Pairing French lops

Hi, I’m new here.
I adopted Whiskey a butterfly French Lop bun from a breeder who breeds show rabbits. Whiskey is a 5 month old female. The breeder couldn’t keep her due to damage to her ear at birth from her mum.
Cut a long story short, Whiskey has been a house bun since we picked her up in November, she’s really flourished, loving but can be stubborn at times. She loves her days to be the same and can sulk if it changed lol. Whiskey is due to be neutered tomorrow. I am looking to introduce her to another female if possible. I believe male/ female works in bonding but I wondered if anyone has success or negative experiences they wouldn’t mind sharing. The bun we are hoping to bring home is a baby, only 10 weeks. I would Hate it if the bonding failed. I’ve done lots of google searching but appreciate any shared tips.

Separately, I fully trust the vet and they specialise in rabbits but I’m still so nervous for her op tomorrow. I just want her to recover well and quickly.

Hope the spay goes well today. I have had successful female-female bonds in the past but from what I understand it can be more difficult. Someone with much more knowledge than me can probably give you better info, but I believe it would be more successful if both were neutered prior to trying to bond, which means you'd need two separate places to keep them both until that's happened. I know with males they need several weeks post-neuter for their hormones to die down but I'm not 100% sure if the same applies to females (mine was already neutered when I got her so it's not something I've needed to think about for a long time). It's certainly not impossible but you have to plan for what you'd do if they didn't get on, which is the same for any bond really.

Orenoko said:

Hope the spay goes well today. I have had successful female-female bonds in the past but from what I understand it can be more difficult. Someone with much more knowledge than me can probably give you better info, but I believe it would be more successful if both were neutered prior to trying to bond, which means you'd need two separate places to keep them both until that's happened. I know with males they need several weeks post-neuter for their hormones to die down but I'm not 100% sure if the same applies to females (mine was already neutered when I got her so it's not something I've needed to think about for a long time). It's certainly not impossible but you have to plan for what you'd do if they didn't get on, which is the same for any bond really.

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I hope your Bunny's spay goes well and she recovers quickly (usually takes 2 or 3 days for them to start feeling better). Personally I wouldn't chance a bond between 2 females, you are almost 100% certain of success if you were to get Whiskey a boyfriend (neutered).

Another vote for not risking two females. I’ve bonded hundreds of pairs and whilst two females can work, you have a much higher chance of a harmonious male/female bond. If you go to a rescue for your male he would be neutered and vaccinated, and they could advise on a suitable personality for your girl

I'm afraid I agree with the posters above, unless related I wouldn't rsk a F & F bond. Difficult bonds are stressful on both bunnies & their owners, why make life difficult for everybun when you've said how important it is for you to have them successfully bond. It (2 unrelated does) is the most notoriously difficult pairing.
Daphnephoebe on here managed it...but it took a lot of skill, patience & many months

I hope your girl got on well with her spay & is comfortable in her recovery

Thanks so much for your comments. Whiskey is day 4 post surgery and really doing well, although I’m having to encourage her to drink she’s eating hay bag and pellets.

I’m really sad to have it confirmed a female female pair is challenging and seemingly not worth the stress all round.

Whiskey&Lisa said:

Thanks so much for your comments. Whiskey is day 4 post surgery and really doing well, although I’m having to encourage her to drink she’s eating hay bag and pellets.

I’m really sad to have it confirmed a female female pair is challenging and seemingly not worth the stress all round.

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Really good to hear she has been recovering well. I'm sorry we've made you feel sad about your plans but I do think you may have been saved lots of heartache

joey&boo said:

I'm afraid I agree with the posters above, unless related I wouldn't rsk a F & F bond. Difficult bonds are stressful on both bunnies & their owners, why make life difficult for everybun when you've said how important it is for you to have them successfully bond. It (2 unrelated does) is the most notoriously difficult pairing.
Daphnephoebe on here managed it...but it took a lot of skill, patience & many months

I hope your girl got on well with her spay & is comfortable in her recovery

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Oh yes. I did manage it but wow!

It was around 3 months of no sleep and constant watching. I had to adjust the bonding process as I went to match their needs etc and I've had to re bond them twice in the last few years.

They do adore each other and make such a cute couple but it's definitely not something I would actively try to do again unless I had no other option.


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