Newbie needs help, please!

[Critter Crazed]

Hi, I decided I wanted a rabbit or two! I've never had a rabbit before and someone I know has a batch of baby mutt rabbits for sale.

Can someone please tell me which genders I should get? I was thinking two females. But, if I had two females would I have to spay them? It's around $90 apiece to spay.. I don't want to spend money if it's not totally necessary, of course!

Thanks for any comments. I'm completely new so any words of wisdom for me?

Oh and I hope this is in the right place.. If not I'm sorry!

 

[glenolam]

I had rabbits growing up as a kid and we always had does. I never spayed any of them, and never let them outside without supervision (so no wild bucks could get to them!).

If you have no plans for breeding, I don't think it would matter the gender, as long as you don't ever get two of opposite genders. My other feeling is that if you get a buck and put him outside without an enclosure, he might run off if he senses a wild doe....

 

[PattySh]

I raise rabbits. If they are to be housepets get a girl as they don't spray urine out of their cage. No need to spay. 2 rabbits however don't always get along you may have to get individual cages when they grow a bit. Handle the litter you are choosing from to see which one is the calmest it will make the better pet.

 

[Catalina]

If they are pets I would highly suggest spaying them. This link explains all the reasons why - http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/rabbits/f/rabbitspayneut.htm
reduced aggression, ovarian cancer, ect.

 

[Critter Crazed]

Thanks for the fast replies!
I'm getting mixed opinions here lol. They will be just pets and they will live outside. I wanted to spay because I did hear they might become aggressive at around 4-5 months.. Hm.. If I do get two I will most likely get two girls from the same litter and raise them together. I wonder if this would reduce any aggression that might appear later on?

Again, thanks.

 

[currycomb]

your chances are better for them to get along if you do get from same litter and don't ever seperate. even overnight. they become possive of their territory

 

[RabbitMage]

Intact rabbits are more likely to become aggressive to each other, too. Honestly I think there's more risk than benefit to housing rabbits together.

 

[Fancypants4569]

Female's would probably be best, as Male's(bucks) do start to spray as they become mature. But female's (doe's) do need to be housed separatly due to fact that as they mature they start riding each ( their internal clock saying Im ready to be a mommy) and they can pull alot of fur off of each other. I just had this happen and had to separate the two young doe's. Most doe's can be very sweet if you handle them alot, all of mine are all very sweet girl's since I have handled most of them since they were babie's(kit's). The only time I've ever had aggressive bunny's was with the dwarf breed's. Feel free to visit my rabbit website http://thelittlefamilyrabbitry.webs.com/

 

[The Egg Bandit]

My experience has been that they really need separate cages after about 3 months. In the past, I have had to keep litters together longer than I'd liked due to a lack of space. They always seemed to start territorial fighting right around then. I raise New Zealand Whites, Mini Rex, Lionhead, and Californian. Results with different breeds may vary.

ETA: This goes for bucks as well as does.

 

[a7736100]

It depends on the individual rabbits. I've had both males that got along as well as females that got along. Sometimes ones that fight will get along with a different rabbit.

If you're keeping them outdoors spraying isn't much of a problem. I get shot in the face now and then but it really don't bother me.

The best is a 2 level hutch where they can avoid seeing each other if necessary. It can also be closed off into 2 seperate cages in case they really can't get along.