existing bunny angry about new bunny in house

[cellie]

Hi
I have a 6 month old neutered male house rabbit. He has the run of our lounge and upstairs when he fancies the stairs! I have recently rejoined a female and while we await her op she is living in our dining room as we will bond them once she’s been nuetured. My issue is that my existing bunny has become unsettled. He clearly knows ‘something is up’. He will be smelling our new bunny smell on us etc. Is there anything I should be doing in the interim to keep them both happy whilst separate?
Thanks in advance

 

[tonibun]

You could bond them now before her spay. How long has he been neutered? He could be fertile for up to 6 weeks post op so something to take into consideration.

 

[cellie]

He had his op in early October so they’d be fine. So i can start to introduce them to one another in a neutral space? I have bought a large pen which I plan to use for bonding time (with a separation panel in the middle) they’ll be able to see, smell and spend time together yet apart. I guess this will be fine to start prior to her op

 

[tonibun]

You could put the female into his space as boys aren't usually as territorial as the girls. .They might try to bite one another if you do it your way. You could put them in the pen without the divider with lots of hay. This is how most people do it. I would just put them together in his territory. He will chase her doing it this way but it doesn't last for too long. It's your choice. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Omi]

You could put the female into his space as boys aren't usually as territorial as the girls. .They might try to bite one another if you do it your way. You could put them in the pen without the divider with lots of hay. This is how most people do it. I would just put them together in his territory. He will chase her doing it this way but it doesn't last for too long. It's your choice. Let us know how it goes.

I agree with this and it's what I would do. Having them split up will just delay the process. The issue to be resolved will be one of trust between them and that will only happen once they are actually together, not with a divider.