• Forum/Server Upgrade If you are reading this you have made it to the upgraded forum. Posts made on the old forum after 26th October 2023 have not been transfered. Everything else should be here. If you find any issues please let us know.

Advice for bonding a quad

jayne2710

Young Bun
Hi there, I have 2 bonded Male / female pairs which I want to have a go bonding into a quad. I did start a few months ago putting them in the bathroom (all 4 of them) for 20 mins at a time then I progressed to putting them in a run outside and a huge fight with all 4 of them broke out! So I have left it for a month or so. I have their runs together outside so they can sniff each other out!
I am going to give it another go though. is it best to start with small amounts of time together and build it up from there? Also do you have to be with them 24/7 until they are bonded completely? There is so much to bonding but I really want to give it another go. Any advice tips would be so appreciated!
 
It depends entirely on the method you choose. If you wanted to continue with the slow bond, have you considered swapping which run each pair is in daily, so they can scope each other out more? Then, when reintroducing, making sure the entire area is neutral to all 4. You can do the short amount of time together; I've personally never done that method. However, I do know that if you do so, you have to ensure each "date" ends on a positive note (even things like totally ignoring one another, or eating quietly together can be classified as 'positive'.)

Personally, when I bond, I start in a small, neutral space. They stay together unless it's really not working, and then separate for good/for a really long time (I'm talking year+ here!) If you have periods of peace lasting a day or longer, then increase the space. This method is very time intensive to start, as it requires constant supervision, but the whole bonding process is then uninterrupted, and the bond has either worked or not in a much shorter time frame. When taking back to an 'original' set-up, it needs to be thoroughly cleaned so it no longer smells of anyond before letting the newly formed group in. Vinegar is good for this. :)

I would never leave rabbits 'in bonding' unsupervised together, which is why my preferred method is so time intensive. Even the early days of reintroducing to an outdoor setting can raise problems (I'm having some now!)

I really hope this helps. If you need more advice, you can check the sticky threads up top. But most importantly, good luck! :)
 
Hi there, I have 2 bonded Male / female pairs which I want to have a go bonding into a quad. I did start a few months ago putting them in the bathroom (all 4 of them) for 20 mins at a time then I progressed to putting them in a run outside and a huge fight with all 4 of them broke out! So I have left it for a month or so. I have their runs together outside so they can sniff each other out!
I am going to give it another go though. is it best to start with small amounts of time together and build it up from there? Also do you have to be with them 24/7 until they are bonded completely? There is so much to bonding but I really want to give it another go. Any advice tips would be so appreciated!


I've just bonded a quad ... some links here in case they help?

http://rabbit.org/the-most-important-word-in-bonding-is-patience/

http://actionforrabbits.co.uk/bonding.html

http://www.fatfluffs.com/info/bonding/

http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/s...How-I-do-rabbit-bonding&p=6934868#post6934868
 
I bonded 2pairs to form a quad years ago when I had outdoor rabbits. They were 2 boys and 2girls. I brought them inside so I was bonding in a neutral area and put them together, once together I left them together, and I stayed with them night and day for a couple of days. I went fairly slowly with extending space, and when they went back outside they went into a new neutral shed and aviary run. This is my thread from back then!
http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/showthread.php?402162-U-d-2-weeks-after-Bonding-a-quad
 
Hi there - thanks so much for the advice. I think I am going to go with your method of putting them all together and then constantly watching them. Can I check what sort of size would you start with the bonding process to put the 4 of them in? I think I am going to need to book some leave from work for this!!!
 
Back
Top