Attempting to find a companion..

Well as I was adjusting their pen, the cheeky boy made a run for it, so I let little girl follow him and they have been exploring the living room. I have put them back in the new constructed pen for a bit and then just let them back out again.

They have both optionally gone back in and are laying together and she was grooming him again.

Trying not to get my hopes up, but I’m secretly hoping it’s been an easy bond. Please keep everything crossed he really deserves a best bud!
 
I would really be surprised if this bonding attempt didn't result in two happy bunnies. Importantly, I think if something spooks one of them, which causes an issue, I would be confident that returning them to the smaller area will sort it out very quickly.
 
all fingers & paws crossed. Going about bonding as you have (using a rescue & personality matching) it should be a little easier than putting 2 random bunnies together. Good luck ! You all deserve this

It does make me giggle how good rabbits are at escaping bonding pens - it seems like it went well regardless
 
It was nice to read that both these bunnies have found a companion. Sending lots of positive vibes they continue to do so well!❤❤
 
i slept in my own bed last night and checked on them every couple of hours; I also left the room doors open so I could hear if anything kicked off
all content, only thing was at 4am my boy decided that freedom was the only answer (he is an escaper) and throw himself and his feed bowl through the cage. I shot down and found him sitting proudly in the living room.
I put them back together and she run up to him sniffing his face and then they ate together like nothing happened **eye roll

But apart from that! All good so far!!
 
ColPer said:
i slept in my own bed last night and checked on them every couple of hours; I also left the room doors open so I could hear if anything kicked off
all content, only thing was at 4am my boy decided that freedom was the only answer (he is an escaper) and throw himself and his feed bowl through the cage. I shot down and found him sitting proudly in the living room.
I put them back together and she run up to him sniffing his face and then they ate together like nothing happened **eye roll

But apart from that! All good so far!!
Click to expand...
Sometimes posts on this forum make me smile. Your latest one has just done that ❤️ Your little girl bunny has certainly found herself a real character for a partner. Best wishes to them both ❤️
 
Hello!!

Sorry just wanted to give another update!

another good day, mixture of letting them stay in their pen and letting them in the living room, lots more laying together and her grooming him.
He has groomed her a little, but is still trying to hump her every so often.
He tries and then she runs away.. but he doesn’t chase after.. he waits a few seconds or even minutes and then might try again.
She doesn’t seem distressed, she will just flop down or carry on eating.

Is this okay? I have read quite a bit of conflicting about buns who keep trying to mount?

Once again sorry for the questions!
 
Yes, it is normal in the early part of bonding. The fact that when she runs away he doesn’t chase her and she’s not showing any signs of distress is good. The humping behaviour should resolve soon. Although he might still do it occasionally
 
Phew! I have been reading up and couldn’t see it being a negative behaviour as such but I was concerned!
 
ColPer said:
Phew! I have been reading up and couldn’t see it being a negative behaviour as such but I was concerned!
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You are doing really well. I have kept Rabbits for 26 years, I still find bonding to be hugely stressful !


From what you have posted it really does sound as though all that is needed now is time for their bond to fully establish.It would appear that the Doe has accepted the Buck and not challenging his excited humping as she isn’t wanting to over-rule him to try to be ‘top Bunny’. She’s just hopping away in a ‘not now dear, I have a headache’ manner ! His motive for humping is more likely to be an outlet of sexually driven behaviour. Some hormonal behaviour does remain, even after neutering. But it eases off after a while. If a Doe humps during bonding their motive is more to assert dominance. The two different motives for the humping behaviour can cause the individual Rabbits to misinterpret what is going on. If the Buck humps the Doe and she reads it as ‘I’m in charge’ but she thinks she should be she would not just hop away, she‘d try to chase him off and probably try to hump him back. Then the Buck can take great exception to this and get cross. That’s when a bond can go wrong.

i think if things continue as they are then in a few weeks you will have a happy fully bonded pair 😀❤️
 
InspectorMorse said:
You are doing really well. I have kept Rabbits for 26 years, I still find bonding to be hugely stressful !


From what you have posted it really does sound as though all that is needed now is time for their bond to fully establish.It would appear that the Doe has accepted the Buck and not challenging his excited humping as she isn’t wanting to over-rule him to try to be ‘top Bunny’. She’s just hopping away in a ‘not now dear, I have a headache’ manner ! His motive for humping is more likely to be an outlet of sexually driven behaviour. Some hormonal behaviour does remain, even after neutering. But it eases off after a while. If a Doe humps during bonding their motive is more to assert dominance. The two different motives for the humping behaviour can cause the individual Rabbits to misinterpret what is going on. If the Buck humps the Doe and she reads it as ‘I’m in charge’ but she thinks she should be she would not just hop away, she‘d try to chase him off and probably try to hump him back. Then the Buck can take great exception to this and get cross. That’s when a bond can go wrong.

i think if things continue as they are then in a few weeks you will have a happy fully bonded pair 😀❤️
Click to expand...
I agree with this excellent explanation :D It all sounds very normal.
 
ColPer said:
i slept in my own bed last night and checked on them every couple of hours; I also left the room doors open so I could hear if anything kicked off
all content, only thing was at 4am my boy decided that freedom was the only answer (he is an escaper) and throw himself and his feed bowl through the cage. I shot down and found him sitting proudly in the living room.
I put them back together and she run up to him sniffing his face and then they ate together like nothing happened **eye roll

But apart from that! All good so far!!
Click to expand...
Your boy was very determined to get his freedom and run around the room! I like how she was sniffing him to see what he was doing during his escape. Sending vibes the bond continues to go well.
 
Thank you all!
I think I’m going to stop reading about bonding as I am just terrifying myself!!

Another quiet night for them, I woke up at 3:30 and checked my camera and no dramas (wooooooo!)

Quick question, my boy is due for vaccinations this week.. am I okay to just take them both? 🤔
 
Yup - you can take both to make sure the bond doesn't break down. A vet visit will make whoever goes smell different, which could cause a fallout - so it's sensible to take both this early into the bond.
 
Hello!

Just wanted to give an update!

Bonding has gone really well, and bunnies are acting as if they have always been together!! We are super pleased with the outcome (yay!!)
 
ColPer said:
Hello!

Just wanted to give an update!

Bonding has gone really well, and bunnies are acting as if they have always been together!! We are super pleased with the outcome (yay!!)
Click to expand...
What excellent news ❤️ Well done everyone and super happy bunnies.
 
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