Pay for bonding 24/7 vs doing it yourself?
- Thread starter Bunnyfan25
- Start date
Well done! That looks brilliant and nicely finished 
I was reading your post about watching them when they return home. Yes, as we've found, checking outside bunnies during bonding is not so practical as when they are inside, when you could sleep on the sofa etc. I found an outside camera really useful. Obviously not during the very early stages, but for reassurance when they appear to be getting on OK.
I was reading your post about watching them when they return home. Yes, as we've found, checking outside bunnies during bonding is not so practical as when they are inside, when you could sleep on the sofa etc. I found an outside camera really useful. Obviously not during the very early stages, but for reassurance when they appear to be getting on OK.
Bunnyfan25
Warren Scout
Thank you,4wks til they go to the bonder. lots of work, worth it I hope,they both had a go earlier so they know what it is. Obviously closed til they return.
Yeah was hoping for nice weather so they can get used to pen for first 2days with me staying awake then yeah maybe get a camera out there for second night yawn... I have 4 days fx that's enough...
What do you reckon to the cage biting when near each other in opposing pens?
Yeah was hoping for nice weather so they can get used to pen for first 2days with me staying awake then yeah maybe get a camera out there for second night yawn... I have 4 days fx that's enough...
What do you reckon to the cage biting when near each other in opposing pens?
Bunnyfan25
Warren Scout
Also considered bringing pen in house for first night but would delay things i think and more issues with temperature and an old cat lol
Yes, I don't think I would move the pen into the house. It would mean a change in location from bonders to inside your house and then again a change back to outside. Just cross fingers it won't rain.
Have you got a stand-in so that you could get some sleep during the day between the first and second night?
I think it's really difficult to try to determine what the cage biting is as there are so many different alternatives. It could be seen as aggression, or on the other hand could be them wanting to interact with each other. My bunny does it when I hand feed her pellets through the wire, when she is in the run. This I take to mean she is frustrated that they aren't being given quickly enough.
Bunnyfan25
Warren Scout
Well I guess I do but the bunnies were mine and my daughters project and aside from building things and once taking them to the vets he wants to keep it that way but if needs must I guess he would...
Yeah I think it was wanting to interact, still just doing slow bonding though as they prefer that I think. Thanks.
Go on holiday next wk,first time away from them for 4 nights, they're gonna be stir crazy, but can't ask others to move them hutch to pen as only dropping by once per day. Then they'll have 2wks in pens til go to the bonder.
They're gonna pull a 3 day-er this week in pens as gonna b 18 degrees at 4am!
Yeah I think it was wanting to interact, still just doing slow bonding though as they prefer that I think. Thanks.
Go on holiday next wk,first time away from them for 4 nights, they're gonna be stir crazy, but can't ask others to move them hutch to pen as only dropping by once per day. Then they'll have 2wks in pens til go to the bonder.
They're gonna pull a 3 day-er this week in pens as gonna b 18 degrees at 4am!
Bunnyfan25
Warren Scout
OK so spoke to hubby and daughter n have agreed a 5hr stand in on 2nd day so can crash and working on camera setup for 2nd night as lounge close to back garden so should b able to crash n b reactive whenever something happens...
Bunnyfan25
Warren Scout
Had some bunny time tonight my daughter and 1 one bunny each not together. we shared a lovely moment. Due to the heat of the day my daughter managed to attract snowys attention and for first time ever he licked her forehead then her nose. Later he did same to me.
Might seem like nothing but snowy has always been a nudger who enjoyed a headrub and shadow liked to lick everything - skin clothing everything...so for snowy to stop out of comfort zone was nice. We have had instances in last when bonding them that both would be on our Laps, Shadow washing usabd snowy watching shadow, must have finally picked up on it n thought ill try that lol...so adorable! Bet he won't do it again but he had lots of headrubs and a treat for doing it so we'll see...
Also managed to get rid of some bum tufts with a brush and a comb on shadow, one was massive! could only do it when he was on his back on my lap - he soon chilled out n let me lol
Might seem like nothing but snowy has always been a nudger who enjoyed a headrub and shadow liked to lick everything - skin clothing everything...so for snowy to stop out of comfort zone was nice. We have had instances in last when bonding them that both would be on our Laps, Shadow washing usabd snowy watching shadow, must have finally picked up on it n thought ill try that lol...so adorable! Bet he won't do it again but he had lots of headrubs and a treat for doing it so we'll see...
Also managed to get rid of some bum tufts with a brush and a comb on shadow, one was massive! could only do it when he was on his back on my lap - he soon chilled out n let me lol
a reader of books
Warren Veteran
Aww, that's adorable that Snowy gave you both some groomies
I would really recommend against putting them on their back. It induces a state called tonic immobility, which is very stressful for the rabbit even though they seem chilled out. You can read more about it here: https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/trancing/
I would really recommend against putting them on their back. It induces a state called tonic immobility, which is very stressful for the rabbit even though they seem chilled out. You can read more about it here: https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/trancing/
Bunnyfan25
Warren Scout
Grooming are nice, happened again last night...
Agree re on back but it was a tuft near his bottom and he acted more stressed picking up his bum to comb underneath, more dangerous too...
Agree re on back but it was a tuft near his bottom and he acted more stressed picking up his bum to comb underneath, more dangerous too...
Moonstone
Warren Scout
It's lovely that the bonding is going so well.
I agree with a reader of books, and strongly recommend they aren't put on their backs. They won't act stressed but rabbits in that situation freeze with fear so their stress isn't apparent and there is a risk of injury to their backs. The best option is to use two of you and one of you hold the rabbit in a position similar to when they are up on their hind legs, but with the hind legs in the air and the bottom supported with one hand and slightly curved forwards (I hope I'm making sense!). Then the other one can groom him underneath.
I agree with a reader of books, and strongly recommend they aren't put on their backs. They won't act stressed but rabbits in that situation freeze with fear so their stress isn't apparent and there is a risk of injury to their backs. The best option is to use two of you and one of you hold the rabbit in a position similar to when they are up on their hind legs, but with the hind legs in the air and the bottom supported with one hand and slightly curved forwards (I hope I'm making sense!). Then the other one can groom him underneath.
Bunnyfan25
Warren Scout
Back from hols, bunnies all well, I did have to give everything a thorough clean tho lol
Snowy still giving groomies and today got some awesome snapshots from video...always on his terms, never when on Lap or in our arms. The mouth snapshots I think is his reaction to licking hair lol v funny
All set to drop off 5th September to bonder, have a plan for return home with a small pen attached to hutch for overnight and two larger pens eventually connected in large L shape. Have small ones to use to begin with. Have plenty of vinegar for cleaning think my hand going to be knackered from all the spraying - any tips for this process most welcome...
Getting a folding camp bed for first night and an outdoor camera for 2nd night (sleep on sofa with back door open) on their return. Buying new toys to give them too plus a large 60cm x 30cm two exit hideaway house (current ones are 38 x 27cm)
Still giving them bonding time every now and again always supervised, planning on taking both car carriers but would you suggest both in one for journey under supervision by my daughter?
Snowy still giving groomies and today got some awesome snapshots from video...always on his terms, never when on Lap or in our arms. The mouth snapshots I think is his reaction to licking hair lol v funny
All set to drop off 5th September to bonder, have a plan for return home with a small pen attached to hutch for overnight and two larger pens eventually connected in large L shape. Have small ones to use to begin with. Have plenty of vinegar for cleaning think my hand going to be knackered from all the spraying - any tips for this process most welcome...
Getting a folding camp bed for first night and an outdoor camera for 2nd night (sleep on sofa with back door open) on their return. Buying new toys to give them too plus a large 60cm x 30cm two exit hideaway house (current ones are 38 x 27cm)
Still giving them bonding time every now and again always supervised, planning on taking both car carriers but would you suggest both in one for journey under supervision by my daughter?
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bunny momma
Wise Old Thumper
They are very cute, including your daughter. Others can better answer your questions. Good luck on the bonding.
Bunnyfan25
Warren Scout
Bunnyfan25
Warren Scout
Thank you got the carriers, food bowls and food ready, just got to clean their toilets, n load them up. May hold off on giving them brekkie til they get there..only 25min drive. Thought about both in same carrier then thought they don't need the stress. Tonight they both washed me at same time on forehead then I moved away and they kissed then groomed each other ....cute moment
I've got white vinegar on order n have looked it up, spray 50/50 with water (ideally warm/hot) leave 10mins, light scrub/wipe then spray hot water rinse then dry/air dry if sunny...I'm getting rid of any toys that wud b hard to clean bought new ones,
The disinfection starts tomoz -hutches first then pens on Sunday. I do have a new one they haven't been in so may use that to start with although may need to use disinfected smaller ones first. Have a large hides hole 2 exits and plan on connecting smaller pen to hutches overnight, start with pen and hutch then increase to pen n both hutches (on top of each other n will open stairwell).
Have a camp bed ready and a camera on its way for first 2 nights they're back,hoping can sleep in own bed 3rd night...
I'm both excited and nervous for them, hope it works cos of cost and for their sakes.
I've got white vinegar on order n have looked it up, spray 50/50 with water (ideally warm/hot) leave 10mins, light scrub/wipe then spray hot water rinse then dry/air dry if sunny...I'm getting rid of any toys that wud b hard to clean bought new ones,
The disinfection starts tomoz -hutches first then pens on Sunday. I do have a new one they haven't been in so may use that to start with although may need to use disinfected smaller ones first. Have a large hides hole 2 exits and plan on connecting smaller pen to hutches overnight, start with pen and hutch then increase to pen n both hutches (on top of each other n will open stairwell).
Have a camp bed ready and a camera on its way for first 2 nights they're back,hoping can sleep in own bed 3rd night...
I'm both excited and nervous for them, hope it works cos of cost and for their sakes.
a reader of books
Warren Veteran
Best of luck! You sound very prepared and like you have a good plan! You can save the hard-to-clean toys and give them back to them once they're bonded and don't need a neutral area anymore. There's no need to throw them away I'd personally give them their breakfast before the drive. Making sure they've recently eaten will help keep their guts moving while they'll be experiencing some stress from the drive and adjusting to their new temporary home at the bonder. Once they're there you can offer them some more food they really like for the same reason.
I'd personally give them their breakfast before the drive. Making sure they've recently eaten will help keep their guts moving while they'll be experiencing some stress from the drive and adjusting to their new temporary home at the bonder. Once they're there you can offer them some more food they really like for the same reason.Bunnyfan25
Warren Scout
Thank you good idea, will do x
I'll keep you updated with their progress
I'll keep you updated with their progress
Bunnyfan25
Warren Scout
How many days after returning from bonder did you find them OK to leave unattended? Planning on using 4 days with day 5 spot checks as working from home, then day 6 away for 9hrs...fx its long enough as have no more holiday!
bunny momma
Wise Old Thumper
They look lovely in your photos. Sending lots of vibes that the bonder will continue the positive progression in their relationship and you will soon be reunited with two happily bonded bunnies!
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