Two male rabbits can get along together, but this is usually the least successful pairing. For a male-male pairing to work, one rabbit needs to be much more submissive than the other. They also must be neutered.
It is important to allow the rabbits this very important part of their courtship. Be watchful of backwards mounting, though. We have had a couple of serious nips in one's most vital areas! If your rabbits are mounting each other a lot, instigating fights, stop them, place them side by side.
Will Two Male Rabbits Try to Mate? Male rabbits can and will try to mate one another. This tends to be more of a problem if one or both are unneutered, but even if your rabbits have been desexed, the natural instinct to try and mate can remain so you may still see them trying to mount other rabbits.
While some intact male rabbits can live together peacefully, it is more likely for aggressive behaviour to develop between intact male rabbits than neutered male rabbits. This can cause 'uncoupling' where previously bonded rabbits start to bully or fight with each other as they reach sexual maturity (3-6months).
The male rabbit is known as buck. A buck develops its breeding capabilities at the age of 8 months. An ideal buck should continue to maintain its reproductive ability at least for 2 to 3 years. A young buck may be allowed to mate one doe at an interval of 3 to 4 days.
Mature bucks can be used daily for single matings over long periods without affecting their fertility. However, if they are used to service several does within a day or two, they should be allowed to rest for a few days before mating again.
The release of eggs in female rabbits is triggered by sexual intercourse, not by a cycle of hormones as in humans. The rabbit has a cycle of mating receptivity; rabbits are receptive to mating about 14 of every 16 days.
Most rabbits enjoy the company of another rabbit in their life. While some rabbits can experience love at first sight and bond right away, in most cases the bonding process can take several weeks – or even months – and be quite challenging. The reward, however, will make all your efforts worthwhile.
Mounting in rabbits is either a sign that it wants to reproduce, or it is communicating. It is normal for rabbits, neutered and not, to mount and hump other rabbits. There is a point where mounting should be stopped, though, as it may lead to fights. Rabbits mount other rabbits to communicate.
Rabbits often live in large colonies containing a number of social groups. Each of these consists of up to three bucks (males) and five does (females), and has its own territory. There is a dominance hierarchy among males and females, and both sexes are very aggressive towards lower-ranking members.
Not only can he impregnate the mother rabbit; he will also impregnate the female offspring as soon as they mature.
SEPARATING THE FATHER Most male rabbits are gentle with their offspring. The main reason to separate off the male is that the female can become pregnant again WITHIN HOURS of kindling! He should be housed where he can still see and contact her as separation is stressful.
Looking at cues you may have noted, make changes that will decrease the possibility of mounting behavior. If it occurs at certain times of the day, then don't have the rabbits together during those times, separate them or alternately move them to a different location or change up their routine during those times.
During bonding, the top rabbit will try to claim their spot by mounting and humping the other rabbit. This is a phenomenon that occurs between pairs of rabbits that are the same gender as well as opposite genders. Sometimes the male rabbit is on top, and sometimes it's the female mounting a male.
Most owners house a pair of rabbits, but keeping three or four are also popular options. Be sure that you have enough space to comfortably house all your rabbits, or else you'll have to purchase multiple runs to create enough space.
Rabbits that are not fully bonded need to be kept separate when you are not with them. Once the rabbits have bonded, DO NOT separate them. If one rabbit needs to go to the vet, both need to go.
In general, rabbits will be happier in pairs than when they are single. A second rabbit can prevent depression, and even help to minimize boredom and troublemaking behaviors. However, enough social interaction from humans or other pets is also okay if getting a second rabbit is not possible.
Rabbits are social creatures and live a longer and happier life when bonded. They provide emotional support to each other when one bunny is sick, bored, lonely, or stressed. Once your bunny is bonded it doesn't take any extra work to care for two bunnies. They share a house, food, water, and litter box.
Rabbits are very territorial and competition for resources may cause tension so make sure they have one each of everything – litter tray, food bowl etc. When they are happy to groom each other and lie together then they can be left alone together safely. This whole process could take two hours or two months!
Male rabbits can be castrated at any age. If you have taken on young rabbits, it's best to have them castrated as soon as their testicles descend (10–12 weeks), although take advice from your own vet – some may prefer you to wait a little longer.
HRS Colorado Chapter Manager Nancy LaRoche writes, “Pairs are much easier to care for, get into far less trouble, are happier, and tend to relate better to people. Boredom leads to bunny-in-trouble, and pairs don't get nearly as bored because they are so busy relating to each other.
Do rabbits get pregnant every time they mate? As with most species, female rabbits can get pregnant easily – it only takes the once! To prevent any unwanted pregnancies or accidental litters, it's important to get both rabbits neutered if they're living together, or if you're planning to try and bond them.
Breeding. The breeding season for rabbits begins in Mid-February and can continue through to late summer. Famous for their reproductive abilities rabbits have a 30 day gestation period and can have several litters a year. Typically a female will have between four and eight babies.