Two females 3 months and 6 months (newcomer)

[zuppa]

Hi. So I will be bringing in another female rabbit 6 months old, she was mainly an outdoor rabbit kept separated from the other male rabbit same age (I was told so). They both are not fixed or vaccinated.

My Smokey is 3 months old today she's also not sprayed. She is a good rabbit a bit defensive and can bite my hand when I am entering her space or when she's hungry. She get's scared pretty easily and don't like changes I am doing to her cage, last week she got very stressed and was digging her boxes whole night and felt very guilty after that probably she thought I will punish her. I just said I didn't like what she did because I just did big weekly cleaning day before and her cage and around everything was in need of a great cleaning again. Her cage was literally looking like one big litter box and she was scared of it herself I think. So I've cleaned it and gave her some treats she looked very quiet and guilty and was very nice and respectful when I came back home today, and it was not only for food, but she wanted me to touch her and only after that went to her bowl. Nice!

It is about 5 weeks she's with me, I think she likes me but don't like changes and I am always changing something and it irritated her, she also was a bit stressed after Leo tried to mate her so I placed her cage where they can't see each other and covering the other cage while one of the rabbits is out of cage. I am not sure what I will do next probably will keep them isolated until they will be fixed and a few weeks after then will try to bond them hopefully they can use the same cage as a base I don't want to keep them jailed for life.

So, there are people moving abroad and can't take their rabbits with them, so I am going to re-home a girl, 6 months. I've never met her but from photo she looks a bit scared too, but also curious, it is hard to judge of course, we'll watch and see, hopefully she'll want to go with me. She's a beauty, looking a bit like Siamese cat, blue-eyed, there's something about her character in these pictures I guess. Hopefully she will like me too.

Just got a text from the people where she is now that I can come for her tomorrow, very excited and a bit scared myself for all the responsibility I am taking for my rabbits so had to share it apologise for so many words!

What was the question? I am making a place for her and going to keep her separately for a week or so so she hopefully will take me in and will make herself comfortable in her new home. Or should I introduce her to Smokey immediately and see if they get along well place them together? I know they are both females unsprayed but also quite young 3 months and 6 months, any suggestions appreciated! Thank you!

 

[zuppa]

Also, I was told she's healthy and lives outdoor, eating mostly natural food (but I will get more info on that tomorrow), I can take her for a walk to the ark or backyard but generally it is all indoor, how to make this adaptation easier for her, what I should/shouldn't do?

 

[Augustus&HazelGrace]

Female/female bonds are extremely difficult because they are territorial. I would just give her her own space for now. Wait until you have them all fixed. Maybe you can do a trio bond. I have never done this but maybe someone else has.

 

[zuppa]

Female/female bonds are extremely difficult because they are territorial. I would just give her her own space for now. Wait until you have them all fixed. Maybe you can do a trio bond. I have never done this but maybe someone else has.

I've heard that too, honestly from what I read now here and there about bonding rabbits it's all so very difficult i am honestly a bit lost, but there are people keeping many rabbits together and they are fine, if they can do possibly I can do too, everything just takes time and focus I believe. I thought myself that I'd give her time and some space for now and then we'll see what are her habits and can start from there. I think building understanding and trust between her and me is important for the beginning, then we can add another member so at least she has me and not feeling alone. Maybe I am wrong just guessing. Anyway I can't really introduce her to Leo as he's not fixed and very active, and she's mature enough to get pregnant.

 

[zuppa]

Long story short, she's a lovely rabbit not fussy kept in a horrible dirty outdoor cage about 100x40 cm split into two smaller parts (50x40cm) with another male rabbit, there's almost no bedding just a little freshly added saw dust probably because they expected me coming, inside was really dirty, no litter tray at all just a little shelf over that main floor so she can hide in there, the rabbits are getting mostly fresh vegetables, cabbage, carrot, what's left from the kitchen, the lady said SOMETIMES hay and she said pellets are so expensive they would eat a lot of them. There's no lawn on backyard so they don't have access to grass too. She wasn't scared but when put on the ground acted like it's a new territory for her probably she spends most of her time in the cage. When I took her on my lap she was fine, no scratching or trying to escape, I've noticed a bald patch about 3 inch x 1 inch a little irritated skin on her back I asked what is it and lady said she doesn't know maybe kids were playing with her she didn't see it just see now for first time. I don't think it is true and there's a problem and I said I can't take her as it can be very contagious I have other rabbits and cannot risk I said she needs to see a doctor asap but lady said it's okay if I don't want to buy her she will give the rabbits to their friends, there's just nothing wrong just some fur missing sure there's no need to go to vet.
I feel so bad for her, some people keeping animals and not taking care of them, that's really disgusting.
Back home now, took all my clothes put into a washer on highest temperature washed my hands three times with antibacterial liquid don't want to go near my rabbits now googling the bald patches on rabbits and it doesn't look good, looks like Cheyletiella parasitovorax, the most common rabbit skin mite. She also had quite a big belly I asked if she could be pregnant? I've read that rabbits pulling their fur when nesting, so maybe she did, but lady said she can't be as they keep them separated all the time. I've never seen how they pulling their fur for the nest but I don't know could the bald spot be so large I don't think so. Skin didn't look very bad, just a little irritated, could it be something else?

My heart is really broken for her, what a miserable life.

My Smokey, she's on my avatar, she came from a bit messy place too, she was kept indoor but the living room when the cage was was like some kind of a smoking area, I hardly managed to stay there 20 mins and after that my clothes were so stinky I don't know maybe because I don't smoke myself but that was so horrible. The living room was also very messy, as was their cage, there was a little doggy too quite friendly, I wouldn't say people there don't like animals just a bit messy place, I believe some nasty kids too as Smokey was a bit defensive and easily scared, her whiskers were partly cut on one side too. I am so glad she has her comfortable and safe place now, she's a very pretty girl.

 

[zuppa]

Can't stop thinking of her and feeling really sad for her and the other rabbit in her cage. Maybe I should have taken her to a vet, or is it possible that the bold patch was the sign of pregnancy? She looked healthy otherwise, not very clean but no other signs that something wrong with her, as I said her belly was quite big but if she eats only vegetables maybe it was normal for her.

 

[Augustus&HazelGrace]

if she is pregnant then that unclean pen is not the best for the babies, they could get infections and may not make it. If it were me I would go and get her and get her to a vet, them people are not taking care of them properly and they should all be taken from her.

 

[zuppa]

if she is pregnant then that unclean pen is not the best for the babies, they could get infections and may not make it. If it were me I would go and get her and get her to a vet, them people are not taking care of them properly and they should all be taken from her.

I agree, but they're for sale for 45 each, I can't just take them off them. Let's hope that she honestly didn't see the bald spot and will take her to a vet now. The hutch was really dirty and her feet were all yellow from urine, she didn't smell very bad though but there was some specific smell.

 

[Augustus&HazelGrace]

$45 is a bit overpriced if you weren't getting any supplies if you ask me. Unless she is pedigreed, purebred, and had good show lines.

 

[zuppa]

I know! I rang them and offered 20, they said No No No but then text me in a couple days and said if I want her can collect tomorrow as they are leaving country anyway. When I was there they said they will be just giving both rabbits to their friends but the ad is still there.
She's a bit unusual indeed, but don't think purebreed or something, the other male rabbit is a lionhead/dwarf mix, almost like my Leo, got him for free and people were so happy that someone is taking their unexpected kits they thanked me a lot