Is an Eglu fox proof or just 'resistant'?

[jenuk99]

Here is my new boy bunny still without a name (see the thread in my family and other animals).

We are having some small problems settling in, he is happy for me to stroke him in his cage or on the floor but if I pick him up he wants to bite me, any suggestions on how to deter him?

Also I have seen putting him and mac in nutural rooms to get on and he keeps chasing her, if I hold onto her he will mount her but he cant catch her on his own. There is no grooming going on and she will thump her back feet at him, but they dont fight. How can I move them on to the next stage as they have spent the last 3 days just chasing?

Hoping you will have lots of answers thanks.

Jen

[victoriabunny]

Biting: most rabbits don't enjoy being picked up as they are prey animals and see it as a threat. It may be that new bunny never enjoys being handled, so be prepared for that. I would carry on getting him to trust you by offering lots of treats, sitting near him and letting him approach you and just stroking him for now. Sit on the floor with him and let him climb on your knee and off it again as he wishes. Don't try picking him up until he's completely comfortable with doing this. It's a very slow process but he needs to be able to trust you.

 

Bonding: the problem you've got is the female sees everywhere as being her territory, and females are much more territorial than males anyway (it's always easier to introduce a female to an established male than the other way round). Is he neutered? Getting that done asap will help as otherwise he will see her only as a sex object, which she'll get fed up with. They need to meet on neutral ground - somewhere the female hasn't been before and won't think of as "hers". It sounds daft, but the bathtub can be ideal - or any room in the house she hasn't been in. Put him in first, then introduce her. Give them a few minutes at a time initially, and build it up slowly. I wouldn't attempt to mix them on her territory again until she's accepting him on neutral ground. When she starts grooming him, she's accepted him.

 

Have you got a copy of "The House-Rabbit Handbook"? It's got loads of tips on bonding rabbits together.

[jenuk99]

Hi thanks for the advice, the biting is improving and have been reading the net as I dont have any bunny books except what pets at home gave me . So I have found out I should be making a high pitched eeek noise when he bites to show it hurts and it can also be him grooming and just not being gentle but I dont think it is.

Have been trying neutral places to meet like the kitchen and bathroom, also read about the dining room table but is very slippy for little feet.

We are also off to the vet this afternoon for a health check and to see when he can go for the snip...

Cant come soon enough...

But next question is how do I get rid of the musky bunny smell? As my house stinks of it so does Mac and I, even rooms he hasn't been in smell of him.

Please please please can any one help??

Jen

[The Dogmother]

You don't say how old he is Jen, but it sounds like he may need neutering

[jenuk99]

Have had him for nearly a week and he was 10-12 weeks then. So I think it could be smetime yet before he can be done as he is a netherland dwarf. I know Mac couldnt be done till she was big enough but not sure if there are the same problems with boys.

[The Dogmother]

It's usually around 6 months with both sexes, but if he's being aggressive and mounting her, then it might be worth getting the vet to look him over - have both his nadgers descended? Your comment about his smell makes me think that he might be mature now.

 

He should calm down a couple of months after being done.

[jenuk99]

I think they have am sure I saw them both when he was being checked before I got him, but he is not keen on me looking there. Don't suppose I really blame him.

[The Dogmother]

If they've both appeared then he can be neutered. Best to get it done before he starts spraying.

[jenuk99]

You are very kind with all the advice, boy bunnies are a tottally new thing from girl bunnies lol.

Ok the spraying thing how much spray are we talking about? Is is like a trickle around the place as he goes, because I certainly noticed yellow drips on the bathroom as he was running around and think he managed to direct it at Mac as he passed her.

Is that the sort of thing you mean?

[The Dogmother]

That's it! He sounds like he needs a nadgerectomy. They spray like tom cats and can direct it too - a friend's buck can spray upwards at people

[jenuk99]

Well Claret you know your bunnies!!

We had our first health check at the vets this evening and he is a mature little man who is now booked in for his ectomy in 2 weeks.

From what the nurse said you were spot on and he didn't bite her so he is making progress

Thanks for the supportive advice am feeling like a neurotic bunny owner, because he is very different to Mac.

Thank you for sorting my panic.

Jen

[The Dogmother]

I'm so glad that you've got to the bottom (so to speak) of it. His woes and frustrations will end soon. The anaesthetic carries a risk with any small animal, but he will gradually calm down and chill a bit more each day. In the meantime, spray and wipe around with some pet disinfectant that is also an odour remover, this will help to stop him from forming the habit to spray in certain areas.

 

He may still try to hump Mac, but it's just a dominance thing rather than sexual. My two lop eared sister bunnies do it!

[jenuk99]

Yes I am much happier knowing all that. And three loads of washing and a mop and some flash on the hard floors and the house doesn't smell of randy bunny. I plan to get the carpets rug doctored when he has calmed down. but will watch that it doesn't become a habit. So on the dominant bunny side should I be running after them and spraying them with perfume to stake my claim as top bunny?

Thanks for the advice

Jen

[The Dogmother]

Spraying both of them with a mix of water and vinegar will confuse the smell and help them to bond.

 

If he continues to spray after the 2 months post-op, then try spraying him in the face with a bit of water when he does it... that should hack him off enough to make him forget about spraying. If he appears to be dominant to you, then making him submit is good; push/hold him down when he is 'bullying' you (nipping etc) and make him understand that you are boss. Hand feeding and taking away their food when they are feeding helps too

[jenuk99]

Well I tried the vinegar last night and I saw her sniffing him and I think she could have gone for a little bit of grooming but couldn't see for definate, but we are off to my mum and dads today so will get some neutral bonding there.

Thanks again

Jen x

[The Dogmother]

D othey have any treats that they like? You could try feeding them treats when they are together, then they will associate each others' company with nice things.

[jenuk99]

I think the vinegar suggestion is a very good one, I just need some chips to go with my bunnies

I have tried some banana and they sat together and ate it but when they had finished he started chasing her.

Have noticed that before he tries to mount her he has started to groom her, what does this mean in the dominance stakes?

When they face each other they both put their heads down to be groomed but not sure if they are being submissive Any ideas?

Jen

[The Dogmother]

It sounds like he is top bun Jen, not a problem as someone has to be One of my girls is dominant and mounts her sister, so long as he isn't harassing her or being a pest, I wouldn't worry too much; she will soon tell him to bog off if she doesn't like it. My girls put their heads together when I go near them because they both like nose rubs.

 

 

There's a fine line between dominance and bullying though.

[FruitandNutCake]

Is that white vinegar or malt vinegar? Would tomato sauce work instead???

 

Seriously now - how much vinegar? 5-10% - or does it need to be more? I'm going to try it on my bunnys - before taking them to my sisters to use her house as neutral terratory! There isn't a single bit of my house that hasn't been visited by Bugsy apart from the bath tub!

[jenuk99]

Lol I didn't reall measure it out I think it was about a fifth vinegar and topped up with water but I smelt it first and if it was too strong smelling I added some more water.

A tip I have found is that they are not very impressed when you spray them I got lots of foot banging so I sprayed it into my hand then stroked it onto their backs.

Hope it helps.

Jen x

[The Dogmother]

I use a very scientific measurement called a splosh, as Jen said, just a bit until it smells a bit but doesn't stink. I use what ever vinegar I have to hand.

[jenuk99]

Wll Dougal as nw been done! He is back home and recovering well. I have been letting them out seperately until he has had his 2 day check but I think Mac is missing playing out with him. They are doing nose to nose kisses through the bars.