Should I try for the elusive Trio?

[HotCrossBuns]

Hey Binky Bunny Community!

It’s been a while since I’ve hopped by – but I have a question lingering that I figured I would ask the forum for some insight on. Currently I have a wonderful bonded pair, Lucky (Dutch/Female/~3 yrs) and Tucker (ND mix/Male/~3 years) whom I bonded myself.

I have been debating adding another male bun to my pair, and trying for a Trio. I know with it being Easter, over the next couple weeks there will be an influx of new buns arriving at the shelters and I feel the need to help out another bun who might not have a good home.

Right now I am employed full time with a stable job, more than enough to accommodate a new addition. As much as I would love a foursome, I don’t think I have the space to house two more right now, probably just one.

Honestly its difficult sometimes to find successful trio bonding stories. Normally people advise against it, because it can break up the current pair, and you can be left with one single bun, or worst case scenario, three single buns.

I would be adopting from the same local rabbit group where I got Lucky. They had an awesome “foster to adopt” option that allowed me to test the waters and see if I would be able to bond her to my single bun, Tucker, before committing to the adoption.

I was thinking of bringing them by and seeing how receptive the two of them would be to a new bun mate.

Anyone have any trio specific tips and tricks? I’ve heard that when introducing a new rabbit to an already bonded pair it is easier to split the pair up and let them each have their own separate introduction with the new rabbit, versus having the new rabbit thrust upon the already existing pair, any truth to this tip?

[Mikey]

Possible outcomes when bonding another rabbit into an already existing pair:
> The pair adopt in the new bunny, bunny3, with time doing bonding sessions (trio) 

> The pair welcome bunny3, but bunny 3 refuses to bond (1 pair, 1 solo)
> The pair split, but bunny1 adopts in bunny3 while bunny2 refuses to bond with either of them (1 pair, 1 solo)
> The pair split, and all three bunnies refuse to bond in the future (3 solo bunnies) 
> The pair reject bunny3 (1 pair, 1 solo)

I would say, if you can handle the risks and have enough room for the possibility of 3 single bunnies, go for it! For a year Ive had a trio, but since had to take the newest one out to live on his own do to health issues. Bonding in another to an already existing pair is made easier if you let the pair pick out their new friend via speed dates before taking one home. Also remember when taking a new one home, even if the pair picked out the new one, you should allow atleast one month of prebonding before you actually start bonding

[HotCrossBuns]

Thanks Mikey. I understand I might have three single buns in the end, which is why I would be letting my pair pick their match, and if they did not seem to be receptive to another bun I wouldnt try to force it.  

Just wanted to see if anyone here had success with a trio, or if it would just be better to wait until I could afford a foursome, incase the trio did not work out and I ended up with two separate pairs.

[Mikey]

If youre planning for a foursome anyway, it is easier to bond two new bunnies into a bonded pair than to try to bond one bun into a bonded pair then try to bond another new bun into the trio

[HotCrossBuns]

Well that pretty much makes my decision for me then! lol Bunnies are like chips, you can’t just have one! I might be moving house here within the next few months so I’ll try to use that newfound neutral space to my advantage and maybe try to rescue an already bonded pair to bond with my two

[Mikey]

That sounds like an amazing idea!

[Author]

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