Adding a new rabbit to the hutch

Question
Hi!  About two weeks ago we bought a Liohead female 8 week old bunny.  We had previously picked out a Netherland Dwarf but she was not ready to come to a new home.  We picked her up today and have had a little trouble introducing her into the cage with the other baby.  We do not want to spay either at this time.  I need some recommendations to introducing them into the same cage.  The Lionhead (original) has chased her around the cage and acted a little aggressively.  I was going to try setting up a play pen situation as a an introduction today.  They have ignored each other some too in the cage.  I have them separated right now looking for suggestions.  I will definitely get two cages if needed but obviously I would rather just have one so I want to exhaust all ideas.  Thank you for your help!

Answer
Dear Rachel,

I apologize for the delay.  Unexpectedly, a middle school ecology outreach program I was running went crazy at the end, and I'm just now getting my life back.  So sorry!  But I'm back now.

The babies are too young to spay, anyway.  But this will have to be done eventually, as unspayed females have a very high risk of uterine cancer.

You have found out the hard way that it is *very* difficult to introduce rabbits.  Even at a tender age, they are highly territorial and can be vicious fighters.  I hope you realized that it is not safe to leave the baby in the original bunny's cage, if you value her life.  Rabbits can kill each other, despite the fact that they look like adorable plush toys.  They are not.  They are complex, intelligent, social and *hierarchical* animals that will fight like tigers if not properly and carefully introduced.

For tips on bonding, please see:

http://search.atomz.com/search/?sp-a=00062824-sp00000000&sp-q=bonding

But don't expect miracles.  It's possible that both bunnies will need to be spayed before any introductions are possible.  And you may have to start from scratch in a neutral territory where neither bunny will be aggressive.

This is why it's always best to let your bunny choose his/her own mate from among the rescues at the local rabbit rescuer's foster home.  This will reduce the chances of fighting, and will make for much less grief and injury.  The rabbit rescuer can also help with the bonding process.

I hope this helps.

Dana