We see an awful lot of posts asking about trios, so though that it might be useful to have all the information in one place so that people can just read the thread and the info didn't have to be regurgitated over and over.
Can trios work?
The basic answer is potentially yes, trios can work with the right rabbits involved. However, not all bunnies are suited to being in a trio, the same way as not all rabbits are suited to being in a pair, or suited to being single (rarely are bunnies suited to be single though).
What do I need to think about when considering a trio?
The most important thing when looking to bond a trio is looking at the rabbits involved and why it will benefit them. It's important that if it's going to be successful it is done with the best interests of the rabbits involved, in mind, as opposed to someone just wanting a new rabbit.
As mentioned previously, not all rabbits are suited to being in trios so it is important to look at the rabbits you have and work out what is best for them. So you want to look at things like personalities, likes, dislikes, health, how any current bond dynamics are, how easy the first bond was, etc.
If you're bonding a trio, then you may be starting with three singles, or you may be starting with a pair and adding in a single.
Starting with a pair and adding a single
This is most commonly what people do and it can work nicely, if the right bunny is added, for the right reasons. However, there are risks to doing this and it is important to be aware of the possibilities.
If the bonding gets out of control, then you may find yourself with three single rabbits. The original pair may not rebond, depending on what has happened to result in them all being separate.
Also, you may find that one of your original pair switches allegiance and bonds with the single bunny, shunning the original bunny they were bonded with. This would leave a rabbit who has previously been in a pair, alone, which is not fair, however, equally, it would not be fair to separate the freshly bonded pair if they are happy.
Starting with three singles
If you are starting with three singles then this is actually probably easier in terms of the things to consider, but potentially more stressful on you. You are not facing the risk of an established bond divorcing, you are not facing the risk of having more bunnies single than started single although you do still face the possibility that a trio may not work, but you might find a pair within the three rabbtis does work. Equally, this can be a successful way to bond a trio of rabbits and you might have no issues.
How do I actually go about bonding a trio?
The same rules for bonding a pair, apply to bonding a trio. You can find information on bonding a pair here as well as there being lots of useful links on the forum and many helpful posts from people like The Duchess and Janice (the search function should bring you up a variety from each of them- I tried to look for Janice's awesome post on how to bond, but couldn't find it).
What you need to be prepared for with bonding a trio is that they will take longer to bond because they have more different options for the heirarchy, than with a pair. This means things are likely to remain unsettled for longer, and that you are likely to get the 'heirarchy test' later than 24-48 hours.
Is there anything else I need to be aware of?
It can be harder to monitor if one rabbit is ill in a trio, especially output, unless you are watching them very carefully.
Also, you may see, once the initial period of bonding is over, that over the next few months it becomes clear that the actual dynamics of the trio don't work for one, two or all rabbits, in which case you will have to start looking at whether it is best for them to split them up somehow, and if it is best to do that, how is it best and what would work best for all bunnies.
If I think a trio is in the best interests of my pair bunnies, how do I go about choosing a rabbit to bond with them?
If you already have the rabbits for thr trio, then the decision is there and there is likely less to consider than if you are taking on a rabbit specifically.
If you are looking to take on a rabbit specifically to bond into the trio then it is essential that you do it carefully.
You will need to look at your pair of rabbits and think about why they could they benefit from a friend, what qualities would that friend have, what would be the 'purpose' of the friend, things like that. You will need to be able to think about what you will need in the rabbit to give you the best chance of finding the right rabbit for that pair.
Ideally you will want to bond in a spayed/neutered rabbit. Also, you will ideally have a 'back up' plan for if they don't bond into a trio. This may be keeping the rabbit as a single and then finding it it's own friend, or it may be returning it from where it came from. For all those points, a reputable rescue is by far the best way to go when it comes to choosing a friend because they can provide advice, sometimes bonding, should take the rabbit back if it doesn't work, and also help you match the right rabbit to your rabbits.
If you get from somewhere like a pet shop, a friend or freeads, etc, then you need to be prepared that they may not bond, and that you may need to keep them separate. If you're not prepared or able to be able to keep them separate, then you need to look at getting the rabbit from elsewhere.
I want to mention about my pairs who are not trio compatable bunnies.
My two pairs are Candyfloss and Dusk, and Sandy and Roger (Roger from the first trio).
Candyfloss is blind and has been bonded with three rabbits prior to Dusk. Dusk accepts her quirks and all, but I do have to sometimes repair the bond with a car journey. If I tried to add another bunny in, I'm sure it would completely upset the applecart and Candyfloss would fight them. So, these two live out their days as a pair.
Sandy dated every single man here and Roger was her last hope of having a friend. She fought because she was so anxious, but when I put her with Roger he sidled over and started grooming her instantly. They have never fought; my fighting machine was mellowed. They do chase a lot, but they are also much happier together, and Roger doesn't hide like he used to (we are now three years on from when he was bonded into a trio with Summer and Tilly). If I tried to add a third in, I'm fairly sure Sandy would fight them, and I don't want to mess up the bond her and Roger have, for either of their sakes, so they stay as a pair aswell.
I think maybe it might be useful to have a look at my personal experience of bonding trios and the dynamics of the successful ones. That can be found in the following post.
In addition to all of that, if you think of anything that needs to be added, please let me know. Also, if you want to add your own experiences of a trio that was successful, or unsuccessful, or was unusual, or someone can learn something from, then please do share. I would suggest that you maybe make those posts with useful info in are bolded so that it is easy for following readers to identify them, and learn from them.
I hope this is of use
Can trios work?
The basic answer is potentially yes, trios can work with the right rabbits involved. However, not all bunnies are suited to being in a trio, the same way as not all rabbits are suited to being in a pair, or suited to being single (rarely are bunnies suited to be single though).
What do I need to think about when considering a trio?
The most important thing when looking to bond a trio is looking at the rabbits involved and why it will benefit them. It's important that if it's going to be successful it is done with the best interests of the rabbits involved, in mind, as opposed to someone just wanting a new rabbit.
As mentioned previously, not all rabbits are suited to being in trios so it is important to look at the rabbits you have and work out what is best for them. So you want to look at things like personalities, likes, dislikes, health, how any current bond dynamics are, how easy the first bond was, etc.
If you're bonding a trio, then you may be starting with three singles, or you may be starting with a pair and adding in a single.
Starting with a pair and adding a single
This is most commonly what people do and it can work nicely, if the right bunny is added, for the right reasons. However, there are risks to doing this and it is important to be aware of the possibilities.
If the bonding gets out of control, then you may find yourself with three single rabbits. The original pair may not rebond, depending on what has happened to result in them all being separate.
Also, you may find that one of your original pair switches allegiance and bonds with the single bunny, shunning the original bunny they were bonded with. This would leave a rabbit who has previously been in a pair, alone, which is not fair, however, equally, it would not be fair to separate the freshly bonded pair if they are happy.
Starting with three singles
If you are starting with three singles then this is actually probably easier in terms of the things to consider, but potentially more stressful on you. You are not facing the risk of an established bond divorcing, you are not facing the risk of having more bunnies single than started single although you do still face the possibility that a trio may not work, but you might find a pair within the three rabbtis does work. Equally, this can be a successful way to bond a trio of rabbits and you might have no issues.
How do I actually go about bonding a trio?
The same rules for bonding a pair, apply to bonding a trio. You can find information on bonding a pair here as well as there being lots of useful links on the forum and many helpful posts from people like The Duchess and Janice (the search function should bring you up a variety from each of them- I tried to look for Janice's awesome post on how to bond, but couldn't find it).
What you need to be prepared for with bonding a trio is that they will take longer to bond because they have more different options for the heirarchy, than with a pair. This means things are likely to remain unsettled for longer, and that you are likely to get the 'heirarchy test' later than 24-48 hours.
Is there anything else I need to be aware of?
It can be harder to monitor if one rabbit is ill in a trio, especially output, unless you are watching them very carefully.
Also, you may see, once the initial period of bonding is over, that over the next few months it becomes clear that the actual dynamics of the trio don't work for one, two or all rabbits, in which case you will have to start looking at whether it is best for them to split them up somehow, and if it is best to do that, how is it best and what would work best for all bunnies.
If I think a trio is in the best interests of my pair bunnies, how do I go about choosing a rabbit to bond with them?
If you already have the rabbits for thr trio, then the decision is there and there is likely less to consider than if you are taking on a rabbit specifically.
If you are looking to take on a rabbit specifically to bond into the trio then it is essential that you do it carefully.
You will need to look at your pair of rabbits and think about why they could they benefit from a friend, what qualities would that friend have, what would be the 'purpose' of the friend, things like that. You will need to be able to think about what you will need in the rabbit to give you the best chance of finding the right rabbit for that pair.
Ideally you will want to bond in a spayed/neutered rabbit. Also, you will ideally have a 'back up' plan for if they don't bond into a trio. This may be keeping the rabbit as a single and then finding it it's own friend, or it may be returning it from where it came from. For all those points, a reputable rescue is by far the best way to go when it comes to choosing a friend because they can provide advice, sometimes bonding, should take the rabbit back if it doesn't work, and also help you match the right rabbit to your rabbits.
If you get from somewhere like a pet shop, a friend or freeads, etc, then you need to be prepared that they may not bond, and that you may need to keep them separate. If you're not prepared or able to be able to keep them separate, then you need to look at getting the rabbit from elsewhere.
I want to mention about my pairs who are not trio compatable bunnies.
My two pairs are Candyfloss and Dusk, and Sandy and Roger (Roger from the first trio).
Candyfloss is blind and has been bonded with three rabbits prior to Dusk. Dusk accepts her quirks and all, but I do have to sometimes repair the bond with a car journey. If I tried to add another bunny in, I'm sure it would completely upset the applecart and Candyfloss would fight them. So, these two live out their days as a pair.
Sandy dated every single man here and Roger was her last hope of having a friend. She fought because she was so anxious, but when I put her with Roger he sidled over and started grooming her instantly. They have never fought; my fighting machine was mellowed. They do chase a lot, but they are also much happier together, and Roger doesn't hide like he used to (we are now three years on from when he was bonded into a trio with Summer and Tilly). If I tried to add a third in, I'm fairly sure Sandy would fight them, and I don't want to mess up the bond her and Roger have, for either of their sakes, so they stay as a pair aswell.
I think maybe it might be useful to have a look at my personal experience of bonding trios and the dynamics of the successful ones. That can be found in the following post.
In addition to all of that, if you think of anything that needs to be added, please let me know. Also, if you want to add your own experiences of a trio that was successful, or unsuccessful, or was unusual, or someone can learn something from, then please do share. I would suggest that you maybe make those posts with useful info in are bolded so that it is easy for following readers to identify them, and learn from them.
I hope this is of use
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