Aloof bunny- reassurance needed

[Zigzag]

Hi, I did post before but hope it’s okay to post again, as I really want some reassurance!

Has anyone ever bonded a very humanised bunny with another bunny that’s desperate for bunny love? It’s very early days, but my pair are in this situation and tolerate each other only for now.

- We rescued Coco, who is very human oriented and is a bit like a Queen! It’s almost like she doesn’t know how to be a bunny. She is quite territorial.

-My boy bun has been living with me for over a year, and adored his previous partner who gave him lots of attention.

- These two have only been bonded for 3 weeks, and they enjoy eating together. I do realise it’s very early days! They were bonded quickly at the rescue, and I then had to rebond them at home. They are living in our front room and have full free range, as she exhibits worse behaviours in a small area.

- The female is the boss, but my boy bunny (the little one) is refusing currently to submit and groom her.

- A week ago, he did groom her, but constantly expects to be groomed first, although it’s clear she’s head bun. She even groomed him once though.

He is quite scared of her as she was very nippy initially. He wasn’t scared a few days ago, but seems to be again today. This goes back and forth. The nipping has reduced.

- I know he likes her as he eats so much more than he used to (than when he was on his own) he just wants affection.

-The carrier method is no longer working sadly. I also place/ force them together and stroke them. And have tried banana in their heads, which is no longer working.

- They don’t sit together, but love food time as mentioned

- Has anyone been in a similar situation? Were you able to get your buns to get closer? I’m a bit concerned because she’s so human- oriented

All of my other bonds have been really straightforward, but this one is making me a bit stressed. I know bonds can take months, but would be grateful if anyone could provide me with reassurance.

I know it’s early days, I’m sadly rather impatient!

Thanks in advance

 

[Shimmer]

If they are together and not fighting, I would just leave them. It will take time. As long as they are tolerating each other and there's no adverse behaviour that warrants separating them (ie injury requiring vet attention), they will get there. They just have a different relationship and you can't expect them to display certain behaviour just for your benefit. It sounds OK so far, and it's early days.

I have a very humanised rabbit - never had one that was so tame and used to people. He was from an unknown background - found as an adult in a local park, probably stolen / dumped as it was near a motorway junction, and he's got very distinctive colouring. I rehomed him to bond with a specific rabbit a couple of years ago, but had some flexibility over this. Things got complicated (partner bunny died under anaesthetic before bonding and the other rabbits made alternative pairings). He is happy to be near the other rabbits, but can't be bonded as he just attacks them all if they share any space and they are terrified of him. So you are doing quite well.

 

[tonibun]

3 weeks is not a long time for some bonds and I agree with Shimmer. I have 2 that have been together nearly a month. She is a Rescue aged 5. I know very little about her .She is so different from his last partner and I feel a bit sorry for him but at least he is not alone.

 

[Orenoko]

They sound like they're doing OK tbh. Maybe with time she will warm up to him a bit more. Personally I think rabbits are happy just being around each other's presence even if they're not super close. It all sounds positive, fingers crossed for them.

 

[Mervinius]

This sounds very much like my buns. Pip is 9 and I wasn't aware how humanised she was until we got Bumble who was a rescue and is approx 2. They are now bonded but they did have to be bonded at the rescue, Pip just didn't seem to know what to do and was more interested in her own castle. Lol.
Anyway I've had them home a few months now. They are def bonded and he grooms her. She rarely grooms back but that is quite normal for her. They dont snuggle like my old pair but they are perfectly happy together and I can see they are slowly getting more comfortable with each other, and they both needed a friend.
I would say just give them time and they will slowly work out how to be together, as long as they aren't fighting of course.

 

[Zigzag]

Hi everyone,
Thanks so much for your thoughtful responses and sorry about the delay. I agree it will take time, and it’s really helpful to get your reassurance. Obviously I’d like them to bond, but I overly worry about George Michael (my male bunny) who had a really close relationship with Winnie.

Shimmer - they aren’t fighting which is the main thing. Thanks for sharing your experience of your human orientated bunny, who sounds more humanised than my bunny! It’s quite odd having such a human oriented rabbit, as I am not used to it.

Tonibun - you sound like you’re in a similar situation to me, as I feel for George Michael as Coco is so different to Winnie. But at least they have company. I hope your pair get closer.

Orenoko - thank you for your words of encouragement, my fingers are crossed too!

Mervinus - I’m glad I’m not alone, Pip sounds similar to Coco. Was it a difficult bond? I think Coco is more interested in the sofa than George Michael at this point… It’s good to hear that your two have got closer over time, that must be really nice for you to see as well. Can I ask, when did you increase the space for your two? I’m reluctant to increase space for now as they are likely to become more distant. I just read your bonding thread, so ignore this!

Nipping advice- Coco is also quite nippy, when he occasionally tries to groom, she nips, and if I put them side by side to stroke them, she always nips his side. He just can’t relax really and it’s adding to him being scared near her. I guess I also worry about whether he’s going to be stressed long term.

Does anyone have any advice on this? I assume I need to be patient. But quite frustrating about the timing of her nips! I’d rather see humping, but neither of them are!

Photo underneath which really makes me laugh

Thanks again

 

[joey&boo]

They are cutiepies. My current pair took about 3 months to bond & even then didn't seem that "bonded"...but it develops as time goes on & (5-6 months in) & they are all loved up now. I'm confident they'll get there, in their own good time of course

 

[Zigzag]

Thank you J & B. I’m sorry to hear that beautiful Boo passed. I looked at your Chinook bonding thread- you’ve bonded a lot of bunnies..! Chinook has the same ginger/ brown neck thing that Coco has, however Chinook is half the size.. She’s beautiful. I’m pleased to hear they’re bonded now. We’re using the 24/7 method, and they definitely don’t trust each other (understandably) which is why Coco is so nippy.

 

[InspectorMorse]

This book is invaluable for aiding our understanding of Rabbit behaviour and to know when/if we are expecting too much from our Rabbits or if we need to be more accepting of what their natural behaviours are in various situations and take a step back.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Behavioural-Problems-Rabbits-Clinical-Approach/dp/1789180120

This can apply in all settings including bonding, which has to be achieved on their terms, not on how we want it to progress

 

[Zigzag]

Thanks IM I have that book and read it after you suggested it.

The bond didn’t work- it’s been a long 4 weeks. They had some scuffles and then a massive fight, where one of them could have got seriously hurt, at 3am on Sunday so we split them up. He screamed- I never want to hear that again

Coco will be back up on ARC. She’s living in my kitchen for now. GM was initially ecstatic that we had split them up but is now quite lungey and seems to be ‘angry’ at me, which is really out of character. Obviously there’s a few issues as a result of the bond, including trust.

We would like to rebond him, but I’m not sure when the right time will be for GM. It was a challenging bond.

 

[Mervinius]

Thanks IM I have that book and read it after you suggested it.

The bond didn’t work- it’s been a long 4 weeks. They had some scuffles and then a massive fight, where one of them could have got seriously hurt, at 3am on Sunday so we split them up. He screamed- I never want to hear that again

Coco will be back up on ARC. She’s living in my kitchen for now. GM was initially ecstatic that we had split them up but is now quite lungey and seems to be ‘angry’ at me, which is really out of character. Obviously there’s a few issues as a result of the bond, including trust.

We would like to rebond him, but I’m not sure when the right time will be for GM. It was a challenging bond.

Oh no sorry to hear it didnt work and that there was a big fight. I dread to think what a scream sounds like, I know it must be awful. Im sure GM will settle down and you know you gave it a good shot! It just wasn't meant to be. X

 

[Zigzag]

Thank you, unfortunately his scream is on the Ring, as we always record our bunnies. You're right it def wasn't meant to be! I'm very tired from the last 4 weeks!! I hope GM feels better soon. x