ThePhillips
New Kit
Iddy is my existing house rabbit and Russ is new to us. Both female. Both spayed. Both rabbits moved outside into seperate hutches 5 weeks ago. Swapped litter trays, toys, then hutch about a week ago trying to get both used to each others scents. Meanwhile they've been in run's next to each other, and swapped between runs during the past 5 weeks.
This morning was the first intro. Had to use an existing run but re-sited it on the drive somewhere they've never been or scented.
In all they were together 5 mins. Russ seemed to be doing most of the activity in terms of her mounting Iddy. There was a lot of going round in circles. There was a period of Iddy letting Russ just mount her and she just stayed there. There was a little bit of head bobbing in terms of one putting their head out and the other doing the same but underneath. Russ did a lot of head mounting but I kept knocking her off. I was in there at the start, I did put them next to each other and stroked them next to each other. I then stepped out but was always next to them.
It did end with the start of a scrap - I'm beating myself up that I should have ended the sesh earlier but you just don't know do you? They are now in seperate runs next to each other. Is it too early to read anything in to this. I know two females is difficult, but I'm doing all I can to keep them exposed to one another and try and break down the territories. As it was relatively early morning should I try again early evening or leave it for today?
Any thoughts appreciated. What is the behaviour that would say no chance or is it a case of after x weeks if it keeps following the same pattern then its time to call quits, I just want a chum for Iddy :0)
This morning was the first intro. Had to use an existing run but re-sited it on the drive somewhere they've never been or scented.
In all they were together 5 mins. Russ seemed to be doing most of the activity in terms of her mounting Iddy. There was a lot of going round in circles. There was a period of Iddy letting Russ just mount her and she just stayed there. There was a little bit of head bobbing in terms of one putting their head out and the other doing the same but underneath. Russ did a lot of head mounting but I kept knocking her off. I was in there at the start, I did put them next to each other and stroked them next to each other. I then stepped out but was always next to them.
It did end with the start of a scrap - I'm beating myself up that I should have ended the sesh earlier but you just don't know do you? They are now in seperate runs next to each other. Is it too early to read anything in to this. I know two females is difficult, but I'm doing all I can to keep them exposed to one another and try and break down the territories. As it was relatively early morning should I try again early evening or leave it for today?
Any thoughts appreciated. What is the behaviour that would say no chance or is it a case of after x weeks if it keeps following the same pattern then its time to call quits, I just want a chum for Iddy :0)
