Just wanted to let everyone know how my bonding buns are doing- I'm so pleased with them tonight. Ludicrous finally stopped mounting Nelli every few seconds, and he even groomed her! He is a bit clumsy with the grooming and I think he's a littlle too vigorous with the teeth since Nelli jumped up and took off a couple times, but it was still adorable. She follows him everywhere and stretches out happily for him to groom her, so apparently she likes him too.

  At one point Ludicrous did start to get a little too "friendly", and I wanted to stop him before it turned into a fullfledged chase. So I pulled him away from her and patted him and cuddled him, then gave him a papaya treat. That seemed to distract him enough so he was able to continue his date in a polite manner.

  Progress is being made!!!

Sounds like your doing great!

Thank you! I almost feel like it's too good to be true at this point. Since I last posted, they have become nearly inseparable. The only time we split them up is at bedtime and when we're not home. As I type this, they are in the other room. Basically, Ludicrous seems to be the dominant bun- Nelli folows him everywhere like a big floppyeared puppy- lol. Lude likes to hide inside the couch (we had to cut a hole in the back when my hamster fell down between the cushions into the couch, and Ludicrous quickly discovered this new hideout) and poor Nelli is probably too big or clumsy (or scared!) to fit into the hole in the couch, so she sits outside and waits patiently for her husband to reappear. Despite Lude's frequent head-humping and butt-nibbling, Nelli is very devoted to him. I have stopped getting so alarmed when he gets into his "studly" moods, because Nelli doesn't seem to mind. She either huddles on the floor and lets him do what he wants, or hops away. Then, as soon as he loses interest in bothering her, she starts following him around again! The only slightly odd thing to me is that Ludicrous does all the grooming- Nelli hasn't attempted to groom him yet. Maybe cuz she's such a baby still (she's only 5 months old)? Or maybe Lude is so aggressive with his grooming that she doesn't have a chance to try!
Does anyone think I'm being TOO easygoing with letting them bond? They're in their regular living quarters now, since Ludicrous has never shown any aggression even when Nelli goes into his cage, jumps in his bed and eats all his food. I just don't want to be overly confident and have one of my buns get hurt. We still won't leave them together alone and they sleep in separate cages.

If they are doing well when you are supervising that is a great sign - I think that it is a good idea to be a bit cautious before letting them together un-supervised. Do they spend any time in each other's cages? Are you planning on creating a brand new cage for them to live in when they live together? I think that the most likely next "bump" in the road you will hit is if one gets territorial with the other in his or her cage. When they move in together, the new cage they live in together should be very well cleaned and de-scented, with probably a brand new litter box, flooring, toys etc. so that neither one feels that they own the cage and the other is intruding.

Hi MooBunnay,
Yes, they both go freely in and out of each other's cages. Yesterday my husband and I needed to take out the trash and recycling, so we locked them in Ludicrous's cage so they wouldn't run out the front door. They were fine together, very nonchalant like they had always been together. The past 3 days, I let them both out as soon as I wake up and they spend the whole day roaming the house together. The only time I put Nelli away is if nobody is going to be home. So far there had been NO aggression whatsoever that I can see. The only issue they had was Lude's humping problem, and he has pretty much given that up. He prefers to groom Nelli now- he has always been big on grooming, but before Nelli he had to settle for one of his humans. We have always laughed at how serious he is about the task- the kids lay down on the floor and he does their ears, eyes and hair too. I'm sure he's happy to have a real bunny to take care of now!
My plan is for them to move into Lude's cage. It is about 2X3 and has a second level they can hop up on- I thought it was 2X4 but oh well. They only are in their cages to sleep. Ludicrous has the run of the house even when we are out- he's a very good bun. Once we are certain that Nelli is "mature" enough, she will be free in the house when we're out too. I just worry about her getting hurt or stuck somewhere.
I will be sure to clean the cage well when they move in together. At this point, I'm not sure when the right time would be to give them a try for a "sleepover". Do you think it's too soon? I don't want to rush things. I was thinking waiting for a week with them hanging out all day together, then trying to let them sleep in the same cage. I will camp out next to them, of course!