Neutering my two male bunnies (one 5 month another 4 months) are NOT AN OPTION given i live in a state where there are no trusted vets particularly for Rabbits. I noticed they started fighting and the elder one started humping the younger one, i separated them immediately. However, now both of them are scared of each other. Even though i am keeping them sperate at the moment, i kindly request your suggestions in regards to housing them correctly - can i keep them separately in the same room? also what could be the ideal timeframe to bond them slowly? Additionally, i read at few places that even smell might trigger them, is that true? does that mean that i cannot keep them separately in the same room? Thank you.
How can i keep two unneutered male bunnies?
- Thread starter Sangs
- Start date
As you realise this is a very difficult situation. It is also one in which nothing is definite, with some outcomes being more likely than others.
It is always considered that two unneutered males will never tolerate each other enough to be able to live together. I certainly have never heard of anyone being successful with that. So I would not advise attempting to house them together. Even with a slow bond, this will not remove the basic fact that both males are unneutered, which will determine how they react to one another instinctively. Bear in mind also that unneutered males will fight aggressively, with the risk of serious injury.
Whether either of them would react to the other bunny being housed separately, but in the same room, might be possible. But it could also upset either or both of them. It also would not be likely that either would be happy, when one of the bunnies is given free range time out of their house for exercise. You're right it's said that they could react to the sight or smell of the other bunny. The only way you would find out whether this is possible is to give it a try, but be prepared to change your plans if necessary.
I'm sorry that I can't be more positive.
It is always considered that two unneutered males will never tolerate each other enough to be able to live together. I certainly have never heard of anyone being successful with that. So I would not advise attempting to house them together. Even with a slow bond, this will not remove the basic fact that both males are unneutered, which will determine how they react to one another instinctively. Bear in mind also that unneutered males will fight aggressively, with the risk of serious injury.
Whether either of them would react to the other bunny being housed separately, but in the same room, might be possible. But it could also upset either or both of them. It also would not be likely that either would be happy, when one of the bunnies is given free range time out of their house for exercise. You're right it's said that they could react to the sight or smell of the other bunny. The only way you would find out whether this is possible is to give it a try, but be prepared to change your plans if necessary.
I'm sorry that I can't be more positive.
Got to agree with Omi. They are not going to be able to live together at all as entire males, and may not tolerate each other within sight / smell of each other, particularly as they are young adolescents. You are just going to see how things go as to what space they can tolerate each other in. They may become more tolerant as they get older, but I would make sure that they absolutely can't reach each other.
They can cause a lot of damage if eg separated by a single mesh barrier - so the minimum would be a double mesh barrier with a couple of inches gap between. You also need to make sure that any barriers can't be jumped - so secure lids (at least for one of them) are recommended if they share a room. I've had the odd rabbit that could clear 4'. Most youngsters can probably clear 3' (1m) if theyare determined enough.
Stress isn't good for rabbits - so if they are continually aggressive towards each other, they would have to be fully separated (eg in different rooms).
I wouldn't even consider trying to bond them unless they are both neutered for a couple of months. Even then, there's no guarantee as these 2 have already fought. A proper fight can cause a lot of damage to one or both rabbits, possibly causing death - and certainly would need veterinary attention to stitch them back up, plus antibiotics for wound infections / abscesses. As you don't have a reliable vet, you need to be very vigilant and provide fully rabbit proof spaces for each of them.
They can cause a lot of damage if eg separated by a single mesh barrier - so the minimum would be a double mesh barrier with a couple of inches gap between. You also need to make sure that any barriers can't be jumped - so secure lids (at least for one of them) are recommended if they share a room. I've had the odd rabbit that could clear 4'. Most youngsters can probably clear 3' (1m) if theyare determined enough.
Stress isn't good for rabbits - so if they are continually aggressive towards each other, they would have to be fully separated (eg in different rooms).
I wouldn't even consider trying to bond them unless they are both neutered for a couple of months. Even then, there's no guarantee as these 2 have already fought. A proper fight can cause a lot of damage to one or both rabbits, possibly causing death - and certainly would need veterinary attention to stitch them back up, plus antibiotics for wound infections / abscesses. As you don't have a reliable vet, you need to be very vigilant and provide fully rabbit proof spaces for each of them.
William
Wise Old Thumper
Yeah, I've also never heard of unneutered male rabbits getting along. And even if there are some cases, I would never risk it. They're very likely to have a bad fight. I had to separate my two boys once they were a few months or so old. They started fighting even though they'd been together since they were very small (possibly littermates?).
I would give it a try housing them separately, side by side, in very secure enclosures, ensuring there's no risk of biting through the wire. That way they won't be as lonely, although, this is nothing like a real bond between them.
If you're in the US, call around to vets/shelters/rabbit rescues and ask rabbit groups online about rabbit savvy or exotics vets, if you haven’t already. It's possible there might be ones you hadn't heard of. We have a lot of good vets here but it could be a bit of a drive, but maybe that would be doable for something that's one-off like getting them neutered.
I would give it a try housing them separately, side by side, in very secure enclosures, ensuring there's no risk of biting through the wire. That way they won't be as lonely, although, this is nothing like a real bond between them.
If you're in the US, call around to vets/shelters/rabbit rescues and ask rabbit groups online about rabbit savvy or exotics vets, if you haven’t already. It's possible there might be ones you hadn't heard of. We have a lot of good vets here but it could be a bit of a drive, but maybe that would be doable for something that's one-off like getting them neutered.
