I decided to try and bond Bentley with my three Flower Girls (Poppy, Pansy & Daisy). To be honest I wasn't really expecting success, but needed to try just on the off-chance that they would surprise me......and they did. 
One hour into the process and they were all snuggling up together. Bentley did a bit of half-hearted chasing and the girls ran for a few seconds and then just stopped and sat still. He did a bit of humping, which was again very half-hearted, but he would give up after a couple of seconds and just lick them instead.
One of my main worries was the size difference, Bentley is a conti and the girls are around 3kg each. I've been very careful and the only time I really had to intervene was when he decided to start doing binkies, which isn't a good idea when you're a conti in a small pen with three other buns. :roll: He is a gentle bunny, but he can be a clumsy lad, especially if he doesn't have enough space.
Bentley already knew the Flowers as he's been meeting them every day for the past two months, when the girls are out in their run and Bentley is having his freeranging time. They always seemed to like him and would squash their little faces up against the mesh to try and get closer to him. Maybe this has helped with the bonding.
I'm so tired as I've had a couple of nights lying on the floor without much sleep. I managed to get to bed last night, but got up a few times during the night to check on them. It's worth it though. Bentley is so very happy and the girls seem quite pleased too. Fingers and paws crossed that it stays this way.
Anyway, here are some pics....
This was about an hour into the bonding.
Poppy & Daisy grooming Bentley (taken through glass so not quite as clear - I didn't want to disturb them)
Bentley did a happy bunny flop next to Poppy.
Then I decided to move them into their permanent accommodation. I wasn't sure if I was making the right decision as it was sooner than I would normally have done it, but Bentley was taking a lot of interest in what was outside the bonding pen and I had visions of him jumping out. The height of the pen had to be low enough for me to be able to step into quickly, which unfortunately is also low enough for Bentley to attempt to jump over. I took their rugs and hay tray etc, so all the smells in the bonding pen were transferred into their playhouse and thankfully all went well and they hardly noticed the move.
Everybun working on looking their best
Poppy grooming Bentley
and when she thinks he looks smart enough, she lies down next to him.
Pansy
A bit of extra grooming, he needs to look good for his girls.
Poppy & Pansy
I love it in here Mummy
Pretty little Daisy
One hour into the process and they were all snuggling up together. Bentley did a bit of half-hearted chasing and the girls ran for a few seconds and then just stopped and sat still. He did a bit of humping, which was again very half-hearted, but he would give up after a couple of seconds and just lick them instead.
One of my main worries was the size difference, Bentley is a conti and the girls are around 3kg each. I've been very careful and the only time I really had to intervene was when he decided to start doing binkies, which isn't a good idea when you're a conti in a small pen with three other buns. :roll: He is a gentle bunny, but he can be a clumsy lad, especially if he doesn't have enough space.
Bentley already knew the Flowers as he's been meeting them every day for the past two months, when the girls are out in their run and Bentley is having his freeranging time. They always seemed to like him and would squash their little faces up against the mesh to try and get closer to him. Maybe this has helped with the bonding.
I'm so tired as I've had a couple of nights lying on the floor without much sleep. I managed to get to bed last night, but got up a few times during the night to check on them. It's worth it though. Bentley is so very happy and the girls seem quite pleased too.
Fingers and paws crossed that it stays this way. Anyway, here are some pics....
This was about an hour into the bonding.
Poppy & Daisy grooming Bentley (taken through glass so not quite as clear - I didn't want to disturb them)
Bentley did a happy bunny flop next to Poppy.
Then I decided to move them into their permanent accommodation. I wasn't sure if I was making the right decision as it was sooner than I would normally have done it, but Bentley was taking a lot of interest in what was outside the bonding pen and I had visions of him jumping out. The height of the pen had to be low enough for me to be able to step into quickly, which unfortunately is also low enough for Bentley to attempt to jump over. I took their rugs and hay tray etc, so all the smells in the bonding pen were transferred into their playhouse and thankfully all went well and they hardly noticed the move.
Everybun working on looking their best
Poppy grooming Bentley
and when she thinks he looks smart enough, she lies down next to him.
Pansy
A bit of extra grooming, he needs to look good for his girls.
Poppy & Pansy
I love it in here Mummy
Pretty little Daisy
