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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 2sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 9 months ago by Wick & Fable.

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- 02/03/2018 at 6:23 PM
  BunnyMom88
  Participant
  1 posts
  Hi everyone,
  
  I’ve been trying to do some research on bonding an unspayed 3 month female bunny to a neutered adult male and haven’t been able to find a lot of info on what the best way to go about it with my current situation. My adult male bun: Burkey – is neutered and has been living with me in my condo free range when I’m home. He even sleeps in my room with me. He does have a 3 storey ‘bunny condo’ of his own that he goes in and out of as well. I’ve had Burkey for over a year now and has been used to our routine/lifestyle together. Now, last Thursday , my dad decided to bring home a friend for Burkey. She’s almost 3 months old, unspayed female. My dad thought it would be a good idea to just let her into Burkey’s cage and watch them. This was obviously a bad idea! Burkey immediately mounted her and now every time Burkey comes near her, she thumps then runs away from him. I also feel like Burkey is attacking her now, and almost charges at her. I don’t have much space so getting a new cage is impossible. Luckily Burkey’s condo has enough space for both of them. So what I did was clean/disinfect the first floor to try and get rid of Burkey’s scent as much as possible and set up a home for the new bun. Burkey still continues to free roam but still has the 2nd and 3rd levels to himself and ive separated them with NIC cubes so that the new bun and Burkey can’t enter eachothers homes.
  
  My question is: how can I let the new bun : named Mocha , out for play when Burkey is free roam and pretty much has his scent all over my apt? I’ve been doing bonding sessions with them in my bathroom , so far going ok but Mocha continues to run away from Burkey. I’m new to bonding bunnies, and I know Mocha should be spayed first but she’s too young at this point and kinda stuck with me as my dad got her from a breeder and don’t want to give up on the bonding process so early. I know it takes time, weeks to months, and it’s only been a few days. But what I’d like to know is: What is the best way to approach this,? I will be scheduling Spay surgery for Mocha once she is 5-6 months old as the vet suggested. Just wondering if I’m doing things right and if there’s anything else I can do to help with the success of their bond. Also would like to know if anyone had any experience with baby unspayed does trying to bond with a neutered adult buck.
  
  Thank you and I apologize for the long post!
  
  Sincerely,
  BunnyMom88
- 02/03/2018 at 7:54 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17027 posts
  Forming a real bond is difficult (and often impossible) when hormones are at play. There are exceptions, of course, but the general recommendation is to wait until everyone is spayed/neutered before attempting to bond them. Mocha is young, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any hormones in her system. Her scent alone could be triggering Burkey, even though he is neutered. The scent of a new bunny is, of course, going to make him act a certain way regardless.
  
  You are able to house them separately, so it would probably be a good idea to keep it that way until you can get Mocha spayed. They can spend this time getting used to each other’s presence/scent. If Burkey is free-roam and Mocha needs playtime, then maybe you could block off a room or area with a baby gate. Burkey would be excluded from the area when she is out playing. Alternatively, you could use a dog exercise pen for Mocha to have her playtime in.
- 02/03/2018 at 7:57 PM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5813 posts
  Welcome to BB! I am not personally experienced with bonding, but I’ll share the information I’ve learned from people’s experiences on the forums.
  
  First, an unfixed rabbit can stir hormonal behaviors in a fixed rabbit, so although Burkey is neutered, her being unspayed can make him act on hormones (as you saw).
  
  If she’s continuing to run away, you should stop trying interactions immediately so she forgets Burkey. The first experience was clearly very traumatic, especially for a young rabbit (thumping in fear). And if you’re seeing Burkeys charging, that’s also very bad. The more bad air between them, the more difficult it will be to try and bond them once she’s spayed + a month after she’s spayed.
  
  In terms of free roam, you do want to try and give her time outside her cage, so putting Burkey in an xpen temporarily when she has time out may need to be your solution until it’s time to introduce them following the month after her spay (ample recovery time and time for hormones to dissipate post op).
  
  She’s very young and it’s a new environment. Focus on getting her feeling comfortable in your home and with you. Right now, she may just perceive this new place as a territory for a very aggressive male rabbit, rather than a loving home.
  
  The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.
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