Got 2x mini rex rabbits about a month ago 1 buck, 1 doe. They are same age 13 weeks, but different litters, from the same home and socialized togeher. They are living in a large open room, with tunnels and toys etc, with a smaller cage permanently open (front removed) where they have food, A hidy bed and water etc. (we are building a larger enclosure ready any day now)
They are approx 13 weeks old, and have been fine together for 3 weeks until…
About 10 days ago (12 weeks old) we had the buck castrated. The first few days we heard lots of banging around, and found small fur tuffs around the room. We read this can be normal and kept them separated whilst he recovered (same room, alternated one in cage, one free roaming on. 12 hour cycle) and let them play together supervised for a session morning and night.
After 3 to 4 days, all was good again, and they have been best buddies again, no signs of conflict. Until just now.
Again we heard lots of banging about, and I went in to find the tuffs of fur pictured. (Picture on the black rug). Were not sure who is the aggressor as they play nice when were about.
Additional strange behavior, the bunnies found their way into a desk in the same room via a small space under and behind that leads to the bottom draw. I emptied it out and filled it with straw as they seemed to like it a claimed it as their hidy hole. The last 24 hours they have been moving straw from the temp cage sleeping quarters to the draw filling it absolutely tight packed full (particularly the doe). I cleared it out a little and found this bigger clump of fur pictured. (I separated it to investigate by it didn't appear to be from a fight almost groomed out.)
We have separated them again, and will keep swapping them over keeping them close to keep bonding.
Do this sound like baby bonds breaking?
Maybe aggression from unspade female?
The doe is due to be spade around 5th Jan at 16 weeks.
What should be our best action moving forwards? We are thinking another week of separating them as we have been in the same room and rotating toys, bowls and time in cage vs free roaming etc with supervised time together
Appreciate your time. And will provide more info / pics on request if needed.
by PixelScriptsUK