It is possible, depending on the rabbits, but yes, very difficult.
As Sky-O says can be difficult but also possible, really depends on the characters of the rabbits.
It needs to be done in exactly the same way as bonding a pair of rabbits ie. in a small neutral space at a time when you have prepared the envioroment including equipment required and also yourselves so that you have at least 96 hours with plans to cover a longer period if required to sit and supervise them at all times if required.
I think I quite like the idea of a little community of rabbits. What generally happens, and what problems crop up??
What is more likely to take 2 bonded pairs, or a pair then turned to a trio, then a quad?
I am a long way from being financially stable enough to have four rabbits, but i can dream.
Sorry for hijacking
How long should be left between bondings?
I have a new pair and 2 established pairs. I know the established pairs can get on, but due to one problem I can't put them together.
I know I can't do anything until Isla is neutered, as that seems to have a big effect on hos she gets on with the girls.
I woudl leave it at least a couple of months if you are planning to go from a newly bonded pair and then increasing them to either a foursome or larger group.
If you are not expereinced in bonding I would suggest that you get assistance with doing a bonding like this. Some can go straightforward however many foursomes are challenging.
When bonding groups they need to sort out their heirachy, you often get one who becomes the top bunny and later the others challenge this by chasing, nipping, humping and possibly fighting. All the other bunnies will also have a ranking and these in the first week or so will change through humping, chasing and nipping. This is where you need the experience of bonding to be able to pick up quickly what is going on so that you can stop / interrupt what is happening to try and reduce the chance of injury.
Hi Janice, :wave:
What do you think the effect of being side-by-side would have on bonding a four? I know some people do a slow bond with twos (next to one another, swapping toys/trays etc), but I wondered if this would make a four easier, or more difficult?
Sorry for the hijack!
Hi Janice, :wave:
What do you think the effect of being side-by-side would have on bonding a four? I know some people do a slow bond with twos (next to one another, swapping toys/trays etc), but I wondered if this would make a four easier, or more difficult?
Sorry for the hijack!
Sooty and Fern by any chance
You are awful :lol::lol:
Sorry Just saw your reply on the other thread
When I first started bonding pairs many years ago, possibly 10 years ago I did try side by side and swapping cages, I quickly learnt that the responses to each other side by side did not reflect what they were like on neutral territory.
I stopped this after a while as injuries did occur between wires and getting rabbits to bond I found was less stressful for the rabbits if I did the quick bond method rather than side to side. I believe it is less stressful as side by side they would territory mark, pace up and down watching the other rabbit with some trying to attack the one next door. I found it easier and quicker to bond them in one go.
For two pairs if they were someone elses I would never consider putting them side by side due to the increased risk of injury through referred aggression and also territory issues. I woudl always go for a straight bond in a small neutral place giving myself far more time than I would with a pair and then slowly expanding their territory over weeks rather than days.