ellie ember
Member
Hello! My husband and I are seriously considering turning our hutch rabbits into colony rabbits. One question we have is-- how do you put does and bucks in a colony together without territorial wars and fights? Thanks!
Colonies-- making friends
- Thread starter ellie ember
- Start date
Help Support Rabbit Talk Forum:
generally you'd start with a single doe and buck and her female offspring, or a bunch of younger rabbits. Trick is to have enough space for them all to run around and hide. You need sufficient hidey holes that they can get out of the line of sight of anyone they need to. DO NOT overcrowd the area.
- Joined
- May 13, 2022
- Messages
- 163
- Reaction score
- 208
Also, even when thoroughly colonized, you need to check on each rabbit often, to ensure they are not being bitten too often. It's fine to have a scab here and there, it's an unavoidable part of establishing dominance hierarchy, but a bunch of bite scars on the butt means that that bunny is not suited for colony life.
I had 2 mother daughter tandems inb seperate hutches, when one was alone I gave them to opurtunity to meet up in the big garden, when I saw them hanging out together I connected the hutches with a tunnel. Did work fine.
Usually I have 4 does, don't have scabs or fights. Some humping now and then, but that's it. I think a structured space helps where they can claim one part or get out of each others eyes when they feel like it.
Bucks, no idea. If I want all bred he can spend the day in the garden with them for three weeks, otherwise he has his seperate hutch. Never tried something with multiple bucks.
Usually I have 4 does, don't have scabs or fights. Some humping now and then, but that's it. I think a structured space helps where they can claim one part or get out of each others eyes when they feel like it.
Bucks, no idea. If I want all bred he can spend the day in the garden with them for three weeks, otherwise he has his seperate hutch. Never tried something with multiple bucks.
