Fighting again :(

[mezrie]

So my two neutered brothers have fallen out again (third time over three years) so I’ve separated them for the moment. I have recently lost my Dad and then my partner suffered a heart attack on New Year’s Day so now is not the best time for further horribleness.



I’ve had a few different pieces of advise by various bunny rescues.

The place where I adopted them from said they would take back Bramble (I’d keep Will as he has a chronic heart condition which he has meds twice a day for). They said that due to this heart condition it may be best that, if I did surrender Bramble, that Willow stay on his own as a house bun as bonding is very stressful.

Another place said I should separate them for a month but let them see each other, and then after that time has gone by, very slowly start to rebond, which can take a long time with rabbits who are already familiar with each other.

Another place said if I didn’t try bonding again, to lose Bramble and replace with a female. I’m not sure this is an option anyway due to how stressy Will is.

The absolute final resort is losing Bramble, he is much loved and not the instigator in these fights. Willow has always been very temperamental and a bit of a live wire, and now he has this heart ailment which can’t help. They have been so close since they came back from being rebonded before, cuddling up to each other and grooming each other. It’s so disappointing and of course a problem I really don’t feel up to right now.

I just wondered if you have ever been in the same kind of situation and what you did.

Thank you x

 

[Shimmer]

I would be inclined to keep them permanently separate now, although they could just be separated by a mesh barrier.
Anything after that is up for debate, and partly depends on Willow's heart condition. I hope you find a way forward that suits you all.

 

[mezrie]

I would be inclined to keep them permanently separate now, although they could just be separated by a mesh barrier.
Anything after that is up for debate, and partly depends on Willow's heart condition. I hope you find a way forward that suits you all.

Thank you for posting. Would that be fair on them, though? (Space is limited.)

 

[Barn Yard Bunnies]

Hugs for your loss of your dad and partners heart attack.

I really wish I knew what to advise as it must be a stressful decision. There is nothing wrong keeping one or two single rabbits, if they are inside you are their company.

 

[Omi]

I haven't been in a situation similar to this. But, I think if it were me, I would give option 2 a try. So, separate for a month and then try re-bonding.

My thoughts would be that 3 times falling out in three years doesn't sound as though it's a case of perment dislike for one another. I also think that you would be able to assess whether re-bonding is likely to be successful from an early stage and so could call a halt if either Will became too stressed and/or there was serious aggression between them. It's also the least extreme of your options and doesn't preclude you switching to a different option if it didn't work out. From what you've described it could also be the least distressing for the bunnies. If you gave either bunny up, they still have the uncertainty of finding another bunny to live with.

Best wishes for whatever yhou decide to do.

 

[mezrie]

Hugs for your loss of your dad and partners heart attack.

I really wish I knew what to advise as it must be a stressful decision. There is nothing wrong keeping one or two single rabbits, if they are inside you are their company.

Thank you for your hugs and advise xx

 

[mezrie]

I haven't been in a situation similar to this. But, I think if it were me, I would give option 2 a try. So, separate for a month and then try re-bonding.

My thoughts would be that 3 times falling out in three years doesn't sound as though it's a case of perment dislike for one another. I also think that you would be able to assess whether re-bonding is likely to be successful from an early stage and so could call a halt if either Will became too stressed and/or there was serious aggression between them. It's also the least extreme of your options and doesn't preclude you switching to a different option if it didn't work out. From what you've described it could also be the least distressing for the bunnies. If you gave either bunny up, they still have the uncertainty of finding another bunny to live with.

Best wishes for whatever yhou decide to do.

Thank you so much for your advice xx

 

[tulsi]

I had 2 neutered brothers who fell out when they hit puberty.

They were reintroduced but fought.

I was advised to keep them out of sight/smell of each other for six weeks then re try.

I did. I also added in two sisters from a rescue.

They lived as a happy quad for many years.

I still have one of the brothers now. He will be thirteen this year and has recently been bonded to a seven year old doe!

 

[tulsi]

Part of the reason for the six week wait was to make sure spring and summer had passed as they (esp spring) can be a lively time for hormone surges.

Best of luck with whatever feels right for you and your rabbits.

 

[mezrie]

Part of the reason for the six week wait was to make sure spring and summer had passed as they (esp spring) can be a lively time for hormone surges.

Best of luck with whatever feels right for you and your rabbits.

Hi Tulsi,

Thank you for your advice and sharing your experience with this. We ended up keeping them separate as Willow was diagnosed with a Thymoma in April, sadly we lost him in June.

It’s so nice to hear you were able to bond four, I bet they were a handful x

 

[Omi]

I am so very sorry that you lost Willow Sleep tight little one.

 

[tulsi]

So sorry that you lost Willow. RIP Willow.

Bonding the quad was amazing. The two girls were definitely the peace keeping force and would lay in between the two boys!