Steph_fuzzy239
Warren Scout
Hiya.
Today I started bonding my rabbits Freddie and Rosie. My bonding space is a brand new 6x4 run that I've laid onto a ground sheet type thing and put 4 small pavers in each corner so if they dig it'll be harder etc. I provided them with a cardboard box that was open at the top but had sides and holes at either end to run through. Big pile of hay in the middle and 2 brand new water bottles.
First off I decided to get them out of their comfort zone, I put them in separate carriers and went for a short drive to the shops. I stayed in car while I sent the bf in for our lunch!
When we got back we put them both in the run at the same time but at opposite ends of the run. All they wanted to do first was explore the run and have a good old nosey round! Lol. Then they spotted each other, had a little sniff then carried on. This went on for the first half hour or so. Behaviour in that time was happy, lots of binkying, washing themselves, munching hay etc. Freddie then laid down, so Rosie approached him and started to lick his ear. To which he started humping her all over the place. She was quite submissive to this I think? Sort of laid down taking it so to speak. But now everytime he approaches her she runs away or backs down to let him hump her. Is this all normal? I wouldn't say they've been getting on like a house on fire but there had been no aggression of any kind. Just Rosie running away from him. They've been relaxed a few times ad well, lots of laying down but at opposite ends of the run.
My next step is to put them both back into there hutches ( there next to each other so can still see each other) then do the same thing again tomorrow but for a longer period of time. It's been nearly 3 hours today which I think is good going really!! Please let me know if all this sounds positive and what my next step should be after there time tomorrow, providing it goes well.
Thanks in advance, Steph
Today I started bonding my rabbits Freddie and Rosie. My bonding space is a brand new 6x4 run that I've laid onto a ground sheet type thing and put 4 small pavers in each corner so if they dig it'll be harder etc. I provided them with a cardboard box that was open at the top but had sides and holes at either end to run through. Big pile of hay in the middle and 2 brand new water bottles.
First off I decided to get them out of their comfort zone, I put them in separate carriers and went for a short drive to the shops. I stayed in car while I sent the bf in for our lunch!
When we got back we put them both in the run at the same time but at opposite ends of the run. All they wanted to do first was explore the run and have a good old nosey round! Lol. Then they spotted each other, had a little sniff then carried on. This went on for the first half hour or so. Behaviour in that time was happy, lots of binkying, washing themselves, munching hay etc. Freddie then laid down, so Rosie approached him and started to lick his ear. To which he started humping her all over the place. She was quite submissive to this I think? Sort of laid down taking it so to speak. But now everytime he approaches her she runs away or backs down to let him hump her. Is this all normal? I wouldn't say they've been getting on like a house on fire but there had been no aggression of any kind. Just Rosie running away from him. They've been relaxed a few times ad well, lots of laying down but at opposite ends of the run.
My next step is to put them both back into there hutches ( there next to each other so can still see each other) then do the same thing again tomorrow but for a longer period of time. It's been nearly 3 hours today which I think is good going really!! Please let me know if all this sounds positive and what my next step should be after there time tomorrow, providing it goes well.
Thanks in advance, Steph