Next step in bonding?

[Dee]

Hi Everyone,
After my beloved Nelli died in May, I decided it was time to get a wife for my 2 year old male dwarf, Lukie. He was supposed to bond with Nelli but she was not friendly toward him AT ALL. Plus, before Nelli, Luke has a brother that picked on him (they rescue separated them of course). So my poor little Luke is very afraid of other rabbits.

We went to the rescue 2 weeks ago, and Luke was traumatized by the car ride and frozen with fear when we put him on the floor in the bonding pen. The lady who owns the rescue said that he might think he was being returned (that’s where we adopted Luke!). So the first bunny Luke met was nice and he began to move around, but a couple times when she hopped near him, he lunged and nipped at her. He seems to think he should attack before the other bunny gets him.

The next bunny was Vanessa renamed Precious by us. She went right in and started humping him. Lukie was horrified, went into a huddle on the floor and refused to move at all. She kept hopping off of him, then going back to hump him again, but each time did it less. The last time she went up to him, then you could see her thinking,”Nah, he already knows I’m the boss, I don’t need to hump him again.” of course Luke didn’t know this, so he remained huddled in the floor, petrified. Precious then tried to get him to move by nosing him all over and then pushing his butt with her nose- probably wondering what was wrong with him lol. Finally Luke began to rise up to normal height, and shortly afterward, the magic moment happened- Precious groomed his cheek! Very quickly but *it happened* ?!! Then we put them in a litter box together, and they sat nicely while we patted them.

So we went home with two black bunnies, like history repeated itself again (BunBun and Nelli- my rainbow buns ❤). Luke laid almost on top of Precious the whole way home. When we got home, I put them in a small neutral space together, and would have left then together except Luke was so upset that he would barely move and wouldn’t eat. At that point it was over 6 hours since he had eaten, and I was worried about GI stasis, so I took him out and brought him to our room.

Precious was in an Xpen in the kitchen at first, and one day I let Luke in there so he could see her and I was quite displeased to see Lukie nipping at Precious through the bars! It was like he would get brave enough to put his nose up to her, then get scared and nip at her instead. He even got so worked up he did a soft stinky poop on the floor! But he couldn’t seem to leave her alone either. Precious was very excited to see Lukie but I saw that she was getting a bit defensive, so I removed Lukie. Since then I’ve let Precious have the run of the kitchen, and the bunnies can watch each other through 2 gates but not touch.

For bonding, we’ve started putting them in a laundry basket together. Very close but controlled setting, petting them nearly constantly, so that Luke will hopefully learn that Precious is safe. There have been 3 sessions and no aggression at all, in fact last night was the best. They were sitting with Luke’s butt to Precious’s head, and we backed off a bit, and Luke turned around and put his head right under hers. Luke actually dared to groom himself in front of Precious- very positive behavior!

Now I’m wondering what my next step should be. A 4th laundry basket session, or in to a small enclosure? The main thing, in my mind, is keeping Luke relaxed so that he doesn’t think Precious is a threat. So far it has gone well, and I don’t want to rush things, but I’m also eager to have them living in bonded bunny bliss.

[Mikey]

If he has a history of being fought with and already doesnt like rabbits because of it, bonding is going to be a bit harder and will likely take a bit longer. He has little trust for other rabbits, so you have to show him that this specific rabbit is safe and not like the others, which you are doing. The two week break was a good idea to help Lukie get more comfortable with having her smell around in “his” home

I would continue with the laundry basket for a solid week (so about 3 more days). After that, move to a bigger space thats still neutral, like the bath tub or bathroom. I would continue in week intervals (for example, after a week and a half they are acting comfortable; dont move on until a solid two weeks to ensure they stay comfortable) to make sure you arnt moving too fast or too slow

[Dee]

Thanks, Mikey- I appreciate the advice ☺. I think the time schedule that you suggested sounds like the most sensible and safe plan. I get excited about them bonding for good, but remind myself that going slow won’t ruin their chances of bonding- however, rushing things could be disasterous. Until Lukie knows that Precious will not hurt him, and learns to let her move around him without getting defensive, they will have to be watched closely. It will be worth it in the end! ?

[Mikey]

Couldnt agree more! I moved a little too fast with my trio at one point, and it caused a big, but fast ending, fight between two of them. After taking a break and moving much slower, they all get along perfectly now. Completely worth the wait it took to get them properly bonded

[Dee]

Mikey, I admire you for bonding a trio- way too much for my nerves lol!

We have continued the laundry basket bonding and it’s going great. Last night Lukie GROOMED Precious!!! I never expected that- so proud of my little guy ?. It was cute- he started grooming,then looked up at me as if to ask,”Is this OK Mom? Am I doing good?” I assured him he was a good boy doing a great job and he continued grooming. Precious just sat there like the princess she is. She has seemed like she was about to groom Luke, but doesn’t.

One disappointing/worrisome thing: The bunnies are separated by one big gate and a small gate to prevent access to each other through the bars. Today they were both causing a huge racket trying to get to each other through the gates. No aggression seen, just sniffing and looking sadly at each other, then rattling the gates loudly. So I moved the smaller gate. Lukie inspected the gate

[Dee]

Sorry, pressed send! Luke inspected the gate that had been moved for several minutes while Precious watched attentively. Finally he went over and stuck a friendly nose up to the bars- and Precious grunted and reared up! I think she tried to nip too. What was that about, I wonder? Kinda ruined my confidence in her a bit. Maybe she’s being territorial over the kitchen? Or remembering that Luke nipped at her through the gate before?

I’m wondering if I should switch them into each others areas of the house. But I’m worried that Precious will claim that as hers too! Beside not letting them interact through the gate, I’m not sure what to do, if anything. Any ideas would be welcome!

[Mikey]

Thank you! It was well worth it for me and the three little trouble makers 

Thats awesome he started grooming her for a while! This definitely sounds like a promising start to a solid bond once they get more used to one another. She likely nipped because she thought he would nip. If you notice nipping through the bars, try to calm them both down so they sniff instead of bite. Its still a pretty new bond for them, so small nips here and there may happen for a while yet. I wouldnt be too discouraged as long as they keep making progress during bonding sessions 

[Mikey]

I also hit send too early LOL. I think swapping their living spaces would be helpful. You can move each rabbit into the other rabbits living space, or you can swap all of their items (litter boxes, toys, water bottles/bowls, ect). Both will get them used to sharing a space by getting them used to having the other rabbits smell around them

[Dee]

Sorry, I somehow missed your post, Mikey! You actually answered a question that I just posted about ☺. I was wondering whether to swap the bunnies into each others spaces- I’m glad you think it’s a good idea! I will start tomorrow. I’m sure the bunnies will enjoy the change of scenery too- it’s fun to watch them explore. As long as Lukie can sleep in my room at night I think he’ll be happy- he’s so cute, sleeps either above my pillow or at my feet like a little dog!

[Author]

Messages