Bonding bunnies

scats

scats

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JB rabbit was neutered a few weeks ago so the plan is to start looking for a neutered female friend who we can introduce in another few weeks time (vet suggested wait til around 6 weeks post op for all hormones to settle).
I have contracted a reputable rescue who have a young neutered female who might fit the bill and am in the process of applying to adopt her- home checks etc.

They have said they will help with the bonding process, which is great, as I only have experience of bonding guinea pigs.
Has anyone here successfully bonded two rabbits? JB is 10 months old and his potential friend is 1 year.
I have a set up that will allow her to have one side of the room and him the other, but be able to see each other, for the initial stages.
Is bonding them generally quite successful?

He is a bit of a horror for chasing my cats, but they run, which doesn’t help! (JB thinks legging the cats around is GREAT fun! 😂 )
 
I've bonded several pairs in the past. Mostly easily really. Only one really didn't ever work out.

I had them living in a huge pen so split that down the middle and put them side by side. I switched bits of bedding and litter etc and had a neutral area for the introductions. I was lucky to have that space.
I did wait unitil almost 6 weeks post neutering each time.
The last pair I just couldn't do. They fought and fought what ever i did, yet would lie back to back against the mesh panel.
 
poiuytrewq said:
Brilliant!! Good luck with it all, hope
It’s as easy as my first ones!
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I’m collecting her on Sunday.
I’m really hoping it works out. JB legged one of the cats out of his room yesterday with incredible speed. The second he sees one, he’s like an Exocet missile and just flies at them :oops:
 
scats said:
A 130 mile round trip today, but it was worth it.
Welcome home Dusty! She’s an Angora (I thought she was a lionhead from the photos of her face they initially sent, but I took one look at her big fluffy body when I met her today and realised she was definitely an Angora! 😂 )View attachment 174261
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Oh my GOODNESS shes gorgeous 😍😍😍😍 those EARS as she peers out her tray!

Can we have a new photo of JB too?

He should fall in love with her lets hope. Will you be able to still keep her if he really wont take to her?
 
Crazy_cat_lady said:
Oh my GOODNESS shes gorgeous 😍😍😍😍 those EARS as she peers out her tray!

Can we have a new photo of JB too?

He should fall in love with her lets hope. Will you be able to still keep her if he really wont take to her?
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IMG_6821.jpegHere’s JB. He’s a bit smaller than Dusty. She’s a real chunky thing and he’s actually still very light when you stroke him and feel his body.

Initial introductions are looking good! They are in separate pens but next to each other and can interact through a gate. There’s been lots of nuzzling, kissing and playing through the gate (tug of war with a hanging toy being grea fun!) She seems to wear the trousers as she breaks the attention away after a while and leaves poor JB stood there wondering where she’s gone. Every time she disappears from his view, he thumps the floor in anger 😂
They are also happy to lie next to each other but with just the gate between them and apparently that’s a really positive sign.
So I’m fairly sure she’ll be staying. I don’t think I could part with her now, I’m already in love with her 🥰


IMG_6789.jpeg
 
scats said:
View attachment 174271Here’s JB. He’s a bit smaller than Dusty. She’s a real chunky thing and he’s actually still very light when you stroke him and feel his body.

Initial introductions are looking good! They are in separate pens but next to each other and can interact through a gate. There’s been lots of nuzzling, kissing and playing through the gate (tug of war with a hanging toy being grea fun!) She seems to wear the trousers as she breaks the attention away after a while and leaves poor JB stood there wondering where she’s gone. Every time she disappears from his view, he thumps the floor in anger 😂
They are also happy to lie next to each other but with just the gate between them and apparently that’s a really positive sign.
So I’m fairly sure she’ll be staying. I don’t think I could part with her now, I’m already in love with her 🥰


View attachment 174273
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Not surprised you cant see yourself parting with her she's lovely! And so is JB, he looks so sweet and innocent, although sounds like he needs a strong woman to bring him down a peg or 2 if he gets above his station

Looking forward to more updates on them, especially with photos 😍
 
Crazy_cat_lady said:
Not surprised you cant see yourself parting with her she's lovely! And so is JB, he looks so sweet and innocent, although sounds like he needs a strong woman to bring him down a peg or 2 if he gets above his station

Looking forward to more updates on them, especially with photos 😍
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He was hilarious last night. They’d play through the bars and then whenever she got bored and wandered off, he’d stand there and stomp in temper 😂
She definitely wears the trousers!
 
A little update-
They are now together and bonded ❤️
First couple of together sessions on Wednesday. JB was very excited and a bit over the top in his desperate attempt to get her affections, but Dusty was a pro. She moved away from him when he was annoying her too much but never once lost her rag or got distressed. They spent most of Thursday day together and then I left them together Thursday night (they are in with me so I could keep an eye on them). This morning they were side by side. They now eat together, sleep side by side and mutually groom.
I just struck completely lucky with the pair of them and how well they have accepted each other 😊
My bunny family is complete!
IMG_6976.jpeg
 
scats said:
A little update-
They are now together and bonded ❤️
First couple of together sessions on Wednesday. JB was very excited and a bit over the top in his desperate attempt to get her affections, but Dusty was a pro. She moved away from him when he was annoying her too much but never once lost her rag or got distressed. They spent most of Thursday day together and then I left them together Thursday night (they are in with me so I could keep an eye on them). This morning they were side by side. They now eat together, sleep side by side and mutually groom.
I just struck completely lucky with the pair of them and how well they have accepted each other 😊
My bunny family is complete!
View attachment 174462
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So pleased to see they've bonded 😍 they both look so sweet would love this to be updated with photos of them as theyre so delightful 😍
 
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