natandfluffs
Alpha Buck
As I was getting ready to go on holiday last Saturday I let the four outside buns out for a hop around the garden whilst I cleaned them out. I normally do this once of twice a week.
I noticed Pippin had a slightly sore looking eye (a reccurence of a problem a few weeks ago) which was concerning, and Wispa chased her round the garden a little which is normal. I put toys, chews etc in, and a box stuffed with hay and carrot.
Merry- one of the bucks went straight for it, and somehow when I turned around Bubbles (other buck) had stolen his piece of carrot. Anyway a little scuffle ensued (Merry looked mad about the carrot) which broke up with me making a load of noise. Anyway got them all in the shed with the front penned in with a playpen (which they have access to a lot of the time) so I could see them while I ate lunch.
Next thing I know Merry is hopping round Bubbles, then they chase and by the time I have hurtled yelling across the garden they've got hold of each other and theres fur everywhere. Then as I try to break it up Merry gets hold of Bubbles' nose so I got hold of Merry and eventually he let go. So I put Merry in the run and shut the cat flap.
By this point Wispa is chasing Pip again... so Pip went in with Merry as they have a close bond. Now Pip hardly has her eye open and is letting me put drops in no restraint required (turns out she lets you do this if her eye is even slightly sore
)
So I made the decision- not risking stressing Pip anymore, and don't want the boys killing each other while there isn't someone there to pay as much attention as I can... so split them up. My Mum took Pip and Merry so she could give Pip eye drops three times daily (where the angels proceeded to eat as much of her house as possible), and the pet sitter proceeded as normal with the other two.
So my bond is now one week broken. As an emergency measure I have Bubbles and Wispa in the shed with a little area fenced off for Pippin and Merry- who have the catflap and a run plus a hutch outside. They can see each other when they're inside.
I can't believe this all happened within an hour and a half of me leaving :shock: But can't work out what to do now.... they actually seem happier in pairs (maybe thats because I'm getting more attention because they've not got so many of each other!!) ... but if I do attempt rebonding, when is the time to do it?
The frustrating thing is that the boys always had such a close bond, and I was considering making Pip a house bunny with my oldie as she seemed so left out! Really don't know where it all came from!!
Sorry for the long post (rant)... the little treasures always pick their moments to play up!
I noticed Pippin had a slightly sore looking eye (a reccurence of a problem a few weeks ago) which was concerning, and Wispa chased her round the garden a little which is normal. I put toys, chews etc in, and a box stuffed with hay and carrot.
Merry- one of the bucks went straight for it, and somehow when I turned around Bubbles (other buck) had stolen his piece of carrot. Anyway a little scuffle ensued (Merry looked mad about the carrot) which broke up with me making a load of noise. Anyway got them all in the shed with the front penned in with a playpen (which they have access to a lot of the time) so I could see them while I ate lunch.
Next thing I know Merry is hopping round Bubbles, then they chase and by the time I have hurtled yelling across the garden they've got hold of each other and theres fur everywhere. Then as I try to break it up Merry gets hold of Bubbles' nose so I got hold of Merry and eventually he let go. So I put Merry in the run and shut the cat flap.
By this point Wispa is chasing Pip again... so Pip went in with Merry as they have a close bond. Now Pip hardly has her eye open and is letting me put drops in no restraint required (turns out she lets you do this if her eye is even slightly sore
) So I made the decision- not risking stressing Pip anymore, and don't want the boys killing each other while there isn't someone there to pay as much attention as I can... so split them up. My Mum took Pip and Merry so she could give Pip eye drops three times daily (where the angels proceeded to eat as much of her house as possible), and the pet sitter proceeded as normal with the other two.
So my bond is now one week broken. As an emergency measure I have Bubbles and Wispa in the shed with a little area fenced off for Pippin and Merry- who have the catflap and a run plus a hutch outside. They can see each other when they're inside.
I can't believe this all happened within an hour and a half of me leaving :shock: But can't work out what to do now.... they actually seem happier in pairs (maybe thats because I'm getting more attention because they've not got so many of each other!!) ... but if I do attempt rebonding, when is the time to do it?
The frustrating thing is that the boys always had such a close bond, and I was considering making Pip a house bunny with my oldie as she seemed so left out! Really don't know where it all came from!!
Sorry for the long post (rant)... the little treasures always pick their moments to play up!
