Need Instructions for Bonding Bunnies!

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Bunnykinz

Bunnykinz

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, Washington, USA
We're finally getting another bunny and are hoping to bond her with Bryn. Bryn is a 2 year old ND (fixed) and he doesn't like to be petted at all. Today we're picking a an 8 week old female lop. Right now Bryn lives outside in a hutch and we'll keep the new bun inside in a cage for a little while. I would really like some detailed instructions for bonding these bunnies! Is it possible that we'll be able to bond them despite Bryn's attitude problem? He likes to grunt and box things.
 
Even if they were to bond before she was spayed, it might need to be redone afterwards.

The best way to end up with bonded rabbits is to have the existing rabbit pick out a companion by taking him or her to a rescue facility that offers speed dates.
 
Well this is what we have to work with right... ;) anyone else? I'd really like more instructions please!!
 
I'm afraid I agree with Lake Condo. That's really the only sure way to have a successful bond.

But given what you have, you may just have to wait until your girl is spayed before trying to bond. Once she's spayed and healed you can begin introductions. Are you hoping to house them both indoors or put her outside with him? It might work easier to bring them inside to a new area that neither of them have been. That would mean that for now you will want to keep the girl somewhere other than where you ultimately want to keep them both. You'll also want her in a cage other than where they will both be housed. It'll make things easier if they are introduced and then eventually housed in a neutral area unfamiliar to them both.

Hopefully things will work out, but there are no guarantees with bonding. (Hence the recommendation with 'dating' a rescue bun, because if one doesn't work it's easy to just try another bun)
 
She's not my bunny so I have no say in whether she gets spayed or not. Also, she will be living outside in the hutch sometime and it'll be divided until they become bonded, if that ever happens.

What I really need right now is just some instructions on how to properly do it...!
 
Is HE your bunny? In his best interest please do not bond him to any rabbit that might get taken away. A rabbit grieves deeply when they loose their mate, sometimes to the point of death themselves.
 
MiniLopHop wrote:
Is HE your bunny? In his best interest please do not bond him to any rabbit that might get taken away. A rabbit grieves deeply when they loose their mate, sometimes to the point of death themselves.
Click to expand...

Agreed. I'm really confused as to wants trying to be accomplished here.

Bunnykinz, could you clarify? You wrote "we're finally getting another bunny" but then you say the bunny isn't yours. I don't understand.
 
Bryn is my bunny, Aster the 9 week old female is my younger sister's bunny. Both bunnies are here to stay, and be bonded if it works.
 
Thank you so much! Little Aster is one of the calmest bunnies I have met! She was binkying around the living room earlier and is ok with petting! :biggrin2:
 
Babies usually are, they don't have their full personalities yet and normally let people handle them a lot. Once the hormones kick in there can be a whole new rabbit emerge.
 
Yeah when Bryn was a baby he was a hyper little thing! Aster is just like eh whatever! I'll keep this updated as I introduce them and as Aster grows.
 
You'll have to proceed with caution. Remember, they may "seem" to get along early on, but as soon as the girl's hormones kick-in, she may jump into aggression. Consider what will happen if you aren't there at that time. They may end up fighting and seriously injuring each other--or worse. It's still much better to wait until she is spayed (which can occur in just a couple/few months).

Your little sister should consider getting her spayed for her health anyway. Otherwise she will be highly susceptible to cancer.
 
I think what I'll do is introduce them sometime and see if I can get them to the point where they can have supervised playtimes.
 
Today I let the bunnies get to know each other in a neutral room. Bryn was on a harness and leash. They would gently sniff one another but if Aster tried to sniff Bryn's face too long, Bryn would lay back his ears, lunge for her and grunt. This only happened if she was in his face too much. What should I do next?
 
Keep repeating the play dates daily until there's no hint of aggression. Be sure to end on a high note, perhaps stroking both as they sit side by side. I use jack pot food when bonding- like cheerios- that makes them associate good things happening around the other rabbit.
 
You can also put their cages close, but not touching. Feed them along the same wall so they can see each other when they eat. Rabbits are so food motivated! They get all happy when they eat and the feelings start to rub off with associating the other bun with yummy things.

Using the great treats during bonding also distracts them so they focus more on the food than the other rabbit. When all 6 of mine went to meet over the weekend the treats were flowing, but there wasn't a single fight. They were more curious about each other and what I had in my pockets. :)
 
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