Two bonded pairs of rabbits...

[JamesK]

They've been living side-by-side, outside with chicken mesh between them, both inside the sleeping box and in the run area. I built a custom construction to do this. This has gone on for about two weeks, swapping sides every 24 hours. I've been periodically introducing one of each pair to each other to see what happens on neutral territory and so far it hasn't gone well.

Now that they've stopped trying to nip each other through the chicken wire I'm wondering what is the next step? Is it a question of just trying them out every week? How long should I go between attempts at introductions? Are there any other tricks I can try that I haven't thought of?

Thanks!

 

[Shimmer]

Sounds like they are being stressed out by continuous changes. They don't get the time to sort out the new situation before it changes again. I would leave them alone in their own section for a few weeks so they can settle down, then maybe try all together in a place that none of them have been in ie totally neutral. There's a chance that it may not work anyway, but there comes a point where you have to risk it and leave them to it but be prepared to separate immediately and permanently if there is a full-on fight. Chasing and nipping / fur pulling are normal and help them to sort out the new heirarchy. Drawing blood or locking on is not OK.

What is the history of each pair / gender mix / age / neutered status?
What space do they each have?

I'm assuming there is a mix of genders and all have been neutered for at least 6 weeks.
I wouldn't attempt a bond if they are still reacting across the mesh, and there's no point in trying to rush it.

 

[JamesK]

There are two young males in one pair, they have been neutered more than 6 weeks ago. I think the guidance I read suggested 4 weeks min, which we followed. Both under a year old. Then a 3 yr old male and about 2.5 year female in the other pair, they were neutered long ago.
So you think all of them together is best? That's interesting. So the question is, will any amount of fur pulling be OK or is there a limit? Do you normally wait to see blood before separating them? That sounds a little gruesome. When we paired the other two (the 3 and 2 1/2 year ones) it was a relatively civilised affair, we did more-or-less what we're doing now, swapping things around regularly, and then aside from the odd nip that was about it and they settled down to grooming each other.

 

[Shimmer]

With pair bonding, each rabbit is only having to sort out where it stands with one other rabbit. When you are looking at a quad, there are so many other interactions taking place, including the original pair bond being stressed.

I've done a few trio bonds - usually 2&1, and usually 2 boys / 1 girl, sometimes 3 boys. I've always allowed plenty of time (weeks to months) with them living side by side with a mesh separator and then allowed them together in a space they were all comfortable with - which varied, depending on specific circumstances.

I've never done a quad. Someone else on here may be able to help specifically with that. You definitely need to allow plenty of time for hormones to settle down post-neuter.

 

[JamesK]

I decided to move things forward a bit today, and fenced off a common grassy area for them, connected to both sides of the run, to see what would happen. I then let them access the new area. This time I let things go a bit longer with the fur pulling. There was a bit of latching between the dominants, but no blood that I could discern, the 3YR male seemed to force the 1YR male to withdraw to his sleeping area but he wasn't followed into it. The submissive rabbits didn't really get involved and stayed out of the way for the most part, there was the odd nip but no chasing. After about 10 minutes, obviously not content with having his 'ass handed to him' first time round 1YR male came back for more, but this time he was simply chased out of the 3YR male territory and then no longer pursued, which I was encouraged by.

3YR male was engaged in a bit of 'wife beating' when the 1YR male ended up the opposite side of the mesh but I believe this is normal. The submissive 1YR male also came to investigate but 2YR female then got in on the action and chased him out. Again, just a small nip.

Since I couldn't supervise them any longer, after that I locked them back in their respective sides, having given them about an hour of mixing. Not sure what's next, I guess I just continue doing this for some period each day until I feel I can remove the divider permanently.

 

[Shimmer]

At some point you are going to have to leave them to sort things out between themselves and spend a few days supervising them closely. Continuously putting them in short conflict situations may not help with long term bonding - it just creates more uncertainty between them.

 

[JamesK]

Maybe true but there's what I'd like to do vs what I can do. I'm unsure what you mean, but if it means staying up overnight to watch the rabbits I'm afraid it's not going to happen. As with many things in life I have to compromise.