Got 3 new rabbits. Need some help

[DUCKGIRL89]

Ok, so I was at a friends and picked up 3 free rabbits. a girl and 2 boys. Their only 3.5 months old right now, and are living in the same cage. I was wondering, can the 2 boys share a cage? I want to keep them and the girl separated so she doesn't get pregnant till she is around a year old. But I want to know if i can keep the boys together. Will they fight? Oh, they are Silver Fox, and Flemish Giant crosses.

 

[Bunnylady]

I usually tell people that rabbits are fine together, until they aren't. I'm glad you are separating the doe out, if she's 14 weeks old, I'd watch her closely. She might already be pregnant at this point (though with a large breed cross like this, it's rather unlikely). Now, whether the boys will be OK together is a tough call. MOST OF THE TIME, bucks need to be separated because they will do serious damage to each other. Some bucks start getting nasty with each other by the time they are 10 weeks old, some stay together indefinitely with no problem. It depends on the personalities of the rabbits; it is impossible to predict whether these guys will continue to get along, or for how long. Sometimes they do fine for a while, and suddenly reach a breaking point.

Congrats on the new buns!

 

[DUCKGIRL89]

Wow, she could already be pregnant???? I am separating her right now then. I hear if they have babies to young that they will eat them and be bad mothers forever. and I really don't want her to be a bad mommy forever. How long should I wait do you think? Is 8 months to a year enough?

 

[Coopacabana]

I wouldn't breed her under a year. Might be longer since she's a big breed.

DO NOT put the brothers together. Oh, yes, it could work out. People will tell you lovely stories of brothers living in peace and harmony. But if they do decide to fight? I will tell you, an injured bunny is not fun. It's the sweetest and smallest one that ends up worse for wear. My guys had a whole horse stall, so space isn't a factor. My Netherland dwarfs were, oh, well over a year old when they suddenly, with no warning, turned on each other. Save yourself the heartache and the vet bills. Put them in separate cages.

It seems a little extreme to say they will be bad mothers forever, and every time a too young bun gives birth she will eat the kits. That said, I have no experience.

Congrats! I want pictures. Bunnies are great pets, you'll have lots of fun!

 

[DUCKGIRL89]

OK, good thing my rabbit stand has 3 cages lol.

I will be going out in a bit to separate.

Oh, and someone tell me how to hold a rabbit!!! I picked the female up by the back of the neck and she scratched my arm BAD!!! I don't know how the heck to handle them!!....

 

[sfw2]

Just noticed you had posted another question. I'm pretty new to rabbits, too, but I try to pick mine up the way I do any small animal - a hand across the chest, under the armpits, and the other hand supporting their rear end. Once I've picked him up, he'll nestle in one arm, so I can pet him with my free hand.

 

[Ally Rose]

Congrats! the bucks might fight over the female, or become best friends. If they get nasty just separate them.

 

[Chicken Frenzie]

Just noticed you had posted another question. I'm pretty new to rabbits, too, but I try to pick mine up the way I do any small animal - a hand across the chest, under the armpits, and the other hand supporting their rear end. Once I've picked him up, he'll nestle in one arm, so I can pet him with my free hand.

Yes, this is what I do to pick up my rabbits. But you could go onto youtube and type in "How to hold a rabbit" and videos should pop up.