Sudden aggression?

[chay]

I first noticed it about two weeks ago, but didn't think much of it because she had been sleeping and when I reached in to fill up her bowl with pellets I accidentally hit my hand across her rump.

Earlier today, however, she was not sleeping- she was crouching in the corner eating some hay- and when I put pellets in her bowl, she made a terrible noise and lunged at me. I have scratches up my arm and a fairly deep bite on my pointer finger; she definitely broke the skin and it bled. Every time after that I reached back in (with leather gloves on), she continued to jump at my hind. The noises she's making are very strange. Low, raspy, and somewhat guttural, like a mix between a weird bark and a growl. Tobi has yet to attack us like this, and will actually nudge our hands and lick out fingers before proceeding to eat.

Is it because she's not spayed, or could it be another issue?

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

It sounds like cage aggression. Basically, she doesn't like you in her space. Females, especially intact ones, can be more territorial than males.

One thing you will need to work with her on is that her behaviour won't get her what she wants. She wants you out of her cage and is attacking you to get her way. Wearing the glove and keeping you hand in the cage until she stops can help. The glove will help prevent you from getting hurt. Put the glove on and put your hand in the cage. If she goes for it, keep your hand there. Once she stops, then you can take it out. You don't have to be feeding her or cleaning.

Sometimes a bigger cage or area can help. If you can't give her a larger cage now, attaching a pen to it during the day can work. Ideally, she should be able to come in and out of the cage on her own. Try working with her when she is out of the cage too.

Getting her spayed can make a huge difference. It can take a few weeks for the hormones to calm down enough for you to notice a change.

I have a rabbit (intact female) that is lunges and boxes a bit. I have found that covering her face with one hand helps when I need to put hay in or something. I give her pellets on the level in her cage so I can do somethings without her being bothered. She does love pets, but just doesn't like me going into her cage too much. If I need to sweep out her cage or really clean it, I can put her on the level or in a carrier so she isn't bothered by what I am doing.

 

[timbaland]

I have always tried my best not to refill or change the cage area when my Does are in the cage. I give them respect and let them know that it is their domain. When they are out they watch me clean but they don't seem to mind.

Maybe she feels threatened when you enter her cage when she is inside?

 

[elrohwen]

I think it's time to spay. Unspayed females are commonly territorial, because protecting the nest is important if you're going to have babies. Spaying her should help the issue, but remember that it can take 4-6 weeks to see the results of the spay as the hormones have to leave her system.