My new bonding tip

[Moonstone]

With two bunnies in side-by-side pens, I've got a heated mat under their rugs so that half is in one pen and half the other side. The chew-proof cord is running in the little gap between the pens.

Both bunnies want to lie there and it's giving the impression that they're choosing to lie side by side with just the bars between them. Milly is normally flopped on her side and Toffee is on his belly with his big feet stretched out behind him. As a bonus, the warmth of the mat resembles the warmth from lying next to a warm bunny so I'm hopeful it's giving them warm cosy vibes about each other.

Obviously don't do this with central heating on or when the weather is already making the bunnies too hot and make sure they have comfortable cool places to lie in too as they choose. Mine can lie side by side where there isn't a heat mat, but they're either choosing the mat area or are tucked away in their little houses.

 

[tonibun]

I like it!

 

[Bunnyfan25]

Hood idea I have similar setups, both straw houses side by side and mat with foodbowl side by side n switch runs daily for smells. Not started binding yet as only 3wks since neuter.

Quick question, can rabbits - once bonded - share same pen during the day and separate hutches at night? Purchased 2 large 5ft chartwell hutches and fixed them on top of each other when had to be separate, don't want to sell/replace or cut into them ideally...

 

[Moonstone]

They need to cuddle up with each other at night to keep them bonded and help them to feel safe. Do they have to be locked in a hutch at night? Could you put both hutches in a fox proof run and let them decide where to sleep? Mine can be quite active in the night.

 

[Bunnyfan25]

Hi thanks for your reply. I didnt realise the process when they were little and only knew they needed 2 hutches, quite an expensive process and would like them to be able to sleep together but the sort involved is tricky. I have the folding pens with wooden houses in for day time but we carry them back n forth.

So what you're basically saying is they won't bond properly just during daytime if apart at night? Also we were going to start bonding in 2wks time but go away for 4 days Mid-august where they will be 100% in hutches and some have suggested bonding after this trip away...should I wait and focus on bonding end August til October with plan of converting hutches into one hutch? They have a leg distance apart atm (2inches perhaps) so the Ramp would potentially expose the hutch a bit but its covered at night with rain cover. Just not sure about cutting it and buying a ramp, fixing it etc. some would say its easier to buy a new converted double hutch but then wouldn't want to get rid of two chartwells in case one is ill, or they have a fight or something...space becomes an issue then...

 

[Moonstone]

Hi Bunnyfan, I think it would be worth starting a separate thread for brainstorming on accommodation. But yes, I can't see a bond working if they can't be together at night, and you'd miss out on the benefits of them being bonded because it keeps them calm and happy. They can keep each other warm on cold nights and even have better health outcomes because of the mutual grooming.