Query Help Please

A lady has contacted Dawn and I this morning reference a problem she is having with her buns. She has 2 buns, male and female. They are devoted rabbits. They have the run of the garden, shed and house. They are very spoilt by all accounts! Anyway the female is pulling chunks of fur out of the male's back. She isn't making a nest with it, she isn't doing it in an aggressive way. They will literally be eating grass, then she will hop over, pull a chunk out and carry on with what she is doing. This lady has taken them to the vets and the vet can find no reason why she is doing it. The bunny is going to be spayed this week. The little boy's back isn't infected or sore, but it is bald and his owner is very worried.

I have told her to maybe put a layer of vaseline on the skin, to try and deter her and obviously to protect the skin, til she goes in for her spay. But I did tell her I would be turning to my trusty hoppers for help.

So peeps, any idea why this is happening and what I can suggest?

What does she do with the fur after pulling it out....

I would be tempted to try a smear of olbas oil on the spot she is plucking (but not if the skin is sore or broken), trying to rub it on the fur, the taste should act as a deterrant hopefully.

Nothing, she just lets the fur blow away in the breeze?!?!

How strange.Great idea sooz

It's normal behaviour because she is not neutered, she is 'practising' getting fur for her nest although she is still to young and inexperienced to know what to do with it, she will be fine once she is neutered and her hormones die down

Thanks guys. Have told the lady. Bun is in for her op this week!