Adding a new rabbit to a bonded pair

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This topic has 3sd replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 2 months ago by sarahthegemini.

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- 09/03/2017 at 5:01 AM
  caitlynraine
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  2 posts
  I have recently added a new bunny to my family. She was not planned. We found her roaming in my grandmas backyard and around her street. My grandma began feeding her and she would come eat out of my grandmas hand so we knew she was obviously domesticated. It took a while but we eventually managed to catch her. I didn’t plan to keep her, but instantly fell in love with her. We put up posters and went to the vet but no one came forward, and at this stage I just couldn’t give her away. She loves pats and cuddles and gets along with me perfectly. I have already at home a bonded male and female brother and sister who have been together their whole lives and are inseparable. I got Clover(the new girl) desexed 6 weeks ago and decided it was time to introduce them. They have all smelt each other on me so I thought it would be okay. However I now think I was wrong. I introduced them in the bath and it actually went okay, they all lay next to each other but then started fighting. So I separated them. Next session they also started fighting. However after that session Luna and Petal (female and male) started fighting quite badly in their home so I had to separate them for the night. They were fine again in the morning. It’s now been over a week and tonight I have put them all in separate cages and have them next to each other. I plan to do this for a while before introducing again. However I am so stressed about breaking Luna and Petals bond. In the 2 years I’ve had them they have never fought. Does anyone have any positive stories about adding a third bunny to a bonded pair? I am desperate for them to bond as I can’t keep Clover if they don’t bond. It’s unfair on Clover as I don’t have the space and she’d have to live inside in a small pen. I am so in love with all 3 of them so it would kill me if something happened. So I’d love tips and inspiration. And stories of success would be greatly appreciated. Sorry this is so long, I am so stressed and have never done this before.
- 09/03/2017 at 5:59 AM
  sarahthegemini
  Participant
  5584 posts
  Firstly, thank you for rescuing Clover, and what a lovely name!
  
  It’s unfortunate, but not uncommon for bonds to break when a new bun is brought in. The only advice I can give is to separate all 3 completely so that they cannot see smell or hear each other. They need to forget each other as they’ve fought. After a month, you can start pre-bonding. I’ve not bonded more than 2 so I’ll leave that for others to advise.
- 09/03/2017 at 7:47 AM
  caitlynraine
  Participant
  2 posts
  Thank you for responding
  
  I am happy she has come into my life!
  
  The bonded two are fine again after fighting, so I don’t think I need to separate them. They are now acting as though nothing ever happened and cuddling, grooming etc.
  
  If their bond was to break, would I be able to rebond them?
- 09/03/2017 at 12:30 PM
  sarahthegemini
  Participant
  5584 posts
  Posted By caitlynraine on 9/03/2017 7:47 AM
  
  Thank you for responding
  
  I am happy she has come into my life!
  
  The bonded two are fine again after fighting, so I don’t think I need to separate them. They are now acting as though nothing ever happened and cuddling, grooming etc.
  
  If their bond was to break, would I be able to rebond them?
  
  Just keep a very close eye on those two then and make sure they can’t see or smell Clover as that might set them off again. Maybe try and stress them a little so they remember they can rely on each other. When mine had a minor scuffle, I put them in a pen and vacuumed.
  
  If they start getting a bit antsy with each other you’ll have to separate them so it doesn’t escalate. I’m sure if their bond was to break, they could be bonded again with time but it’s not guaranteed (but then, what is!?)
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