I am trying to bond a castrated male and a newly neutered female. They have separate hutches at night. They have been together for three or four hours at a time on a number of occasions. They lie next to each other, lick each others faces and ears, but he wont stop mounting her. They are tired after being together for a while. What is the best way to treat this behaviour, or do I just leave them together to sort it out themselves?:?
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bonding male and female bunnies
- Thread starter gypsy
- Start date
You need to leave them together instead of spliting them up.I started by putting levi in a dog crate in Angels shed for one day.The next day i let Levi out and blocked off the run.There was a little chasing and humping but i watched them closely for 8 hours.There was no aggresive behavour so i left them overnight.All was well the next morning and they were loved up
I tried an overnight 2 days ago. He didn't stop trying to mount her, wouldn't leave her alone all night. I put them in a segregated run in the morning and they both slept all day. they were so tired they didn't even eat until later that evening.
Will try again and let you know how it all goes.:bunny:
Will try again and let you know how it all goes.:bunny:
Daisylop
Mama Doe
I'm afraid I'm a believer of once putting bunnies together not separating them at all[ unless serious fighting occurs]. The mounting is just them sorting out hierarchy,by splitting them then reintroducing them they have to go through it all again.Mounting is a normal part of the bonding process
Simon
Warren Scout
what happens if they fight while your sleeping? I'm not being funny, thats just the question that always stops me from leaving them together.
Daisylop
Mama Doe
you sleep next to them! Either take them in an indoor setup to your room or else sleep on the floor next to them.I intend sleeping on the floor by my toilet when I do my 3.
Simon
Warren Scout
I couldn't trust myself to stay awake or wake up when it kicks off.
Daisylop
Mama Doe
Simon
Warren Scout
Victoria39
Mama Doe
When I bond I take the indoor crate to bed with me. I'm a heavy sleeper and believe me, you do wake up if anything kicks off.
lottielouise
Wise Old Thumper
I second that.
How long since neuters? Hormones could be playing a big part in this, it takes around 6 weeks for hormones to die down. This will be why he is mounting her so much
Mackers
Wise Old Thumper
Oh you wake up if it kicks off. I currently have the biggest black rings under my eyes as evidence:lol: Flora, Parsnip and Pooh kicked off last night (after being loved up all day). Parsnip had to go to the emergency vet this morning as I thought he'd broken his leg in the skirmish. Thankfully, it's just a bad sprain. I put them back together after a quick car ride and then left them for about 4 hours whilst they were still OK and not fighting, but have now separated them by a puppy panel (so they're right next to each other but can't hurt themselves). We'll start again in the morning. But I'm still sleeping with them, just in case they kick off through the bars!
nursecroft
Wise Old Thumper
I agree dont seperate unless there is fighting, mine stayed in the house for 2 weeks and i slept with them next to me! This was my four though, i seperated them a few times to start with and it was a disaster i had to start again everytime even though there was only bars between them. Have to say my pairs were easy when i bonded them.
Thanks for all the advice guys. I now have two loved up bunnies they have spent three nights and days together happily. He will try to mount her occasionally. Usually when I go near their run without food, but its only half hearted. She will let him or just move slowly away.he then gives up. The rest of the time they snuggle, groom each other, play or lie together.
they have spent three nights and days together happily. He will try to mount her occasionally. Usually when I go near their run without food, but its only half hearted. She will let him or just move slowly away.he then gives up. The rest of the time they snuggle, groom each other, play or lie together.