The Players:

Pippin:  3 years old, 5lb neutered mini-lop buck.

Harlett:  1 year old, 6lb spayed harlequin doe.

So now that my doe has completely recovered from her spay surgery, 4 weeks after the fact, I took no hesitance in attempting to introduce them.

I’m quite surprised because after 4 bonding sessions there hasn’t been one bark, bite or boxing match between the two.

Harlett is extremely active around Pippin – she’s constantly moving, flopping right in front of him, binkying over him, eating in front of him, grooming herself, etc.  Pippin, on the other hand, has been very docile – he almost stares at her like a serial killer as he watches her do all of these things.

The one issue is that there is DEFINITELY a leadership struggle here.  I can tell that Pippin is determined to be top bunny, as he is ALWAYS motivated to mount her – unfortunately, Harlett’s just too fast for him.  I’ve had several opportunities to rub the top of her head and allow him to mount her, but she either escapes after about 2 seconds, or ignores his grooming presentation directly after he’s finished mounting.  Usually he just tries to mount her and she winds up frolicking away in a heart-beat, continuing to eat, flop and binky.

Is she having fun teasing him, or what?

Tonight, Harlett was very active in mounting Pippin – again, unfortunately Pippin has ignored any grooming opportunities that Harlett has presented him with post-mount.

Like I said – there appears to be a leadership struggle, but no fighting whatsoever.  That said, I’m still not leaving them alone together, but rather keeping them in side-by-side pens so they can see one another from a distance.

Harlett HAS groomed Pippin very briefly – usually a few licks on the side of his neck or his cheek, and then she’s off to eat hay or pellets.

They do this bit that’s undeniably adorable where they both lay down, faces against one another, and stick their noses into the other’s cheek/neck/chin, both look like they’re in absolute bliss with their eyes half-closed.  Is this something that should be taken as a good sign, or is this just proper protocol for figuring out the other rabbit?

I know mounting and chasing is normal, but what can I expect from this?  I mean…eventually ONE of them just has to say “the heck with this – you win” and groom the other one…right?

Thanks guys!