A frustrated Bun

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 14sd replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 8 months ago by The Harshes.

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- 05/10/2017 at 2:31 AM
  The Harshes
  Participant
  22 posts
  Hi!
  
  We recently started to try and bond our bunnies. Banks is a 6 month old spayed female and Barney is a 7 month old neutered male. We’ve had them since January and the last neutering was done in March so hormones should be settled. When we’ve been letting them out they have been able to see each other through the bars for the last month. We started the bonding process 5 days ago. We’ve moved their cages together as part of the process so they see each other all day.
  
  The first day was circling and fur pulling and we broke it up pretty fast (Barney lost more fur). Since then banks has been adopting a submissive position (we think) freezing and head going to the floor every time Barney is around. Barney has started tucking his head under her belly and then then not moving until he gets frustrated and nips her. Is he looking to be groomed or dominated?
  
  We are concerned that Banks shows very little interest in being around Barney and Barney is getting frustrated and nipping Banks. Ideally we’d like this not to turn into a destructive cycle. Any advice?
  
  We bond them around the same time every day and they get their morning food side by side. We even finish with them getting pellets from the treat box (seen below) to end on a good note.
  
  Do you think we can bond them?
- 05/10/2017 at 9:30 AM
  Luna
  Participant
  2219 posts
  When you let them out, is the bonding session taking place in a neutral area? (ie. bathroom or some other place where the buns don’t usually venture) Is there an “escape route” for one of them if they want to get away from the other one?
- 05/10/2017 at 9:41 AM
  The Harshes
  Participant
  22 posts
  We are holding the meet in the hallway and downstairs bathroom. If Barney looks agitated we normal block the off into separate rooms using the bathroom door. Banks is always able to run if she chooses. She seems to just take the nips sometimes though so we have to be the one to push Barney away. We are holding the bonding at the same time every day for half hour a time.
- 05/10/2017 at 11:13 AM
  Mikey
  Participant
  3186 posts
  Nipping is ok. Its how bunnies show “I dont like that/this/what youre doing/ect”. Its not aggressive, its just communication Always stop circling and fur pulling, as those are aggressive actions. Same with biting. Nips are quick while bites are a bit longer, and often pull fur with
  
  When he puts his head under her, he is looking to be groomed. When he ignores him, he gets upset because shes not willing to be submissive to him. Ignoring one another is also a good sign as it shows neither bun sees the other as a threat or something to be afraid of. Continue at their pace and theyll be bonded in time
- 05/10/2017 at 11:24 AM
  The Harshes
  Participant
  22 posts
  Mikey- The reason we are concerned about the nipping is that it will happen multiple times and is frequently to her face…Do you think we should not break it up?
- 05/10/2017 at 11:49 AM
  Mikey
  Participant
  3186 posts
  As long as the nipping isnt on her eyes or tip of her nose, it should be fine Nips arnt hard enough to break skin. Theyre kind of like the bun version of a pinch. If its on the thin parks of her face (eye lids, nose, lips), stop it. If its on the cheeks or top of the head (or the body), leave it be
- 05/10/2017 at 1:12 PM
  Vienna Blue in France
  Participant
  5317 posts
  It sounds like how my two were – and it was up to the female to give in… he did not, never will and won’t ! lol
  So when Banks decides that it’s time – you’ll be home free.
  I said ‘when’….
  
  They should be able to run (he after her of course) and hide behind things (so no direct threat) and then get tired.
  A bit like an overactive dog or child – they ‘give in’ much easier if they are have no energy left !! LOL
  
  When I get their pellets out now, Henry still nips at Zou’s face (just as you are saying) (for I’ve no idea what reason?!) and she jumps back a little like an electric shock, but they are bonded now by superglue and so I’m not worried in the slightest.
  
  They must be nips rather than bites as Mikey says and one day Banks will probably just accept that this is how it’s going to be….
  
  FYI – a bonder took 14 days of daily “sessions” with my stubborn two, where they were out in the yard together for hours at a time (running, chasing, running, chasing, tumbling…). So patience is the name of the game. Good luck !
- 05/12/2017 at 6:29 AM
  The Harshes
  Participant
  22 posts
  So today was a good session this morning! Banks groomed Barney!! She did it 3 times!! She sorted out all of his matted fur from when we tried to tempt them to groom each other with banana mush 3 days ago (we have tried cleaning it off barney but he doesn’t appreciate us trying). Barney hasn’t groomed her yet but he only nipped her once and that was to say get out of my way. They seemed to want to hang out together loads. We have started bonding them in their evening out time as well. They seem to be quite content to be hanging out for a few hours. We are hoping soon we can start increasing their play area.
  
  Here are some photos of the joy
- 05/12/2017 at 9:50 AM
  Luna
  Participant
  2219 posts
  That’s good that they are sorting things out. Cute pics of their progress .
- 05/12/2017 at 10:44 AM
  Mikey
  Participant
  3186 posts
  Adorable! Sounds like a promising pair
- 05/15/2017 at 3:53 AM
  The Harshes
  Participant
  22 posts
  Okay so it’s day 9 and today they were right moody. There was a little nipping and chase which has been scarce the last few days and they still seem to be passive aggressive. Still sitting head to head waiting for the other to groom. Banks has given in a few times and groomed Barney for just a moment but he’s not doing it back. Is it just a case of being patient or should we try something like stress bonding? I’ve been encouraging grooming with crushed blueberry on their foreheads – it’s the only time Barney groom’s banks. Am i helping or hindering?
- 05/18/2017 at 11:07 AM
  BanditCamp
  Participant
  451 posts
  Stress bonding might be that last little push you need, something as simple as a car ride or some people run a washer and set them in a box with a towel on top again its up to your best judgment.
- 05/18/2017 at 12:40 PM
  The Harshes
  Participant
  22 posts
  Thanks BanditCamp we are on day 12 now and the nipping is now infrequent but they really don’t want to cave on grooming. Banks does a very brief but every now and then. I think we may try some stress bonding over the weekend. Maybe a car ride and a session in the bath. They clearly want to hang out together they arent far apart from each other anymore. Maybe a couple of inches .most of the time
- 05/18/2017 at 12:40 PM
  The Harshes
  Participant
  22 posts
  Thanks BanditCamp we are on day 12 now and the nipping is now infrequent but they really don’t want to cave on grooming. Banks does a very brief but every now and then. I think we may try some stress bonding over the weekend. Maybe a car ride and a session in the bath. They clearly want to hang out together they arent far apart from each other anymore. Maybe a couple of inches .most of the time
- 05/22/2017 at 10:26 AM
  The Harshes
  Participant
  22 posts
  So its day 16 and they still arent getting along fully. We’ve moved them into the space they used to run around in and that doesn’t seemed to have caused any more arguments but barney is still a bit nippy and they are still fighting over grooming by laying forehead to forehead demanding to be groomed. Sometimes they flop next to each other after jutting heads. What does it all mean?
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