Colony Bonding. Add a buck, or doe???

[Becka]

I have a colony. It consists of 6 total at the moment. One neutered buck, 2 spayed does, and 3 unsorted (not old enough yet but will be spayed.) We want to add in another, in a few months. I’ve been wondering if I should add a buck instead of another doe? Because of all the females? Is there a good ratio or does anyone else have a colony with more than one male? I’d really appreciate feedback on this. I’d like another male as well. Bonding has been timely and takes patience and a little faith and a lot of love. They get along well. But all the females always wanna be by my male all the time. I feel they get jelous or fight over him. Or protect him. And it changes who is near him and then they don’t want anyone else near him. Hmmph. What do you think. I’m worried two males won’t get along though even though my male is so super docile and doesnt care about anything.but I’d feel bad if we had the 6 work togrther and bonded and then the male and that doesnt. But, maybe? I don’t know….

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I actually wouldn’t suggest adding any until the others are fixed. And I’d be super careful, even though they are young-rabbits breed like rabbits, and you could end up with a litter very easily.

Out of curiosity-Where do you keep your colony? Why so many? Not that lots of rabbits aren’t cute but my vet bills with two are pretty awful…

[Becka]

They are inside in our room in a huge enclosure and get to run around when we’re home. We just love them. And we are going to spay the other girls. Everyone gets spayed or neutered when old enough. We just wanted a colony and have seen it done. We take a lot of time with them especially with bonding. I get these questions a lot which I don’t mind answering I just really would like advice on buck to doe ratio
I’d like at add a buck since it seems all the does fight over our one male and we have 5 other females. We just stared reintroducing our 2 females that got spayed back into the group that they were already in plus one. We only have room for one. Maybe 2 more. But I’m generally wondering if we should add another buck. But I worry about the males not getting along. No one can have babies since our buck is neutered. 2 females just got spayed and in 2 months the rest will be old enough for their spay. We were going to have everyoNE spayed before adding either one more male or female. I am really looking for a magpie harlequin and our group is so diverse I love it

My male right now is super loving. He is lazy and doesnt care what you do to him so that’s why I think it’s possible he could get along with another male. Maybe I could try and see how he would get along with another male somewhere else.

But advice on the ratio would be appreciated. I’ll answer any other questions but I just haven’t been able to get feedback only questions I understand your concern though.

thanks!!

[MoxieMeadows]

I’m not sure there’s a set ration on males to females. Tanlover14 has quite a few buns (groups that have more than one male) so it is possible. I personally think adding a buck wouldn’t be too bad. I might try and get a submissive buck though, so that your current one won’t feel replaced or lower on the totem pole. If there’s already stress between your does, I personally don’t think adding another one would be a good idea.

Normally same gender bonding (male to male or female to female) just takes a little longer.

I’d love to see some picks of your group, what are their breeds/names?

[MoxieMeadows]

If there’s already stress between your does, I personally don’t think adding another DOE would be a good idea.

[LBJ10]

Just from reading other people’s experiences, girl to girl bonding seems to be the most difficult (but not always). It really has to do more with individual personalities and, in your case, group dynamics. My two boys absolutely love each other. They are inseparable. Best buds. So adding another boy might not be a bad idea. It will just depend on the personality and how the new bunny interacts with the group.

[Becka]

Well we were thinking after all the girls are spayed, when they are of age in about a month or two, we can add another boy so no one will get pregnant. I’m really specific I want a magpie harlequin. And I’ve done a lot of bonding, we are reintroducing our 2 girls to the group, except there is one newbie in there. But girl bonding I feel.is getting harder the more I have. I feel another boy may be good for them. The females take to the males much better. Even my sisters get annoyed with each other sometimes. They got hormonal right at 5 and a half months and they are the ones that for spayed recently. But we would be getting an 8 to 10 week old baby. I’ve always had best luck bonding a baby to the group because they’re usually submissive anyway. I don’t know how to post pics I’ve tried to post them before. I have a page on fb tho and update all my bonding and daily experiences. If you’d like to see pics I’d like for you to check it out! You can see everyone there!

http://www.facebook.com/stellarandfriends

And we caved and made an IG

http://www.instagram.com/stellarandfriends

Hope you check it out. Plus I’ll be hosting contests at 175 likes and 350.

ThanKS for the advice. I’ve been trying to decide very hard on this decision. We also have everyone pretty different, looks wise. So it’s interesting but I have a while to think on whether to get a buck or doe. But I’m seeing litters coming around in the next month or so. So, I’d have a Month or two to decide. Maybe see how my colony is going. I just think too many girls may get too much girl issues lol. Even spayed.

[Vienna Blue in France]

I know nothing scientific about all this, but logically I wonder if getting another docile buck would then even out the buck/doe “ratio” and the does will then be happier to have access to ‘their’ buck….

If you compare the scenario with humans (which I know you can’t, but hey!), one handsome guy being fought over by 4 women? Or 2 handsome guys with 2 each ??!!!! LOL Simples ! :o))

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