FIGHTING FEMALE BUNNIES

Question
I am hoping you can help please although i am not sure that behavior is your area, apologies if not its just that i can't 'ask a question' to any other expert other than you at present...

I adore our pet bunnies - We have two female house rabbits and got them at 8/10 weeks old from a reputable petstore. They are exotics - lop eared, semi dwarf, semi harlequin, beige. They are sisters named Meadow and Willow and were both spayed at 6 months. They have reached sexual maturity now and are roughly a year old. Both bunnies have a 'free range' lifestyle...They live/sleep in our living room which opens into a dining room #converted playroom# They also have the run of the garden which we have bunny proofed. We bought a large second hand hutch outside so as they can shelter there if they wish.

Recently they have begun to fight #almost two weeks ago#, at first it was hard to see who was chasing who and both bunnies had lacerations to head and body, I am certain now however that it is Willow who is the aggressor. I have been conversing with our vet and she has only come across spayed female fighting in one other bunny couple and this pair are separated to this day. She says however that she knows lots of female couples which are happy together.

As soon as our Buns started to fight I separated them, one had to sleep in the outdoor hutch and one inside alternating and also one in and one out at all times during the day. We introduce them to each other every day to try to keep the bond alive and as long as they are supervised and in a confined space this goes very well, they have started to groom each other but its mostly Meadow grooming Willow. We unite them mostly on their little bed #a wooden dolls bed which they have adopted# in the kitchen where they feel insecure and seek each others comfort, the floor is tiled and they hate that. Bringing them onto neutral ground in this way seems to work well...

As a result, today I have decided to try moving them into the kitchen. I put a bit of carpet down under a counter...their bed, baskets, chew stuff and litter tray...It is working well so far, although they are still a bit jumpy & have circled each other a couple of times. I feel that at night we should continue to keep them apart as I am still concerned that fighting may begin again. I am hoping however that housing them on neutral ground for a while and letting them into the garden separately #they were fighting out there as well as indoors# that in time their instinct to try to dominate and fight for territory might pass...

Meadow and Willow were a very loving pair, together much of the time #less as they got older# but they have always slept together in the middle of our carpet and dolls bed and lovingly and constantly grooming. Willow has lost a lot of weight and they both are possibly depressed. Willow doesn't show much of an interest in the garden anymore and I haven't seen her frolicking and running around or grazing for a while. Meadow seems quiet but is OK, if they get a chance in the open...Fighting begins with the tail sniff, a chase, then fight with fur flying everywhere, they thump, tails are up and I have heard some squealing in pain during one fight. It is all so distressing and their 'routine' has been turned upside down to say the least. I dread having to separate them permanently, I feel this would be tragic and I cant imagine finding an owner who would give one of them a life with complete freedom and in safety...I am against caging any animal.

They are great characters, like cats in many ways. They lick my face and groom my hair and tolerate our children very well #the kids are continuously coached in handling them and have a special affinity with animals# We have learnt that the Buns prefer not to be held but are very affectionate with us in general. Is it possible do you think for us to work this out without having to keep them separated permanently? Have you come across this type of fighting before? I would appreciate your advice or guidance...


Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Answer
Hi jackie  as they get older some females get quite grumpy and will try and dominate other rabbits
The only way is to separate them at night but keep a good eye on them during the day , and if you go shopping I would separate them before I went out.
I live in the uk and most people with rabbits keep them in cages outdoors.
Dave