Bonding mixed gender pair (buck neutered).

[honeybun90]

Hi all.

Recently got a doe for my buck to live with. He is a year old (neutered) and she is 12 weeks. We have kept them seperated in a 2 tier hutch using the ladder to close the gap for the past week and bringing them inside a couple of times a day to bond. At first we seperated the living area so they could see and smell each other but not get to each other. After a few days they would lie next to each other with the divider in between them. Yesterday we removed the divider and although the doe was unsure at first they have come on amazingly. They groom each other (he grooms her more), flop next to each other and sleep together. They also share some food.

How long should we do this before moving them into the hutch together?
How can we make that transition as easy as possible for them?
Is white vinegar best to clean the hutch to remove scents?
Would buying a brand new hutch altogether be best?
If fighting/bad behaviour occurs at that stage what would the reason be and what to do?
We are also moving house in under 3 weeks, how can we make this smoother for them?

Many thanks in advance!

honeybun90 x

 

[tonibun]

Your Buck and the new Doe seemed to be getting along well in your photo. Before moving them it would be a good idea to clean the hutch with a solution of 50/50 white vinegar/water to remove some of the smell from the previous Rabbits. Your boy is quite big and will need at least a 6' hutch - I don't know what size your existing hutch is. Would you be able to buy a shed or playhouse for your new garden? These are much better quality than hutches. As far as bonding goes, the principle is the same as what you have done indoors. Going in and out isn't a good idea at this time of ear as it can upset a Rabbit's respiratory system.

 

[honeybun90]

They were getting along really well! Yesterday I done exactly what you did, cleaned all of the hutch out to get rid of their scents (although I used Pets at Home clean n safe spray) rearranged a few things inside and when they went in, the doe started stomping and the buck starting chasing her. Didn’t happen for long though as I was outside of the hutch watching them and seperated the hutch again. Confused as to why they get on so well in doors but not in the hutch? The hutch is a 2 tier 6 foot wide hutch.

When we bring them in to the house we never have the heating on (if we have it on we make sure the temp has gone back to normal) and we leave the patio door open to bring the fresh air in.

When we move I will invest in a large run and maybe get two small hutches, one each, to go inside and maybe they will get used to living together that way? Will they even need a hutch or just two sleeping boxes?

 

[Omi]

You should not have very many problems bonding a neutered buck with a young pre-pubertal doe and from what you have said they seem to be getting on OK.

Each time you move them into a new territory in the early stage of bonding, they will almost go back to square one again and trust has to be established between them in that new territory. That's why there were a few problems when you introduced them to the hutch.

I would agree with tonibun that it would be better to get a playhouse or a shed for the two of them for your new garden. Each could have a run attached via a catflap. Two small hutches or sleeping boxes will not be sufficient. Imagine several days of really bad weather, they will need to have some shelter where they can move around well together.

You will probably experience problems again when you move them to new accommodation in your new house, so it's good to be mindful of that.

 

[honeybun90]

“ Each time you move them into a new territory in the early stage of bonding, they will almost go back to square one again and trust has to be established between them in that new territory. That's why there were a few problems when you introduced them to the hutch.”

When we eventually introduce them to the hutch again (cleaned before of course) and they start being territorial this is normal? So should we only intervene if they start actually fighting? Is ‘nipping’ normal territorial behaviour?

 

[honeybun90]

We can’t afford a shed/enclosure, which is why we are sticking with the hutch, for now!

 

[Omi]

“ Each time you move them into a new territory in the early stage of bonding, they will almost go back to square one again and trust has to be established between them in that new territory. That's why there were a few problems when you introduced them to the hutch.”

When we eventually introduce them to the hutch again (cleaned before of course) and they start being territorial this is normal? So should we only intervene if they start actually fighting? Is ‘nipping’ normal territorial behaviour?

Yes, it's normal and will usually be, as you've seen, the buck chasing the doe. This is perfectly OK as long as the doe has somewhere she can run to and as long as she doesn't get angry and be aggressive towards him. Mild nipping is also fine as long as it's not definite biting. If there's aggression and actual biting, you should separate immediately and check for wounds. It's really just the buck demonstrating that he's in charge.

A six foot double hutch will be fine and they will be able to use that together if they wish or if the weather means they need to. It will also be somewhere to put a litter tray and any food, which needs to be kept dry.

 

[InspectorMorse]

How long ago was the Buck neutered and how old is the Doe ? Bucks can remain fertile for 6-8 weeks AFTER neutering, so if the Doe is at puberty you risk another accidental litter.

Re suitable accommodation sizes

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/rabbit-housing/space-recommendations/

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-...hy-a-hutch-is-not-enough-the-5-welfare-needs/

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/rabbit-housing/outdoor-rabbit-housing/

Re bonding
https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/ownership/bonding-rabbits/

Have you managed to get them vaccinated now ?

 

[honeybun90]

How long ago was the Buck neutered and how old is the Doe ? Bucks can remain fertile for 6-8 weeks AFTER neutering, so if the Doe is at puberty you risk another accidental litter.

Re suitable accommodation sizes

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/rabbit-housing/space-recommendations/

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-...hy-a-hutch-is-not-enough-the-5-welfare-needs/

https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/rabbit-housing/outdoor-rabbit-housing/

Re bonding
https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rabbit-care-advice/ownership/bonding-rabbits/

Have you managed to get them vaccinated now ?

Got them both vaccinated.

The buck was neutered on 19/12/22, so it has been 9 weeks and a day since his op.