Dominance in 2 Rabbit Brothers

Question
Good morning

I have 2 neutered male rabbits, they are brothers & are lion-head lop crosses. They are almost 1 year old & live together outside. They have a 2 tier cage that is approx 5ft long & it has a 6x3ft run attached that is permanently open, so they have plenty of room. I've filled the cage with toys to prevent boredom. These include cardboard boxes, toilet roll tubes, wooden chew toys, balls, sticks etc.

They are litter mates & have always got on, but recently (the past 4-5 weeks) I've noticed that they chase each others rear-end & pull hair out from each other, it's mainly one that gets the brunt of it. Is this just a dominance thing & when one becomes more dominant will they stop? Or will it become a full fight that they will need seperating eventually?

They are both eating fine, there are times when they sit together & groom each other. It's just heart-breaking to see hair all over the cage & (mainly on 1 rabbit) scabs forming on the skin where the teeth have caught.

The only other thing I can think is that the days are shorter & it's very cold & wet outside so they don't get to run around the garden as much. Is it therefore boredom fighting, so when summer comes & they can get out more they will calm down? Please help as I'm very concerned.

Thank you, Nicola

Answer
Dear Nicola,

The situation is more likely to get worse than better, but if they are bonded (and if they groom each other, they are), then what will help stop the beatings of the dominant one on the subservient brother will be more room and more places to hide and "get out of each other's faces."

Male rabbits will often fight, even if neutered.  The dominance may not have yet been fully determined, but in a space this small (and though it may be big in space, it's not big in terms of territory needs for two males), they will fight.

The only recommendation I can make is a much bigger space so they can avoid each other, and the submissive bunny can have a hiding refuge to escape when his brother is in a chasing mood.

I hope that helps.

Dana