Nesting or fighting?

I've recently (in the last month) adopted 2 mini Rex's doe sisters, who are nearly six months old and unspayed (for now).

They generally get on well, with the occasional rustle and chase, but nothing serious. I'm sure spaying will sort them out, but my vet advised that there was no rush.

I got home today to find the nest bit cage full of fur, and Millie started growling in the corner when I tried to check on her. Millie is the dominant of the two, but Peta does try it on a bit every now and again with a spot of mounting, but is generally it back in her place. I

immediately thought that she'd been attached by her sister, but fur seems to be missing from legs and belly, and I think it night be nesting... It's been a while since I had buns, so can I get some advice?

We happen to be going for vaccinations in the morning, so I'll see
the vet then, but should I separate them overnight or does it just look like a nest?

Thank you!!!

That is definitely a nest. And you may have a brother and a sister on your hands. It sounds like Millie is the one that is pregnant. I would flip Peta over and check for testicles, they will be obvious but in the chance that he has brought them up, pull the fur up to see his genitals and push down gently if you see a tube then it is a male, by this age it should be fairly large so that will be obvious also. And if Peta is indeed a female then Millie was exposed to a buck a few days before you got them. Legs and belly are the most common place for pulling fur for nesting. I would go ahead and separate, even if Peta is a girl because Millie is likely to get stressed with another bun in there.

Still, it could be a false pregnancy, although I've never had a doe pull so much fur, but it is not unheard of. If it is she'll lose any interest in the nest pretty soon and go back to normal.

But, as been said, first thing to do is check the other "doe". (Are my rabbits different? They always pull up their testicles when I check, I go for circle vs. slit and the distance to the anus) If the Sex Change Fairy did pay a visit and you've got a male there (seperate ASAP) I would be reluctant about a vet visit, mine pull fur only shortly before delivering, what they need then besides nesting material is quiet, rest and privacy, not a car ride and a prodding vet.

Edit: Oh, right, if you have them for less than a month it is possible that she was pregnant when you got her, happens all the time that one kit in a litter gets missexed. So I would give the other doe, if doe she is, enough room to get well out of sight of the grumpy one. Never had a problem with a second doe present, but they are pretty confused by what's going on and prefer to stay far, far away.

The vet was pretty categorical that they were both girls, but there could have been a chap on the scene before. I've done the maths and we've had them for 24 days.

They have a seven foot two story hutch, so they have space, but I could always close the door between upstairs and downstairs at night to give them space. They're currently hopping around the living room quite happily together, though Millie is clearly trying to show she's the boss.

The gestation period is 31 days, so if she is/was pregnant it would've been before you got them. I would personally separate them for a bit, the does can get extra territorial when they're nesting.

Thanks for all of your advice. I'll separate them to be on the safe side, but they'll be close enough to one another I hope to keep their bond. Better that than they fall out and fight! And I shall be on kitwatch. Eek!

Nesting, nesting. If there's her litter box in photo you better give her a proper nestbox now as you don't know the date. She can give birth on day 28 to day 31 usually day 31, but can hold for a few more days.
If you don't have a nestbox you can make it yourself, here's an easy explanation in this short video. The box shouldn't be too big as she will stand each in the corner to feed the babies.
Good luck

How to Prepare a Rabbit Nest Box