siblings

Question
My friend bought 2 male rabbits from pets at home. Only she now has 2 babies. I have said i will have the babies for my twins when they old enough to leave the mother. Obviously it is to early to tell the sex. I have no intention of breeding. Can i house them both in the same hutch as i have heard rabbits prefer company but then have also heard that 2 the same sex will fight and obviously the opposite sex will breed. Would it be better to get them spayed/neutered even if they the same sex. I really want to do the best by them so therefore your opinion is very important. Thanks
Dawn
p.s they are netherland dwarfs

Answer
Hi Dawn,

Does can occasionally stay together if they are litter mates.  Bucks will almost always fight as soon as they reach sexual maturity.

I would suggest that you get them spayed and neutered.  Does that aren't used for breeding can develop uterine cancer and other reproductive issues.  Both bucks and does that aren't spayed and neutered can become aggressive.  

I would suggest that you make an appointment with a rabbit savvy vet.  They can tell you their sex, give them a check-up and get them scheduled for a spay/neuter.  Some vets won't spay until the rabbits are about 6 months old.  Others will spay at 3 or 4 months.  We have our bucks neutered as soon as their testicles drop.  I personally wont keep does that aren't spayed unless they are used in my breeding program.  Our vet will not spay them until they are 6 months old.

If you don't have a rabbit savvy vet I suggest this site:

http://www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html


Good luck with your cute little Netherland Dwarfs.

Pam