Biting Rabbit troubles

[WithLisa]

I agree, he definitely needs a partner (and of course has to be neutered before). I had a few rabbits that were kept alone before, their owners gave them away because they were extremely aggressive, but most of them changed after introduction.

the cage is very large. About 22"x12"x12".

This is large? The animal shelters here would never give a rabbit to someone with a cage smaller than 40 square feet. They need lots of space to run and jump and get out of each others way, because they can be quite rough but nevertheless need (at least one) partner.
I would recommend to let them stay outside in that tortoise pen (it looks predatorproof?) or build another big enclosure, but please don't try to put two rabbits in a small cage, they could hurt each other.

 

[dmmj]

seems like the way a woman wants 2 solve all the world's problems is 2 start cutting things off. I'm going into hiding

 

[WithLisa]

seems like the way a woman wants 2 solve all the world's problems is 2 start cutting things off.

Not at all, we just suggest to get this poor sexually frustrated guy a female. It's up to Zeropilot's wife if she wants to take care of two rabbits or rather two hundred.

 

[Roddytort121]

A few of mine were naturally irritable. Sometimes it meant leave me alone or get out of my way. Sometimes you're lucky and get one like my Dutch who would just come over to lick your ankles lol!

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Here's a photo of Jack in his cage. I didn't actually measure. But as you can see, he has ample room.

 

[JoesMum]

Rabbit experts are no different to tortoise experts. They both have opinions on what minimum enclosure size should be and whether or not company is best for the animal. It's up to the advised whether they take the advice.

Sounds like your bun will be less likely to challenge you if he visits the vet for an op though.

 

[dmmj]

I guess I'd better be nice or you guys might want to take me to the vet

 

[WithLisa]

Here's a photo of Jack in his cage. I didn't actually measure. But as you can see, he has ample room.

It's not even big enough to take three hops, let alone one jump, so he can't really move in there. Rabbits need at least as much space as tortoises, would you recommend to keep an adult tortoise in this cage?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

It's not even big enough to take three hops, let alone one jump, so he can't really move in there. Rabbits need at least as much space as tortoises, would you recommend to keep an adult tortoise in this cage?

No I would not.
I'm asking questions because rabbits are new to us.
It seems as if most rabbits are kept in little more than tiny bird cages and this was the largest cage I could locate.

 

[meech008]

No I would not.
I'm asking questions because rabbits are new to us.
It seems as if most rabbits are kept in little more than tiny bird cages and this was the largest cage I could locate.

My mom lets her big meat rabbit daisy sleep in her cage which is like the one that you have. During the day she found a couple big play pen type gates that can be hooked together to partition off a room for daisy to roam around in. Of course with my sister and I both gone she was able to rabbit proof a room for her highness and not everyone has that option. But if you do, or have a large space maybe that would be an option

 

[WithLisa]

It seems as if most rabbits are kept in little more than tiny bird cages and this was the largest cage I could locate.

So true, just like most (or at least many) tortoises are kept in tiny glass tanks.

Most people don't have enough space for an inside enclosure, unless they have a spare room. If you leave the cage open and just let them roam freely in the house, like a dog or cat, you have to remove all dangerous things and accept that they cause devastation. Lots of it. Really. I would never again try to keep rabbits inside...

Besides, they were much more healthy after I moved them to their outside enclosure! I don't know the climate in Florida, but rabbits are known to be quite adaptable and you already have that old tortoise pen, so why not leave him there?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

He now spends a lot more time in his outdoor run and now also in this portable pen when I'm outside working.
He really does run around like a friggin nut.
(If you look closely, Suki is in there modeling the pen)

 

[ZEROPILOT]

My mom lets her big meat rabbit daisy sleep in her cage which is like the one that you have. During the day she found a couple big play pen type gates that can be hooked together to partition off a room for daisy to roam around in. Of course with my sister and I both gone she was able to rabbit proof a room for her highness and not everyone has that option. But if you do, or have a large space maybe that would be an option

That cage is in our "spare" bedroom. I could modify the whole room.

 

[gg888]

My wife has a new rabbit. (Jack)
He is a small short haired young adult, but not a dwarf.
He has a cage with the best of foods snacks and bedding and the cage is very large. About 22"x12"x12".
He also spends some time outdoors every day in an even larger old enclosed tortoise pen. He seems happy and is healthy, but every now and again, he will lunge forward and bite whomever is nearby. usually my wife and usually her shirt only. The other 99.9% of the time, he seems content.
Any ideas what is going on?

I keep four bunnies at the moment (I'd have more but my partner doesn't approve). I have three females (Rosie, Poppy and Lady) and a male (Bear). Most behavioural issues are solved with neutering. It also helps with the smell of their urine and makes their lives happier in the long run! It may be a physical issue, bunnies are brilliant at hiding any problems they have which can be a bit of a pain.
In relation to keeping rabbits in pairs, I don't really think it makes a difference to their behaviour. I've had bunnies that have lived alone with the best temperaments ever. At the minute I have two females living together and I'm currently trying to bond the male and the youngest female. Best partnerships come with male and female or two females. But bonding bunnies is so difficult and takes time. Patience and constant monitoring is the best way, but they usually come around eventually!

 

[ZEROPILOT]

He WILL get snipped.
But he won't be getting a roommate.
At least that's what the wife says today.....

 

[JoesMum]

@ZEROPILOT and anyone else with a rabbit

My friend recommends these rabbitvet webinar videos
http://therabbitvet.com/webinar/archive/all

Topics include
"More than a hutch: enriching the rabbit life"
"Rabbit bonding, why, when and how"
"Introduction to rabbit nutrition and husbandry"
Diet, health and more

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Thanks JoesMum.
Kelly now thinks she knows it all. Meanwhile the rabbit is now humping everything too.