Looking for bonding advice

[cottonees]

Looking to bring home a rescue female at the start of August (4.5 years old/ was bonded but partner passed, now in adoptive care waiting)

I've never bonded before, my male (will be 5, freshly neutered) has only been bonded for 5 months before losing a mate to her spay.

He has the run of the house so I was hoping to get a 3×2 about 3m high puppy pen and put the female in the kitchen/living room (open plan) so he can inspect her at the start but unsure where to go from there. I didn't want to restrict her to her own room (which would only smell like her and her become territorial) but should I put her into a spare room to start until she's settled and then move her? I have one room stair gated which is hay storage that my rabbit doesn't have access to unless I let him in.

I also don't want to restrict my male to a side by side cage when he's had free run of the house for 5 years..

I just wanna do right by both rabbits and not add any unnecessary trauma. I've never bonded before, really new to this and I'm thankful for any advice

I was thinking of picking the female up at the start of August then I have two weeks off from mid August to try the side by side cage method if they get on through the bars.

Thank you

 

[Shimmer]

Bonding works best in a totally neutral area - so somewhere that neither rabbit has been in before, or thoroughly clean (to remove the scent) and rearrange a 'known' area.

I tend to do side by side using something like a large dog crate or meshed run each - ie totally secure with no chance of an accidental straying into the other one's space. If there is some bickering, you may need a double layer of bars / mesh so there's no physical damage (ie biting through the bars). My bonds take weeks / months now -I just leave them to settle for as long as possible, and once they meet the aim is to leave them together and supervise continually for a couple of days, then ease off if they seem OK - you do need to sleep at some point.

Is there a possibility that the place the girl is coming from can do the bonding for you over a couple of weeks (or however long it takes)? You then just have to settle in the new couple until the bond is secure.

 

[tonibun]

I agree with Shimmer. However ,males are not usually as territorial as females so it should be easier for you to introduce them after the female has settled in. He will most likely want to chase her and she should runaway. This is normal as is humping, fur pulling but not fighting. I usually use a biggish space to bond. I hope they like one another when the time comes.

 

[cottonees]

I think I will get her a pen to start off with and then add a pen for him, does anyone reccomend any good pens? I think it'll need to be at least 3m hight as he's a jumper. I just want her to get used to a home before he overwhelms her. I can always cover the sides so they can initially smell then let him see her as she settles.

I'm gonna get them some rugs and an extra pee tray and fleece blankets so they can have them swapped for scent and deep clean the kitchen area so it doesn't smell like my boy

It's obviously quite far away time wise I just wanna be 100% prepared and do things right when the time comes.

The female is currently in a foster home not a rabbit rescue so I don't want to ask them to bond if I can. I will ask the rescue about what their next steps are and if they have any bonders near me but I've seen a few horror stories and I wouldn't feel safe leaving either of them if they aren't watched right


Thank you

 

[Shimmer]

It's always worth asking the rescue and fosterers (if you have access to them) for advice on bonding. Rescues may have their own policies or preferred methods. They also have a lot of experience and should know their rabbits so can advise on specific habits, etc.

If they can't offer a bonding service, they will know of any local ones that can be recommended.

Just wondering why you are waiting until August as that's quite a long time for a specific rabbit (rather than just future planning for a non-specific rabbit) if there are no health issues on either side, and if it's been agreed with the rescue.

 

[cottonees]

I was initially enquiring because I have time at home to be at home 24/7 for two weeks. I wanted to give enough time for my boys neuter (last week)

I don't really know what I am doing so I wanted it to be when I had time off to be able to watch it. My job keeps me away from 730 until 730 and my partner wfh and can't have full eyes on the rabbits for the 24/7 method

 

[cottonees]

The rescue can bond him