Rabbits have been scrapping again! CSI crime scene!

[BoffinMum]

So DS2 goes to the hutch this morning and one rabbit has got over the mesh to the other side, and attacked his brother, who has clearly attacked back, and they both have torn ears. Is it time for two hutches, I am wondering. I am also a bit annoyed all the local vets have been taken over by a chain and trying to see someone is a bit like seeing an NHS OOH doctor at the weekend, i.e. drop everything and sit here for hours at one clinic at our convenience regardless of what else is going on in the rest of your life. Anyway, that's the morning gone. Hope the rabbits are OK.

[HPparent]

Sorry to hear about your rabbits. We have two brother rabbits who starting fighting despite being neutered at a young age. We tried separating and reintroduing - there are various internet sites which tell you how to do this - you put them in a neutral room, spray with perfume to change the scent etc, but lost the will in the end.

We put them in separate cages where they have no contact. A bit sad for them not to have a companion of their own species, but the smaller one does interract quite well with the guinea pigs.

Our vet is a one man band, a bit disorganised and also with long waits, because he loves to chat!

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Is it the time of year too?
I've never had rabbits but our male guineas get a bit grr with each other in late Spring. (Don't know if this is the breeding season for rabbits)

[BoffinMum]

Well they are both having surgery today to repair their tattered ears. I think we will have to rehouse the more dominant one.
£180 in vet fees

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

poor rabbits ears and for £180 .

Do you think there might have been female wild rabbits 'visiting' at night - might've got them a bit territorial and competitive?

[BoffinMum]

Have just picked up rabbits and the dominant one is particularly subdued and sad looking. Won't even eat his banana. DH has constructed what he has called the 'gulag' with a distinct separation zone and two different types of mesh surrounded by a solid frame.

Meanwhile we think the dominant one needs to be rehoused. Kids reasonably sanguine about this, as it is obvious these guys are never going to get along, but we are not sure how to go about doing this, and hopefully adopting a young female instead. We don't want a rerun of the last 12 hours, that's for sure.

I am not sure about the wild female rabbits but it's unlikely as we have mesh all round the garden to stop wildlife in general. If it can't hop over a 6ft fence, it can't get in.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Which one is the nicer tempered?
I'd rehome the one who is most likely to get rehomed TBH.

Even if it meant keeping the bolshy one and getting a mate.
Then you know the one with you has a home and your other rabbit stands a good chance.

If I read on a rehoming info: "Reason for re-homing - cagemate kept attacking him" I'd be more likely than "Attacked his cagemate resulting in torn ears" to take the animal home.

Just a thought.

[FernieB]

Agree with 70 re rehoming the one most likely to get a home. Your dominant boy will probably calm down in the company of a female.

[SoftSheen]

I think you should find a good rescue centre and see if they will swap one of your bucks for a nice neutered female bunny.

Though guinea-pigs are often kept as male/male pairs, rabbits are usually best kept as a neutered male/ neutered female pair.

[BoffinMum]

They are both gentle and lovely apart, just territorial together tbh.

The dominant one got a right shock when the quieter one stood up to him big time. But he had it coming. Dominant one has been scared of the other one all day.

I have emailed Wood Green and RSPCA.

[Midori1999]

Please don't give your bunny to the RSPCA, they don't have a 'no kill' policy and the future of your bun would be uncertain.

There should be a dedicated rabbit rescue within reasonable distance and they will probably be more helpful and able to help you.

One if my boys came into rescue as he was fighting with his brother. (Both were neutered) He lived happily with his wife and is now part of a trio with my other boy. It's the girl who causes all the problems....

[SoftSheen]

It might be worth contacting the Rabbit Welfare Association. Although they don't run a rescue as such, they can point you in the direction of a good rescue centre and also provide advice.

Interesting that you have two boys who get along together Midori. The most unsociable rabbit I ever had was a female, who didn't get on with any other rabbits including her own sister and daughter. She was lovely with people though.

[BoffinMum]

Have had contact from a local Rabbit rescue place, privately run, but they have a waiting list of 50 rabbits apparently

The good news is that the rabbits coped well with surgery and they are healing well now, so that's something.