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New to bonding- how do I bond outdoor rabbits
- Thread starter amme
- Start date
lottielouise
Wise Old Thumper
I would keep seperated until both rabbits were neutered and hormones die down. For the most successful bonding everybun has to be neutered and a wait of 6 weeks left before contemplaing bonding. This is to let hormones die down and let everything heal (bunnies heal really quickly, although it is a more invasive op for a female, so they take about 2 weeks to heal)
Once she had recovered from that, I would start with something mutually scarey, for most rabbits its a car ride in the same carry case. Some people swear by it, but I don't have a car so tend not to use it. I have started putting them in a carry case and having a few gentle jogs around the garden or up the stairs.
Bonding has to take place in somewhere neuteral, where none of the rabbits have been before. If that is not available, clean everything with a solution of white vinegar and water to neutarlise the smell. Bonding also has to be in a small space. I tend to use 2ftx4ft, although I ended using 2ftx2ft for the current bond as they just completely avoided each other. I have nothing shared in there (no litter box or toys that can be dominated) and at least one water bottle each.
Make sure you have gardening gloves, a broom and a towel on hand. Have these ready before you put the buns together. All of these are to seperate bunnies without getting your self bitten.
Then it is just finding a time when you are feeling brave and have enough time to supervise them for at least 48 hours. I tend to bond in my bedroom, so I can supervise overnight, and be comfortable, another is the living room and sleep on the couch.
When you put them in together they will hump, chase and fur pull each other to assertain who is dominant and to form a heirarchy.(Autumn, the agouti lop, Was my top bun). You have to take care that they don't lock on to each other, as this is when they cause the most damage.
It is a bit nerve wracking the first few times, just take a deep breathe and go for it. I think knowing your buns personalities is the key. Autumn has always been dominant, and the only bun to attack me for no reason (she used to attack my jeans, before she was neutered!)
Lots of people have different methods I am sure, this is the one that works for me.
Read around this site, and gain as much knowledge as possible, there are so many people more experienced than me.
Once she had recovered from that, I would start with something mutually scarey, for most rabbits its a car ride in the same carry case. Some people swear by it, but I don't have a car so tend not to use it. I have started putting them in a carry case and having a few gentle jogs around the garden or up the stairs.
Bonding has to take place in somewhere neuteral, where none of the rabbits have been before. If that is not available, clean everything with a solution of white vinegar and water to neutarlise the smell. Bonding also has to be in a small space. I tend to use 2ftx4ft, although I ended using 2ftx2ft for the current bond as they just completely avoided each other. I have nothing shared in there (no litter box or toys that can be dominated) and at least one water bottle each.
Make sure you have gardening gloves, a broom and a towel on hand. Have these ready before you put the buns together. All of these are to seperate bunnies without getting your self bitten.
Then it is just finding a time when you are feeling brave and have enough time to supervise them for at least 48 hours. I tend to bond in my bedroom, so I can supervise overnight, and be comfortable, another is the living room and sleep on the couch.
When you put them in together they will hump, chase and fur pull each other to assertain who is dominant and to form a heirarchy.(Autumn, the agouti lop, Was my top bun). You have to take care that they don't lock on to each other, as this is when they cause the most damage.
It is a bit nerve wracking the first few times, just take a deep breathe and go for it. I think knowing your buns personalities is the key. Autumn has always been dominant, and the only bun to attack me for no reason (she used to attack my jeans, before she was neutered!)
Lots of people have different methods I am sure, this is the one that works for me.
Read around this site, and gain as much knowledge as possible, there are so many people more experienced than me.
lottielouise
Wise Old Thumper
I lock mine in the bathroom at the minute, rabbits not cats, but when I am upstairs I let the cats have a nosey
