Starting a trio

[Binx86]

So a couple weeks ago we got confirmation from a rescue that we were approved to adopt a bunny that I had been looking at named Izzy.  It had to wait until I got paid though, since I just started a new better paying job than what I had before.  Well, yesterday was pay day so naturally I couldn’t wait.

I went out after work and got a box of nic cubes and built her a condo.  We were told she was a Holland lop so I built it 2 tall and 3 long, and 2 wide thinking that would be enough, she even had a 1×2 level she could get onto.   I figured for a 9 month old Holland lop that would be perfect!  Izzy is so not a Holland lop… 

 

My first thought when I saw her was, omg so fluffy, then it was omg so big!  Needless to say today I went and bought a second box and expanded her condo.  Though last night when Groucho came out of the bedroom to sniff at Izzy, who is set up in the living room, I nearly had a heart attack.  Groucho shoved his head in one of the squares of the nic cubes which was bad enough but he followed through with his whole body!  Just slithered right in!  I was so shocked and so scared but we got off lucky… Groucho and Izzy sniffed each other’s faces, bumped noses, sniffed each others sides and then Izzy licked Groucho’s face!  They’re already so content with each. 

(This was Groucho shoving his head in again after he had already gone in and come back out…)

 

Zeppo on the other hand was not so impressed.  There was a few thumps through out the night as she made noises and bumped around and nearly destroyed an entire phone book in a 6 hour span.  Today Zeppo has settled down greatly and him and Izzy have come nose to nose through the cubes to sniff at each other.  When I expanded the condo I took the smaller grid squares, which I didn’t notice but the box had 9 squares that were made up of a smaller grid, and put them on the bottom row so no bunny can stick their heads through them anymore.

Izzy has been doing binkies and zoomies inside her condo and has even already flopped over to expose her amazing white belly!

I had to use a flash light because it was so dark under her level where her litter box, which she’s using as a bed, is.

[tanlover14]

Oh gosh! So you’re going through with deciding to bond?!??!? Trios are AMAZING. I’m utterly crazy for trying to expand my trio into a quad but I LOVEEEEE multiple bunnies. My trio are the darnest, cutest things ever! Grooms, cuddled together, ugh! I love it.

And whooo hoooo – congrats on Izzy! She’s adorable!

[Binx86]

I’m not doing any actual bonding yet because she isn’t spayed, but that will be done soon! Minnesota SNAP is this amazing program for low income families, which we actually qualify for because both the hubby and I get medical assistance through the state, since my employer wants way too much for their insurance. So spaying her is only going to cost us $50 which is so much better than the $250 our vet wants! And I feel safe with the vet staff, I’m pretty sure they spay/neuter all the rabbits from the Minnesota Companion Rabbit Society which is a huge rabbit only rescue here. So we wont start actual bonding sessions for another month and a half, her appointment is in 2 weeks and that leaves a good 4 weeks for recovery before we do anything. But right now I figured what’s the harm in them being around each other just to get used to everyone?

I love multiple buns too! We had talked about getting a girl for them before Groucho got sick, then when he did that was obviously off the table. But since he’s better now we both figured why not! And yes TL, your trio is amazing! I’m still in love with the tan look, they’re so gorgeous and unique!

Izzy was doing more binkies last night, her new condo is now 6 cubes long and the level is twice as big with a built in ramp. She’s figured out she can slide down the ramp too if she sits just right and I caught her doing nothing but that for a little bit last night too. Groucho and Zeppo spent a few hours out there yesterday with her all sprawled out beside the cage, grooming each, and she was cleaning her face on the other side of the cubes right next to them. Lots of sniffing and nose bumps. When Izzy started doing binkines so did the boys!

She’s being super destructive though! She has lots of toys, including several of the willow ones from the BB store that I had extras of. This morning though when I woke up and went to check on her, her litter box is half empty the contents of which were strewn about in a 2 foot radius around it. Most of her blankets looked like they had been pushed and nudged around and hardly any of them were in their original spots. The phone book didn’t survive through the night either and I can’t find her willow ball (the large one) so I think she finished that off too!

I know she’ll settle down though after we get her fixed so I’m just patiently waiting my two weeks until I take her in.

[tanlover14]

Hahahahahaha!!! Oh goodness, sounds like you have your hands full!!

I can’t wait til you start bonding!! I’m going to be all over that thread! (PS. You HAVE to make one!!! I found others threads so useful when trying to bond my brats! Hence why I keep updating mine so often even if no one has many responses for input, it’s really nice to put out there for future members!)

Good luck on the spay!!

[Binx86]

Thanks Tan.

I will be making a thread. Yours has been fun to read, I’ve just been too busy to really post much. And it sounds like I’m going to be busy again… Izzy is digging in her litter box some more and Groucho just came running in the bedroom. I bet she nailed him with some of the litter, lol. I so can’t wait till she’s spayed!

[Binx86]

So… I had an idea, but I’m not sure if it would be a good one or not. Izzy seems attention starved, not sure if she didn’t get enough at the rescue or if she’s been neglected or what not. But right now her cage set up is in the living room, and we don’t spend a whole lot of time in there since computer and everything is in the bedroom. So I had been thinking about moving her condo into the bedroom. The problem here in lies that the boys are free roam, and the bedroom is where they hang out 90% of the time. Would moving her cage into the bedroom cause too many territory issues like I’m afraid it will? They’re getting along fine through the nic cubes, and it’s not like we’d let her out in the bedroom to run around.

It was just a though because I work so much and when I come home the usual routine is giving everyone attention and love and then onto the computer for various things. The living room really isn’t used all that much. And that may sound weird but the bedroom is bigger than our living room… Any thoughts though would be helpful. I wanted opinions before I actually did this.

[tanlover14]

If will probably cause territorial issues concerning poo’ing and peeing all over the place. They may lose their litter box habits a little bit until they get used to her being around. But I don’t think it will be too bad as in aggression. You can always try it — if it doesn’t work out then move her back to the living room. You could get them used to it by spending about 2-3 days mixing their litter into each others litter boxes if you’re worried about aggression. I did that with my buns and then let Simba run around their area and my other trio are definitely not as territorial about it anymore. Except with poos. I now have Simba in their play area 24/7 even when they have run time. Besides poos everywhere it has been going good.

I think doing this will help you get started on the bonding process a little early too! Personally, I think it’s a good idea.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I just wanted to say congrats on your new addition. She’s super cute.

[Binx86]

Tan – The boys already have full access to the living room where she’s at and I put a litter box for them outside of her cage next to hers and I’ve actually already been mixing their litter hoping it would help with her litter box habits ( which btw she is completely lacking it!). I’m sure hers will change when she gets fixed, crossing fingers on that one. The only aggressive part I really have to worry about is the fact that Zeppo almost seems possessive of her, but that’s only when I’m around!

It’s awesome that your bonding is going so well! I really need to go read your thread and catch up on it!

Thank you, LPT! I need to upload more pictures of her.

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