Bonding Lucky + Rodan + Calvin

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Previously, Lucky went on a bunny speed dating, and hit it off extremely well with a certain black male dutch.

I wasn’t sure, and wanted a second date…it was quite obvious today they were just meant to be BFF’s lol. (even ask Nuggetbuns! She got to see Lucky and the new bun loving each other!) 

 

So, first visit was the new bun, I think we will name him Bolt so I’ll refer to him as that even though it may change…Bolt licked Lucky a lot, Lucky just sat there…they also snuggled side by side.

Today was our second date, it had been about 3 weeks (we’ve gotten so much snow that I haven’t been able to go) and it’s like they remembered each other! Bolt started grooming Lucky immediately, they sat side by side..walked near each other…and a big break through on Lucky’s part…he licked Bolt’s ears!!! I was so excited to see that. I got in and held them at the same time and they loved it. They spent an hour and a half hanging out together.

here are the pictures (Lucky is the grey one)

 

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oh, and when given a little more space, Bolt mounted Lucky, and Lucky did nothing to stop it. Just sat there and allowed it. So, I think that was a good sign too. Bolt stopped and then groomed Lucky some more. I’m thinking when I get to bring Bolt home, they can be set up right next door to each other.

I’ll also do some stress bonding, and put them in the carrier together for the drive home. (that’s what the lady at the HRS said to do)

[NuggetBuns]

After you left, Bolt marked the entire pen! I ended up picking up all his poop, think he was bored in there lol. I’m sure he missed his new friend and you plus your kids =) I’m so happy that you decided to adopt him even though you have a lot going on right now. You’re like a super mom! I can’t wait to hear about the transition to your new home and the bonding process after you bring your new boy home.

Pretty sure it won’t take very long for Lucky and Bolt to be completely bonded. And I really believe that Lucky will be less aggressive to Rodian once you move into your new home, so a bonded trio is def possible.

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Ahhh, I wish I could take him home! I might work with them to see if I can get him some time during the week after I move this weekend, so he can settle in the new place with Lucky. I think they’d like to be next to each other to adjust to the new place.

[LittlePuffyTail]

They look so perfect together! Like twins!

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so, we FINALLY got to take home Lucky’s chosen mate. Split an ex-pen in half with a nic cube wall. They were in the car for over an hour snuggling, and the new bunny was grooming Lucky a lot of the time. it was so freakin’ cute.

But, sadly, bonding with Lucky and Rodan has not been going well. I thought it might be time for a tub bonding session. The first one wasn’t bad! They were pretty close, snuggling, no grooming at all. Some nipping, but it wasn’t aggressive just kinda pulling at each other. They did fine. Tried again the next day and I don’t know what happened!!!
Lucky was super aggressive, lunging at Rodan and Rodan finally defended himself, it involved lots of yelling and me pulling them apart. Then they went a little too crazy so I decided to end it but gave a treat after they calmed down to try to end on a good note. Here’s some pics

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Brought home the new bun, the one pictured (who my oldest son was going to name Bolt but decided on Calvin!)
this was Saturday, they said not to do bonding for a week, we had a one hour drive home…they were in a small pet carrier together. they snuggled the entire time, and Calvin licked Lucky a lot.
We have them in one exercise pen, with a nic cube wall between them. I wasn’t concerned since they have been getting along so well… but, Lucky is lunging at Calvin no fur pulled that I can see (nothing like the fights between Lucky and Rodan!) hopefully in a week we can try them maybe in the tub? I don’t know. Or the basement, which none of the rabbits have ever been in.

Well, hopefully I won’t have three unbonded rabbits! Rodan is super interested in Calvin..but he peed all over him!! Lucky bites, Rodan pees and poor Calvin just wants to groom and have a friend! (he’s groomed lucky AND rodan and has gotten no love in return!)

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Question:
Should they not be so close together?? Lucky is not doing well with having a rabbit next to him. He won’t stop attacking

[NuggetBuns]

I’m procrastinating when I should be working on a paper, but I really want to answer your questions so I’ll make this quick! First off, yay for bringing your new bunny home! After a week of being used to your home and your family, bonding Calvin and Lucky should be more promising than Rodan and Lucky’s tub session. I think you should do one bond at a time though (I know it’s hard to wait), otherwise it might confuse Lucky and stress him out more. As for how the closeness of where they’re living, you should probably use another nic cube wall to separate the pen. They should be close enough to see/smell each other, but not be able to bite or scratch at each other. Adding another divider in there will prevent any injuries since Lucky doesn’t seem to like having roommates at the moment =P

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The rabbit fighting really stresses my boyfriend out. And for some reason, Calvin and Rodan seem to not mind each other…there is not fear of leaving them next to each other overnight.
We might switch things up, but still feeling out Calvin because he’s really not eating much…his poops are super tiny. He’s a pound bigger than Lucky so I assumed he’d have the same or bigger poop, so I’m concerned.
I have seen him eat some pellets and probably hay since some is missing in the morning, but he really isn’t touching his lettuce. They said to stick to what he knew, which was romaine, but he isn’t eating it at all

So, we put Lucky upstairs, free range. He didn’t know how to go down stairs, but figured it out yesterday lol. I came down today, he was hanging out with his buggies. Not a ton of fur between cages which is an improvement.
They all just ate breakfast within eyesight of each other (well, not Calvin, he apparently thinks I’m a hawk)

Saw Calvin grooming Rodan, and also saw Lucky stick his nose in Rodans cage and Rodan put his head on his. Progress?

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Bonding on hold.

Lucky needed four stitches today from Calvin.

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So, Lucky is upstairs healing from his wound. He is doing great.

We added a second “wall” between the rabbits so they can be next to each other and not bite each other. We put Rodan next to Calvin the other night, but not overnight (wanted to see how it went. Then last night, they slept next to each other. Calvin seems super happier. He is lounging more, eating more and I think he wanted a friend! Rodan just flopped in his cage, his door is open (Calvin’s side doesn’t have the door) but Rodan is choosing to be next to his buddy!! I’m not going to do any bonding sessions for a few days, I’m going to let them get used to living near each other, and then try…
But, the fact that Rodan isn’t spraying urine all over Calvin is a great sign because Rodan pees all over Lucky any chance he gets lol

[BunnyLady1989]

Oh my goodness! I have no advice, but that sounds so stressful but great that things are looking up! I wish the bonding process wasn’t so difficult. I would love to get Lulu a friend but I have a strong feeling it wouldn’t end well just by judging how her personality is All your buns are so handsome, and I wish you the best!!

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Things have gotten better.
Lucky is upstairs. I have tried letting him downstairs, he comes barreling down, tail sticking straight up and goes straight for Calvin and Rodan’s pen. Ugh. And Lucky always ends up injured! He also figured out how to open up our bedroom door, so had to get that fixed…he demands the full reign of the upstairs and he has pulled down the baby gate at the top of the stairs so now there’s a baby gate and big piece of cardboard blocking him. I’m so scared he will get downstairs and jump in the pen of the other two! Oh yeah, we found out he can hop in the 36in pen the other buns are in!! He’s a handful…

BUT, Calvin and Rodan have been living side by side for a bit. No fighting, Rodan is super interested in Calvin but Calvin *hates* when anyone or anybun touches him, he’s extremely jumpy which freaks Rodan out….he will try to sniff Calvin and Calvin thinks Rodan is attacking but he’s seriously not. He just wants to smell him!

I stress bonded them, and it was the best decision I made. I tried the basement in a tiny space in an unused ex pen, like they had done at HRS for Calvin and Lucky…they immediately attacked.
So, I tried the laundry basket…and no attacking!
The next day, I followed TanLover’s blog and decided to try the kitchen which is usually “hot lava” to my rabbits, except Rodan…he has walked through but only because he is always looking for food. They did amazing in the kitchen. Only one little scuffle, which was because I introduced food and apparently Rodan is territorial with all food… ugh. But, he just didn’t want to share. So, I do have hope they can live in one cage one day!!

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bunnies in a basket

 

 

[LongEaredLions]

I love your bunnies. It sounds like they do well with stress bonding, I hope that continues!

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Pictures of Rodan and Calvin in the kitchen…

 

 

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here’s more from the first open space session…

it went fine. Calvin wanted to escape. He’s the only one I know would just straight up run away from home. Have had him since March 1st, he doesn’t like me yet But…my boyfriend held him and he licked him! and relaxed in his arms! B/f was like, wtf I don’t even do anything with these things haha, I think Calvin prefers men…maybe his prior owner was a guy. 

 

So, here they are. Rodan got super territorial over the greens. Calvin wasn’t allowed any. He’s 4lbs bigger and greedy!

 

 

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