Newbie needs advice!

Hello, I am picking up 2 lion lops next week. One is a buck and the other is a doe, I will be getting them neutered when they are old enough (currently 9 weeks) are they ok to live together until the vet will neuter them at 16 weeks? thanks.

Hello and welcome

This is a bad idea!! Please don't put them together until they are neutered, even though I bet they look stunning together they can start breeding and or fighting super early.

I'd advise keeping them apart but within sight of each other, then re bonding them when they are ready. It takes a few weeks after the male is done for the hormones to die down, and I'm not sure the doe can be spayed so early?

Looking forward to pictures when your new arrivals are home and settled!

is a neutered male and female the best combination? or would 2 neutered males be better? Really don't want any baby buns! I have a hutch with a 6 foot run but not sure if I could squeeze another hutch in....may check preloved!

I have a neutered pair, female and male lion lops and they get on great. :thumb:

All mine are m/f pairs

Did you keep your m/f pairs together until they were neutered or seperate them?

I got my two from a rescue where they came to me already neutered. I think most people would separate them though, so that there isn't any unwanted babies. :wave:

Definately best to get both of them neutered before bonding.A male/female bond is usually the ideal.Other combinations are possible but can be trickier.
The more space you can give your buns,the happier they will be.

As others have said, please don't house them together before they're neutered (and for 4 weeks after) as they can breed and the last thing anyone needs it another litter of unwanted buns. If you could, I'd definitely consider getting a rescue pair as they come already neutered and you won't have to split them or get a second setup. If you really want to get a baby from a breeder, perhaps just get the one and then adopt the male/female from a rescue later? They'll often bond them for you too. The only thing is, you'll need a minimum set-up size of 6 x 2 x 2 hutch + 6 x 4 (foot) or larger run and I'm not sure what your setup is atm, but it does save you from having to buy two seperate setups which could be just as (or more) expensive. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6ft-Rabbi...et_Supplies_Small_Animals&hash=item519f5a0dea Here is a great setup that fulfils the minimum required by most rescues. You can always add another run on later if you want to give them more space. If you have more money to play with, there are bigger setups you can get and ones that you might prefer in layout.

Neutered male and female pairs are usually best, but many people have success with neutered m/m or f/f pairs (including my two girlies). M/F is usually the best though, and if at all possible I'd go for that :wave:

MissPricklePants said:

Did you keep your m/f pairs together until they were neutered or seperate them?

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Mine are from BARC rescue they were all spayed/neutered when I adopted them
Already bonded in a m/f pair

The hutch I have looks to be around the same size but with a bigger run, which will also be extended later this year. I will check local rescues out. Thanks for the advice.

There are so may lovely rabbits available in rescues waiting for good home, take a look at the rabbits in need section. Some such as BARC rehome nationally and everyone on here is really helpful :thumb: sometimes bun runs can be arranged to get rabbits from rescues to their new homes. I bought my existing pair from a breeder after looking at the local rspca where they only had singles. But when I found this forum and saw all the rabbits in rescue I wish I had done that instead because I've had to vaccinate my two and they'll need spaying soon too, whereas the rescues do all that for you. But I'm so addicted to rabbits I'm getting a rescue pair next month too!

Good luck with choosing your rabbits. I have two males (brothers) and had them neutered as soon as their testicles appeared. They have always been together except for a few days before neutering as Frosty started to dominate Snowflake. Kept them in the same room one in the cage one out and both went to the vet together to ease the stress for them and so they didn't smell strange to each other which can break the bond. Rescue bunnies are a great idea. Saves all the stress and worry of the neutering or spaying process and is frees space to help more rabbits to be rescued. Look forward to seeing the pictures. :wave:

tulsi said:

Good luck with choosing your rabbits. I have two males (brothers) and had them neutered as soon as their testicles appeared. They have always been together except for a few days before neutering as Frosty started to dominate Snowflake. Kept them in the same room one in the cage one out and both went to the vet together to ease the stress for them and so they didn't smell strange to each other which can break the bond. Rescue bunnies are a great idea. Saves all the stress and worry of the neutering or spaying process and is frees space to help more rabbits to be rescued. Look forward to seeing the pictures. :wave:

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tulsi it turns out the 2 rabbits are actually both male, so will be attempting to keep them together. I have a feeling I may become addicted as they are all gorgeous, going to convert my unused outhouse in the garden for rabbit use!will post pics when they arrive on Saturday! The boys need a home asap or they will be going to a rescue, so they are going to come to me and I have a vet lined up to get vaccines etc arranged. So excited!

MissPricklePants said:

tulsi it turns out the 2 rabbits are actually both male, so will be attempting to keep them together. I have a feeling I may become addicted as they are all gorgeous, going to convert my unused outhouse in the garden for rabbit use!will post pics when they arrive on Saturday! The boys need a home asap or they will be going to a rescue, so they are going to come to me and I have a vet lined up to get vaccines etc arranged. So excited!

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Is the breeder offloading all the unsold litter off to a rescue then :shock:

No, these 2 are the last 2 out of 4 left. She just said if they didn't get a home soon she would have to send them to a rescue as much as she didn't want to due to space as she already has 6 adult rabbits.

Oh good luck. keep a close eye out for testicles! I am hoping to bond mine with 2 new girls that i'm getting from BARC next week. will let the girlies settle first though. I also have a m/f pair from another rescue. Will have to stop at six cos its enough for me. Rabbits are just great aren't they? my m/f pair are rather shy so they will prob be moving into the bedroom for some socialising... Look forward to seeing the pics. :wave:

MissPricklePants said:

Hello, I am picking up 2 lion lops next week. One is a buck and the other is a doe, I will be getting them neutered when they are old enough (currently 9 weeks) are they ok to live together until the vet will neuter them at 16 weeks? thanks.

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yes its absolutely fine to keep them together until 16 weeks being the deadline, i kept my 2 mini lops together at the advice of the vet of course lots of bunny people told me it would be a disaster part them etc etc well i didnt and they went in together and have never been parted ...had i then the bond would of been broken and they may of never rebonded..

does usually miss on a first mating anyway but if had shown too much interest in her before then i would of got him done earlier but still taken them to the vet together...

oops just seen your update 2 boys even better you can have them done at 11-12 weeks if necessary