Candiflare
Mama Doe
is that the end of bonding?
I've checked her over for injuries and she hasn't got any...
I've checked her over for injuries and she hasn't got any...
is that the end of bonding?
I've checked her over for injuries and she hasn't got any...
the two females were spinning in circles with eachother and nipping and chasing.
I think that's the issue rather than the scream as such. Personally I would not allow bunnies to spin in circles while bonding, it is bound to escalate into a fight so I'm not surprised that one of them screamed. You should be able to see when they're about to start circling, if you see that I would gently separate them and hold them apart (but in the same space) for about 10 seconds before releasing them again.
Of course if they constantly go straight back to each other then it's a sign that it's probably not going to work but usually it's something that calms down and stops if they are separated every time. They often just need time to calm down and trust that the other isn't going to attack them before this stops, so letting them get into circling isn't the best idea IMO.
Awww no need to you haven't got a lot of choice if there's no-one around who can help! It is a tricky balance knowing when to intervene and when to leave them, and every bond is different so there's really no one formula that works for all. Prior experience definitely helps but only because we all learn through our own experience and mistakes as to what seems to work, Bunnies haven't read the text book and act accordingly unfortunately.
Personally I err more on the side of caution to start with and gently hold them separately if they start to look as if they are going to circle or approach each other with their tails up and ears back. As time goes on their body language tends to change a bit as they relax and get used to each other, and then you can start to hover rather than intervene and they may stop just by you shouting a sharp 'oi' and/or putting a hand towards one of them.
Are they separated at the moment or all back in together?
She will attack at the slightest opportunity and she is now outside in the shed by herself. Really sad, but if she doesn't want to get on with them, I can't force her. I've done a lot of pulling her back and holding her apart from the buns she's attacking, but she goes for them again as soon as I pull back.
When you say she's outside in the shed by herself, do you mean you've decided to call it a day with her and have taken her out of the group and the other four are all getting along? Sorry for all the questions, I'm just not clear on whether you mean they are all in together but four are 'together' and she has chosen to sit elsewhere, or whether you mean that you've separated her?