Okay I'll start from the very beginning. 

I got Beans from a friend who was basically neglecting him due to pure ignorance (she didn't intend to harm him, nor did she realize she was). He lived next to 2 larger buns who had ripped part of his nose off in the beginning. So he lived alone, outside, in a wire-bottomed, completely empty "cage".

I would say about a month or so later, I adopted Benny from a rescue. I brought Beans and did a "bunny speed date" with Benny. Beans hadn't been neutered, so there was lots of humping (not for dominance....). But Benny seemed "whatever" about it. So I brought him home. I guess I could say I was overly optimistic.

I got Beans neutered soon after that. But I had let them explore together before hand. Still a lot of humping, but no sign of dislike between the buns.

The boys seemed to get progressively better. They could lay in my lap, sit by each other, ect. No affection between them, but I figured buns just bond differently.

Once they were doing good enough to roam around for floortime together without me watching them like a hawk, I felt pretty content. Still no affection, or even any close contact. But they would hop past/stop to sniff each other without a worry.

This, I think, is where are ruined it all. I feel terrible about this, and I SO wish I could go back in time.

I decided to try and put the boys together in Beans' cage. It was clean... I definitely wouldn't say descented or anything. Neither of them showed any signs of territory issues, and I just screwed up. It was fine for a moment, then they attacked each other. They both attacked, as far as I can tell, no one rabbit initiated it. I got them apart quickly. Just to add, they don't seem to be "blinded" by fighting like it seems other rabbits are from what I've heard. Right when I reached to grab them, they both instantly stopped. I didn't get a single scratch. I don't think thats important though.

Afterwards, I could still sit them next to each other and they would just chill. Not much different than before the fight. I'm holding on to the fact that they didn't hate each other right away as proof that my mistake didn't cause eternal hatred between the two, but I know that's unlikely . But then, everything started going down hill.

BIG brawls. I had them on neutral territory not long after the fight, and they were doing fine, just like old times. I left for literally a minute or two, and I come back to bit up buns with blood and hair everywhere. It was mostly Beans' fur, so I though maybe Benny was the fighter, but after a few more bite incidents, it's really hard to tell. But, you could literally see, in the chunks of missing flesh, where the lower and upper incisors had gone into each rabbits' skin. It was worse to Beans, but Benny got it, too.

I've tried several times, completely neutral territory, everything. But they bite each other and leap up and "hug" (fighting, though) and jump in the air.  I separate them and it just scares me so bad.

The weirdest part is... as long as they are a) on my lap or b) both sitting still and parallel to each other, they are fine. Now, when they are sitting side by side, parallel, it doesn't last that long.... Once they get hopping around... they fight.  I can get them to sit next to each other for long enough for a few pictures, then it's too dangerous to continue.

I want them to get along, but I've basically give up. I can't stand to see them get hurt over something they don't seem to interested in. But, I do feel that in the long run it would be better for them.

So, if I were to start all over.... how would I do that? I CAN'T screw this up again!

Thanks! Especially if you read all of this!!!

IMPORTANT ADD:

Since AFTER the initial fight. Beans WILL groom the top of Benny's head. But Benny remains in his "whatever" attitude most of the time. Once it looked as if he tried to groom Beans back but ended up biting him? It really looked like he was trying to groom him... but it obviously hurt. It didn't bleed, but it made a mark.

Grooming ONLY happens on my lap.

Posted By leyley904 on 05/18/2010 05:30 PM I left for literally a minute or two, and I come back to bit up buns with blood and hair everywhere. It was mostly Beans' fur, so I though maybe Benny was the fighter, but after a few more bite incidents, it's really hard to tell. But, you could literally see, in the chunks of missing flesh, where the lower and upper incisors had gone into each rabbits' skin. 

IMPORTANT ADD:

 

Grooming ONLY happens on my lap.

How long has it been since they broke skin last? After such an incident you would need to call of any bonding for a few months. If it has been a few months, you could start at a friend's house like Elrohwen said or on car rides with them. This bonding is the kind where you can't take your eyes off for even a second  because any more bloodshed will build a greater grudge. The grooming and relaxing is a very positive sign. These two just had a bad start.

Honestly, this can be done but you have to ask yourself how badly you want them bonded as it will take months. You cannot take a chance and will have to progress very carefully.

The advantage of bonding them would be that you would not have to worry if they ever escaped that they would fight.

-- Have you ever done a bathtub session?

Okay. I'm just making sure.

Is there anything that should be in the bathtub with them? I think I should put them in there side by side like they lay on my lap to start them out on a good note. Is that a good idea?

This isn't happening now... or, well, at least 2 more weeks. I actually haven't held them on my lap together in a few weeks, so I want to be 100% sure that they are still good with that. So maybe 2 weeks sound like a short time, I'm just not sure exactly where they are, you know?

Then it will be bathtub bonding for a while....

S.L.O.W.
Oh, I'm so nervous! 

I have had a hard time finding time to get them out of my lap together, and I'm really anxious to get them together as much as possible. So I'm trying the cube idea right now. I don't have to watch them (hovering) as closely, but I'm still sitting right next to them studying. I used to have to focus all my attention on them to make sure they didn't hop off or any pets came near them. This is a lot easier.

It is a tad more space for them to move around than I usually let them, but I figured it was such a small amount it wouldn't make a difference. I'm glad to say I was right! They are doing WONDERFUL. They are both looking around, going to each side (over each other! ha!). Beans has groomed both himself and Benny in the presence of two dogs. Benny has his normal "whatever" attitude that he has when a lone.

I'm truly baffled as to how they are doing so well. I guess taking that break was really good for them!

I would still appreciate advice on Benny's eye from the post above!

Here are a few cruddy pictures taken from my webcam. I need to find the wire to my camera!

I had a scrap of coroplast that I put in there, just for a solid bottom if they were to move the towel.

If when the time came, could I use a 2x1 grid thing like this before going to an open pen? I think it could be a good transition. Just the exact same as the one I made but two grids long?

Oh, my good boys! I'm so proud of them 

Thanks so much to the people who convinced me to try bonding them again! Best idea ever!

This is my invention! Well, not the cube part, but the rest! Haha!
I put it on a plant roller. I don't know what to call it put it's meant for large planted pots to go on top of. I attached a dog traffic lead and VWA-LA! I rolling...cube...thingy.

Sadly the wheels on this roller suck. It tend to kind of spin when I roll it. I have to pay special attention not to run them into walls!! But I'm careful!

This is just so that if I need to walk across the house or something I can easily bring them with me!

Sorry for me asking so many questions before any get answered, but do you think I should wait for mutual grooming before moving on, or is that overkill? Beans is a gentleman and is grooming Benny pretty consistently. Benny hasn't made an effort. Though he has groomed himself!

Oh, and they pay no attention to the water bottle and lettuce in the cube. Beans munched a tad on hay but that's all. I guess there is too much going on to eat! 

Okay. I just had a half day at school today. Finals tomorrow through Thursday! Good thing the boys are good study buddies! Yeah, right ! Wish me luck!

I put them both in right when I got home. Benny is much more awake now. I guess it's the time of day. I think I made a small mistake, it seems to be better already though. I put Benny in then I cut 2 of Beans' nail before putting him in. It was only for a short time that Benny was in the cube alone, but he nipped Beans twice. Not hard ones at all, Beans just seems more surprised than hurt.

Benny is definitely asking for grooming! I think he gets a little confused, he will shove his head under whatever part of Beans is closest; he chin, his belly, his butt. Anything!

I brought the dogs in just t try and keep Benny distracted a bit. Roger is squeaking his toy at them non-stop wanting them to play with him! Benny is up trying to make friends through the cage bars!

Anything that I could do today to help them progress? I'm obviously still staying in the cube, but I don't know if there's something to do.... I don't know.

So that I can start planning and finding room and supplies, I have a few questions. (Surprise, surprise!) 
They can stay in there current cages until the cementing process, correct? I'm going to be switching out there litter boxes toys to help them get used to each others smells.
ANYTHING about the cementing cage is appreciated. I'm probably going to do an xpen with a shelf or something (if that's okay/good). A neutral room? Or should it have some smell in it to get them used to it?
 

Oops, just saw your post Petzy.

They do relax, but I'm going to wait a few more days. If I can't get the cubes in for a longer time I can use the ones grids with the big holes and overlap them. Which I have a few of.

Just a short video of them.

At the end Benny moves his mouth weird. What is he doing? He does it every once in a while, usually after both him and Beans bow their heads at the same time.

It's almost impossible to see, but when Beans turns around (away from the camera) in the video, he gives Benny's head a little lick when he passes by!

WHOOPS! Forgot to put the actual video! 

Remember my question about Benny's weird mouth thing!

 There's none!