Bonding Diary - Millie & Toffee

[Moonstone]

Thank you, tonibun. Yes, I think their conflict is about dominance, I haven't seen signs they want to harm each other. They will eat at the same time but not side by side, they keep a little distance (except when there are bars between them). I did initially have a couple of upturned cardboard boxes in the pen with archway doors but I'm not sure removing them made much difference as he does normally approach her face rather than going round the back to mount her so she was still fending him off. Probably the best thing I can do to enable Millie to rest is to not extend the length of sessions, be patient and proceed slowly.

Someone suggested that Toffee doesn't have enough space, as he's younger, he needs more of it than Millie, to run around and let off steam. So I should give him a large space to run around in before bonding sessions. It's tricky though, I don't want him in her outdoor space thinking it's his territory, and the two side-by-side pens are taking up all the floor space in my living room. I could add a Runaround tunnel going over a sofa or something but think it would annoy her if he's given a tunnel and she doesn't have one.

 

[Omi]

Thank you, tonibun. Yes, I think their conflict is about dominance, I haven't seen signs they want to harm each other. They will eat at the same time but not side by side, they keep a little distance (except when there are bars between them). I did initially have a couple of upturned cardboard boxes in the pen with archway doors but I'm not sure removing them made much difference as he does normally approach her face rather than going round the back to mount her so she was still fending him off. Probably the best thing I can do to enable Millie to rest is to not extend the length of sessions, be patient and proceed slowly.

Someone suggested that Toffee doesn't have enough space, as he's younger, he needs more of it than Millie, to run around and let off steam. So I should give him a large space to run around in before bonding sessions. It's tricky though, I don't want him in her outdoor space thinking it's his territory, and the two side-by-side pens are taking up all the floor space in my living room. I could add a Runaround tunnel going over a sofa or something but think it would annoy her if he's given a tunnel and she doesn't have one.

I can understand the thinking about more space for Toffee, but I don't think I would change anything for now. Also I don't actually think it would make any difference to his behaviour towards Millie. If he was previously living side-by-side with his brother, he possibly didn't have a lot more space then.

 

[Moonstone]

Day 6 - 0 hrs

We all had a break from bonding.

Day 7 - 45mins

I'm experimenting with bonding them early evening instead of the morning as it's more manageable for me long term. Millie made the first approach today, giving him a cautious nose sniff greeting. She was less tired today, moving around the bonding pen more and being less entrenched in her corner. Overall it went okay, though I could only fit in a brief session. I had to break up the chasing once but only by getting into the pen and having a chat with them, no touch involved.

Day 8 - 2 hrs 15mins

I took them to the bonding pen by carrier and made them share it, so a small amount of stress bonding on the way, and they were cheek to cheek in there, looking cosy. Once out they separated so perhaps it wasn't that stressful. I gave them both the cardboard boxes to hide in again and I think they liked that. Again, Millie was the first to approach. She's approaching him a little more often and does it if there's been a bit of a gap with him not approaching her. She doesn't try to mount or ask for grooming, she's just doing a nose sniff greeting then hopping away again. Briefly they ate near each other today and Millie ate more than she used to when with him. When he approaches he's requesting grooming and she pauses for a bit then she pounces (luckily he shuts his big eyes if her nails come near them) and growls or does a kind of distressed whimpering noise. If he stands his ground, she hops away. Sometimes he runs after her but they only had a couple of chases, only one in which he pulled out some fur. I was mostly out of the pen today but I stepped in when things needed calming. They both know I want them to be nice to each other. I'm also still offering treats as we go along. Toffee fell asleep in the bonding pen today, he's pretty relaxed with her.

 

[bunny momma]

It sounds promising that she is approaching and that Toffee is so relaxed when with her. Sending more bonding vibes for these beautiful bunnies.

 

[joey&boo]

it does sound like they are making progress. I like that Millie is approaching him now.

Bunny bonding can certainly take a big chunk out of your "free" time

 

[Moonstone]

Day 9 - 2 hrs 10 mins

There's some hanging out now but also a lot of chasing and thumping. Not so much growling.

VID_20250823_ 1 high res

Millie and Toffee Day 9 of bonding

vimeo.com

Day 10 - 1 hr 50mins

The most aggressive chase I've since in days ended with the closest lie-down I've seen. (He's in the box, and they can see each other through another entrance cut out of the right side).

 

[tonibun]

Hope they soon settle down now. Bonding is not easy!

 

[joey&boo]

Hopefully that chase that ended in them lying close sorted some poop out. I also hope they get their soon, though it will be in their own sweet time. i found Chinook & Eddys bond very frustrating. I feel like he'd made his point really early on & she wasn't arguing so why he had to chase for so long I didn't understand. I do think it sounds like its still moving in the right direction, not hit a stale mate or anything. Is that how you feel?

 

[bunny momma]

it looks promising. After she injured her foot in the carrier and had to wait for bonding it will soon be done and It will be nice to see Millie bonded with her new friend