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Stick
Lv 4
Stick asked in PetsOther - Pets · 5 years ago

I keep rabbits. Is it ok to house a neutered male, a neutered female, and two other (not neutered) females in the same hutch?

I have a large 3-tiered hutch, plenty big enough for four rabbits.

3 Answers

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  • 5 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Intact females are not likely to get along. Females are notoriously territorial. If you have an existing bonded pair, the introduction of a third bunny (or a third and fourth) can cause serious problems and even break the existing bond.

    Bonding groups can be done, however there is always the likelihood that it may not work - it depends on the individual rabbits. Some bunnies just refuse to get along. Having any in the group that are not fixed makes it all the less likely. Those very experienced with bonding rabbits may be able to accomplish this. It usually is not an easy task.

    Whatever rabbits are currently in the hutch have established it as their own territory. They aren't likely to accept any newcomers into that territory. That is why bonding must always be done in neutral territory (where none of them have ever been).

    Are these rabbits indoors or out? I know some people have varying ideas on what they consider "large" when it comes to housing rabbits. A rabbit (or a pair) should have either a permanent floor space of at least 25-30 square feet or 5-6 hours daily in a large area (loose in the house or in a protected yard) . That size does not mean a total of floor levels (where each level, say, is 6 or 8 square feet). It needs to have one run area that is that size to allow for sufficient running space.

    Putting 4 rabbits in a small space (don't know what that hutch is like) is more likely to cause issues.

    You might be best off allowing the fixed rabbits to be one pair. And then consider seeing if you can bond the remaining two and house them separately from the first pair. Intact females may or may not bond. It is up to them. But intact rabbits may fall out of a bond.

    Here is more on bonding:

    http://rabbitsindoors.weebly.com/bonding-bunnies.h...

  • Meegz
    Lv 5
    5 years ago

    Honestly, the non-spayed females should be spayed before doing so. Female rabbits tend to be more aggressive than males, and they can cause issues. If you can get them to all bond to each other, the hutch situation should be fine. But definitely get them spayed. It'll help them live longer, and you'll be able to make sure that any aggressiveness they may have from not being desexed is taken care of.

  • kelvin
    Lv 7
    5 years ago

    if they all have room to move and run around in it than they should be fine

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