What should I do?

[Marco]

I was told both my rabbits are neutered males around one year old and that they were bonded with each other. However, Groucho seems to be displaying aggressive behavior with Gizmo one minute and then loving behavior the next. They sleep together and groom each other. But I see Groucho also trying to mount Gizmo and chasing him around the cage. Gizmo then hides on the top shelf. I'm not sure what to do. Why is their relationship so bipolar? Is it the stress of a new home?

 

[NorthernAutumn]

I guess I'm wondering a few things....

A) Are you sure they are neutered? No bunny balls at all? Some folks on here have gotten rabbits that were supposedly fixed... turns out, they weren't.

B) What are the cage dimensions?
Often, there may simply not be enough territory for two rabbits to share, causing territorial issues.

C) When did you get them? How long have they been at their new home?

 

[Nancy McClelland]

Another thing to keep in mind--even neutered will hump another rabbit to assert dominance, both males and females. We have had more trouble with bonded females than males, but, each rabbit has it's own personality. We had to separate one pair as they started fighting and biting for real. Put them in side by side hutches--they could see but not touch.

 

[Marco]

A) I'm not sure if they're actually neutered or not. I don't see anything and they won't let me touch them yet so I can't get a closer look.

B) The cage does seem too small for them, but I'm in the process of building them a bigger one. It's approximately over two foot lengthwise and over one foot widthwise.

C) They've only been here for four days.

 

[NorthernAutumn]

I'm sure others will be along soon with their inputs
From my perspective, it's only been 4 days... I'm wondering if their behaviour will settle down a bit... however, they still need personal "space"
You're right to build them a far bigger hutch, 2 foot by 1 foot is totally inadequate.

Are you making an NIC cage? What are your planned dimensions? Multilevel?

I personally wouldn't go smaller than 4 foot by 4 foot with a pair of males, as buck-buck relationships can sour easily if both are not submissive, non-dominant.

Bigger the better = stable bunny relationships.

Do you have a hiding area for Gizmo? If not, you can make one right now out of a cardboard box.

If they are not actually neutered, a snip would do both a world of good.

 

[Marco]

The cage I'm building out of NIC, a dog exercise pen, and pantry shelving from Home Depot is going to be 10 x 4. Three levels or so. I don't have a hiding place for Gizmo besides the small top shelf. There's really not anywhere to put a hiding place. I have a makeshift playpen that wraps around the cage and I let him out when things are getting heated.

 

[Marco]

Groucho is STILL chasing Gizmo and this time fur was flying. At what point should I separate them?

 

[missyscove]

That's really a tricky question because if you do separate them, you run the risk of breaking whatever bond the two do have and possibly not being able to rebond them.
I'd get them into a larger enclosure asap.
If it's just fur it's not that much of a concern; the concern is in skin coming with the fur.

 

[NorthernAutumn]

I would have the makeshift playpen accessible at all times until the bigger house is finished. It will give them both the idea of more territory.
Pop a cardboard box out there with only one opening for him to hide in.

"Hiding" allows him to feel secure, so that he can't be attacked from the side or from behind.

The large hutch sounds good. I think you really need it soon though