Right. A couple of months ago we list our beautiful 8 year old girl, leaving her 7 year old partner on his own. Within a couple of weeks we rescued Molly, a 4 (ish) year old spayed giant lop. It became clear quite quickly that Molly had spent her life until this point living alone - she didn't 'do' people and had no idea what bunnies are either. Naively, we attempted an introduction within a couple of days of her coming home, in a large space that neither bun had been to before (our office!). It went ok- they pretty much ignored eachother - but no fireworks if attraction.
A couple of weeks later we attempted another introduction at our home - again in a neutral area, having laid out lots of hay and food - and it went horribly. Like, really terrible. Harry went to mount Molly, who spun around and attacked him face on. They became locked in a dreadful spin and my husband and I had to separate them. Both had sustained nasty nips and we felt dreadful. We haven't attempted an introduction since, but adjusted their set up so they could get used to eachother a little better in a safe environment.
Their living arrangement are in separate cages, side by side so they can see eachother, smell eachother and be close (there's enough distance that they can't reach eachother!). We're having to let them out individually to exercise which isn't ideal, but works for now. They are both curious about eachother but become aggressive when approached by the other whilst in their cage, so we started propping up some clear Perspex around their cages so they can still see eachother but are protected when one is out hopping around. We decided to call a halt on further introductions until Molly showed more bunny-like behaviour, and just let them get used to eachother in the meantime. The idea is that Molly can watch Harry and hopefully see that he's 'safe' whilst she gets used to her new home. She's very nervous and is yet to explore the whole room, which makes me think that her aggression on the previous date was simply down to complete fear as she was terrified and didn't know what was happening. We've taken a hutch bunny who has lived on her own all her life, bought her into the house and expected her to bond with another bunny - it's a lot to ask.
Over the last week, Harry gas started to lie down next to her cage which is lovely! Molly, on the other hand, whilst growing hugely in confidence, has started pooing and peeing outside his cage when it's her turn for exercise and tonight she reached around the Perspex to try and nip him through the bars of his cage.
I don't know what to do about her pooing (which I can only assume is a territorial thing as she's becoming more confident...) and I'm literally scared stiff of introducing them again after the aggression last time.
I spoke to one of our wonderful bunny savvy vet nurses after the aggressive 'date' who told us to take our time as Molly has obviously not been socialised and simply doesn't know how to behave, but I'm starting to wonder if we ought to try another introduction soon as I'm wary of her current territorial behaviour becoming a habit if it's not nipped in the bud. I feel so bad as Harry just wants to make friends and Molly is being pretty horrid.
Sorry for such a long post! I know you guys will understand and if you have any pearls of wisdom I'd be so grateful
A couple of weeks later we attempted another introduction at our home - again in a neutral area, having laid out lots of hay and food - and it went horribly. Like, really terrible. Harry went to mount Molly, who spun around and attacked him face on. They became locked in a dreadful spin and my husband and I had to separate them. Both had sustained nasty nips and we felt dreadful. We haven't attempted an introduction since, but adjusted their set up so they could get used to eachother a little better in a safe environment.
Their living arrangement are in separate cages, side by side so they can see eachother, smell eachother and be close (there's enough distance that they can't reach eachother!). We're having to let them out individually to exercise which isn't ideal, but works for now. They are both curious about eachother but become aggressive when approached by the other whilst in their cage, so we started propping up some clear Perspex around their cages so they can still see eachother but are protected when one is out hopping around. We decided to call a halt on further introductions until Molly showed more bunny-like behaviour, and just let them get used to eachother in the meantime. The idea is that Molly can watch Harry and hopefully see that he's 'safe' whilst she gets used to her new home. She's very nervous and is yet to explore the whole room, which makes me think that her aggression on the previous date was simply down to complete fear as she was terrified and didn't know what was happening. We've taken a hutch bunny who has lived on her own all her life, bought her into the house and expected her to bond with another bunny - it's a lot to ask.
Over the last week, Harry gas started to lie down next to her cage which is lovely! Molly, on the other hand, whilst growing hugely in confidence, has started pooing and peeing outside his cage when it's her turn for exercise and tonight she reached around the Perspex to try and nip him through the bars of his cage.
I don't know what to do about her pooing (which I can only assume is a territorial thing as she's becoming more confident...) and I'm literally scared stiff of introducing them again after the aggression last time.
I spoke to one of our wonderful bunny savvy vet nurses after the aggressive 'date' who told us to take our time as Molly has obviously not been socialised and simply doesn't know how to behave, but I'm starting to wonder if we ought to try another introduction soon as I'm wary of her current territorial behaviour becoming a habit if it's not nipped in the bud. I feel so bad as Harry just wants to make friends and Molly is being pretty horrid.
Sorry for such a long post! I know you guys will understand and if you have any pearls of wisdom I'd be so grateful