Hi, I’m very new to rabbits and recently bought a trio of young New Zealand whites, initially there we quite nervous but I’ve managed to tame the buck and one of the does, to the point that they are quite friendly and don’t mind being stroked, but one doe is not getting any better, and may be slightly worse.
The does we’re about 10 weeks old when I got them and I initially kept the 2 does together, one was more confident and bolder and she has become quite tame, the other was always shy and nervous, when I’d feed treats (kale) the bolder doe would take it from my hand but the other one would steal it from the friendly doe but would never take it from me.
I decided she might do better if I separated them, which was about 3 weeks ago, but the nervous doe seems to be getting worse, when I put my hand in the cage she will stamp her back feet and if I try to put my hand near her she will lunge and it seems like she’s trying to scratch me with her front feet, I’m not familiar with rabbit behaviour but I think she is angry or afraid, she has not tried to bite me yet, but I’m a little concerned that she might.
I don’t like that she not relaxed and happy and I want to get her to a point where she is enjoying life, any advice on how to proceed would be great fully appreciated, I wonder if it would be better not to try and interact with her?
thanks for reading.
The does we’re about 10 weeks old when I got them and I initially kept the 2 does together, one was more confident and bolder and she has become quite tame, the other was always shy and nervous, when I’d feed treats (kale) the bolder doe would take it from my hand but the other one would steal it from the friendly doe but would never take it from me.
I decided she might do better if I separated them, which was about 3 weeks ago, but the nervous doe seems to be getting worse, when I put my hand in the cage she will stamp her back feet and if I try to put my hand near her she will lunge and it seems like she’s trying to scratch me with her front feet, I’m not familiar with rabbit behaviour but I think she is angry or afraid, she has not tried to bite me yet, but I’m a little concerned that she might.
I don’t like that she not relaxed and happy and I want to get her to a point where she is enjoying life, any advice on how to proceed would be great fully appreciated, I wonder if it would be better not to try and interact with her?
thanks for reading.