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New Pets

22 10:29:32

Question
Hi, I had a rabbit when I was a child that lived to the age of 12!, and we have now just bought 2 baby rabbits for our children.  One is a dwarf lop and the other a dutch (i think anyway, the pet shop didn't specify and the boys chose them for their looks).  the dwarf lop is a female and the other a male.  We were told to keep them apart until they can be spayed and neutered (or 'looted' as my 4 year old says!),however they are facing each other in a longcage which is separated by chicken wire.  The dwarf has bitten through one of the layers (there are 2) i think trying to get into the male.  We were told by a friend who used to breed rabbits that we should put them together to play (not leaving them alone and separating them if they get frisky), but they seem to fight and a lot of fur comes away from both of them when they do even though it is only for seconds.  Will we be able to keep them together once they have been spayed and neutered?  We bought one of each as we were told that 2 of the same sex would fight in adulthood, but now we're being told they will always fight if not kept together now.

Answer
Hello Tracy !
well I think its great you  agreed to provide your children with pet rabbits.
Thats how I got started 30 years ago.
as for your question.
1- after you have the male neutered he will calm down and may not fight anymore.
2- The rabbits are just fine without a playing friend ( now litter mates seem to play great together but only does not the bucks. and eventually the does will ride each other when they are sexually mature this is when the fur flies.
3-as far as the holland lop is concerned she is trying to bite through the cage because its there  and she may already be ready to breed. place a solid barrier between the 2 cages.
4- You can also put play toys in with the 2 rabbits like a piece of hardwood branch about 5 " long and 1-2 " around, or pine cones work great.
5- after you " LOOT " you male dutch you may wish to put them back together and see how they reach together , Each rabbit is different so they may play together.
6- for now  you should keep them apart because it only takes 2-3 sec. for the buck to do his thing  and then you will have more rabbits.
Good luck...
Dan Vallo