*Update* Bonding help needed!

[FergsMom]

Hello, newbie here, so pardon if I missed this information somewhere…

I’ve been attempting to bond my two neutered french angora bucks for about a month and a half now and I’m not sure it’s working out. I could definitely use some advice, as this is my first time bonding bunnies. 

I got them as kits from a breeder when they were 8 weeks and 14 weeks old. Fergus is a laid back kind of shy bun, while Ted is a very lovable, cuddly, but dominant bun. Before being neutered, my husband left the doors open on their pens one morning and they got into a pretty serious fight while we were at work, leaving Fergus with a torn eyelid and Teddy with several bites in his ventral area. I kept them separate until about two weeks after their neuter, then began prebonding. Their NIC cube pens were moved so they share a central wall, and while they’d nip through the holes for the first few days, no one was hurt and they stopped soon.

I’ve been doing bonding sessions for a while now, in a neutral bathroom, and Ted seems to have gotten much better, he’ll occasionally flop near Fergus, and rarely will growl and nip Fergus if he seems in his way. I’m just worried about Fergus.. He just sits in there seemingly terrified the whole time. He’ll sit stock still where I put him down for the entire session, and while Ted explores, eats, grooms himself, etc, I can’t even entice Fergus with bananas or raisins, which are his favorite treats. I’ve tried gently petting him and talking as soothingly as I can, I’ve tried moving him further from Ted, I’ve tried sitting in there so he could get on my lap like he does in his pen. 

I’m not sure what to do at this point. Ted is not hurting him or bothering him for the most part. If I put their greens in front of Fergus, Ted will sit right up against him and start eating. I’ve never seen them grooming, or even trying to get groomed. 

Any advice on what I should do at this point? The breeder I bought them from has several litters right now and I’ve always heard that it’s much easier to bond buck/doe pairs, should I get them both a lady friend (who will be spayed when old enough)? Should I just keep trying with them? I have no problem continuing their sessions, I just don’t want to traumatize poor Fergus..

Sorry for the long post, and sorry for the bad quality picture, I only had my phone with me and it doesn’t take the best pictures.

Thanks!

Ellen

[Astrid Felix]

Some bunnies are impossible to bond just like people everybody has that one person who rubs them the wrong way and is just plain annoying bunnies can be difficult to bond I am currently trying to bond to females which is not working out very well I have successfully bonded lots of rabbits but sometimes it’s just plain no use keep trying but if it doesn’t work don’t torture them by making them live together consider getting rid of one and replacing him with a different rabbit if you couldn’t imagine getting rid of either one of them then you may have to compromise with putting their cages in separate rooms don’t give up yet keep trying but don’t be surprised if it doesn’t work. Please seek a second opinion if you don’t feel comfortable with what I told you that is just my experience which is by no means infallible thank you and good luck on your rabbit bonding

[MoveDiagonally]

How big of a space do they have during bonding sessions? If the space is too big they might choose to avoid each other. Sometimes reducing space can help.

What kind of traction does he have on the flooring of the bonding area? If they don’t have traction on the flooring/slip a bit this could be part of whats making him uncomfortable. Having them less traction can be helpful with really aggressive rabbits during bonding but since they’re not attacking each other it might be a good idea to lay down a towel or blanket and see if that helps at all.

[BunnyBrigade]

How long has it been since their neuter? You normally want to wait for a month before bonding. What other bonding steps are you taking? And how long have they been side-by-side together?

Sorry for all the questions.

[FergsMom]

Getting rid of either of them is not an option. They’re not just fiber bunnies, they’re family. If they end up not being able to bond, they’ll continue to live side by side in their room, I’d just prefer them to have a companion to romp and cuddle with.

I’ve been doing bonding sessions in a very small bathroom. There’s room for the two of them, then I normally have to sit on the edge of the tub, so maybe 4′ x 4′? It is slippery tile flooring. I’ve never put anything down because I was told that the slipperiness (?) would help. I’ll start putting a towel down and see if it helps him feel better.

It’s been a little over two months since they were neutered. I waited about three weeks before starting bonding. I was told by their breeder that three weeks would be fine since they’d been living side by side since I got them. They’ve been living like that for about three months now. They’d occasionally grab a chunk of wool through the holes in the NIC panels for maybe the first week they were set up like that, but since then they’ll flop against each other through the panels. I have tried stress bonding them in a laundry hamper, and both times they started fighting immediately upon me stopping moving the hamper. I didn’t even have time to get them out before they started at each other.

Any ideas aside from what I’m doing now would be wonderful. Although I have no issues with trying to find them both a better mate, I’d rather not have six bunnies! (I also have a not yet neutered buck who has run of the house and will be neutered soon, but he’s bonded with one of my dogs, so no worries about finding him a bunny friend)

[MoveDiagonally]

I wouldn’t worry about them not being able to bond at this point. I have a bonded quintet (5 rabbits bonded together) and two in the group had a pretty tumultuous relationship during bonding. I don’t think what you are describing is any sign that they cannot be bonded.

Slippery floors can help with aggressive rabbits as it can make them less likely to lunge or scuffle. If your two aren’t being aggressive and one just seem overly uncomfortable the slippery floor could be contributing to his nervousness.

How long are you bonding sessions?

[FergsMom]

*Update*

Well, bonding sessions were going about the same up until today, when the moment I put them down, Fergus lowered his head to be groomed and Teddy just went after, and actually attacked him. They had latched on and were on their sides kicking before I could stop them, and it took me several moments to get them separated. Then once they were separated Ted went after him again two more times before I could get one picked up… Had to call for my husband to help get them quick enough… Neither have wounds that I can find (thank goodness for all that wool!). Both seem kind of traumatized. I’ve moved Fergus into the front room and set his pen up next to our other bun whom absolutely loves him and who we plan on trying to bond once he’s neutered.

We’ve given up trying to bond Ted and Fergus. It can probably be done eventually, but it’s just not worth it since Ted seems so against the whole idea, and I don’t want to risk someone actually getting hurt once they’re sheared down. Or me, since Teddy pretty sincerely attacked the strainer I used trying to separate them today. Fergus and our other bun Olaf groom each other through the wall of their pens, flop and binky together, and have met with one on either side of a pen several times and have always really liked each other, so we’re going to bond those two once Olaf is neutered, which should be soon.

My issue is, should I try getting a different bunfriend for Teddy? I cannot find angora rabbits in any rescues nearby, and getting a non-angora is not an option, since these are fiber animals, as well as pets, but I do have the option of getting another angora from our breeder who has several litters on the ground. I’m already going to get a pair of sisters who are already bonded, and was considering getting another doe who has a personality more fitting for Ted… Or are some buns just happier as singles?

[tanlover14]

Personally, I don’t believe any rabbit is happier as a single. I don’t think there is any such thing as a bun that cannot be bonded to another rabbit. The only complication is that you don’t want to introduce a bun that is unaltered to a bun that is altered. It’s asking for trouble. Which is why I always think it’s best (specifically with a rabbit that you’ve had trouble bonding) to let them pick out their own friend. But breeder makes it complicated as I’m assuming she has no altered rabbits?

If you have the time/space/energy to care for another rabbit if they do not bond, then I would personally try to find another match for him. I’m a very firm believer that any rabbits can be bonded – some can just be a lot more work than others. So I know I would give it a definite try! But I would definitely ensure that it’s the right choice for you as well as him, just in case the match doesn’t take and you decide to not bond them.

[BunnyBrigade]

I agree with tanlover, I feel as if rabbits are not happy single. Also, I echo tanlover’s idea. If you have the extra space maybe finding a new match for Teddy wouldn’t hurt. I had thought that my girl, Skipper, was happier single. However, after seeing her bonded, I realized that she is 1000x happier.

It’s good to hear that Olaf and Fergus seem to get along! Hopefully that bond works out once Olaf is fixed.

(I have to ask. Do you card/spin the angora fur into wool like material?)

[tanlover14]

Side note: I don’t think rabbits are always unhappy as singles but I think any animal/human is happier with a companion!

Despite that though, it’s always important to ensure that is really what you want before deciding to get another. It’s a commitment and it’s important to make sure it’s the best decision for everyone involved

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