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The subject of intentional breeding or meat rabbits is prohibited. The answers provided on this board are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet.  It is your responsibility to assess the information being given and seek professional advice/second opinion from your veterinarian and/or qualified behaviorist.

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Forum BONDING more bunny bonding success! added a fourth to my trio

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    • moonpepper
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        Earlier I posted about adding a second female to my bonded, opposite sex pair:

        https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tab…fault.aspx

        Well those three are the absolute BEST of friends now. As in constantly merged into a three-bun unit.

        A few weeks ago my husband and I fell in love with a young, as-yet un-neutered male Netherland dwarf. We knew we were crazy, but eventually he came home with us. And here’s the story!

        First, I’ll start by saying our first move was a total rule-breaker. We put him (Cheeks) right in their room and let them sort it out for a few minutes. To preface, ALL the members of our herd are fixed. The two girls, Moon and Percy, chased him. After some chasing, our “top-bun” Pepper got irritated and boxed the girls, so they settled down. Pepper checked out the new guy while the girls each held their own in a corner of the room. 

        Our youngest female and “bottom bun,” Percy, was definitely the biggest instigator as far as chasing. After one spin around the room, Moon DID NOT CARE, and sat in a loaf in the corner. Pepper continued to “monitor” and would chase Percy away from Cheeks when she got to be too frisky.

        After about 5 minutes, we gave the trio a bunch of hay that they munched happily together. Then we put them in their night home (an XL dog crate) for a few minutes while we set up Cheeks’ pen. The trio cuddled and shared food; no love lost.

        Once Cheeks was in his pen (We knew it was time to separate him when he humped Moon. No way! So in his ex-pen he went.), we let the three back out. They’d all check out the new guy through the bars, with Percy the most curious. Of course, there was a fair bit of pellet-dropping across the room. Soon, Cheeks would flop by the bars while Pepper would be on stand by. They’d all take turns going nose-to-nose with Cheeks. For the next week we kept Cheeks and the trio separated but in the same room. Each time we came in, he’d be side-by-side flopped with or kissing with another bun at the bars of the pen.

        We neutered him with no change in the dynamic.

        At this point, they are spending monitored time together, and it is all very peaceful. Frankly, I would feel fine leaving them unattended together but we want to take it slow to be extra-safe. 

        Making the first move as boldly as we did was something we felt comfortable with only because our rabbits have been boarded with other rabbits, and are familiar with different uses of the ex-pen, their crate, and free-roam with new and strange buns around. Another key factors is we have seen from past experience that Pepper is a total enforcer and is able to settle any scuffles in a few minutes. And, as well, because Cheeks lived with other bunnies and pigs before he joined us. 

        While we don’t have a FULLY bonded quad, this is where we are

        – a totally still-bonded trio, no disruption to their dynamic 

        – a happy and relaxed fourth bun, and trio that is happy and relaxed in his presence (no squabbles, bites, boxing, MINIMAL chasing) 

        – no change in the progress of the dynamic since neutering him 

        – they happily share meals together with no drama 

        One thing we’re still working on

        – they’re all still pellet-dropping more than usual. However, when he is OUT of his pen and with them, they barely drop pellets at all. 

        Happy to chat with any of you more about my experience. 

        I think I’ve been incredibly lucky so far with my bonding experiences ~ barely any troubles at all!!


      • Zombie-Sue
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        875 posts Send Private Message

          that’s great! It sounds like you don’t sweat the small stuff, I think that makes a huge difference.


        • LittlePuffyTail
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          18092 posts Send Private Message

            Congrats on your new bun and bonding success so far.

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        Forum BONDING more bunny bonding success! added a fourth to my trio