baby/adult instant bonding...what to expect in the future?

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 5sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 9 years ago by Twinkiebunbun.

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- 02/08/2017 at 7:53 AM
  Twinkiebunbun
  Participant
  4 posts
  Hello. I read this forum often for the great advice and expertise. I did a lot of research on the issues of bonding a baby to an adult so I thought I had a fairly good idea of what to expect. A little background: I attempted to bond my 1-year-old neutered lion head male with another spayed female of the same age. He seemed to like her but she was extremely aggressive so I didn’t continue these attempts due to her larger size. I knew that baby/adult bonding can be a disaster but I fell in love with a little Netherland dwarf female, 8 weeks old, and decided to give it a try. Twinkie was chinning her all over within the first 5 minutes and she, being a baby, just sat there. He did some light humping and that was that. By day two, they are spending the whole day out together and she is grooming him as well now. They share food, play gentle chase and lounge together all day. Now, this all seems way too good to be true and I know this may all go awry due to her hormones. I am, of course, planning to have her spayed as soon as she’s able but can anyone give me some advice as to what I can expect to happen with their bonding and when? Is this so unusual that maybe they won’t have a problem or is it pretty much guaranteed that they will? Second day:
  
  First 10 minutes:
- 02/08/2017 at 8:05 AM
  sarahthegemini
  Participant
  5584 posts
  You’ll need to separate them when she hits puberty and keep them apart until she’s recovered from her spay. Then you’ll need to re-bond. Hormones can make her aggressive, or make him react to her hormones aggressively. She’ll also smell different when she goes through puberty and then after she’s spayed and her hormones have drained.
- 02/08/2017 at 2:25 PM
  Twinkiebunbun
  Participant
  4 posts
  Thank you. I guess what I’m asking is, given the great connection from the first few minutes, is it possible that they won’t have a problem before she’s fixed? Has anyone had any experiences like this?
- 02/08/2017 at 2:31 PM
  sarahthegemini
  Participant
  5584 posts
  Posted By Twinkiebunbun on 2/08/2017 2:25 PM
  
  Thank you. I guess what I’m asking is, given the great connection from the first few minutes, is it possible that they won’t have a problem before she’s fixed? Has anyone had any experiences like this?
  
  I think it depends on the bunnies in question as it’s impossible to say either way. I think as long as you separate them before any aggression or territorial behaviour kicks in, you’ll have a good starting point as they won’t be harbouring any bad feelings/memories.
- 02/10/2017 at 11:24 PM
  Azerane
  Moderator
  4691 posts
  I agree it’s impossible to say. I know of one circumstance where a young female was introduced to a neutered male and stayed with him before, and after op with no issues at all. However I would say that that is certainly the exception. Rabbit hormones tend to make a mess of even the closest bonds. Babies bond with everyone because they’re babies, they don’t hold territories, they can’t compete for rivals etc so they are non-threatening. Keep a very close eye, and have measures in place to separate them should the need arise. If it was me personally, I would be keeping them separate, but next to each other so they’re still around each other but there’s no risks of fighting.
- 02/13/2017 at 7:36 AM
  Twinkiebunbun
  Participant
  4 posts
  Thank you for the information. She was born mid-December. When can I expect the hormones to start being a factor?
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