Our situation is that we have gone from a quad to a trio and very recently to a pair. The elder rabbit is Tan, who is 8 and has daily Metacam for arthritis. The other rabbit is Tethra, who is nearly 7 and is Tan's son. He has had two past episodes of Treponema. Both rabbits appear to have adjusted very well to the recent loss of Tan's partner/Tethra's Dad. Neither rabbit has ever been bonded to any other. Yan and Tan were ex-breeder, taken in by a rescue and Tethra was born in rescue. Neither rabbit has ever shown any aggression, but I suspect Tan is territorial (as she often moves hay around )
Having seen the emotional benefit of having two rabbits left, rather than one, we are thinking very hard about if or how to introduce one or two more. Also their accommodation seems to suggest it needs more rabbits in it and also we could help more rescue rabbits
The rabbits live outside in a large shed, which is attached to outside areas (not convential type runs), which my OH constructed both to fit into the space and to provide different opportunities for exercise (i.e. steps, long runs etc).
I have read lots of the theory of bonding and will look at the recently provided links to articles and vidos on other threads.
We do not have any outside space, which could be made neutral and the fact that the temperature is now gradually dropping seems to worsen that problem. We don't have rabbits in the house, so it would not be possible to bond them inside first and also of course there is the issue of temperature change. I would not send them away for bonding at a rescue.
I suppose I have reservations about whether this will be beneficial in the short term. Long term I think it would because of the issue of not wanting one rabbit left behind by itself.
What do people think about the concept itself, how best to do it, is Spring more problematic because of hormones etc etc?
Having seen the emotional benefit of having two rabbits left, rather than one, we are thinking very hard about if or how to introduce one or two more. Also their accommodation seems to suggest it needs more rabbits in it and also we could help more rescue rabbits
The rabbits live outside in a large shed, which is attached to outside areas (not convential type runs), which my OH constructed both to fit into the space and to provide different opportunities for exercise (i.e. steps, long runs etc).
I have read lots of the theory of bonding and will look at the recently provided links to articles and vidos on other threads.
We do not have any outside space, which could be made neutral and the fact that the temperature is now gradually dropping seems to worsen that problem. We don't have rabbits in the house, so it would not be possible to bond them inside first and also of course there is the issue of temperature change. I would not send them away for bonding at a rescue.
I suppose I have reservations about whether this will be beneficial in the short term. Long term I think it would because of the issue of not wanting one rabbit left behind by itself.
What do people think about the concept itself, how best to do it, is Spring more problematic because of hormones etc etc?