Hi - I rescued a solo female rabbit in July and, having read that most bunnies are better with same species company, I acquired a male partner for her in September. I tried an initial bonding session when she was 2 months post spay and he was one month post neuter but they went straight to full on fur pulling fight mode so I waited a month and tried again this weekend.
I carried out three two hour bonding sessions and a 7 hour bonding session (my plan was to put them in for the whole weekend but I was worried he was getting stressed hence the shorter sessions). Initially they went to fight mode but I stopped that with water spray and since then every time I put them in together (neutral territory) it has seemed to improve slightly - in session one he cowered in corner and thumped and ran every time she came near him - by latest session he was grooming and eating but still running with her every approach (thumping only occasionally). She persists in chasing him intermittently (increasingly it seems more curious than aggressive though occasionally she seems intent to nip/pull fur from his rear) but the time where both bunnies will eat , sleep (only in latest session) or groom in the presence of the other is extending. Despite being the dominant rabbit she seemed nervous at the start of the latest session and this morning she won't come out of her hutch to free range and is not eating her breakfast (though she ate hay and pellets throughout the session yesterday)- clearly this is taking a toll on her. This concerns me. He is 100% ok as soon as he gets back to his home.
Given that I saw small improvements over the weekend is it worth me persisting .. or does this sound like a pair that will not bond ? Bottom line is the chasing and running persists and I am worried I am unnecessarily stressing them both with no hope of a positive outcome. I am not worried that either of them will get hurt -- actual contact is rare since the first session and she stops chasing after a few seconds (though I am still having to occasionally intervene verbally to stop the chase). I picked him up from a charity as a partner for my existing female but when I went back to pick him up the charity told me he'd been separated from other rabbits as he was being bullied ... so I am a little worried he will be a difficult bond because of his past experience, and especially with my female rabbit (who has always been solo rabbit) who is quite 'assertive'.
Both bunnies are 1 year approx. Currently they are indoor bunnies with access to outdoors.
Would really welcome any advice from experienced bunny bonders ... I have read everything I could find on the web re bonding but do not have the experience to know if I need to give up.
many thanks
I carried out three two hour bonding sessions and a 7 hour bonding session (my plan was to put them in for the whole weekend but I was worried he was getting stressed hence the shorter sessions). Initially they went to fight mode but I stopped that with water spray and since then every time I put them in together (neutral territory) it has seemed to improve slightly - in session one he cowered in corner and thumped and ran every time she came near him - by latest session he was grooming and eating but still running with her every approach (thumping only occasionally). She persists in chasing him intermittently (increasingly it seems more curious than aggressive though occasionally she seems intent to nip/pull fur from his rear) but the time where both bunnies will eat , sleep (only in latest session) or groom in the presence of the other is extending. Despite being the dominant rabbit she seemed nervous at the start of the latest session and this morning she won't come out of her hutch to free range and is not eating her breakfast (though she ate hay and pellets throughout the session yesterday)- clearly this is taking a toll on her. This concerns me. He is 100% ok as soon as he gets back to his home.
Given that I saw small improvements over the weekend is it worth me persisting .. or does this sound like a pair that will not bond ? Bottom line is the chasing and running persists and I am worried I am unnecessarily stressing them both with no hope of a positive outcome. I am not worried that either of them will get hurt -- actual contact is rare since the first session and she stops chasing after a few seconds (though I am still having to occasionally intervene verbally to stop the chase). I picked him up from a charity as a partner for my existing female but when I went back to pick him up the charity told me he'd been separated from other rabbits as he was being bullied ... so I am a little worried he will be a difficult bond because of his past experience, and especially with my female rabbit (who has always been solo rabbit) who is quite 'assertive'.
Both bunnies are 1 year approx. Currently they are indoor bunnies with access to outdoors.
Would really welcome any advice from experienced bunny bonders ... I have read everything I could find on the web re bonding but do not have the experience to know if I need to give up.
many thanks