a compatible group – it's possible to keep more than two rabbits together, but unless the rabbits are related and neutered early, bonding can be more problematic, so it's often best left to the more experienced rabbit owner.
Rabbits just LOVE company!
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.
Barring the odd rogue rabbit that likes the lonely life, rabbits generally benefit from the company of other rabbits. They will often be far happier and content with a mate. Rabbits are not that unlike humans, they also get bored, even depressed, and when they do, they often act it out with destructive behaviour.
The HRA guidelines recommend at least 8 square feet in their enclosure. The rabbit will require an additional 24 square feet of space to exercise for a minimum of five hours every day.
Never split up bonded pairs unless serious fighting occurs. Introduction a third rabbit into a bonded pair rarely works. Some nipping, chasing or mounting is normal, even in bonded pairs. Immediately separate rabbits if serious fighting occurs.
So what does it mean? The three hares symbol on a 13th-century bell in the former Cistercian monastery of Kloster Haina, Germany, was believed to avert evil influences. Elsewhere in medieval Germany, in France and in Devon, it was seen as a warning to resist temptation and confess to sins.
Bonding More Than Two
Bonding two rabbits is hard enough, but bonding three or four together can be a nightmare. But it is possible. The bonding process for more than two is very similar to bonding two rabbits. Start off by finding and bonding two rabbits with very similar personalities.
Rabbits can live happily in male/female, female/female, male/male pairings and larger mixed groups.
We recommend a minimum of at least 1.1 square meters (12 square feet) of space per rabbit.
Male rabbits are easier pets for first time rabbit caretakers. They tend to be less territorial with fewer destructive habits and are known for having calmer personalities. However, female rabbits are also great pets if you are ready to take extra precautions.
While female – male bonding tends to be easier, you can certainly bond two females or two males together. Next, each rabbit will require its own space with their own personal things.
Working out if your rabbit could be lonely
Lonely rabbits may overeat, pull at their fur, or become hyperactive and/or angry. Signs of this could be them chewing at rugs or carpets, gnawing furniture, or destroying toys in their hutch.
Yes, as long as they are both fixed, even if they are the same sex. Hormones that come from a rabbit that is not fixed will most definitely ruin a possible relationship.
How many rabbits should you start with? Idealy start with a trio OR 5 unrelated rabbits. A trio is 1 buck (male rabbit) and 2 does (female rabbit). If you have the space and money to start with 5 then I would advise you to get 2 unrelated bucks and 3 does.
Most of the time, two pet rabbits are more than enough for a family. In general, each rabbit should have a minimum of 12 square feet of space with even more room allotted for running and playing. What is this? Knowing how to house multiple rabbits properly is important, especially if you are considering breeding.
Any combination of rabbits can live together, whether they are both males, both females, or female and male. Male with female coupling is the most natural because this is how they typically form in the wild.
Eastern cottontail rabbits can have between one and seven litters each year, and they average three or four litters annually, Animal Diversity Web reports. Each litter can contain between one and 12 babies, with the average being five. And female rabbits can get pregnant again almost immediately after giving birth.
Rabbits bond closely with their owners.
They recognize them by voice and sight and will even come on command. Bunnies may even follow their owners from room to room and jump up on their laps when called.
When you keep rabbits together, they form a 'pecking order', with some animals becoming more dominant than others. Rabbits can develop abnormal behaviour and may suffer if you leave them on their own and with nothing to do for long periods, so you should keep your rabbit with at least one other friendly rabbit.
Chasing is a normal behavior to expect during bonding that you should allow to continue. This is not a true fight where the rabbits are getting territorial with each other. However, it can look similar to other behaviors that are aggressive.
' If you say 'Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit'—three times, just like that—first thing in the morning on the first of the month, even before you say your prayers, you'll get a present before the end of the month."
Rabbits must be sold in pairs because they can get bored and even depressed while living alone, say vets. Rabbits must be housed in pairs to stop them feeling lonely and even depressed by living alone. The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has called on the Government to stop pet shops selling single rabbits.