Bunny problems...

I think it may be time to admit defeat with Ebony

Basically, Bramble and her are not friends. It's a shame because at the beginning, he seemed really keen. But as soon as Sasha moved indoors after her op, that was the bunny he was interested in! (see what happens when you give a bloke a choice!!)

Whilst Sasha had a kinda 'take him or leave him' attitude, the happily rubbed noses through the hutch mesh and he paid no attention to Ebony what-so-ever. I thought this would change when Sasha and Angel went to Carol, but he's still paying no attention to her at all. They 'met' for the first time the other night and were really spiteful to each other. I am starting to think Ebony is a bit of a Jeckel & Hyde bunny to be honest, because one minute she is enjoying a cuddle or tickle by us, and the next, she literally will turn and bite the hand giving affection. (She did this the other night to Jon, after jumping onto his lap and sitting there for five minutes! Which went down well as you can imagine!)

To make things worse now, Bramble's taken to behaving like a spoilt bratt! I've come home the last few nights to him having literally tipped his litter trays upside down, digging at the carpet (!!) and generally being a bit 'off' and sulky with me.

As much as I think she's adorable and would make a lovely rabbit when trained properly, I do have to think of Bramble first. To be honest as well, I don't have time at the moment what with my mum still not on her feet, the dogs, household stuff, working my butt off at work (recently been late), to be spending an hour or more each night trying to socialise with her, trying to bond the pair of them, and trying to keep Bramble happy, all without the parents going berserk because of the mess and destruction! Please don't get me wrong, I don't normally quit on 'difficult' animals, I really don't, Sasha was a hard bunny to handle.. but in a couple of weeks she improved loads and even I was surprised as I really didn't think she would.

I feel like I'm a complete failure for giving up on her

During a conversation last night with my dad as well about taking on a couple of guinea pigs (again from the farm - we're going this weekend to collect three for other people too).. he brought up when "that rabbit" is going to a new home... so it seems he's not forgotten about her after all!

I don't really know what to do now....?

Sarah xx

Hi Sarah,

Has Ebony been spayed?? I can't remember which one's you had done??

I wouldn't give up just yet. Were they introduced on neautral territory?? if not take them both in the car together to say a friend's house try and bond them that way??

Bonnie

Hiya Bonnie,

Yes she's been done. Three weeks ago yesterday.

They were bonded in netrual territory too, in my parent's bedroom so they had loads of space. After establishing that they didn't like each other, Bramble sulked under the bed, Ebony came and sat with me, I stroked her and then she bit me!

as far as I know it takes several MONTHS for female hormones to go down - you really have to be patient with them - I would just look after her, handle her as little as poss, give her lots of space to burn off energy, and wait hopefully? Could you keep her outside?

I could keep her outside I guess but she's got used to being indoors now

She hates being picked up to be taken out of her cage.. so she'd hate being picked up to be taken out of a hutch and into the house to run around.

Would it not maybe make her even worse towards me??

Put them in a large-ish pet carrier together & drive them around. The stress might make them glad of the other's company. I used this method to help bond Joey & Smirnoff (boys).

I'd give her a bit longer after her spay though first, so she's less hormonal.

Don't put them in the same pet carrier at first - you should put them in 2 seperate carriers, then after half an hour of stressful driving, put them in the same carrier - If you just put them in it straight off they will not be very impressed, whereas if they've had a half hour of hell in the car :roll: the idea is they will be sooooo glad to see another bunny that they will bond - Then drive for another hour...But you need someone to watch they don't fight as obviously there's nowhere to run in a pet carrier!
Then put them together in a neutral area and leave them overnight if they aren't fighting - get a camp bed set up - Oh I know it all - just don't ask me to try it :shock: :lol:

re: her living outside - couldn't she have a hutch within a run or joined to a run? I've got 6 unspayed females and I never handle any of them unless they need the vets - they go out on their own and come back when I show them some food - they aren't cuddly but they are very happy

Okay.. well I spoke to my mum and she said my dad will NOT put up with a bunster outside and well as one inside, and the two piggies I'm taking from the farm this weekend! (My mum's talked him round to those because they're not quite as time consuming as bunnies and they're going to be her's once she's back on her feet). We're having our garden landscaped and he's already said he's not having a garden full of hutches!!

The thing I have to think about is that I am planning on moving out in the next year. Whilst yes I'll take on a couple more rescue bunnies once I've settled myself, Ebony and Bramble simply might just not like each other. Not all bunnies get on as you all know. I'd still have exactly the same problem next year or so and I'd have to keep them in separate rooms etc.. and will need a big flat! Esp if I move in with my bf and we'll have the gecko vivarium and a fish tank to fit in too. Oh and maybe his old chubby house cat as she pines when he's not at home! :shock: :lol:

I think I may keep Bramble on his own until I move out. I'd have more space and time then to really look for a suitable girly bun for him rather than trying on impulse with one I rescued. I just think Ebony would benefit a lot more in a home where someone could dedicate a lot of time to her and find her a partner she actually likes.

Bramble is fine on his own. I used to think he wasn't but seeing how he's been recently.. he's better off on his own rather than sulking because he doesn't like her. He gets loads of attention anyway because he's trained enough to be out all evening (well until he started tipping his litter trays over.. which the dogs then walked all over the house :shock: and mum and dad banned him for the moment) and usually plays with the dogs of an evening, supervised of course!

My mum being off her feet now was bad timing too as she can't help me at all. Usually we share the chores of walking the dogs, feeding the buns and cleaning etc but she can't do any of that for the moment. When she went into hospital they initially said two weeks she'd be off her feet for, but after a more extensive op, they said six at least. If I'd have known just how much I'd be doing at home right now then I probably would have still got Ebony away from the farm but not thought to keep her, just transfer her onto a sanctuary where she'd find her perfect home.

I know you're probably all thinking I'm giving up on her, and so soon, and maybe I am.... but surely finding her a forever home rather than keeping her, not paying enough attention to her, and having a very stroppy house bunny in the mean time is the lesser of two evils?

Like I said, if my mum was capable of doing more, I'd have been in the position to keep trying. But she's not and I'm not. I'm not particularly close to my dad either, and what with both of us having to do a lot at home now.. tempers are becoming frayed and I can only push him so far before he tells me to get rid both bunnies and that we're not allowed the piggies

Hiya

Do what you feel is best and don't feel bad about it.

As the end of the day you need to have the buns best interest at heart which is what you are doing.

You have done an amazing job rescuing those buns from that horrible farm so you should feel pleased with yourself.

let me know how this weekend goes :wink:

Bonnie

OMG I just saw how long that post of mine was!!! :shock: Sorry! :lol:

Cheers Bonnie. I will do chick.