Bonded pair advise.

[Niknakandquaver]

Hello,
I rescued a bonded pair (brothers) in March. They have always gotten along well but over the last month my larger one (quaver) has began chasing, humping and pulling fur out of my smaller bunny (nik nak). At first I had believed it was to establish dominance as that’s what my research had led to, but I am now a bit concerned as there is the occasional squeal due to quaver hurting Nik nak.
The pair are not neutered, I’m not sure if doing so would help them settle down a bit. They both have very different personalities, nik nak is very loving and enjoys being around me and my partner but quaver is the complete opposite. I do not wish to seperate them but I am concerned that this may get worse over time.
Any advice is greatly appreciated!

 

[InspectorMorse]

Two entire Bucks cannot be kept together safely once they reach puberty. They WILL fight, usually causing very serious injuries.
You need to separate them now, get them both neutered then 6-8 weeks AFTER neutering you can attempt to rebond them on neutral territory. There’s no guarantee they will bond, same sex bonding is harder, but I have successfully bonded quite a few neutered Bucks.

If they have a big fight before neutering they are highly unlikely to ever bond even after neutering. They will never forget the fight

I will add, have you had a Vet check that they are definitely both Bucks? Also, have you checked that neither Rabbit has not already sustained any injuries? Left untreated fight wounds can abscessate and Rabbit abscesses are extremely hard to treat and usually require surgery under GA . Rabbits only squeal when in severe pain or terrified.

Neutering – Castration and Spaying

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Pairing up Rabbits (Bonding)

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[Shimmer]

Neutering is the only way you will get them to settle down again. They need separating right now due to the injuries already being caused. The nipping can turn into full on fights, which will leave no room for a successful bond between them in the future. You must leave plenty of time after neutering for hormones to settle (so a couple of months), then start the rebonding process.

 

[Omi]

I completely agree with all the advice given. This is back to basics really, I would separate them immediately and then get their sex confirmed

How old are your bunnies?

 

[Niknakandquaver]

Thank you for everyone’s advice, they have both been checked over and are definitely both boys. I did think that was going to be the case but wanted some extra advice first! I will do this immediately, they are only 5 months old so I wasn’t sure if they were too young for neutering!
Again thank you so much for your advice!

 

[Shimmer]

Boys are usually old enough to neuter by about 3 months. They are now in full adolescence, hence the behaviour you are seeing.

 

[bunny momma]

It is best to neuter them before their hormonal behavior becomes a habit.
After neutering it takes several weeks for hormones to settle before they can be reunited/rebonded.

I had my Zorro neutered at three months due to his being bullied/bitten a couple dozen times on his back and privates by another male days before I acquired him.

We would enjoy hearing more about your bunnies.