Potentionally first successful step?

[Darina]

Hi, bunny friends!
I've started to bond my bunnies recently and the beginning wasn't very fortunate (I've posted how my younger bunny got in the enclosure of my older and got attacked). Since then, I've given both some space and time to calm down (especially for my older one). After that, I started to take them in my bathroom to bond. Won't lie, even though I did my research, I was confused for some things. But long story short, I've found out that my Ozzy (older bunny) is calmer when she is given some hay and I talk to her. While Bonki (younger one) is pretty determined to befriend her.
Please tell me if by the pictures you see, it's a pretty good step! And if you have any tips by the short description I've given, I'm open to hear!

 

[Omi]

I agree the photos do look positive.

Explain how you are managing their time together. A neutral place, ie your bathroom is certainly the way to go. How long are they together for? Trying to provide food, hay, pellets, forage etc, is always a good distraction technique and eating is obviously something they can enjoy together. In the same way, talking to the bunnies and providing a calm atmosphere will aid the process.

Which is which out of the two bunnies in your photos?

 

[Darina]

I agree the photos do look positive.

Explain how you are managing their time together. A neutral place, ie your bathroom is certainly the way to go. How long are they together for? Trying to provide food, hay, pellets, forage etc, is always a good distraction technique and eating is obviously something they can enjoy together. In the same way, talking to the bunnies and providing a calm atmosphere will aid the process.

Which is which out of the two bunnies in your photos?

Hi!
Thank you for your reply and I'm glad someone else agree with me that things are looking good for now!
Ozzy is the white and older bunny and Bonki is the other one.
For now, they are together in the bathroom for around 30 min. But since Ozzy is used to being a free-roam rabbit, I see that she gets uneasy if she stays too long ''locked'' in the room. I will gradually increace the time, of course!
My plan for now is to see almost no aggresive response from Ozzy and I will start "stress bonding". I don't want right now to start the "stress bonding" method because I worry if both rabbits are in tiny close place, they will start fighting right away (especially from Ozzy's side)

 

[joey&boo]

They do look pretty good. Personally I don't agree with stress bonding & I'm not convinced it has sustainable results. Far better for bunnies to gradually learn to trust each other rather than huddling together cos they are scared. I think you are on track for positive results continuing with bathroom bonding & increasing their time together

 

[Darina]

They do look pretty good. Personally I don't agree with stress bonding & I'm not convinced it has sustainable results. Far better for bunnies to gradually learn to trust each other rather than huddling together cos they are scared. I think you are on track for positive results continuing with bathroom bonding & increasing their time together

Thank you for your response! I've seen many people recommending the stress bonding method and thought I would give it a try. But since you say it's not a very good idea, I will do it IF nothing else works for deepeing their bond. What additional method would you recommend except for increasing time together?

 

[joey&boo]

A lot of it is getting to know your bunnies & what works for them...so like you noticed Ozzy is calmer when you talk to her or feed them hay. My bonds have all worked out quite differently but eating together has always gone well (except when I brought out the nuggets)...maybe try a pile of hay in the room with some dried forage or fresh herbs mixed in. Some bonds happen really quickly but other bunnies take their time ....my last bond was really frustrating (for me) as my boy was on a chasing mission for weeks & weeks & weeks. This is just how it is, bunnies go at their own pace

 

[Omi]

I agree 100% with j&b and would never do stress bonding. Bunnies who are forced together out of a fear response will likely not be properly bonded. Their feelings towards each other will not be those which would sustain a long and happy life together.

Far better and more sensible in my view would be to continue as you are doing and gradually increasing the time that they are together. Or alternatively, if you want to hurry things along a bit, you could provide them with a pen set up in a neutral space. That could give Ozzy some more space and so you could leave them longer together.

I remember your previous post though where you said that it wasn't possible yet to determine the sex of Bonki. This could be relevent as Bonki will soon be entering puberty and you will need to decide how to deal with that.

 

[Darina]

Thank you for your advices both of you - Omi and j&b! I will continue with gradually increasing the time. And yes Omi, it's still early to determine the sex of Bonki so I hope my bunnies get to get along (no matter the sex, Bonki will get fixed asap). So I hope for the best but I'm prepared for long bonding

 

[tonibun]

Is Ozzi spayed?

 

[Darina]

Is Ozzi spayed?

She is! For almost a year by now. And I'm thinking of spraying Bonki when it's possible. That's why l thought she would be more calmer and not so territorial but she stays the same boss girl, haha