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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

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Forum BONDING Bonding Zorro and Skye

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    • Nicolle
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        So I’ve had Zorro for about 9 months and I decided to get him a friend. He was neutered about 7 months ago.

        We found Skye at our local RSPCA she is 12 weeks old so unspayed just now. Zorro went to meet her three times. Everything seemed fine, Zorro just sat in the corner and she just ate cabbage.

        I brought Skye home on Saturday (5 days ago) and things are just crazy.

        First of all I thought Zorro was the problem, he was obsessed with mounting. Now he still mounts a few times a day but not as crazy and she just runs away so it’s fine, no ones getting hurt.

        I’m now worried that Skye is the problem. From day one she is so so so obsessed with food it’s literally what she does every second of the day is look for food. She doesn’t seem to sleep like Zorro does. I try feeding them together and she wolfes whatever is on offer down. When she is finished she tries to take Zorros food which I have to intervene. Today I’ve noticed she eats her own (even though I give Zorro a head start now) and then literally takes the food out of Zorros mouth. She has also started going over to Zorro and his pile of food and shoving him out of the way with her head and he runs away leaving the food. I’m really worried as I don’t want Zorro to be bullied by this other rabbit. He loves his food so much (as all buns do but not as obsessed as Skye) and would never leave it. He would sometimes shove my hand out of the way when I’m giving him his pellets!

        Another thing is that although Zorro is the hump one he also puts his head down for a lick so many times it’s unreal and she just puts hers down and I think Zorro has licked a few times (hard to tell though it looks rough and is usually followed by a mounting. She just isn’t interested in Zorro she just wants food ALL THE TIME.

        Should I feed them seperatly?

        Zorro is living in his hutch and she in a puppy pen right next to it. I swap the litter trays daily. She often goes in Zorros house and he sometimes goes in hers.
        Also they both have free run of the downstairs when we’re in the house Zorro spends some time with her in the kitchen (where the hutches are) and the rest in the living room with us. Skye is just not interested in Zorro and following him she just wants food and will be in Zorros house eating hay. I feel like she doesn’t even make an effort with him when Zorro has.

        What can I do? I got a rabbit to make Zorro happier and if he’s not I’m not sure I can keep this rabbit and I don’t have the room for two permanent seperate cages.


      • The Law Bun
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          I will say I have never bonded rabbits before, but have already started my research. Someone else in the forum with a lot of experience will hopefully come and help you out but I do have a few notes.
          1) If I am not mistaken, you should be doing bonding sessions in closed spaces (i.e. bath tub or other similar locations).
          2) Mounting is typically OK for 5 or so seconds because thats how they determine dominance in the pecking order.
          3) You really should have done more research beforehand. Not all rabbits are bondable, and quite simply you should have been prepared to have two rabbits who could not have been bonded together, and now you may have to rheum the rabbit again.

          Edit: One member on here, Tanlover, has 9 rabbits bonded in separate groups and currently runs a great website with lots of information. I will look to see if I can find it

          Edit 2: wheekwheekthump.com. Has TONS of great information on bonding tips, what to watch out for, what to do, etc. Should be able to get you started


        • Nicolle
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            Thanks for your advice. I did a lot of research and much is conflicting depending on what website I look at. I looked at the site you recommended and it did say that a common fault in bonding is thinking big spaces are better and I thought they were!

            I just took them to the bath for half an hour and within two minutes Skye licked Zorro! She licked home a few times over the half hour and was sprawled out the rest. I just have another question about this….
            No doubt I was wrong and small spaces are best for bonding but what about the other times? Say i do a bonding session 3 times a day, should they both be locked in cages the rest of the time? Zorro is used to having his gate open for about 14 hours a day and will go nuts biting the gate!

            Also with the food thing I’m thinking maybe she needs a little more food and she’s the same size as Zorro but she’s only 12 weeks so she will no doubt grow bigger than Zorro. Any thoughts? Should I still feed together with the food stealing or is seperate best for now?

            Thanks for your help


          • The Law Bun
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              Unfortunately, those questions are a bit out of my single rabbit knowledge . Hopefully someone will come by with a bit more specifics .


            • LittlePuffyTail
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                I would definitely wait until you get your little girl spayed before doing anymore bonding. It’s always recommended that both bunnies be altered before bonding. She may even become more territorial and aggressive and your boy could be hurt. So that’s my suggestion. And since you should definitely have her spayed anyways for her health, you might as well wait until after she is recovered to bond them. Bonds are often broken after a bunny is spayed or neutered and you would have to rebond anyways. You can continue swapping litter boxes in the meantime.


              • Nicolle
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                  Do you think I should maybe keep them in seperate rooms then rather than side by side cages? It’s months until I can get her spayed as my vet wants to wait till it’s safe at 6 months old, then obviously another month or so for her to recover and reduce hormones. I could put her in my bedroom maybe? And just let them out at seperate times?

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              Forum BONDING Bonding Zorro and Skye