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A socialization with rabbits is demanding, because rabbits are territorial, have a hierarchy and at the same time are very sociable animals. You need time and some requirements to get to know each other as stress-free as possible.
The following article provides information about the social structure of rabbits for socialization as well as the individual steps of this for a successful procedure.
Rabbits are social animals!
Rabbits are very sociable and social animals and should never be kept alone. You have a distinctive social behavior among themselves. So they cuddle together, sleep together, clean each other and play with each other.
For this reason, rabbits should be in a species-like group husbandry be kept by three to five animals.
Rabbits have a marginal order
Rabbits have a distinct hierarchy among themselves, which must be negotiated when socializing. Often a female dominates the other females and a male dominates the males in the group.
Also, rabbits area relatedwhich means they defend their territory against intruders and conspecifics who do not belong to the group.
Combinations of the animals for a successful socialization
For the combination of the individual animals apply Mixture of neutered males and females as well as one same-sex husbandry of castrated males as harmonious. In practice, keeping females of the same sex often leads to aggressive behavior towards one another.
Young rabbitspreferably under four months of age as well Rabbits of a similar age are easier to socialize. It should be noted that young animals should not be socialized with adult rabbits, as these are inferior to adult animals.
Also the Choice of Characters are relevant when bringing them together: For a socialization that is as easy and quick as possible, it is advisable to combine dominant and more submissive animals.
The process of socialization
For a successful socialization, this must be prepared (step 1). When all the preparations are done, the rabbits to be socialized are simultaneously placed in their neutral enclosure (step 2) and their behavior is then observed (step 3).
After a few days or weeks, if the rabbits get along, they can move to their final enclosure (Step 4).
Step 1: The preparation
Good preparation for socializing rabbits is essential. For this purpose, the animals must be free of diseases and a neutral place for socialization must be found and prepared accordingly. Time aspects also have to be taken into account.
The preparation of the animals
The rabbits to be socialized must fit and free from pathogens be. To be on the safe side, a check-up at the veterinarian including a stool sample and/or a separate quarantine of the animals is a good idea. Before socializing, the rabbits should not be allowed to interact by seeing or sniffing each other, so that they do not see each other as competition beforehand.
Danger:: Up to 40 percent of all domestic rabbits carry the pathogen E. cuniculi. This is responsible for numerous diseases of the central nervous system, the organs and the eyes.
Even if the rabbits appear to be healthy, they can be carriers. As carriers, they can in turn infect other rabbits via the urine and, in the worst case, develop symptoms over the long term.
To avoid infecting healthy animals, positively tested rabbits should only be kept together with other positively tested rabbits.
The status of E. cuniculi can be queried by a blood test at the veterinarian.
The choice of place
The proper place for rabbit socialization must be neutral to preclude territorial fighting. examples for neutral places are:
- bathroom
- Kitchen
- garage
- conservatory
- garden house
- in a kennel with experience in socializing
- in other people with rabbit experience
So, neutral spots are anywhere where existing rabbits couldn’t leave scents to mark the spot as their territory.
In the ideal case, a own enclosure for socialization built up. This can be, for example, a lattice outlet or a home-made outlet. Even a large, empty pool is suitable as a social enclosure.
The preparation of the social enclosure
The social enclosure must at least(!) six square meters in size be so that the rabbits have enough space to dodge and hide. All objects (e.g. shelters) in the enclosure must be arranged in such a way that no rabbit cornered can be used to avoid injury. Sleeping places in particular should be able to be left from all directions.
Also the acquaintance enclosure should all Indoor and outdoor maintenance requirements of rabbits, i.e. offer enough protection from the weather, sufficient feeding and sleeping places for all animals, toilet corners and many hiding places with sufficient escape possibilities.
When designing the enclosure circular routes recommended, but to avoid dead ends at all costs. The floor of the social enclosure should be non-slip (e.g. stone slabs, carpet).
The time
For the socialization of rabbits their keep enough time, because this can last for a few days or even weeks. Holidays or weekends are recommended for this.
Rabbits are quiet and not very active at midday, so the Lunchtime a good start is for socialization.
The animals should after the start of socialization stay together and not be separatednot even at night.
Step 2: Wean the rabbits to be socialized at the same time
The rabbits have to simultaneously placed in the social enclosure so that no one can explore before the other or even claim it as their territory.
The owner should leave the enclosure and observe the animals from the outside in order to not to disturb when getting to know each other and at the same time being able to intervene in good time in the event of problematic behavior.
Step 3: Observing behaviors
Owners should monitor the socialization of their rabbits in order to take timely action in the event of problems or injuries.
When socializing rabbits, it can happen to be rough What no reason to worry should be. There is hissing, chasing each other or fur flying through the air.
The following phases and behaviors take place during socialization, are normal and should not be prevented by humans:
1. Sniffing each other to get to know each other
2. Ramming to clarify the order of precedence. The rabbit, which is in the position on top, wants to take the dominant role
3. Mutual chasing, pinching. Mutual hunting becomes less in the course of socialization.
4. Lying down and taking breaks. Socializing is exhausting for rabbits.
5. Jump past each other, jump on top of each other
6. Submit. The submissive animal lies flat on the ground instead of fleeing. The dominant rabbit cleans or pounds the submissive rabbit.
7. Reduce the distance to each other
8. Eating together, eating side by side
Optional: cuddling. Whether rabbits cuddle with each other depends on their individual preferences and their need for closeness and distance. Some rabbits like to cuddle and some don’t. Some rabbits need time before snuggling with each other, while others will snuggle with each other once they’re eating next to each other.
Danger: If the rabbits keep biting each other in the long term and/or injuries result from the socialization, owners should intervene.
Step 4: Moving to the final enclosure
When rabbits get along in the neutral mating enclosure, they can move together to their proper, final enclosure.
Keepers should allow themselves time for this step: If the rabbits move too early, territorial fights can result from the rabbits already there.
The behavior of chasing each other in the final home, on the other hand, is normal and will pass quickly.
As temporal orientation serve the following requirements:
– Socialization of two animals: Seven to ten days
– Socialization of three animals: Ten to twelve days
– Socialization of more than three animals: Two to three weeks
Before the rabbits move to their final enclosure, this one should thoroughly cleaned with vinegar water so that the enclosure does not smell of the rabbit that is already there. The hay and bedding should also be completely changed.
Furnishings of the enclosure should be rearranged.
Danger: The formation of dead ends should also be avoided in the final enclosure. The rabbits should have plenty of room to hide or dodge.
Common socialization mistakes
Many owners mean well when it comes to socialization and want to support their animals in this. The most important thing is to let the animals clarify the hierarchy among themselves.
The following mistakes should be avoided at all costs:
- Have the rabbit sniffed beforehand
- Separate the animals during socialization without the existence of a medical indication (injuries).
- Carry out the socialization in the territory of the existing rabbit
- Any form of dead ends or objects with too few escape options
- A supposed socialization «grid to grid»
- Too little space
- Group constellations with uncastrated males or same-sex group constellations with females
- Socialization of a young animal with an adult animal