Bonding a Third Rabbit

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This topic has 19sd replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 16 years, 5 months ago by Bunnies4ever.

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- 06/05/2008 at 12:48 PM
  Bunnies4ever
  Participant
  368 posts
  Does anybody have any experience in bonding three rabbits? I’m thinking about getting a third lop and I was just wondering how hard it would be to bond a third bunny to an already bonded pair? I have two bonded females which is a rarity and I don’t know if a third bunny would cause any problems. Could the bunny be female or male? Any help would be great. Thanks.
- 06/05/2008 at 1:33 PM
  osprey
  Participant
  2065 posts
  I have a bonded trio, 2 females and a male. We got the male first, bonded him about a month later with a female, and then bonded the trio about six months later. Bonding the trio was harder than the pair, but it wasn’t what I would consider difficult. I made a few mistakes along the way, I can share some of my experience with you if you like. I think in your situation getting a male is the best thing since the girls are already bonded and that is the harder bond to make. When you introduce a male to your two, introduce them separately first, then all three together. The pair may get extra territorial if they are together. You’ll need to work with them in neutral territory, just ike you would with a new bonded pair. Once you get past the initial introductions and the three can be in the same space without fighting, the bonding process is similar as for a pair: lots of supervised time together in neutral space, side by side housing, meals together, etc. The only difference is the 2 vs one dynamic, you have to be sure that the new bunny does not get teamed up on by the other two.
- 06/05/2008 at 1:51 PM
  Bunnies4ever
  Participant
  368 posts
  Thanks Osprey! Yes, I would love if you could share your experiences with me. I really need to decide if bonding a third bunny would be a good idea. Stella and Luna are VERY bonded and adding a third bunny to the mix might upset them. I’m currently looking for a lop, checking all the rescues and shelters. I was also thinking that a male would be a good idea, so when I read your reply, I knew that I was right. I’ll keep you informed of my progress and thanks again!
- 06/05/2008 at 2:03 PM
  BinkyBunny
  Moderator
  8776 posts
  Also, if you decide to bond one female with the male at a time, you have to be careful with the female that may now smell like the male going back to her cage mate. You may need to really pet the rabbit that has been in with the male quite a bit to get your own scent back on her – something more familiar. Otherwise this can sometimes cause bonded mates to fight.
  
  Also here are some great links to bonding multiples. http://www.mybunnies.com/bonding.htm
- 06/05/2008 at 2:20 PM
  JK
  Participant
  2223 posts
  There is a gorgeous male lop at Save A Bunny! His name is Count Chocula! His picture does not do him justice. In fact, I do not think he looks like the picture at all. I saw him last week and thought he was a hunk of a guy but I’m looking for a girl lop! There are a couple of them. And Maury is truly gorgeous but he has major teeth issues. Here’s the link. http://saveabunny.com/?q=genrabbits
- 06/05/2008 at 2:34 PM
  Bunnies4ever
  Participant
  368 posts
  Thanks for that advice BB! The 3rd bunny is more for me and I don’t want to cause a rift between them. Also knowltons, I visited Save-A-Bunny a while ago, but didn’t see any one bun that stood out. It’s quite a drive for me (1.5 hours), but I’ll make it again if I can find that perfect bun. Thanks. I’ll call Marcy and see what she thinks. BTW – I checked out Count Chocula and he looks just like Luna! I’ll never be able to tell them apart!
- 06/05/2008 at 2:42 PM
  JK
  Participant
  2223 posts
  Did you see Begbie? He’s apparently in Rohnert Park. He looks like a great guy. A mellow boy.
- 06/05/2008 at 2:49 PM
  Bunnies4ever
  Participant
  368 posts
  No knowltons, I haven’t seen Begbie. Where in Rohnert Park?
- 06/05/2008 at 3:25 PM
  JK
  Participant
  2223 posts
  I was wrong he is at Save A Bunny!
- 06/05/2008 at 3:50 PM
  osprey
  Participant
  2065 posts
  We have a couple of lops at The Rabbit Haven now too. Check out Maxwell and Turbo. Turbo may be housed in Oakland, I am not sure. We also have some bunnies that live in San Pablo.
  
  http://therabbithaven.org/adoption_showcase.htm
- 06/05/2008 at 4:01 PM
  JK
  Participant
  2223 posts
  Wow Osprey those boy 2 lops are adorable!!!! And you have a couple girls that I like! OK Bunnies4ever we may have to go down there together!
- 06/05/2008 at 4:23 PM
  Bunnies4ever
  Participant
  368 posts
  OMG! I checked out Rabbit Haven! How could I have forgotten about them!? Okay, knowltons, let’s go! I checked out Turbo, Maxwell and Popcorn. I love Popcorn! He’s the cutest. Do you think I should call Auntie Heather and arrange a time? Do you think it’s a good idea to take Stella and Luna with me when I go? I’m getting excited.
- 06/05/2008 at 5:10 PM
  osprey
  Participant
  2065 posts
  I am pretty sure that Popcorn is spoken for, but call Heather to find out. We have an adoption show in Sunnyvale on Saturday, and then in Santa Cruz the following week. Heather would know where these bunnies are being housed. You can reach her at 831-239-7119.
- 06/07/2008 at 10:28 PM
  osprey
  Participant
  2065 posts
  Popcorn and Maxwell were adopted today! Turbo is still available.
- 06/08/2008 at 5:23 AM
  JK
  Participant
  2223 posts
  Boy the lops sure go fast! Bunnie4ever, we didn’t move quick enough!
- 06/08/2008 at 9:54 AM
  Bunnies4ever
  Participant
  368 posts
  Yeah, you snooze, you lose!
- 06/09/2008 at 4:35 PM
  MarkBun
  Participant
  2842 posts
  The good (actually terrible) thing about it though is that there will always be more. I got Dono from the Rabbit Haven and Maryann couldn’t be happier.
- 06/09/2008 at 4:54 PM
  MooBunnay
  Participant
  3087 posts
  Will you bring the girls with you when you go? I think its a good idea to get see how the girls get along with their potential new friend. I have always wanted to have a trio, I bet it is so cute when they all snuggle together!
- 06/09/2008 at 9:19 PM
  Gravehearted
  Participant
  2428 posts
  ooo let us know how it goes if you bring them in
- 06/10/2008 at 8:34 AM
  Bunnies4ever
  Participant
  368 posts
  Yes, I plan on taking them with me when I go. Stella and Luna are pretty playful lately. Chasing one another around making a lot of noise!
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