As a general rule Raising different breeds together can be challenging. Rabbits do have the ability to understand the body language of other rabbits. Rabbits don’t mind the appearance or looks of their housemates, as long as it is another rabbit. However, there are a few considerations to look after for keeping and engaging them to spend a happy and healthy life. Separate cages, good husbandry, and breeding workflows.
Raise Different Breeds of Rabbits
Rabbits are intelligent and social animals which makes them good pets, and they enjoy the company of other bunnies by nature. In the wild, rabbits in numbers and even when kept as domestic pets, like to be around other rabbits. Following a couple of rabbits together, will not make rabbits feel lonely.
Raise Different Breeds of Rabbits – Placing two or more rabbits together will not be as destructive as a single bored rabbit will be devastating. A bored rabbit can cause a lot of damage even to the house furniture and electric wires. If the rabbit lives alone, then there are more chances of loneliness and health problems in them. A lonely rabbit may get depression, and there will be a change in behavior such as aggression and biting may be possible.
There is no assurance that the two rabbits will get along together. However, if the owner can introduce them carefully and slowly, they can form a strong bond. By having a close relationship, rabbits can enjoy each other company and live happily.
You can also read our Guide –18 Ways to Make Money by Rabbit Farming—Extensive Guidelines for Rabbit Farmers
Raise Different Breeds of Rabbits / Can Different Breeds of Rabbit Live Together?
There are several breeds of rabbits. However, despite their different appearances, all rabbit breeds are the same species, i.e., Oryctolagus cuniculus. Two rabbits of different kinds will not act or interact in a different way than two rabbits of a similar breed.
Rabbits do have the ability to understand the body language of other rabbits. Rabbits don’t mind the appearance or looks of their housemates, as long as it is another rabbit. However, there are a few considerations to look after for keeping and engaging them to spend a happy and healthy life.
The foremost aspect to ponder is the size of the rabbits. If you pair big-sized rabbits with a small dwarf rabbit, they may get on undoubtedly well. Though, there may be a higher risk of injury to the little rabbit due to the size disparity,
Regardless of breed, it is not possible to tell whether two rabbits will get on until they meet. Introduce them gradually to accomplish a successful pairing.
Introducing a New Rabbit to an Existing Rabbit
Rabbits are naturally prone to form couples. Nevertheless, it takes a while for them to generate a bond together. But the relationship is there, and they remain close friends forever.
The new and strange rabbit should be introduced to the already existing rabbit slowly and carefully. Avoid placing rabbits together initially, and hope to have the best bond between them. Instead, follow the following steps to make the initial introduction.
Set Up Two Separate Cages
Initially, place the rabbits in separate cages. The owner must select a cage with wire mesh sides so that the rabbits can see out of it. This separation is the initial step of introducing two rabbits placing their cages side by side. They should see each other to develop a bond.
Each separate cage should contain:
- Hay as a feed for the rabbit
- A non-toxic paper pulp litter box with a layer of hay on the top
- An area where the rabbit can hide
- Drinker for the rabbit
- Feeder bowl for the rabbit
- Newspaper topped with straw bedding
At the start, keep the cages of rabbits in different rooms. Don’t try to introduce them too early, even by sight. Try to let the rabbits exercise at a separate time and in separate rooms.
Spay or Neuter Both Rabbits
It is essential to spay both rabbits before they meet. This spaying serves three primary purposes.
- It will prohibit unwanted breeding. In the case of two males or two females, neutering is not essential. However, for a male and female pair, it is crucial.
- Removal of sex hormones will help them to make them calm and relax. The sex hormones are responsible for aggression and territorial behavior.
- Spaying will eliminate the risk of cancer development of the reproductive organs. There are more chances of uterine cancer in rabbits.
You should wait at least six weeks before moving to the next step. This wait is because there may be some chances of a fight between the rabbits that can have a life-threatening effect on the wounds.
Place The Cages Together
The initial meeting of the rabbits of different breeds should be through the bars of the cages. Place the two pens close to each other side by side. You must make sure that rabbits can see each other through the wires of the cages. However, make sure that they cannot touch one another.
This step is the first step in introducing two rabbits of different breeds. It will make the feel safe as they are not invading the territory of others. The rabbits will be naturally curious. They may come close to each other and try to sniff one another. Initially, there may be some honking or chirping at each other. There might be some aggression, which may subside once they get used to each other.
Once they get used to one another, they will feel more relaxed instead of being aggressive. After some weeks of two rabbits living next to one another, they will be ready for the next step.
Bring Them Together Face to Face
To make a face-to-face encounter, select a room that neither of them has been in that room. The unbiased room will make a neutral smell, so neither rabbit feels that its territory is being occupied.
Make sure to remove any harmful thing from the room, and add cardboard boxes to hide. The addition of hay and some vegetables will help the rabbits. Relating one another with a delicious treat often aids rabbits to bond more rapidly.
Then place both the rabbits inside the neutral room. The owner must have to supervise the rabbits to avoid if any of the rabbits have shown any aggression. The rabbits begin to sniff one another and touch the nose. They may move by circling each other. One rabbit will possibly mount the other, to emphasize dominance.
Let the rabbits investigate each other for around 10 minutes, and then separate them. Try to do the same activity for some days until they can be around each other for an hour or more. If there is any aggression, separate them and don’t reintroduce them for a few days.
Watch for Signs of Bonding
It is not possible that the bonding happens straight away. It takes at least a week of the daily meeting to have a close bonding. The body language will change when the bonding starts to develop. The rabbits will start lying down, grooming themselves, and eating around each other.
Ignoring is a sign that the rabbits are now comfortable with each other presence. When the rabbits lie down, touching one another is indicating that they are starting to bond.
The final phase of bonding is grooming each other. This grooming is a sure sign that the two rabbits will develop a lifelong friendship. You can inspire mutual grooming by smearing a little banana on the forehead of both rabbits.
Can You Keep More Rabbits Together
Rabbits, in the wild, live in a group of 10-15 individuals. Large warrens can be home to 100 rabbits or more, living nearby. Therefore, it is possible to keep multiple rabbits together as long as there is enough space. However, it is a bit harder to introduce a new rabbit to a bonded pair than to add two single rabbits.
Introduce the new rabbits to the bonded rabbit by using the details mentioned above. Treat the two attached rabbits as one item and don’t disperse those rabbits.
The bonded rabbit of the same gender will show signs of protectiveness. The rabbit may be violent toward the new rabbit and try to create supremacy. Let them work it out themselves, but disperse them if they battle.
Final Thoughts
Bunnies do like the company of their kind, and as long as they are familiarized with each other cautiously, they usually end up coming the best of friends. It may take a little while for this to happen, and until you are happy they are authentic, getting on, you should never leave them unsupervised.
Rabbit Meat Profitability Table
| Rabbits | Rabbits Born | Lbs Meat / Year | Average Price / LB | Total Revenue Possible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 84 | 252 | $ 8.00 | $ 2016 |
| 2 | 168 | 504 | $ 8.00 | $ 4032 |
| 5 | 420 | 1260 | $ 8.00 | $ 10,080 |
| 10 | 840 | 2520 | $ 8.00 | $ 20,162 |
| 20 | 1680 | 5040 | $ 8.00 | $ 40,320 |
| 30 | 2520 | 7560 | $ 8.00 | $ 60,480 |
| 40 | 3360 | 10,080 | $ 8.00 | $ 80,640 |
| 50 | 4200 | 12,600 | $ 8.00 | $ 100,800 |
| 100 | 8400 | 25,200 | $ 8.00 | $ 201.600 |
| 200 | 16,800 | 50,400 | $ 8.00 | $ 403,200 |
Rabbit Giant Angora Fur Profitability Table
| Rabbits | Rabbits Born / Yr | 0z wool / Year 40 OZ / Rabitt | Average Price / oz $10.00 | Feed Cost / Yr $ .30 per day / $ 110 per Year | Total Revenue Possible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 84 | 3,360 | $ 33,600 | $ 9,240 | $ 24,360 |
| 2 | 168 | 6,720 | $ 67,200 | $ 18,480 | $ 48,720 |
| 5 | 420 | 16,800 | $ 168,000 | $ 46,200 | $ 121,800 |
| 10 | 840 | 33,600 | $ 33,6000 | $ 92,400 | $ 243,600 |
| 20 | 1680 | 67,200 | $ 672,000 | $ 184,800 | $ 487,200 |
| 30 | 2520 | 100,800 | $ 1,008,000 | $ 57,200 | $ 950,800 |
| 40 | 3360 | 134,400 | $ 1,344,000 | $ 369,600 | $ 974,400 |
| 50 | 4200 | 168,000 | $ 1,680,000 | $ 462,000 | $ 1,218,000 |
| 100 | 8400 | 336,000 | $ 3,360,000 | $ 924,000 | $ 2,436,000 |
| 200 | 16,800 | 672,000 | $ 6,720,000 | $ 1,848,000 | $ 4,872,000 |
Average Giant Angora Weight 10lb
40 Oz shaved Fur per Rabbit per Year
Feed $ .30 per day for 10lb Rabbit
Rabbit Poop Profitability Table
| Number Rabbits | Manure / day / .5lb | Manure / lbs Week | Manure /lbs Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | .5 | 3.5 | 182 | |
| 2 | 1 | 7 | 364 | |
| 3 | 1.5 | 10.5 | 546 | |
| 4 | 2 | 14 | 728 | |
| 5 | 2.5 | 17.5 | 910 | |
| 10 | 5 | 35 | 1820 | |
| 20 | 10 | 70 | 3640 | |
| 30 | 15 | 105 | 5460 | |
| 40 | 20 | 140 | 7280 | |
| 50 | 25 | 175 | 9100 | |
| 100 | 50 | 350 | 18,200 | |
| 200 | 100 | 700 | 36,400 | |
Breeds of Rabbits FAQ
| Breed of Rabbit | Origin | Weight | Purpose | Kits / Litter | Breed association |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealands | California | 5 kg 11 lbs | Meat | 8 | American Federation New Zealand Rabbit Breeders Assoc |
| Californias | California | 3 kg 7-10 lbs | Meat | 6 - 8 | California Rabbit Breeders |
| Rex | France | 4.5 kg 10.5 lbs | Meat | 2 - 4 | National Rex Rabbit Club |
| Satins | Michigan | 4 kg 9.5 lbs | Meat | 2 - 4 | American satin Breeders Association |
| Paliminos | American | 5.4 kg 12 lbs | Meat | 6 -8 | Palimino Rabbit Breeders Association |
| English Angora | England | 2-3 kg 5-7 lbs | Wool | 6 - 8 | National Angora Breeders |
| French Angora | France | 4.5 kg 10.5 lbs | Wool | 6 - 8 | National Angora Breeders |
| Giant Angora | Turkey | 4.5 kg 9 - 10 lbs | Wool | 6 - 8 | National Angora Breeders |
| Satin Angora | Turkey | 4.5 kg 6 - 10 lbs | Wool | 6 - 8 | National Angora Breeders |
| Mini Lop | UK | 3 kg 5.5 lbs | Dwarf | 2 -3 | American Mini Lop Rabbit Club |
| Dutch Dwarf | Netherlands | 1 - 2 kg 2,5 lbs | Dwarf | 2 - 4 | American Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Club |
| Pygmy Rabbit | North American | 500 grams 1 lb | Dwarf | 6 | ? |
| Britania Petite | UK / Polish | 700 grams 1 1/2 - 2 lbs | Dwarf | 2-3 | American Britiania Petite Rabbit Society |
Size
Purpose
Litter Size
Breed Association
Rabbit Breeder Associations
| Rabbit Association | Location | Link |
|---|---|---|
| American Breeders Association | United States | ARBA |
| House Rabbit Society | California | HRS |
| Ohio States Rabbit Breeders Association | Ohio | OSRBA |
| Livestock Conservancy | North Carolina | LC |
| Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund | United Kingdom | RWA |
| British Rabbit Council | United Kingdom | BRC |
| European Association of Rabbits.... | Europe | EAP |
| Australian National Rabbit Council | Australia | ANRC |
| Australian Rabbit House Society | Australia | ARHS |
| ARBA - Rabbit Shows | United States | ARBA - Shows |
