Pay for bonding 24/7 vs doing it yourself?

[Bunnyfan25]

Yes I wondered that but I've asked her to take full 2wks, picking up Saturday felt too rushed so doing next Saturday. Hexagonal introduces more corners then maybe next stage is larger square or rectangle? I'm just do relieved they went all night! Sounds like snowy has accepted and likes the fact that shadow is boss, he does enjoy grooming him a lot more

 

[bunny momma]

It sound like a good plan to allow the bond to solidify more before taking them home. Sending vibes they continue to do well together and your nightmares of fighting are ancient history.

 

[Bunnyfan25]

Haha definitely slept better last night!

She's adding two more panels so either larger hexagon or rectangle not sure. Also bringing toilets into the pen with them...

 

[Omi]

Tiny steps Importantly it still looks very positive.

 

[Bunnyfan25]

Two extra panels/sides to the pen, toilets in n they were good as gold, no rejection from snowy, still accepting shadow is boss.

 

[Bunnyfan25]

Got my setup ready for wk on Saturday...

 

[Bunnyfan25]

1st small pen with hutch

 

[Bunnyfan25]

So yesterday they had their first fight, possibly the extra space possibly the toilets being there who knows...she separated them then put them back together this morning showed me via watsapp they're eating together fine, snowy has a torn ear but it's scabbed quick and he doesn't seem bothered by it or shadow. Fx just s blip. Obv she asked me if wanted to continue n said yes n when we talked she agreed that as there's been no aggression since beginning just mounting on Tuesday they fx will b fine. She's going to slowly increase space again but they're in hexagon one they were in on Tuesday so just a day step back...fx They don't fight tonight! She has 8 more days so without any more issues hopefully we can get a strong bond formed fx

 

[Bunnyfan25]

The fight was 11.30 last night she put separator in til this morning. Once I confirmed to continue she continued with them together in hexagonal pen n saw them on video apart from a torn ear snowy seemed fine with shadow. Awaiting tonight's update...

 

[Bunnyfan25]

OK so fine all day together then tonight shadow started another fight! Boxing this time! we are sleeping on it but may have to call it and bring them home.

 

[a reader of books]

I'm really sorry they've been fighting. That must be so disappointing and discouraging, especially when you've put so much work and care into their bond and even got them a professional bonder. A torn ear sounds pretty serious to me, but maybe it's not as bad as I'm imagining? Personally, I wouldn't let a bonding attempt continue if a bunny has gotten wounded. Sadly, some bunnies just won't be friends, and continuing to try to make it work despite their signals might not be in their best interest, but that's only a decision you can make, as the person who knows them best.

 

[Bunnyfan25]

Hi she showed me the tear, it has healed pretty quickly, its only about 4cms.

I've arranged to go along tomorrow night, 75% chance we'll be bringing them back. She said her concern is the unpredictable nature of them..Good as gold then attack!

I have worked out a setup not ideal but suitable for winter whereby one uses the stairs to get outside to pen,the other has direct access. Needs perfecting with catches and wood so predator proof but would be better than grass and allow them time outside at night and they could go inside during day too

 

[bunny momma]

I am sorry they had the setback in the bonding after such a promising start. Sending lots of vibes they may just need more time at each stage and can still be friends eventually.

 

[Omi]

I'm sorry this has happened. How frustrating, when it seemed to be going so well. It's hard to judge what would be your best option now. Did the bonder witness either of the two fights kicking off? This would be the interesting piece of the jigsaw. I think I would be nervous about leaving them together at the moment without having someone very close at hand to split them up if necessary. Sometimes it's possible to anticipate that problems are starting and then step in to move them apart for a few moments.

It certainly could be that the space was increased too quickly and/or the litter trays added. Sadly, bonding bunnies is very often not straightforward, as it's impossible to tell what the issue is, if it's not going well. The fact that they seem to be able to be very comfortable with each other, but then have an actual fight is difficult to understand. There is also a view that once bunnies have had a fight, they don't forget and so will never bond, but I have read also about experiences on here where that has not been the case.

 

[Bunnyfan25]

Thank you for your ideas, she didn't see anything setting them off but it's always started by shadow. I'm thinking accept and move on til next year. Side by side night n day so they still have companionship and we'll probably still give them time together at wknds, supervised small space. I'm all set, picking then up 3pm

 

[Bunnyfan25]

All going well, settled back at home, snowy took to the stairs straight away!

They have lots of hay/straw n heatpads too and the choice of coming outside if they want to...

Had time with each of them n within a few mins the groomies were back

 

[bunny momma]

It is good to know they are adjusting well and the groomies are back. It sounds like you are the top bunny! I hope when given some time, they will decide being together was best like Tulsi’s Snowflake and Moondust did after a prior disappointing attempt.