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
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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.
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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.
Multiple bucks in a colony can be a problem. I have had multi-buck colonies, and eventually had to separate the boys. As has been said, check the rabbits often for signs of fighting. A few dominance skirmishes are expected, but more vigorous fighting can be an issue. Some rabbits will love colony living, others will not be thrilled with sharing their space. Keep the rabbits that do well in the colony, and eventually you'll have a line that doe well in the new situation.
