I've recently started trying to bond my 9month male lionhead (neutered at 6months). So far we've had two unsuccessful bondings and one currently ongoing. The first quickly became hatred after they had a fight - they couldn't share the same space for more than a second or two. The second bonding failed because he was bullying the other bunny (she was a lot smaller) when she didn't show affection (although there was a small amount of mutual grooming). She was getting very stressed and scared and seemed to be not eating so we called it a day for her safety. This new bonding is bringing out new behaviour - she is a 2yr lionhead lop, similar size and likes to nip.
The rescue centre generally uses an initial stress bond technique (I know there are many differing opinions on this, each has their pro's and con's and I don't want this thread to become about that) - the rabbits are carried around in a carrier for a few minutes before being introduced into a smallish run. I have seen this many times (not just with my rabbit) and I know what to expect. However, this time I am really confused. On initially meeting, they ignored each other, for quite a while. Lying down and grooming themselves. I have read that this is good. However, whenever they came together (usually him going over to her) she will nip him on the nose and he would dart away. This has continued for two days now after we took them home.
They are in puppy pen with a barrier down the middle now as she would always nip him and occasionally it looked like it would escalate into a fight. We have no choice but to separate them in this situation because we both work and we couldn't risk leaving them. Worryingly with the barrier in place she will sometimes actively try and nip him through it (we have a double barrier in place to prevent this now). I'm confused as its not out and out aggression (ie looking to fight), she won't go for him violently although she has crossed her enclosure just to nip him. Occasionally she pulls fur doing this.
I read that the indifference is good, but they show no other positive signs. There has been no mounting which I would expect. They are living side by side in this way at the moment. We have introduced them once more in the garden so as to be neutral and it was exactly the same although it almost escalated into a fight due to using a small run. Our bunny is visibly intimidated by her now. Is there any future in this? Sorry for the long post, any help or advice is really appreciated as this is getting me down.
The rescue centre generally uses an initial stress bond technique (I know there are many differing opinions on this, each has their pro's and con's and I don't want this thread to become about that) - the rabbits are carried around in a carrier for a few minutes before being introduced into a smallish run. I have seen this many times (not just with my rabbit) and I know what to expect. However, this time I am really confused. On initially meeting, they ignored each other, for quite a while. Lying down and grooming themselves. I have read that this is good. However, whenever they came together (usually him going over to her) she will nip him on the nose and he would dart away. This has continued for two days now after we took them home.
They are in puppy pen with a barrier down the middle now as she would always nip him and occasionally it looked like it would escalate into a fight. We have no choice but to separate them in this situation because we both work and we couldn't risk leaving them. Worryingly with the barrier in place she will sometimes actively try and nip him through it (we have a double barrier in place to prevent this now). I'm confused as its not out and out aggression (ie looking to fight), she won't go for him violently although she has crossed her enclosure just to nip him. Occasionally she pulls fur doing this.
I read that the indifference is good, but they show no other positive signs. There has been no mounting which I would expect. They are living side by side in this way at the moment. We have introduced them once more in the garden so as to be neutral and it was exactly the same although it almost escalated into a fight due to using a small run. Our bunny is visibly intimidated by her now. Is there any future in this? Sorry for the long post, any help or advice is really appreciated as this is getting me down.