male rabbit humping new female baby rabbit

[Laura8192]

I have a one year old Lion head dwarf male rabbit. he has been neutered. We have just got a new playmate for him, a female rabbit who is 8 weeks old. she is already half the size of the dwarf so although im not sure what breed she is, shes going to be big!

We introduced them in a neutral environment as advised, and they seemed to get along fine, except that the male keeps humping the female. I'm really scared that hes going to hurt her as she is only 8 weeks old, but after hes done, they'll go their seperate ways and she will still follow him so shes not scared of him.

is this normal or should i seperate them?

[joggerjayne]

As any child who's had rabbits will tell you (eg. me) ...

... that's just what bunnies do.

The males hump the females.

The males hump each other.

Hence the expression ****ing like rabbits.

[joggerjayne]

Mr Male Bunny must be over the moon that you've given him a bit of young doe totty to hump.

[Laura8192]

I understand that it is normal and it is what rabbits do, i just wasnt sure if it would be a problem because of the new rabbits age.

[joggerjayne]

No, it won't.

Rabbits are quite robust, even though they look small and fluffy.

If the female thought it was going to hamr her, she would probably retaliate quite aggressively. Rabbits can be quite fierce when it comes to self preservation.

[Laura8192]

thank you for all your help you have set my mind at ease!

[Lakitu]

Jayne's spot on, rabbits really are hardy little things, she'll be absolutely fine :o)

[icemaiden]

Oh and "Dwarf" doesnt necessary mean small in the animal kingdom.

Dwarf Lops for example can grow up to 8lbs in weight but compared to the French or English Lop (It's cousins)it is positively small.

Personnally I would have left him on his own, adding another rabbit especially a female, is asking for trouble.

[Laura8192]

i understand that Dwarf doesnt necessarily mean small, but he is over a year old now and still tiny, the new rabbit is massive and i am not sure what breed she is. they seem to be getting on fine, and hes been neutered anyway, we'll get her neutered when shes ready.

[Laura8192]

also i was told that rabbits are better in pairs? as they like company? that is the main reason we got a new rabbit...

[wildwood]

Keep an eye on them when you feed them. If they eat happily close together they should be ok.
Humping is also a dominance thing, if the doe is not receptive he can't do it properly anyway.

And what the hell...... it is Christmas, let them have some fun.

[joggerjayne]

Laura ... I saw a couple of Lion Heads today.

Aren't they cute.

These ones had diddy little ears and fluffy heads (obviously).

[Laura8192]

there are a couple of links for photos of the rabbits here:

the newbie...
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=246754&l =7e71d&id=1067197816

and the Dwarf Lionhead.... (in June 08 so with his summer coat)
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=85615&l= 5ce8d&id=1067197816


they are feeding ok together, they will try and butt each other out of the way but both are eating loads. the older male is also licking and grooming the baby female which i take as a good sign? And touch wood he hasnt tried to hump her as much... although he does tend to lie practically on top of her!