Pay for bonding 24/7 vs doing it yourself?
- Thread starter Bunnyfan25
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Bunnyfan25
Warren Scout
Bunnyfan25
Warren Scout
Bunnyfan25
Warren Scout
So we had our first fight, dustpan worked, kept separating stroking then allowing them back together, circling became more frantic, rinse repeat until decided needed smaller space, just the chair, work out issues, waited for them to wash each other, when one did a lot gave him treat then finally after 5mins snowy who started it, did too n got treat now happy gonna put to bed. Do you suggest I continue with seat for a day? Both seem eager to get space back but do you think should wait?
Yes, the general bonding advice is to go back to the smaller space where there were no issues. I suspect that the larger space might have encouraged the binkying, which has caused a degree of confusion and distrust. Bonding rabbits becomes successful when the rabbits trust each other completely.
Also a rabbit won't be able to associate not getting a treat with the fact that they haven't washed the other rabbit very much. If you're feeding them treats, then best to give them both one.
Also a rabbit won't be able to associate not getting a treat with the fact that they haven't washed the other rabbit very much. If you're feeding them treats, then best to give them both one.
Bunnyfan25
Warren Scout
OK thanks for that,they were fine in smaller chair this morning, mutual and solo washing no nipping.
Yes I noticed at first when one binkyed the other didn't know how to respond ...
Yes I noticed at first when one binkyed the other didn't know how to respond ...
a reader of books
Warren Veteran
Aw, they're really cute together 
I would take it nice and slow and continue with the chair for longer, definitely more than just one day, as they're apparently not ready yet for a larger space. It's better to go a bit too slow than to go too fast and have another fight, I think.
I would take it nice and slow and continue with the chair for longer, definitely more than just one day, as they're apparently not ready yet for a larger space. It's better to go a bit too slow than to go too fast and have another fight, I think.Bunnyfan25
Warren Scout
Agreed two chairs tonight and when one started binkying after an hour I put them to bed. Lots of mutual washing, think the wind gets them stirred tbh as think it stresses them...
Bunnyfan25
Warren Scout
2wks in n aside from a couple of scuffles where a dustpan was needed go intervene,tonight think we hit a milestone, 15mins snuggling together almost sleeping. So far it's been one or the other...is this a sign of a strong bond?
Can't give them more than 1.5-2hrs evenings together and could increase at wknds but then back to 1.5hrs n not sure if wise to increase/decrease time like that...
I've seen them flopping, binkying and now loafing with each other. Each grooming each other n themselves. Scuffles appear to be wind driven as always happened when wind picked up. No clear alpha as mutual grooming altho some days one more insistent than the other. Also the scuffle on one day was nipping, circling then the instigator almost flopped so think the nipping was playful not aggressive, when deterred the responding bunny stopped too. We've had happy separate ignoring each other on occasion too...and occasions where I've left them to it for 5-10mins
The hutch extension (two side holes in two tier hutch, steps connecting inside a wooden cage with door) is in progress, preparing it for September for after their 1-2wks at bonder. I can't commit the extended time needed as nowhere inside that is big enough or possible to restrict space on plus have cat in house...I'm hoping she can progress their developing bond from 2hrs to 6 then to overnight.
I think we've made progress for 2wks but hesitant to move to small pen on grass...
Can't give them more than 1.5-2hrs evenings together and could increase at wknds but then back to 1.5hrs n not sure if wise to increase/decrease time like that...
I've seen them flopping, binkying and now loafing with each other. Each grooming each other n themselves. Scuffles appear to be wind driven as always happened when wind picked up. No clear alpha as mutual grooming altho some days one more insistent than the other. Also the scuffle on one day was nipping, circling then the instigator almost flopped so think the nipping was playful not aggressive, when deterred the responding bunny stopped too. We've had happy separate ignoring each other on occasion too...and occasions where I've left them to it for 5-10mins
The hutch extension (two side holes in two tier hutch, steps connecting inside a wooden cage with door) is in progress, preparing it for September for after their 1-2wks at bonder. I can't commit the extended time needed as nowhere inside that is big enough or possible to restrict space on plus have cat in house...I'm hoping she can progress their developing bond from 2hrs to 6 then to overnight.
I think we've made progress for 2wks but hesitant to move to small pen on grass...
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a reader of books
Warren Veteran
Aw, sounds like their dates are going well, and they're adorable together I wouldn't say their doing so well is a sign of a strong bond, as they don't really have a bond yet, not in the way that bonded bunnies do. You won't really know what kind of bond they'll have until they're at the bonder and they can spend all day together and have more space. I'd keep doing what you're doing, though, because it does look very promising!
I wouldn't say their doing so well is a sign of a strong bond, as they don't really have a bond yet, not in the way that bonded bunnies do. You won't really know what kind of bond they'll have until they're at the bonder and they can spend all day together and have more space. I'd keep doing what you're doing, though, because it does look very promising!Bunnyfan25
Warren Scout
Thanks that makes sense. Would you increase time or space after wknds even though can't maintain during the week?
a reader of books
Warren Veteran
Hmm, I wouldn't. I feel like going back and forth between more and less time and/or space would just increase chances of upsetting what they have going on now. I think I would keep things as stable as possible until they'll go to the bonder to get bonded.
Bunnyfan25
Warren Scout
Hi I managed 2hrs tonight with food drink, an extra chair all went good. Tried bringing in to the mix the two exit hideaway made out of straw n straight away Snowy took ownership n when shadow tried to go in he nipped him but no fight ensued, Shadow backed away did something else, snowy came out shadow didn't go in,then snowy went back in. After 5mins took house away n they groomed each other a few more minsbefore calling it a day. After 2wks they're not quite ready for territory items. I could put both out but think that would encourage chasing so reverting back tomoz. At least just warning nips not an actual fight...
Bunnyfan25
Warren Scout
Bunnyfan25
Warren Scout
So we had our first bad fight! 
I've been managing 5-10mins away from them and this morning got them out on the chairs went n got brekkie n came back to carnage! Fluffy everywhere and both rabbits had climbed down n jumped inside the lowest hutch then cos both went in went for each other...amazingly they didn't run out into garden?? I had left hutch doors open as was cleaning toilets etc. Got them both out n separately checked them out. Shadow seemed fine albeit tired. Snowy had a scratch on ear close the eye and the gums,
Went to vets on metacam and washing ear twice day salty water. Back to square one with bonding once snowy healed. Had to keep them in hutches til wounds healed.
Going to let them bond again next week but only on small chair and 100% supervised. I was getting too comfortable with them being comfortable with each other. Shows what can happen in just 5mins!
I've been managing 5-10mins away from them and this morning got them out on the chairs went n got brekkie n came back to carnage! Fluffy everywhere and both rabbits had climbed down n jumped inside the lowest hutch then cos both went in went for each other...amazingly they didn't run out into garden?? I had left hutch doors open as was cleaning toilets etc. Got them both out n separately checked them out. Shadow seemed fine albeit tired. Snowy had a scratch on ear close the eye and the gums, Went to vets on metacam and washing ear twice day salty water. Back to square one with bonding once snowy healed. Had to keep them in hutches til wounds healed.
Going to let them bond again next week but only on small chair and 100% supervised. I was getting too comfortable with them being comfortable with each other. Shows what can happen in just 5mins!
Bunnyfan25
Warren Scout
Ok so kept them apart for 4 days, today reintroduced n boy was it hardwork! one seat next to each other had to keep stopping the nipswith a headache and form NO then resume. After 10mins shadow washed snowy then 10more mins snowy washed shadow but at his slightest movement nipped him, he kept turning around moving forward and doing meerkat which agitated snowy. Finally after 20mins snowy relaxed n demanded lots of fuss from shadow like 10-15mins washing! He did wash shadow one moretine then at certain points they washed themselves in front of each other so progress. Waited til shadow had had enough n snowy was happy separate cuddles,back in hutch (raining) then treats. Progress I think...? Snowy was the injured one so was clearly milking if for what it's worth lol
Are you sure that Snowy's wounds are completely healed?
Introducing bunnies and getting them to bond is really all about trust. Each bunny has to feel that the other bunny(s) can be trusted 100% and therefore isn't a threat. That trust cannot be forced upon the bunnies and they will take as much time as they need.
From what you have described here, that trust is not yet there and it's probably gone a few steps back with their recent fight.
It's also been said that any serious fight might in fact prevent those bunnies from ever forming a close bond, because the trust just isn't there.
None of us can see how these bunnies are interacting with each other and their pics show that they can be friendly, but I would make sure that you are helping rather than hindering a long term bond.
Introducing bunnies and getting them to bond is really all about trust. Each bunny has to feel that the other bunny(s) can be trusted 100% and therefore isn't a threat. That trust cannot be forced upon the bunnies and they will take as much time as they need.
From what you have described here, that trust is not yet there and it's probably gone a few steps back with their recent fight.
It's also been said that any serious fight might in fact prevent those bunnies from ever forming a close bond, because the trust just isn't there.
None of us can see how these bunnies are interacting with each other and their pics show that they can be friendly, but I would make sure that you are helping rather than hindering a long term bond.
Bunnyfan25
Warren Scout
Thanks yes I understand the above and cuts are healed but after their first fight really early on this method worked to the point where they loafed n slept nr each other so I'm hoping they can work past it and regain trust.
They are going to a professional bonder in September, I'm trying to work back their friendship and trust to this date so that the job is easier for her and hopefully takes less time! £350 for 2 wks is a lot of money...
They are going to a professional bonder in September, I'm trying to work back their friendship and trust to this date so that the job is easier for her and hopefully takes less time! £350 for 2 wks is a lot of money...
Bunnyfan25
Warren Scout
How would you deal with this situation differently to help rather than hinder the bond?
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