unaltered males ?

[Elliriyanna]

I have a potential buddy lined up for Tenzin, Just waiting for boyfriend to decide if he is ok with another animal in the house. 

Tenzin is 4 months old and is completely non-hormonal at the moment. The baby I have lined up is a buck as well, and is only 7 weeks ( and won’t be coming here for another month) That would make my boys 3 and 5 months and they would not be altered yet. Tenzin we plan to alter at 6 months and the baby should be ” ready” by then too so they can be done at the same time. 

I have two pens, double of all supplies etc. But is there any way I can even let them meet each other before the neuters? 

BTW Yes I know rescues have already altered animals and I already checked out that route as it was my preference. 

[Sarita]

Well you won’t want to do any introductions until both are neutered and their hormones have settled and there is no guarantee that any 2 rabbits will bond…so that is up to you to decide if you are willing to live with rabbits who must live separately.

Sure, they could meet but that probably is not going to give you an indication of compatibility…young rabbits change so much. I know of many altered rabbits that have met and “fell in love” – sure it can possibly happen but I have never tried it with unaltered rabbits of the same sex but unlikely the bond would continue and I wouldn’t just because that’s not something my experience would allow.

[Elliriyanna]

I know the possibility of them never bonding, But I think its worth the risk of some extra work for a potential bond.

I wasn’t really trying to get a sense of compatibility just let them know each other a bit since they will be living next to each other at the very least.

I know I have to wait until they are both altered and then an additional month before truly starting the bonding process.

But I didn’t know if play times could be arranged before I did try actually bonding them.

I am probably sounding pretty dumb.

[Elliriyanna]

i was planning to keep them 100% apart until the neuters and hormones came down. I should just stick to that plan. They will see each other through the pen bars but I will make sure there is a big enough gap that if they do get grumpy they can’t hurt each other. I dont mind separate play times etc. I have a LOT of time on my hands.

[Sarita]

It sounds like you have a good plan to me and you know the obstacles….if these are rabbits that you want and you sound like you are patient and willing – I say just do it….you certainly sound like you give alot of thought to everything and are willing to overcome any possible obstacles without blaming the rabbits which is a huge step in having rabbis. I think you will be a good rabbit owner without too many expectations on how you feel rabbits should be and that is a huge plus from someone who has rescued rabbits in the past for many years…you will be a good rabbit owner.

[Elliriyanna]

As long as they aren’t genetically aggressive I am a firm believer in positive training so I think we can work on most things. Training most likely being the wrong word with rabbits … I am also owned by a cat lol So I know the difficulties of pets just not being what you had ” hoped” and thats ok… As long as they are safe and loved.

Boyfriend just wants to be sure that rabbits won’t be super stinky like my rats were before saying yes.

I really appreciate that, In high school I lived in a household that just let the animals breed and roam … And often even abused them. Being 14 and at risk of being kicked out there was nothing I could do. I vowed to NEVER ever let my pets have that kind of life.

[LBJ10]

If you have set ups for 2 bunnies, you can try putting them side-by-side to see what happens. It might help them become familiar with each other (but would in no way guarantee a bond) without having physical contact. Like Sarita sad (and it sounds like you have already concluded), it is best to not put them in a situation where hormones are calling the shots. You wouldn’t want a nasty fight to occur.

[Elliriyanna]

The pens have to be side by side. They are 2 4×4 Pens and the room is just over 8 ft long and the way its set up that’s the only wall they can go along. So they are gonna have to handle being neighbors for a while.

With any luck I can get tenzin neutered before the baby comes home so he wont come into his full adult hormones.

[Thump]

I think its a good idea to keep them side by side to get used to each others scent. Even if two rabbits are kept in separate rooms, they will still smell the other rabbit on you and wonder what thats all about. Before my males were bonded, I’d take turns letting them run around and found that they were interested in each other and preferred to lay down next to the other’s cage which is a good sign.

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