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Why would a male neutered rabbit nest (bundle of hay in mouth).

Barn Yard Bunnies

Barn Yard Bunnies

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This morning when I went to feed Bandit he normally runs up for food but had a bundle of hay in his mouth and didn't drop it. After 10 minutes I had to go in and take it out of his mouth, I was seriously worried he had somehow got it jammed in his mouth but it came out easily. I guess I know the obvious answer.
 
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Can't offer any reasons but I have heard of it before, I used to know a breeder who had a male (definitely male!) who built a proper nest with fur and everything :shock: If all other behaviour seems normal and it doesn't carry on I wouldn't be worried
 
DemiS said:
Can't offer any reasons but I have heard of it before, I used to know a breeder who had a male (definitely male!) who built a proper nest with fur and everything :shock: If all other behaviour seems normal and it doesn't carry on I wouldn't be worried
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Think it might be because we lost his partner a month ago.:(
 
Digby did this a few months ago - i too thought it was jammed in his mouth! :oops: :lol: i have no idea why he did it, he hasn't done it since!
 
Stephen did it several times just after having the snip :lol: I put it down to the change in hormones!
 
i caught bisc nest building once aswell. not long after being neutered i think. he had a big bundle of hay in his mouth and looked shocked when i saw him :lol: he has never done it since.
 
Identity crisis? :lol::lol:

It could be a reaction to the loss of his partner. I know Bugsy's behaviour changed after he lost his partner. When introduced to his new wife, the odd behaviour stopped overnight.
 
As a one off it is generally nothing to worry about. However, if it becomes a regular thing it could be indicative of a problem with the adrenal gland xx
 
I am panicking now :( Digby has just been doing it again. He gathered up loads of hay then ran round the garden with it. Am i right in thinking the adrenal gland is in the throat area? Because Digby had that emergency tracheotomy a month or so ago, and he never did it before that :(
 
ripminnie said:
I am panicking now :( Digby has just been doing it again. He gathered up loads of hay then ran round the garden with it. Am i right in thinking the adrenal gland is in the throat area? Because Digby had that emergency tracheotomy a month or so ago, and he never did it before that :(
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No, the adrenal glands are situated at the top of the kidneys xx
 
I have only twice seen this in male rabbits (had buns for 14 years). My previous neutered bun did it when his unspayed partner (Sugar) was having a false pregnancy and just a few weeks ago my present male neutered bun (who also lives with Sugar - now spayed) did it too. Only happened one time with each bun though and have never seen it since. The first time I put it down to the false pregnancy and somehow he maybe thought there were babies? This latest time there were no obvious clues at all.:?:


ETA: Digby is beautiful :love:
 
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