frustrations with bunnies

Question
Hi Lee,

I'm hoping you can give me some advice cuz i'm just about at wits end. I have a lovely female bunny named binky. She was a free house rabbit, and we cohabitated almost blissfully for two years. Then by fluke accident she gave birth to two babies,(born free now three months old) and the whole blissful part dissolved. My apartment is constantly a poop minefield, half the time the babies dont make it to the litterbox, and my bed has become an occasional peestation.

I've taken measures to cover the bed, put down washable carpets in the areas most frequented by the little buns, and there are now 6 litterboxes around the apartment to encourage good habits but none of this seems to be making a difference and I really cant take living in this mess anymore.

I believe so heartily in house rabbits - but now that even binky doesnt seem to mind her p's and q's i'm starting to lose heart. I waver from wanting to put them all in a cage, or another room, or else separate the family, (which is something I really dont want to do) Help!

How do you house train 3 month old babies.. Or give me some  faith in house rabbiting.. or something.. how do i deal with this suprise bunny family?!

Thanks soo much!

Lauren

Answer
Hi,

you have three intact (fully hormonal) rabbits.  They will fight when the younger ones hit sexual maturity.  I would strongly suggest going to a good rabbit vet and getting them fixed.  They will be much more likely to be able to remain bonded together, they will fight less, and mark less.  Marking like you are describing is primarily a hormonal thing.  INtact rabbits mark territory more and will fight more easily.

To find a good rabbit vet (not all are), start here:

www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html

and find a House Rabbit Society-recommended vet near you.

Lee