Rabbit housing
Domesticated rabbits descend from European wild rabbits. European wild rabbits live in groups depending upon resources available. The more resources that are available, the less tightly they group, and actually prefer quite a bit of distance from the other rabbits. A literature review concluded that wild rabbits are either dominant or subordinate and the subordinate animals live in a constant state of stress and fear when in a group setting. Dominant animals require submission from subordinate daily, and if not performed, leads to violent fighting.
Domesticated rabbits allowed to live in colonies showed much aggression to each other, and the reviewers came to the conclusion that rabbits are very aggressively territorial animals and for their safety, should be housed individually. The Social Nature of European Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
"However, anecdotal reports of aggression in rabbits, often without an obvious cause and resulting in serious injuries, during socialization attempts in the laboratory have prevented widespread social housing of the species." "The literature on the subject is relatively brief, considering the number of animals used in research facilities each year, and many of the published reports are subjective assessments rather than well-controlled studies that provide conclusive evidence regarding social housing benefits, risks, and methods for this species." "In such groupings, the dominant buck routinely patrols a territory, and as often as daily, requires a submissive act from all other rabbits, both male and female, sharing the same space.38 These submissive acts are manifested by the subordinate animals retreating or fleeing from the dominant buck's advances. Retreating is required to demonstrate submission, and any failure to retreat prompts an attack.38" All it takes is one missed social cue "In contrast, all adult animals demonstrated aggressive behavior toward one another, with no difference in frequency of aggressive behavior patterns between males and females in a large fenced-in area.36" *~Stephanie Hughes- quoting "The Social Nature of European Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)"
We've mentioned in here previously that rabbits live in warrens, but you do not have the space like a wild rabbit does to avoid someone else ,Colony setups recommend something like 50 sqft per doe of unbroken space, iirc People trying to bond their rabbits are trying to do a colony setup without the sufficient space to do so safely . Some rabbits aren't even interested in breeding until 1, Circling is territorial. Unlikely, but not impossible *~ Cave.Lepus Tomias Skyewillow
Or more .. if they like to keep approx 50feet apart naturally. It's more like 2500sqfeet per rabbit for them.to be most comfortable.. basically they want their own 3 bedroom house
