Hi everyone, this is my first post and I have no idea if I’m doing the right thing by adding a new topic. So apologies if there is a better way?
I’ve just started bonding my bunnies. They’ve been familiar with each other for a year or so now as they’ve lived in separate hutches
close by one another. When one is out in the garden they often say hello through each others bars and have occasionally laid together or
Nosed each other through the bars. I started on day one by putting them in a deep cardboard box about 70cm by 70cm big. At first they weren’t
Interested in each other at all. After a few minutes there was some circling and nipping, I only intervened about 4 times when it seemed to be lasting longer than I was (and they seemed) comfortable with. They eventually settled and there was less humping, a bit of circling then quite a lot of head bowing. The first session lasted about 20 mins. Later the same day I put them in a slightly larger space in an old run. They showed immediate attention for one another and there was a lot of head bowing and circling. Bobby, the male, did quite a bit of humping, and sitting on her, then they both pottered about for a while. When loulou the girl approaced him she would start by offering her head then when he ignored her, went behind him in an attempt to hump. Bobby didn’t like that and immediately turned and went to nip her. This turned into a bit of a scuffle which I intervened in. Eventually after a little bit of honey on both of their heads, Bobby began to groom loulou, quite persistently. Loulou seemed to enjoy this a lot and had a very low and submissive stance. Bobby continued for a while on and off but she could never get to return the favour as he immediately turns and clearly tells her off. I’m not sure if this is normal? Today’s session began with quite a lot of spraying from Bobby (which he hasn’t done so far- and not for a long time since he was neutered) loulou also had a wee, close to where Bobby sprayed. There seemed to be a bit more tension today and Loulou tried to hump Bobby a few times, each time unsuccessfully. Bobby gave loulou a good licking, but there was nothing else very notable. I feel like I’m being a bit impatient but I’m worried there are warning signs that Bobby isn’t enjoying the idea of being mutually accepted by loulou as a prtner and he wants to be the boss full stop. Any ideas or advice would be amazing. Thankyou!
Sorry for the essay!