Pay for bonding 24/7 vs doing it yourself?

[bunny momma]

Sending lots of positive vibes for a successful bond with the bonding service.

 

[Bunnyfan25]

Thank you just going to do side by side pens and do pen and hutch daily swapping til then...so far done hutch swapping every 2wks but think wud help doing daily...

 

[Bunnyfan25]

Also I've msged border and messaged some of her review customers who have given her high ratings. Plus she said looking at the video there's no serious aggression there so should b fine...

 

[Bunnyfan25]

Keep saying border not bonder lol...predictive text grrr...

 

[a reader of books]

I can't get the videos to work for me, so I haven't watched them, but I agree with Shimmer's post from a while ago that it sounds like the stress of being confined and being made to be civil to each other is taking its toll on them, so I agree about not doing anything until they go to the bonder and just let them have lots of space to be bunnies. I wouldn't do the pen and hutch-swapping, either. It's at times recommended with bunnies who don't know each other yet to get to know each other's scent, but in this situation there's absolutely no benefit to it as they're already completely familiar with each other. It'd just be more stress, having no permanent home to call their own since they have to switch each day.

I do understand that you want to increase their chances of bonding succesfully at the bonder, as it is a lot of money, but it sounds like she's very experienced and is positive about them being bonded, so I'd just trust that and leave everything to her, and just let them enjoy their bunny lives with the least amount of stress until then. Happy, stress-free bunnies do bond much more easily!

 

[Bunnyfan25]

OK that makes sense will do. They quite like swapping pens as they're slightly different to each other but I'll keep them in same hutches.

Also at recommendation of the border I am looking to attach smaller pen to double hutch overnight so they have an exit as she was concerned about that...snowy was my guinea pig lol...

 

[a reader of books]

Ah, giving them more space overnight is a great idea. Being confined to a hutch for any length of time really is not ideal, though I understand that it'll be easier to give them a bigger permanent space once they're bonded. Since that's still a month away, though, is there a way that they can both have access to their hutch and bigger run 24/7? Maybe with a tunnel leading from the hutch to the run if you can't move the run? Or moving the hutches to the runs?

 

[Bunnyfan25]

Already working on that we have the extension built just working on the steps internally and cage door wire then they can get between both hutches AND the outdoors...

 

[Bunnyfan25]

The hutches are on top of each other to save space

 

[a reader of books]

Ah, that's wonderful! That's looking really nice already! I hadn't realised the hutches were on top of each other; I thought they were next to each other!

 

[Bunnyfan25]

Yeahs did bonder. We were learning as we went probably not best way but new bunny owners lol. Didn't want to cut into hutch as couldn't lock off if fight/sick. This way we have slidy doors if need to lock it off

 

[Bunnyfan25]

We have then ordered a set of steps sliced in half so go up 2 steps turnaround then 3 more to reach other door...

 

[Bunnyfan25]

Steps...

 

[Bunnyfan25]

Image here

 

[a reader of books]

That sounds very practical, being able to lock them in case you ever do need to temporarily confine them for some reason. Those steps look very nice!

 

[Bunnyfan25]

Thanks we put a lot of thought into it lol.

Even a door for cleaning and referring...I suddenly thought of the pen addition last night at midnight n couldn't sleep for ages after...

 

[Bunnyfan25]

Referreing meant to say

 

[Bunnyfan25]

So despite saying no bonding time my daughter n I sat near each other with them and they chose to fuss each other whilst enjoying time with us on laps. Noticed more wood biting and bar biting today, more than normal - had to use vinegar spray.

Tonight when preparing for bed one jumped into others pen when my back was turned, according to hubby they were side by side lying down scuffling I heard it n separated them. 5mins later they had 10mins in seat but no nervousness straight away grooming each other n themselves. No injuries, think was a fluff scuffle n stopped it quick enough.

They finished happy in seat together b4 bed but OMG what troublesome boys. Basically snowy jumped over n he got it in the neck from shadow for getting into his run (even tho they swap daily...).

 

[Bunnyfan25]

Had sofa time with them today for usti bond with them n they could fuss each other if they chose.. adorable pose

 

[Bunnyfan25]

No bonding time tonight,but despite the sandpit play and binkying I do now see a lot more bar nibbling (still an inch apart) when near each other, as well as reaching up as if trying to get to the other rabbit. I know bar nibbling typically sign of aggression but watching them it looks more like curiosity...snowy I know is always looking for an escape (wild burrowing bun at heart) whereas not seen shadow biting before n today he was...hmm

One more positive note the extension is ready for final wire to be put on door and put in situ (with doors closed for now) and almost ready for outside run at nighttime (connecting the hutch to run "mgiver style" with wood slabs, a cut up hinged door and hook and eye fastenings to prevent escape and intruders!

I've also booked time off so when I pick them both up from bonder I have a solid 4 days introducing them into their forever home, fx its enough time, planning on spending first night outside with them in runs if nice weather and second night maybe for hutch introduction...yawn...gonna b tiring...