male rabbit nipping

[Kooky]

Hello,

For the last few weeks i have been trying to bond my two rabbits Rolo and Archie. 

This came about, after Archie’s partner Biscuit Died suddenly on christmas eve. He didn’t seem to struggle too badly with her loss, But i figured after a few months it would be good if i could bond him with my single female Rolo. Originally they were a trio but biscuit and rolo began fighting (Rolo had started humping Biscuit but was submissive to Archie) and i had to separate as it became obvious that Archie and Biscuit had become a solid pair and booted rolo from the group (Archie began attacking her whenever he saw her). 

The problem i am having with the bonding though, is that Rolo appears pretty submissive, and interested in Archie. She will occasionally lower her head to ask to be groomed, but otherwise has not shown any other dominance or aggression to Archie. However, if she moves, or even goes near him, he charges her, nips her and makes a weird grunting noise that he does to me when he is grumpy. Because Rolo doesn’t seem to even be contesting him when he nips, i’m not sure how to proceed, he is a lot bigger than her and im worried he is going to hurt her if he keeps biting her all the time. 

[Mikey]

I would do some small area stress bonding, like putting them in a(n open) box that they barely fit in together then wiggling it, or putting them into a crate and going for a car ride. It would help show Archie that Rolo is a comfort, not a threat

[Kooky]

I will see if i can find something to put them in, ill try dragging it around the flat. Would it be best to do this before putting them together?, or have it as a bonding session for the day sort of thing?

[Mikey]

Your choice based on how things go. Some people like to stress bond, and then bond. Some like to bond, and then stress bond to finish off the session. And others like to stress bond then take a break for the rest of the day

[Author]

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