post neuter for hormones to fade before attempting to rebond them. But even neutered there are no guarantees they'll rebond, though because they've been together and getting along for several years previously, there is a chance they'll rebond ok.

It's likely the change of home and territory caused the break in their bond. It's not an unusual thing to occur when a rabbits territory is changed. The other likely contributing cause is the sudden increase in space. When they've been neutered and you attempt to rebond them, it's usually best to start with a smaller neutral bonding space, then gradually expand their area as they are consistently getting along without issue.

While you're waiting for their neuter and hormones to fade before attempting bonding, I would suggest reading up on proper bonding techniques and rabbit behavior. It's very important to thoroughly understand the signs of aggression and escalating aggression, so you will know when to intervene and possibly permanently separate before injuries can occur.

https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/bonding-bunnies.html
https://cottontails-rescue.org.uk/information/bonding-bunnies/
https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Bonding_rabbits_together

 

[matthewandkay]

They need to be kept completely separate until they've been neutered, or you could risk them causing very serious injuries to each other. It's not recommended to keep intact mature male rabbits together because of the risks involved. Fatal injuries are even a possibility. Complete separation is absolutely essential. The more opportunities they have to fight, it also can affect any future possibility of them rebonding.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Spaying_and_neutering_rabbits
You'll need to wait a minimum of 4 weeks post neuter for hormones to fade before attempting to rebond them. But even neutered there are no guarantees they'll rebond, though because they've been together and getting along for several years previously, there is a chance they'll rebond ok.

It's likely the change of home and territory caused the break in their bond. It's not an unusual thing to occur when a rabbits territory is changed. The other likely contributing cause is the sudden increase in space. When they've been neutered and you attempt to rebond them, it's usually best to start with a smaller neutral bonding space, then gradually expand their area as they are consistently getting along without issue.

While you're waiting for their neuter and hormones to fade before attempting bonding, I would suggest reading up on proper bonding techniques and rabbit behavior. It's very important to thoroughly understand the signs of aggression and escalating aggression, so you will know when to intervene and possibly permanently separate before injuries can occur.

https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/bonding-bunnies.html
https://cottontails-rescue.org.uk/information/bonding-bunnies/
https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Bonding_rabbits_together

Thank you for your reply we got them from pets at home they were bonded and was told they would only be sold together they wasn’t fighting then the first few days they wouldn’t even come out of the carrier case I thought it was the flooring so I put down a sheet as soon as that was out they came out and was digging they seemed to enjoy it from there they were fighting but okay fighting then it got more serious so we phoned pets at home they said to separate them but the vets can’t book us in two march we have tried many different vets we have one for the 9 th march now they have the run of the house we are keeping one upstairs and one down stairs but one this morning managed to sneak past my daughter and went for the other one I stopped the fight and they bite me and ripped my skin I was told they would be fine as they are bonded have I done some thing wrong they are both lovely rabbits and so loving when they are on there own one I was told don’t like cuddles but he will play with me lick me and won’t stop following me I don’t know what to do I read one line to keep them apart and been told neutering will help

 

[JBun]

The two of them fighting was bound to happen, and completely in line with how intact male rabbits normally behave. Intact male rabbits in nature, compete for territory and females. They will almost always try and fight, and these fights are usually with the intent to try and drive the other male rabbit away, or to kill the other rabbit. They will even sometimes try and eviscerate or castrate one another.

You didn't do anything wrong. Pets at-home did by being terribly uneducated about rabbit behavior and bonding, and completely misinforming you as new pet rabbit owners. Pets at home should have NEVER sold two intact male rabbits as a 'bonded pair', advised you to keep them together as a 'bonded pair' before they are neutered, or even continued to keep them together once they reached puberty in the first place.

A rabbit latching on and trying to rip flesh, is one that intends serious or deadly harm to another rabbit. Please take necessary precautions to not only ensure they stay completely separate, but also protect yourself if you are in a situation again where you need to break them up. Use a broom, towel, or something else besides a bare hand to get in between them, or you could risk injury to yourself that could require stitches.

Here's a list in the link below, to find a knowledgeable rabbit vet. I would also encourage you to read the other info on their site, as it contains reliable information about the correct care of pet rabbits.

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-...abbit-friendly-vets/rabbit-friendly-vet-list/
Also, if you plan to have free roam rabbits, it's important to properly bunny proof your home, especially all electrical cords, if you haven't already done this.

https://wabbitwiki.com/wiki/Bunny-proofing
https://bunnyproof.com/
https://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/bunny-proofing.html

 

[ElfNugget]

Oh, I m so sorry to hear about your experience of your two boys fighting.

I hope you are able to get them neutered as soon as possible. And yes, keep them separated until they well recovered and start the bonding process again, and slowly.
You can see how I posted a response on how I did the transition from cage to fence enclosure or pen to open space within our small house.

I only have Elf so the process was easier. Well Elf shares the house with Ocean our budgie and us five humans.

Good luck and take care