Please help - urgent advice needed

Hi
I picked up our mini rex sisters on Wednesday, 10 weeks old. Theyve been brilliant and seemed very happy together. Eating together, grooming each other etc and been fine being handled so it was all a bit too good to be true I guess.
I had them in the outdoor run this morning which is purpose built and really large with plenty of space, plus lots of tubes, hideaway etc. The next door neighbour started inflating their pool with an electric pump which was quite loud (this might have absolutely nothing to do with it) but the bunnies started fighting. I say fighting, it was one way really - the larger one was chasing the smaller one (only slight size difference) around, clumps of fur flying and the smaller one was screeching! Intercepted and they instantly went under a log bridge together side by side. I picked up the bigger one and she seemed fine so popped her back in her home and then I checked the smaller one, also fine, so I put her back in too (obviously watching them closely) and they huddled together. An hour later they have both eaten are are laid flat out next to each other.
I am completely freaked out. I dont know what triggered it. I phoned the breeder and she said theyd been absolutely fine but from reading online apparently baby bonds arent real anyway so maybe its irrelevant. Obviously they cant be spayed until 5-6 months plus healing so I am really at a loss of what to do and to be honestly feel really stupid for putting my kids in this situation. I dont know what to do. I can separate them but its not the dream and the having them as companions for each other was so important to us getting them as our previous house rabbit was a rescued male who needed to live alone.
Please can anyone offer me some advice, hand holding or any suggestions.

It does sound like referred agression from something that spooked them (ie the pump). Maybe give them more places they can hide and feel secure? Tunnels, boxes, piles of hay, scattered food, small hutch with the door off, etc. Maybe also get them more used to household noises (eg leave a radio on). It's very early days for them in their new home, so they are still settling in and finding their way round.

There is a chance that there could be a fall out before they are neutered, so you may need to consider how they would be separated at that point. A full-on fight for no obvious reasons is to be avoided, as it will affect a future bond.

Have they been vaccinated yet? It's really important to protect them from myxo, RHD1 and RHD2 viruses as they can cause sudden death.

It sounds like a sensory overload situation for them. Being in a large space (which is good) and strange loud noises. I don’t think what you describe sounds like aggression, just a ‘What the heck is that, how should I react, is it the other Rabbit, I’ll chase her away’ muddled up panic reaction.

I would leave them in the accommodation they are calm in for 24 hours.

Baby bonds are not real bonds and once puberty hits two cuddly baby Bunnies can fall out big time. 10 weeks is very early for this to happen though, assuming the Breeder was truthful about their ages. Things could start to get lively in about another month or so, so you will need to prepare for that. Some Vets will spay Does at 4 months as long as they weigh at least 1kg.

Im really worried and although they are in the house together seemingly ok im thinking of getting another one and just having them side by side until spaying? I can divide the run with chicken wire so they could spend time together outside supervised? I really want them to get on but I really dont want to see that again, it was really upsetting and not something ive seen before even in 2 males I had previously. If I separate them (but keep next to each other) is there a chance I could rebond after spaying?

lolasuggs said:

Im really worried and although they are in the house together seemingly ok im thinking of getting another one and just having them side by side until spaying? I can divide the run with chicken wire so they could spend time together outside supervised? I really want them to get on but I really dont want to see that again, it was really upsetting and not something ive seen before even in 2 males I had previously. If I separate them (but keep next to each other) is there a chance I could rebond after spaying?

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Yes, although Doe/Doe bonds are the most challenging and even if successful Doe/Doe bonds tend to be fragile.

Feel like a complete idiot. I wish I had seen this might be a possibility.

this doesn't make you an idiot - rabbit relationships (as with everything else rabbit it seems) are hugely complex & unpredictable at times. Its horrible seeing them fight so I can understand you're unsettled.

I think siblings tend to bond much more easily as a rule, try not to be disheartened

lolasuggs said:

Feel like a complete idiot. I wish I had seen this might be a possibility.

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You aren’t an idiot! The reason I found this forum was because I had almost the same thing happen to me. I had 2 sisters, who, when I put them in a different run, started chasing and humping. I kept them together but kept them in their usual hutch/run and watched them very carefully. I had them spayed together at 4 months and they were always fine together. Moving to a new territory can spark off issues, so that and the noises was probably the cause. As hormones kick in it may cause issues. So it might be possible for you to keep them together as long as you can watch them carefully and split them up if they start to become aggressive.

Thanks so much, I think I was just so surprised it knocked me for 6 to the point my husband had to come back from work! They have been together for 4.5 hours and are just laid out next to each other. Husband says we should keep them together for now and when in their enclosure just be prepared with water if they start fighting. Not exactly the stress free fun rabbit owning I hoped for but I guess we at least need to try and hope it was the noise that triggered it. Any other advice greatly appreciated! Thanks

They moved home 2 days ago - they don't know the territory and will be on high alert. As prey animals, they will be more aware of things around them. They should settle again. It happens to one of mine occasionally, and I've had him a few years now. Something spooks him and he chases his aggressively partner, but he settles again when he feels safe. She is less bothered by it all, thankfully.

Shimmer said:

They moved home 2 days ago - they don't know the territory and will be on high alert. As prey animals, they will be more aware of things around them. They should settle again. It happens to one of mine occasionally, and I've had him a few years now. Something spooks him and he chases his aggressively partner, but he settles again when he feels safe. She is less bothered by it all, thankfully.

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Thanks so much for this. Maybe I should have left them where they were for a while longer before trying them in their enclosure? Theyve been back in for 7 hours now and no issues at all, in fact just now they were laid flat out together, with the larger ones head on the smaller one both fast asleep, so I'm hopeful at least.

Can anyone advise - they are 10 weeks, first jabs booked next weekend. Should I be taking them out and trying the enclosure again after what happened today or shall I just leave them in their home for now where they seem happy? Because theyve been well handled and socialised I felt ok moving them because they are happy being approached and handled, but maybe I did this too quick?

Any advice much appreciated.

Thanks!

Yes I would leave them to settle in their house. Always do things slowly with Rabbits and when you are at the Vets ask him if he would check their sex.

So little update post the strange incident on Friday. We have had no further fighting. Theyve been in their house together mostly next to each other or on the same level (its hot!) and theyve also been in their enclosure but we kept it brief and saw no sign of any tension - they had a few chases but all play with binkies and have been grooming each other. Im so pleased I didnt instantly separate them - we have a plan that they will be spayed as earlier as possible and are prepared we might see more problems as they mature - we have the option to separate them (keeping them next to each other) if needed and have also found someone that bonds rabbits should need be in the future - so feeling much more positive. Its looking likely that the fighting was a result of being very scared by the noise so keeping things crossed - and if anyone has any further advice of things we could do to help them bond going forward that would be great. To see them eating together, grooming and laying together they look bonded but Im aware this can change as they develop.

lolasuggs said:

So little update post the strange incident on Friday. We have had no further fighting. Theyve been in their house together mostly next to each other or on the same level (its hot!) and theyve also been in their enclosure but we kept it brief and saw no sign of any tension - they had a few chases but all play with binkies and have been grooming each other. Im so pleased I didnt instantly separate them - we have a plan that they will be spayed as earlier as possible and are prepared we might see more problems as they mature - we have the option to separate them (keeping them next to each other) if needed and have also found someone that bonds rabbits should need be in the future - so feeling much more positive. Its looking likely that the fighting was a result of being very scared by the noise so keeping things crossed - and if anyone has any further advice of things we could do to help them bond going forward that would be great. To see them eating together, grooming and laying together they look bonded but Im aware this can change as they develop.

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Good to hear that everything has settled down now. You just need to keep a close eye on the dynamics of their relationship as they approach puberty. They will start to hump each other and it is not only hormone driven but also an attempt to establish who is top Rabbit. If neither will agree to being subordinate then things can get lively. That may be when a temporary separation is needed as if they were to have a real fight any future bonding after spaying will be more difficult.

I can’t remember if you said they have had their Vaccination ? If not I would get this done ASAP.

Thanks for this - they are booked in for a check and vaccinations on Saturday. What age would you think issues might start arising? 16 weeks ish? My friend had a pair of sisters from the same breeder, they lived together fine and were spayed at 17 weeks (both at the same time) never had to be separated and still together 8 years later - but is this just lucky? Is it more likely they wont get on than will?

Thought Id give an update and keep updating as we go on as it might be interesting for other new owners. So since the "incident" on day 2 we have had no issues at all. In fact they seem inseparable. The eat together, sleep together, groom each other and seem absolutely lovely. They have very different personalities - one is quite like a dog - she comes when you call her and will pick up sticks - she loves attention and stroking and is definitely more a people bunny. The other one is super sweet, definitely more timid and follows her sister around, she grooms her more and will move out of her way so shes definitely looking more submissive - hopefully that will stay like that. Really enjoying having them - preparing for puberty to hit, but both growing well and hoping theyll be able to be spayed together as early as possible. They were great at the vets having their vaccines etc - so a vastly different feeling to when I posted 4 weeks ago!

lolasuggs said:

Thought Id give an update and keep updating as we go on as it might be interesting for other new owners. So since the "incident" on day 2 we have had no issues at all. In fact they seem inseparable. The eat together, sleep together, groom each other and seem absolutely lovely. They have very different personalities - one is quite like a dog - she comes when you call her and will pick up sticks - she loves attention and stroking and is definitely more a people bunny. The other one is super sweet, definitely more timid and follows her sister around, she grooms her more and will move out of her way so shes definitely looking more submissive - hopefully that will stay like that. Really enjoying having them - preparing for puberty to hit, but both growing well and hoping theyll be able to be spayed together as early as possible. They were great at the vets having their vaccines etc - so a vastly different feeling to when I posted 4 weeks ago!

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what a brilliant update. I'm glad you're enjoying your bunnies & they are clearly happy together

Great news

Thank you! Just need someone to tell me how to add a picture to my profile now so you can see them!

lolasuggs said:

Thank you! Just need someone to tell me how to add a picture to my profile now so you can see them!

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you should be able to upload photo as your avatar by clicking on setting (top right) . Anything more requires hosting website. I use Imgur.
it'd be lovely to see photos of your girls