I went down to feed and water the rabbits this evening, just before dark. While I was feeding them, I heard squeals and grunts and moans from one of the nest tunnels. So I went to investigate. What I found was that Sage was kindling and Jasper, our usually so-gentlemanly buck, was trying to mate with her. I dragged him out and closed the lid to give Sage some privacy, but Jasper was relentless. He just wouldn't stay out and there was nothing but hay handy to block the entrance. Total chaos. The other rabbits were milling about under my feet and it's a wonder I didn't step on anybunny. A wonder too that none escaped! Finally I wedged the lid of one of the feed bins in front of the entrance and got a breathing space.
I went outside and got a dog crate and dragged it in and locked Jasper up for the night. Then I made sure that Sage could get back into the nest tunnel and I went to finish the chores. I was so upset! Shaking and furious! Mostly with myself but a bit with the sex fiend too. I've never seen anything like it.
So. Now I know what happened to Sage's other litter a month ago. And I expect that is why Alice only had two kits in the nest this past time. Likely she lost some of them. Obviously Jasper will not be able to stay in the colony full time. I feel very discouraged, because most of the time they all enjoy being together. I love seeing a pile of bunnies on top of the nest boxes, lounging in a patch of sunshine and grooming each other.
On the other hand, I suppose now I know what is happening I can modify things to fix the problem. If it had happened at any other time of day or night, I would not have known what was going on. This colony thing is more complicated than it looks at a glance. The benefits are obvious... the downside a little harder to figure out.
I went outside and got a dog crate and dragged it in and locked Jasper up for the night. Then I made sure that Sage could get back into the nest tunnel and I went to finish the chores. I was so upset! Shaking and furious! Mostly with myself but a bit with the sex fiend too. I've never seen anything like it.
So. Now I know what happened to Sage's other litter a month ago. And I expect that is why Alice only had two kits in the nest this past time. Likely she lost some of them. Obviously Jasper will not be able to stay in the colony full time. I feel very discouraged, because most of the time they all enjoy being together. I love seeing a pile of bunnies on top of the nest boxes, lounging in a patch of sunshine and grooming each other.
On the other hand, I suppose now I know what is happening I can modify things to fix the problem. If it had happened at any other time of day or night, I would not have known what was going on. This colony thing is more complicated than it looks at a glance. The benefits are obvious... the downside a little harder to figure out.