Bonded brothers have fallen out

It's with an extremely heavy heart that I'm posting this and hope it serves as a cautionary tale for others that are considering pairs of male rabbits, neutered or entire

2 1/2 years ago, I adopted two brothers and they were neutered by a rabbit savvy Vet before their plums descended so they have never shown any hormonal behaviour. I don't think they have a drop of testosterone between them

They have co-habited wonderfully all this time, clearly loving and taking comfort from each other. They had plenty of space i.e. a bedroom so space wasn't the issue. A few weeks ago, I was woken up by a noise in the next room, checked on them and there was clumps of fur. When I checked on them, they huddled together against the enemy (me ).

Two nights later I was woken up again in the middle of the night by the noise of a scuffle. Investigated and it was full on, a ball of fighting fur so I separated them immediately

I took them round to Helens (The Duchess - a bonding expert) and she tried to rebond them. It didn't work and had to be aborted when Billie-Joe, the more confident bun, came off worse and had a nick behind his ear. Thankfully this didn't pierce the skin as you could see the vein under the very thin skin. Had the nick been a fraction deeper, well the consequences don't bear thinking about

They are now living side by side in separate pens in the lounge whilst I work out the best way forward for these 2 buns.

I absolutely love them to bits, despite them not being cuddle buns and I'm devastated by this totally unexpected turn of events. I'm sitting here in tears typing this - it seems even worse seeing it in writing

To say I was shocked is an understatement. They clearly loved each other so much, I called them my "Pretty Gay Boys". That is not meant as a derogatory term but an indication of how close they were. This bond is shattered and I can't explain how upsetting this is.

So please, do consider this if you are thinking of bonding boy buns and don't assume that because it seems all well and good initially, that it will continue to be so.

Awwww big hugs Im sure you feel very shaken. This can happen with any bonded pair my Bella and Dutchie had a hugs scrap a few weeks ago and both came of with cuts.

If you have time space and money two bonded male/ female pairs might be your best option. What I would say though is you might be best keeping them out of sight and smell of each other

I'm sorry to read this, how upsetting for you. Hopefully, things won't look quite so bleak once you've wrapped your head around it a bit more and decided how to move forward.

Oh no! Am so sorry to hear that! I have two bonded brothers so your post is particularly relevant to me. They love each other but always in the back of my mind it worries me that they may fall out. I am aware that this can happen and obviously it has for you. What a terrible terrible shame for them and you.

As others have said, could you get them a girlfriend each at all?

I hope you can sort something out but I understand how upsetting it must be for you.

webble said:

Awwww big hugs Im sure you feel very shaken. This can happen with any bonded pair my Bella and Dutchie had a hugs scrap a few weeks ago and both came of with cuts.

If you have time space and money two bonded male/ female pairs might be your best option. What I would say though is you might be best keeping them out of sight and smell of each other

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:wave: My situation is a little complicated, why is life never simple with bunnies . They have never been cuddle buns and have always been very nervous so I let them be and let them live in their own little world together. I feel that this approach has failed so they are side by side in the lounge, in an attempt to get them more used to me/ noise.

I have an outdoor trio, 2 of which are on long term and expensive medication. I have a double storey 8 foot hutch on order and plan A is to have the trio on the ground floor and one of the Pretty Boys with a girlfriend on the top floor. I keep changing my mind as to which of the Pretty Boys to bond with a female and live outside. I can't stress how nervous these bunnies are . However, in their separate free time outside, Billie-Joe is the more confident one, doing a lot of exploring. Chester just hides So I'm currently thinking BJ would be the most suitable bun to bond with a female and I'll continue to work with Chester in an attempt to socialise him.

This is not easy

Gertie & Joanne, I was writing my epic response whilst you replied

A confident friendly wifey bun may help them to become more social around you

I'm so sorry. A third bun in the trip, a female may stabalise it, I'm sure The Duchess would've suggested that though if she thought it would help.

Schuette said:

I'm so sorry. A third bun in the trip, a female may stabalise it, I'm sure The Duchess would've suggested that though if she thought it would help.

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:wave: Yes Helen did suggest that but that was before she saw how traumatised Chester was during the rebond attempt Chester has now happy flopped by the bars at the side of me so I think teeny bits of progress are being made as he has taken to burying himself in the hay in the litter tray, away from me . So a smidgeon of progress but I'll take as long as it needs to do the right thing by them both.