Trying to bond two female bunnies

[cwebster]

Am trying to bond 8 yr old Dutchess with 8 month old Abby. Both are spayed (Abby was spayed 2 1/2 wks ago). Have let them see each other by putting them in separate cages outdoors each day. They live indoors in separate floors if a two story cage. Abby pushed the indoor cage divider aside (two story indoor cage) and invaded Dutchess’ space, so i have had to put a brick on top of the divider to keep her from doing that. Have tried letting them meet with supervision in a neutral space (living room) but Abby chases Dutchess. Am hoping they will bond soon. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[PeanutsPlace]

you usually have to wait 4-10 weeks for the hormones to calm down. So maybe wait for the hormones to calm down then continue?

 

[cwebster]

Thank you. Will wait as you suggest.

 

[cwebster]

Abby still chases Dutchess in a neutral space outside the cages. Dutchess seems desperate for a face grooming. Would it help to put something on their faces to encourage face licking?

 

[Hermelin]

As long the chasing isn’t turning into small circles, tonado or biting the chase is okay. It’s okay with short chases but if it get too much I will distract my bunnies to make the one chasing stop as to let the other bun rest. Chasing can be common when bonding. I’ve had chasing among my bunnies instead of humping but as long there no aggression in it I let the short chases happens.

When you separate them always make sure they end the bunny dates on a positive note either by you cuddling them, when they are relaxed/ignoring each other or munching as to make the date a positive experience.

You can put something on the forehead if they seem that they can be so close while being relaxed with each other or that you cuddle them. I know that when I bonded my bunnies the first time, when the girl wanted to be groomed I would cuddle them both while they pressed their heads as to create a positive experience. I did the same during the rebond I’m going through at the moment but now they are grooming each other, so I don’t need to step in.

 

[Semac]

I bonded two female rabbits, two females is he’s but not impossible. I found putting them in a stroller and going for a walk for a minute or two before a bonding session helped.

 

[Blue eyes]

If a space is too large, that can encourage chasing. The initial encounters should be in a limited space. I'm not so keen on the idea of putting stuff on a rabbit's forehead. Some think it helps. If Dutchess wants the grooming, that is a more dominant trait. Abby seems to be rejecting that idea by chasing her. Limiting the space will discourage the chasing and hopefully give them a chance to be near each other.

 

[cwebster]

Have been trying to bond Dutchess with Abigail. Started with scent swapping. Have let them see each other from separate cages daily outside 3 hrs per day. Abby sneaked into Dutchess’ upper storyof our two story cage so had to seal off the staircase.Abby was spayed on March 21 but still chases Dutchess when i try to let them out together. Have tried to use water mist to discourage this but Abby doesnt seem to mind it. Should i hold them next to one another in a towel? Put a box for them to hide in while they are out of the cage? Dutchess and the male we sadly lost (Arnold) bonded very quickly. Dutchess seems kind of afraid of Abby and runs instead of standing her ground.

 

[JBun]

It may just take more time for them to gradually get used to each other. Some rabbits are harder to bond than others. Some chasing will happen in bonding. It's how they sort out the hierarchy. You just don't want it being excessive or escalating.