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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Need help with bunny real estate!

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    • JackRabbit
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        We are trying to figure out the best place for Kieko and could really use some help!

        About Kieko:
        – definitely a “people” bunny and loves attention
        – doesn’t really know how to act around other bunnies
        – lived in the same room with the M&Ms for 6 months and was ok as long as she was across the room from them; when we put her condo next to their cages, Kieko got stressed
        – currently lives in a 3 level condo in our son’s room and son is rarely home except to shower, sleep, and do laundry
        – Kieko is very territorial

        Space and issues:
        – we *might* be able to make space in the M&Ms room for Kieko’s condo and *might* be able to attach at least part of an xpen to the condo for a “yard” for Kieko
        – in the M&Ms room, Kieko would be up against the M&Ms area (could possibly put a piece of choroplast between part of the areas
        – Kieko would be in the bunny room with the M&Ms and not alone in son’s room during the day
        – if we move Kieko into the M&Ms room, there’s no moving back
        – the only other place we could move her condo would be downstairs in the family room which is the only neutral space left in the house and we’d been saving it for potential bonding and/or for a t temporary “quaratine” area in case we get Kieko a friend
        – our son doesn’t want Kieko in his room because she “reminds him of his ex-girlfriend” since they bought Kieko together (I don’t really care what he wants and doesn’t want at this point but want what’s best for Kieko)

        So, where should Kieko’s real estate be?

        Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!


      • zsqaured
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          Do Kieko and the other buns fight or are they just not fond of each other? Has there ever been a scuffle between them?

          I recently allowed two buns in the same room without supervision and a barrier between the two. They broke through the barrier and I came home to a nasty site. Wouldn’t want this to happen to your buns!


        • JackRabbit
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            We tried bonding them a year ago and things were going ok until Kieko tried to hump Marlee’s face and they fought (no injuries but they were quickly separated). I was too stressed out try again and we’re on a long break.

            The M&Ms are in an area completely surrounded be three xpens attached together. If Kieko moves into their room, the only place they could touch would be through two xpens with a small space between them. The M&Ms xpens are 48″ tall, and the one around Kieko’s area would be at least 42″ tall but likely 48″ tall as well. My girls are both 3 lbs and Moshi is a little over 4 lbs.


          • tanlover14
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              I would put Keiko in next to the M&Ms. If you put an inch or two space b/w the pens, they shouldn’t be able to reach one another. Over time, you may see they develop more of an acceptance and you may get an easier bond like you were trying for before! I would give it a shot. They will probably do the annoying territorial markings in the beginning. Just make sure the areas are secure.


            • JackRabbit
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                Can you define secure in a little detail? The xpens around the M&Ms area are attached together by the dog leash type clips that come with the xpens. We would also use that type clip to attach an xpen to Kieko’s condo if we have space for another xpen. I doubt even Kieko can jump a 48 inch xpen, but theoretically she could climb her 3 story xpen and jump from there into the M&Ms area — it would be a stretch though.


              • JackRabbit
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                  Oh, and the M&Ms will jump up on their 13 inch tall hidey house but that’s about it (they use the ramp 99% of the time up and down). Moshi tries to jump up tonthe doorknobs in the hallway but misses by at least 6 inches of his front paws and that’s trying really hard.


                • tanlover14
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                    If you’re using x-pens and secure doors, I wouldn’t worry about anything but jumping. We used to put a sheet on the corners of the Tans x-pens where they had anything they could jump up on so they wouldnt be tempted to attempt to jump over the pen. Of course, that’s just them b/c they are insane. I have never worried about height w/ the other group since none of them reallly jump.


                  • The Law Bun
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                      Coming from my perspective, I would be overly concerned about the poop wars and pee wars. If you plan to bond them eventually fine, but otherwise why go through THAT much hassle when you could try and put her elsewhere until you secure a friend. A permanent poop war sounds atrocious, but then again you didnt specify if you want to maybe bond them later. I dont have two bunnies, but my research and your talking of Kieko’s pee habits made me think of that. I also feel that placing her in that room could cause distress for the M and M’s? Not sure of their personality but are they going to be ok with the random rabbit in the room?


                    • JackRabbit
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                        The M&Ms don’t seem to care one way or the other about Kieko. When their cages were all in the same room, the M&Ms were curious about her, and after the first few bonding sessions they groomed her until the fight. Kieko was afraid of them at first, then decided she wanted to be top bunny, and now is curious but afraid. When Kieko is let out for play time, she goes straight to their room and goes in about 2 ft. She went to their gate one time and when Moshi came over to sniff, Kieko bolted out to the hallway. In the common play area, the M&Ms chin everything but don’t use the litterbox — Kieko fills the play area with poop.


                      • Little Lion Head
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                          Well JR, you could tell you son that having him in that room “reminds you what it might be like to have more space and money if he would move out and not get trucks towed”…..hehehe only kidding of course!

                          Gosh my instinct is to say to put Keiko in with the M&M’s. Maybe in the long run it will be the extra push you need to fully bond them. They’ll be forced to constantly see and smell each other!


                        • JackRabbit
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                            TL — I thought about the sheet thing since Kieko is my only jumper, but I can’t imagine little 3 lb Kieko being able to jump over a 4 ft xpen, and the only hidey type thing I would consider for her would be a tunnel haven and you can’t really climb on top of that. If I put a digging box in there for her, I think I’d attach it to the side of the xpen away from the M&Ms and have it have an open top.

                            I think I’m more afraid of it stressing her out.


                          • tanlover14
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                              If it stresses her out at first, just put up some cardboard boxes folded over or a sheet so she can’t see them. It will help with the anxiety until she is used to their scent and then slowly take the sheet away (few inches at a time) until she is okay. I wouldn’t be too worried. We are so constantly worried about stressing them out but I’ve found my rabbits are way more resilient than I give them credit for!

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                          Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Need help with bunny real estate!