Quick question about rabbits

[MyISAbrownhens]

I know this is not a chicken question but was just wondering. Me and my daughter were looking to get Holland Lop rabbits. From what we have researched we are planning on getting a male and female from the same litter from a breeder. They will be about 7 weeks old. Should I have them separated at this time until I can get them spayed and neutered and at what age should they be?

 

[azurbanclucker]

I know this is not a chicken question but was just wondering. Me and my daughter were looking to get Holland Lop rabbits. From what we have researched we are planning on getting a male and female from the same litter from a breeder. They will be about 7 weeks old or younger. Should I have them separated at this time until I can get them spayed and neutered and at what age should they be?

Males can usually be neutered as soon as their testicles descend (3.5-4 mos). Femals as soon as theyr'e sexually mature. Talk with your vet about the spay, a lot of vets like to wait until 6 mos because the surgery is less risky than at 4 mos.

As to keeping them separated, My personal preference is to not co-habitate intact rabbits together, because there's always a risk of a mating or of the female getting territorial. Separate cages with shared common areas until they're fixed, and then if you want to try and put them together after you can. If you keep them separated, keep their cages close to have the best odds of them co-habitating.

 

[azurbanclucker]

One other thing. 7 weeks is the absolute minimum I'd accept a rabbit from a breeder. Hollands usually aren't weaned before 5-6 weeks, and you want to have at least 2 weeks after they're weaned to make sure they're thriving and there are no issues with them before they go home. Check local and state laws on rabbits, a lot of state and local governments make it illegal to sell a rabbit until 8 weeks.

 

[MyISAbrownhens]

Males can usually be neutered as soon as their testicles descend (3.5-4 mos). Femals as soon as theyr'e sexually mature. Talk with your vet about the spay, a lot of vets like to wait until 6 mos because the surgery is less risky than at 4 mos.

As to keeping them separated, My personal preference is to not co-habitate intact rabbits together, because there's always a risk of a mating or of the female getting territorial. Separate cages with shared common areas until they're fixed, and then if you want to try and put them together after you can. If you keep them separated, keep their cages close to have the best odds of them co-habitating.

Would they be ok if I just separated to cage in two? So they could still interact and see each other through the bars of the cage? And once I have the male neutered, can I put the unspayed female with him even if she’s not spayed yet?

 

[azurbanclucker]

Would they be ok if I just separated to cage in two? So they could still interact and see each other through the bars of the cage? And once I have the male neutered, can I put the unspayed female with him even if she’s not spayed yet?

Yes you can separate them like this, provided you have access to both easily. As to putting them together one he's neutered, yes, after a few weeks. Check with your vet on timing, he'll still have ammo in the chamber for a bit even after a neuter.

 

[MyISAbrownhens]

Yes you can separate them like this, provided you have access to both easily. As to putting them together one he's neutered, yes, after a few weeks. Check with your vet on timing, he'll still have ammo in the chamber for a bit even after a neuter.

Ok great, thank you so much