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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Bonding a Trio

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    • luvmybuns
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        I have a bonded pair of bunnies.  A male and a female.  We also have a foster bunny, that doesn’t seem to be getting a "forever" home.  I am now thinking of bonding him with my pair.  I have moved him to the dining room that connects with the kitchen.  When all the bunnies are out, they can (if they want) see each other through a baby gate.  Does anyone have any suggestions on how to bond a third with my pair?  The extra bunny in the house does not seem to bother my pair at all.  The one is very curious and is almost always at the gate.  Thanks.


      • osprey
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          I have a bonded trio (2 Female 1 Male).  When I first introduced Deanna to the existing pair, I made the mistake of trying to bond all three at once.  Our male, DJ, went nuts with two girls at the same time, and started chasing everyone.  I tried again, this time introducing the new bun to each of the pair separately at first.  This worked much better.  Another thing I did once I knew that they would not fight, was to set up a large play area in a neutral space that the pair had not been in before.  I allowed all three to play together in neutral space, giving them meals there too so that they got used to each other.


        • Gravehearted
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            Osprey, thanks for sharing your very helpful first hand advice 🙂  i think a lot of people have better success  working with them as pairs seperately from the trio. Buns have a pecking order and can sometimes be very posessive of their partner. I think that’s part of the reason the small pair bonding can be so helpful.

            One important thing, as Osprey mentioned , is finding a neutral zone to work with them. It might mean having to bond them somewhere outside your home if you used the bathroom to bond your two girls.

            I think one of the most helpful things is to be consistant and patient.  It really depends on the bunnies how long it takes for them to bond. You’ll want to keep up the car rides and sessions with them.  I also think sharing meals is a great way to bond and will also try things like swapping houses and litterboxes too.

             

             


          • luvmybuns
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              Thanks for the advice.  My first two bonded extremely easily.  The bathtub was about 5 minutes, and neutral territory was very short lived.  They just really liked each other.  I have lots of time and will use the neutral territory first.  I have no where to bond but our house.  I don’t know of anyone in my area with rabbits or who would let me use their house. 


            • BinkyBunny
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                Bonding a trio can work by introducing as a trio, but many times, like in Osprey’s case, it can work better when they are first paired up. I have seen both methods work, it really depends on the dynamics of your group.  

                One thing to note though is if you do divide the bonded pair up to meet the new bunny, be sure that the bonded bunny in waiting doesn’t become aggressive with the returning mate.  The scent of the new bunny will be on the returning bunny and that can sometimes cause problems.    My suggestion is to rub the bonded"waiting" bunny with your hands, and then rub the bonded "returning" mate with your hands so the "waiting"bunny’s scent is mixed in.    If aggression still seems to happen, then it might be a good idea to put the bonded pair together in a nuetral space for a few minutes – give them treats, pet them, and make them feel comfortable around each other just by letting them be a pair again before returning them to their territory.

                A good website that discusses multi-rabbit bonding is http://www.mybunnies.com/bonding.htm

                Keep us updated one what ends up working for your trio.


              • luvmybuns
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                  BinkyBunny,

                  I have read that website numerous times to make sure I have some good ideas.  I put a blanket in with each bunny and then switch it daily so they get use to each other smells (besides I run from bunny to bunny for the last month petting them back and forth).    Now, if I am correct, I would place the new bunny  (Digger) in the bathtub with one of the pairs (Cinnamon), then would I switch the pairs out?  Meaning bring Cinnamon back with Floppy and then take Floppy in with Digger?  Or do I just get Digger and Cinnamon use to each other for a couple days and then introduce Floppy?  So far my bunnies have shown to signs of aggression or seperation.  I just keep bringing Digger a little closer to them.  He is in the Dining Room, so there is just a gate between them when they are all out to play.  Thanks for any more input.


                • MooBunnay
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                    I think that bonding the two boys would be the toughest part – so I would start there if I were you, and work on those two first. I would also think that doing Cinnamon with Digger, and then Floppy with Digger each day would also help a lot – that way all the scents are getting even more mixed together. One thing I’d also recommend is do NOT let them run free in a big space until they are totally bonded. I made that mistake and ended up with pee spray all over and two bunnies in a spiral under a chair where I couldn’t get to them!


                  • BinkyBunny
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                      Luvmybuns,this is a great question.  I am suspecting MooBunnay has more experience in bonding trios than I do, so I would say try it out.  The only thing I would be careful of when starting with the two possible harder ones is it might stress Digger out and he may get defensive when it’s Floppy’s turn.  Also, if Floppy is paired first, her scent would be around and maybe then when Cinnamon comes into the picture, her scent would be more comforting?   Osprey, MooBunnay – any opinions about this? Would introducing Floppy first make the males feel they need to fight over her?   This aspect I would like to learn more about.  Think I will ask around and research too.

                      Also, pair ups that prove to be tougher, just keep them short at first to prevent any negative actions from happening in the beginning.  Try to end on a good note, but if it gets ugly fast, don’t force ending on a good note.  Just keep it short.

                       


                    • osprey
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                        Unfortunately, I don’t have much experience with boy/boy pairs, the vast majority of the pairs that I have worked with were boy/girl.  I did work with one boy/boy pair that worked well, almost love at first sight.  Both of these males were the submissive type, and they got along right away.  My boy DJ hates other males, he would be very hard to convince to tolerate another male, so alot of it depends upon the personality of the buns involved.

                        As for the trio, there are so many variables involved, having the third bunny there changes the dynamic and they may behave differently, so if I were doing the bond, I would try the boys first, make sure they don’t fight, then try the new boy with the girl.  I’d keep the initial meetings short, so no one gets too scared or tired.  Be prepared to take it slow and steady, and see how it goes.

                        I may be seeing some very experienced bunny people tomorrow, if I see them I’ll ask for other opinions.

                         

                         


                      • luvmybuns
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                          Thanks Osprey…..my bunnies seem to be very laid back.  Floppy (my female) doesn’t really seem to care what happens and is not territorial at all.  Cinnamon (my male in the pair) is just very curious.  I know you are suppose to keep everyone out of each other’s territory and I didn’t bond my 1st pair normally (I did for the 1st two visits, but not after that).  Anyhow, tonight I let all the bunnies out in their area to play.  Then I put my two back in their condo (well actually they went in and wouldn’t come back out), so I closed the door.  I then let Digger into their area to explore.  Floppy, who was my first bunny, never even got up.  She was laying on the one level and could have cared less that there was another bunny around.  Cinnamon was just extremely nosey and trying to put his nose out through the cage.  After about 5 minutes or so, we put Digger in his cage and opened the door up for Cinnamon to explore Diggers area.  They finally got nose to nose at Diggers cage and were fine.  Now the gate beween the kitchen and dining room is up and Digger and Cinnamon and constantly nose to nose.  Cinnamon keeps running back and checking on Floppy and then going to see Digger.  So far I think it will be a pretty simple bonding.  I’ll keep everyone posted.  When they do meet for the 1st time, it will still be in the bathtub, just in case.


                        • BinkyBunny
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                            YEAH, no fights. That’s the biggest thing. A quick exploration without pushing it too much seemed to make for a good start!


                          • luvmybuns
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                              Just an update.  We put Digger and Cinnamon in the bathtub today for about 5 minutes.  They did okay at first, just both nervous about the whereabouts, then the humping started.  Digger with Cinnamon, then the other way around.  We would let it go for a few seconds and then break it up.  I’m not sure how long we should let it go for.  It was a short visit and then we put them back.  Floppy was fine with Cinnamon coming back and groomed him within 2 minutes. 

                              I had made a fence out of the NIC squares, so tonight I put it inbetween the dining room (Diggers area) and the living room (neutral area).  We put Cinnamon and Floppy in the living room and Digger was in the dining room with just the "fence" between them.  They definately got each others smell as their noses were in the little squares smelling each other.  I think Cinnamon might have been a little jealous with Digger and Floppy. Again, we kept it pretty short and everyone got a treat when it was over.   Cinnamon and Digger are still nose to nose between the baby gate, so it must not have been too bad of an experience.  I think we will try that one again.   Cinnamon and Floppy are still doing well as a bonded pair.  So far, for the first day, I’m happy with the progress.  We are in no hurry and would rather go extremely slow and make it easy on everyone. 

                              How does anyone think I am doing with this?  Any other suggestions?


                            • BinkyBunny
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                                I think you are doing wonderful! You are extremely smart to go slow, especially with the males. The fact they are humping each other means they both want to be dominant, but one of them will have to back down and accept a passive role, or at least a less dominant role for it to work.

                                So I have a couple of suggestions regarding mounting:

                                1. Pet the one that is being mounted to comfort him.

                                2. Allow mounting for 20 seconds at a time (unless the one being mounted is getting agitated and angry)

                                3. Give a two minute break between mountings. IF the break seems to make them more anxious as they are eager to prove their dominance, then cut the break down to one minute.

                                4. Stay calm yourself (sounds like you are) but just in case, as bonding can be very stressful. So for example, if one bunny nips the other’s backside, or it’s time to stop the humping, just push the other away gently and stay calm and keep your voice at a even keel even during times of stress.  (I bring in a radio and play calming music to keep myself calm)

                                Well congrats on your first day. I have feeling the boys may get a bit more aggressive with each other , but since you are going slow, they hopefully will get their hierarchy issues worked out without it getting nasty.


                              • osprey
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                                  Sounds like you started off well!  Let us know how it goes.

                                   


                                • luvmybuns
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                                    2nd attempt for bonding….my male, Cinnamon is such a lover.  We had no mats in the tub and did not use a carrier, so they had a slippery floor.  The first couple of minutes they were actually side by side with heads together and I was petting them both.  This was okay for a short time.  They started to move and we let them.  Cinnamon started to groom Diggers ears.  Digger didn’t know what to do.  He started to hump him from the front.  I pushed him off and they both got petted.  They circled a couple times, then Digger tried humping again, but he also bites Cinnamons back when he is doing this.  We separated them again, and then the same thing.   Cinnamon is definately not trying to be dominate, but I’m not sure how to get Digger to quit biting.   He was not handled well before me and when we first got him, he would try to bite my husband every time his hand was around him.  Do you think this has anything to do with it?  I am still using the "fence" and they seem to like to smell each other.  I am only doing the one on one introductions once a day.    Thanks for all your help.  I am going to try to attach a photo of them side by side.

                                    1819351079071.jpg


                                  • luvmybuns
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                                      Oh I also forgot to mention, Floppy and Cinnamon are fine when I bring Cinnamon back.


                                    • BinkyBunny
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                                        CUTE!. And I am glad to hear this is not causing problems with Floppy and Cinnamon! Regarding the biting. Is he just biting when he mounts? That is normal. That’s also normal for males to do that to females during mating. It just seems to go hand in hand with some bunnies. Usually that kind of biting is not vicious, but lighter – still irritates the one that is being mounted. My suggestion is to wear gloves and while you are comforting and petting the Cinnamon, slowly put your hands over where Digger is biting. If Digger bites your THICK gloves, than that’s okay, as long has he is not hurting you and just getting his anxiousness out.

                                        Now if he ends up getting vicious and it’s clearly intent to hurt and do harm, then that’s another story, and other techniques would be needed.


                                      • luvmybuns
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                                          Thanks for the information BinkyBunnay.  I didn’t know it was normal for some bunnies to bite when they mount.  It doesn’t seem to hurt Cinnamon, but it bothers us.  We do wear gloves and I have a squirt bottle with water.  how long should I let it go on?  We try to stop the biting immediately.  Should we put treats in to get the used to being together or is the mounting/biting just something that is going to have to happen?  Cinnamon has already given Digger dominance.  Digger just hasn’t figured it out yet.


                                        • luvmybuns
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                                            Well, we were in for a surprise tonight.  Cinnamon basically told Digger who was who and it ended up being a much better experience than the last two meetings.  They tusseled a little, but not bad.  Ate some parsley together, no major fights or anything.  They were together for about 10 minutes, still in the bathtub.  We will continue this process into this weekend.   After Cinnamon and Digger are okay together, when do I bring Floppy into the picture?


                                          • BinkyBunny
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                                              It sounds like Cinnamon has given Digger a boundry.   He could also be trying to fight back for dominance. Time will tell whether he just wanted to draw the line of how passive he is going to be, or if he plans on making an attempt to become the dominant bunny.  How did Digger react Cinnamons rebellion?

                                              Once you feel Cinnamon and Digger have gotten all their kinks out and they both have accepted their roles, then I think it would be a good idea to bring in Floppy.  You may find that once you bring her into the mix, humping may begin again to reestablish roles as a trio, but at least some precedence was made before she came in.

                                               


                                            • luvmybuns
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                                                Just an update, we are still going slow with Cinnamon and Digger.  Not sure what the signs mean.  Cinnamon will attempt to go after Digger, he doesn’t seem to really bite him, just the quick movement towards him, like he is going to.  Then, Cinnamon will put his head down like he wants to be groomed.  It is weird.  No major fights and Cinnamon has groomed Digger a little.  Digger has not groomed back, but since he has been a single bun for his whole life, I’m not sure he is real well versed in bunny manners.   Still no problems with Floppy and Cinnamon.  Now I have moved Diggers cage in the same room as Floppy and Cinnamon and this morning I switched them in cages (ie:  Digger in Floppy adn Cinnamons and Floppy and Cinnamon in Diggers for about 20 minutes (while I ate breakfast).  We will see how everything goes.  I have lots of time so, slow, slow, slow is going to be my motto for this bonding.  Thanks for everyones advice.


                                              • Bunny Mommy
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                                                  Hi!  I have been reading your posts because i am in a similar situation.  i have a bonded pair and one that is not bonded.  i have seen aggression from all three at one point and have been to the vet with almost all of them.

                                                  i guess i get worried because my bunnies do what you mentioned…. one charges at the another and i separate them before they bite or hurt each other but i never know if i should just let it happen and see what goes on (like if they don’t bite or 1submisses)

                                                  they have been used to each others scents for a long time now but i am just so scared of fighting.  i am going to try the step by step instructions they have on this site.

                                                  any thoughts what to do with the aggressions?

                                                  Thanks!

                                                  Gina

                                                  p.s. has anyone ever heard on rubbing garlic or onion on their butts and anal glands??????


                                                • luvmybuns
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                                                    Gina, Do you mean you have been to the vets because of injuries due to trying to bond them?  I haven’t had any injuries yet, just a little fur flying.  I don’t know if that is because they are shedding horribly or if someone actually got a bite of the fur.  My husband and I are there with them constantly and there has not been an bloodshed or injuries.  I don’t know how far to let them go either.  I just moved the cages together today, so I will keep you updated on their behavior.   I haven’t introduced Floppy (the female) to Digger yet.  I am just trying to work with the two males first.  Once they get bonded, I will move onto the next step.  I also haven’t tried the stress technique (taking them on a car ride).  I may try something like that this week.  We will have to see.  I’m hoping them seeing each other all day and night will help. 


                                                  • BinkyBunny
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                                                      Gina – I have never heard of rubbing garlic or onion there….what is the purpose supposed to be?  Also, garlic and onion is noted to be toxic (though I do know garlic is given at very low doses is used for medically on rabbits) but I do not  know about a regular onion – meaning I don’t know if even small amounts can cause problems.

                                                      I have heard of rubbing a little banana on their heads to encourage grooming though.

                                                      As far as how far you should let things go – It’s okay for humping, a little chasing and nipping, but when you start to see true aggression (ears back , tail up, growling) then you want to slow it down a bit. Once a nasty fight happens, it can really be difficult to get things back on track. Allowing them to establish dominance through humping and chasing is okay, but you still have to prevent even that from escalating so that they don’t go into what we call here "the death spiral" which is when they basically kick the poop out of each other! There is a line where you should and shouldn’t interrupt. I think you do have to let them work out their issues but if you see true aggression coming out more often, then you may need to try stress methods – like car rides.

                                                      luvmybuns – it sounds like Cinnamon is giving Digger a "warning". The good thing about these two so far is that they don’t seem like they are eager to fight, but they are definitely giving each other signs that either one of them want to play the less dominant role, so they are still figuring out who is going to give in.

                                                      I think that what you are doing is best. You are going very slow, and I think it’s a good idea to put their cages together at this point. Hopefully that will help. You may find some aggression between borders. If you start seeing that, you may have to be extra careful when you put them together again.

                                                      In the end I think your patience will pay off.  On average it takes rabbits 3 weeks to bond, but you have two males and I wouldn’t be surprised if this took a couple of months.


                                                    • luvmybuns
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                                                        Okay, is this a good sign?  I have Diggers cage open (well the bottom gate was closed but Cinnamon jumped right up to the second level from outside it) and now Cinnamon won’t come out of Diggers cage.  Digger is in the living room having his "run time".  I will get Cinnamon out and put him in with Floppy in their cage, but just was wondering what everyone thought.


                                                      • Bunny Mommy
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                                                          i have heard the garlic thing before and its in one of the rabbit books i have.  the idea is that you rub it all over and it covers up THEIR scent, so they probably won’t fight because they smell the same.  its sounds crazy and i dont think i could deal with my bunnies smelling like garlic for weeks!  LOL

                                                          Gina


                                                        • Bunny Mommy
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                                                            unfortunately yes, we have had some bad fights.  i have been RIGHT there but they roll around and i would literally have to GRAB one and toss it lightly  far away from the other one.  i tried to just separate them but they would start again right away or bite me.

                                                            i took elvira to the vet once because she had a bite wound and i was afraid that her eye was injured.  another time i wasn’t home but flops and obbie got into big fight and flops ripped obbie’s lip.  i wasnt home so jay rushed the little guy to the vet to have him stitched (well they used glue).

                                                            i am hoping that if i try to rebond them it might be a little easier now.  they have been in cages right next to each other for almost a year.

                                                            we’ll see!
                                                            Gina


                                                          • luvmybuns
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                                                              Just thought I would post a quick update.  Last night we had Cinnamon and Digger in part of the kitchen so they had room to run around.  They did well.  Cinnamon still lunges at Digger sometimes, but doesn’t seem to be mean about it.  Digger just jumps straight up.  They did have two short grooming sessions, once while I was petting both and once without me petting them.  No real fights or anything.  We had them together for a half hour.  Cinnamon then went back in his house with Floppy and they were fine together.  This next week my husband will be gone, so I will continue with Digger and Cinnamon.  After he comes back we will put Floppy into the mix. 


                                                            • MooBunnay
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                                                                Hello – Sorry about not responding to this one for awhile – I was in the middle of a move and had to get caught up!

                                                                Gina – I’d recommend going verry slowly with the bonding and using the techniques recommended on this forum, especially since there has been some fights. The fighting usually makes the bonding tougher because now the bunny’s will be anxious and scared around the other bunny that “attacked” them – so two key points you want to remember are to introduce them in COMPLETELY neutral territory. Meaning somewhere that none of them have ever ever been (its a good idea to go to a different house if you can, because the car ride will make them a little more unsettled, and if they are in a new place they won’t be so territorial). Also, don’t forget to wear gloves, and as soon as you see bunnies starting to go into a “spiral” immediately separate them. Also, make sure you are doing the bonding in a small enclosed space where the bunnies cannot start fighting out of your reach.

                                                                Luvmybuns – its grea that Cinnamon and Digger are grooming each other!! When you bring a girl back into the “mix” I’m thinking it might get a little harder because of what I’ve seen with my boy bunnies. Whenever I let Raymond out to run around, if he gets near Juli and Kramer’s cage, it starts a fight between Juli and Kramer because Juli sniffs Raymond and Kramer gets jealous and so he pokes Juli and then Juli smacks him, and it turns into quite a ruckus But since you’ve done such a good job with Cinnamon and DIgger it will definitely help when you inroduce the third bunny – of course, keep going slowly like you are now, and I’d recommend keeping oven mitts on or nearby just in case you have to break something up.

                                                                Good Luck!


                                                              • luvmybuns
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                                                                  Just an update.  Cinnamon and Digger are getting along better and better.  Digger now grooms Cinnamon on his own.  Cinnamon does not groom Digger, he just wants to be groomed.  I haven’t had them together more than 45 minutes due to time constraints.  I am going to introduce Floppy and Digger this week.  I will start for the 5 minutes in the bathtub and go from there.  How long should I wait, until I mix the three?  Or, does it depend on how everyone is getting along.


                                                                • Gravehearted
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                                                                    Maybe see how Floppy and Digger do together and after they are getting along then try to intro all three buns.


                                                                  • luvmybuns
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                                                                      Okay, we put Digger and Floppy together tonight for about 10 minutes.  No problems at all.  Floppy mounted Digger a couple times for a few seconds and that was about it.  Very uneventful.  Tomorrow night we will put all three together in the bathtub and see how it goes.  I am happy so far with the progress.  Floppy is really a very laid back bunny and non-territorial


                                                                    • MooBunnay
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                                                                        Ooo good luck with all three today!!! Let us know how it goes!


                                                                      • Gravehearted
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                                                                          wow, that’s great that it went well – keeping our paws crossed to see how the session with all three with go!


                                                                        • luvmybuns
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                                                                            Well, we put all three together.  We probably should have done it in the tub, but we sectioned a part of our kitchen off and did it there.  Digger was a little humping machine. lol.  He just wanted to hump both of them.  Even when we picked him up, his little legs would still be going. (Smile).  No real aggression, unless you consider the humping aggression.  Floppy just wanted to go home and Cinnamon just wanted someone to groom him.  None of them wanted to be mounted.  I think it went okay.  We will do it again tomorrow.  At the end of the session everyone got a Papaya tablet and they were happy.  Now they are all laying down in their homes, tired.  I think it was the most exercise Floppy has gotten in a long time.   I’ll keep everyone posted. 


                                                                          • Gravehearted
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                                                                              wow it’s great that no one got aggressive during the first session. the humping is just about dominance and is perfectly normal.
                                                                              maybe try feeding them their veggies together and see how they do?


                                                                            • luvmybuns
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                                                                                Thanks gravehearted…..I gave them lettuce together and they did much better.  No humping at all.  They did socialize a little.  I know it will take time.  They were together for 20 minutes.  At the end of the 20 minutes they all got a papaya tablet.   I’m hoping getting the papaya at the end will help with the sessions.  I attached a photo of the three bunnies. 

                                                                                1912311059871.jpg


                                                                              • (dig)x(me)x(now)
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                                                                                  Haha, it’s like a tiny furry business dinner!


                                                                                • luvmybuns
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                                                                                    Okay, all was going okay and then it took two steps backwards.  Floppy (the female) goes after Digger and bites at him.  she gets his hair and then tries to eat it.  Even if there is hair on the floor she chews on it…..any ideas?   I have decided to stress them together.  I put Floppy and Digger into a carrier and take them for car rides and then some time in the tub.  I really have no idea so if anyone has any ideas.  Digger and cinnamon are on and off again.  Cinnamon puts his head down and under Diggers chin and if Digger doesn’t groom him, he goes after him.  I know this is going to take some time, but any suggestions would be appreciated.  Thank you.


                                                                                  • BinkyBunny
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                                                                                      It’s normal for them to re-establish dominance when they are all three together because even though they may have worked some of it out as pairs, they will set up a heirarchy as a trio. Having them get along in pairs doesn’t mean they won’t show dominance and light aggression, but it can help with full blown aggression when they are set-up as a trio. So, you will have to do what you did as pairs – go slow (as you well know).

                                                                                      I also think car rides are good too, especially if you begin to see true aggression starting, but also just to encourage them to see each other as comfort during stress.

                                                                                      Keep us updated.


                                                                                    • luvmybuns
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                                                                                        Okay, still working on the bonding.  We have moved it outdoors (the only real neutral area in my house) and is going okay I think.  I did find out that I should not put the bunnies out in the morning when the grass is still wet.  They all were getting into a tiff.  I think it was because no one wanted their feet wet so they would hop very high in the air, which then scared or startled the other bun(s) and of course they thought the one was being aggressive.  We brought them in and will take them back out when the grass is dry. 

                                                                                        My question now is, how long should I let them have a tiff?  Should I break it up immediately or let it go for a 15 – 30 seconds?  I don’t want anyone to get  hurt, but I also know they need to figure out their dominance issues.  If I seperate them immediately, I pet them to calm them down.  They can all lay together as long as I am petting them.  Unfortunately, I cannot pet them 24/7, even though I think they would enjoy that.    They do get mouthfulls of hair during their tiffs, but only once has anyone got a cut and it was very minor.  I didn’t even notice it until the following day. 


                                                                                      • MooBunnay
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                                                                                          I wouldn’t really think of it as two steps backwards, I think its more of progressing by establishing the hierarchy between the three. Very rarely do all bunnies get along right away, and even the ones that do can have a couple spats after being introduced, so its pretty normal to have a couple arguments between bunnies as they figure out who is top bun. Also, the hair eating thing, Kramer eats Juli’s hair too, I haven’t got any idea why!


                                                                                        • BinkyBunny
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                                                                                            well, what is a “tiff” mean in your group? Hair pulling and a bit of chasing, and a harmless nip here and there are rather normal. You just want to prevent it from escalating. So if one bunny retaliates with full blown aggression from another’s more harmless nip, then you do have to step in.


                                                                                          • luvmybuns
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                                                                                              A tiff is exactly what you said, chasing, nipping, hair pulling.  This is my first time to bond a trio and when I bonded my pair, it worked very quickly and easily.  I’m not sure exactly what is normal and what is not.  Thanks for the advice.  We did have a good night last night.  I stood in the pen with them and I had a corn cob broom (I think that is what it was called).  The broom was to help break up fights, but they tended to like to dig at it and chew it.   There was no real aggression last night and they co-existed better than before. 

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                                                                                          Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Bonding a Trio