I have 2 "sets" of Rabbits. They live in different accomodation and each set has their own run.
Holly (F) <alpha rabbit> paired with Caesar (M) and Clio (F) paired with Charlie Cheesecake (F)
Neville (M) <alpha rabbit> paired with Bob (M) and Heidi (F) paired with Jodie (F)
As you can see it is a fairly mixed up combination. Both sets live quite happily together providing they obey the alpha rabbit. Separating them too much can lead to a few squabbles while they get re-acquainted.
The one thing that I have learned from watching my buns is that they absolutely love having a friend of their own. If you are desperate for 3 but can afford 4, get 4.
The boys will fight if they haven't been neutered, starting in the next few weeks. If you put a girl in expect some BIG scraps. They may also hurt her if she is small. It may be that they try and mount her non-stop for days at a time where she won’t get any rest and will be very stressed out. You will have to be very vigilant. Rabbits are vicious when they fight. They can bite each others ears (off) and if they get in a flat spin they can bite each others sexual organs, necks and noses beyond repair. You can easily get hurt yourself trying to separate them. I have been literally terrified when I happened upon a fight. It is a very scary thing to see.
Another side effect of rabbit fights is expensive vet bills. Caesar was very badly bitten in the shop I “rescued” him from. The result was a dreadful bite / turned abcess, 3 months of antibiotics£££££, and surgery £££££ for eventual removal because it was so bad and seeping.
I am sorry if I sound negative but I have first hand experience with your situation. When I got Holly and The Geeze I couldn’t imagine anything more lovely than little baby bunnies. In the end I decided against as I had Caesar castrated under the same anesthetic as the abscess removal. It saved putting him under twice. Thank God I didn’t take on bunnies! I had no idea what it entailed.
Since then, I have subsequently gone on to acquire & pair up my other 6 into little clans. I really did have to learn by the seat of my pants. If I can give anyone any advice about what it means to have bunnies it is this.
Assumption - Bunny Litter = 6 to 8
Assumption – Surrey Prices
Food for 8 - £3.99 per week = £16.00 per month
Fresh Food for 8 per week - £5.00 to £10.00 = £20 to £40 per month
Hay for 8 - £4.00 per week
Vaccinations - £20 per rabbit twice a year
Spot On - £2.99 per rabbit every 2 months
Medical Emergency – Caesars surgery =£200.00
4 Spayings @ £60 each = £240
4 Castrations @ £50 each = £200
Extra 2 hutches in case they need to be separated = £ 50.00 MINIMUM
Indoor hutch for illness / quarantine = £50.00 MINIMUM
Nail Clippers - £5.99
Extra Water Bottles - £1.99 each
Extra Food Dishes (non spill) £4.99 each
Now imagine it is January. It is 5:00 pm. It is dark outside, raining, and cold.
• You have to clean out between 2 and 5 hutches. (whether they live indoors or not) You still have to go outside and get the hose and sponge out. At least twice a week.
• You have to pick up and examine 8 pairs of ears, feet, paws, bums, teeth, nails, everyday.
• You have to find time to cuddle and love 8 buns for a long time everyday.
FOR 10 YEARS!!!
• You have to fit all this in between work, family, friends, the pub, shopping etc.
I am guessing this sounds a little patronizing but you really do have to understand the huge cost and time overhead that 8 rabbits bring. I love all of mine so very much but I know what I have taken on and I am happy. Would you feel the same way in 6 months? In a year?
Good luck hun. If you need me, I am close to Kent and on MSN!