Hello, I am having some issues with bonding my male rabbit to a new female rabbit I brought home on foster -to- adopt basis. My male rabbit is 4 years old, and the only time he has been around another rabbit was when he was born, so he's a bit body language illiterate. The female rabbit was found at large so we're not sure about age, but she did have a litter of kits and then was spayed after they had weaned, about a month ago now. Supposedly, she had been getting along with a different male rabbit pre-spay at the foster's home, but once she was spayed she began to bully him.
Anyways, on their first initial meeting at the foster's home, they seemed to be ok with each other. They mostly ignored each other, but when they did interact it didn't lead to any sort of fighting. I felt it was a good sign that they would bond well.
However, it's been about two weeks now and it's almost like the female is getting more and more aggressive. They do just fine together if they are in a shared pen with a dividing piece between them, even laying next to each other, grooming next to each other, eating together, etc. They also do fine if put in a small confined space together, like a clothes basket or a carrier. But the moment they're put in a larger space with no barriers, she will bully my male into a corner and attack him if he moves. It hasn't been able to move past that.
I am unsure if I should just keep trying, if they need more time, or if she's just going to dislike him forever and I should try to find a different rabbit for him. Any advice on what to do would be appreciated. I have tried car rides, neutral territory, putting them on a washing machine, and nothing seems to improve their relationship further. Thanks!
Anyways, on their first initial meeting at the foster's home, they seemed to be ok with each other. They mostly ignored each other, but when they did interact it didn't lead to any sort of fighting. I felt it was a good sign that they would bond well.
However, it's been about two weeks now and it's almost like the female is getting more and more aggressive. They do just fine together if they are in a shared pen with a dividing piece between them, even laying next to each other, grooming next to each other, eating together, etc. They also do fine if put in a small confined space together, like a clothes basket or a carrier. But the moment they're put in a larger space with no barriers, she will bully my male into a corner and attack him if he moves. It hasn't been able to move past that.
I am unsure if I should just keep trying, if they need more time, or if she's just going to dislike him forever and I should try to find a different rabbit for him. Any advice on what to do would be appreciated. I have tried car rides, neutral territory, putting them on a washing machine, and nothing seems to improve their relationship further. Thanks!
