Bringing Home a Sibling or Not?

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 3sd replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 5 years, 11 months ago by A Happy Herd of Hares.

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- 11/13/2018 at 10:18 PM
  A Happy Herd of Hares
  Participant
  155 posts
  So as many have seen Magpie is not spayed and can’t be.
  (Again: She was left outside in winter as a baby by my neighbor and froze…I rescued her and was somehow able to get her back. She has brain damage and is at too great a risk to be spayed. We have consulted three vets about this.)
  
  I REALLY want to let her have a bond mate, but I just don’t know. Here are some of my concerns:
  1) Is it really likely that she will bond with a spayed or neutered rabbit even though she isn’t?
  2) If she’s in a hutch of her own, how will I go about housing them? She may be terrotorial because she isn’t spayed, right?
  3) Should we go with a younger rabbit and pre-bond, then spay/neuter and bond, or an older, already desexed rabbit for a higher success chance?
  4) Advice on convincing the rest of the family on another bunny indoors. (Some of them have allergies…but after Fitz goes to his new home I may be able to bring one home for her, if not ideas on convincing them lol!)
  5) Will she be happy, or is she just going to be upset?
  
  Here is some info on Magpie:
  She is a 1-year old Holland Lop female
  She is very affectionate and mellow, though she hasn’t been around other rabbits
- 11/13/2018 at 10:26 PM
  A Happy Herd of Hares
  Participant
  155 posts
  Oh and one other question:
  IF she gets a sibling, male or female? Which is more likely to get along with her?
- 11/13/2018 at 10:27 PM
  Wick & Fable
  Moderator
  5812 posts
  I have no experience with bonding. So there’s that for me to say first.
  
  Everything is so personality dependent, especially when you mention hormones as well. Two thoughts pop up in my head:
  
  1. She’s 1-year old, so have her hormones fully come out? I think so, but I’ve never had a female rabbit to that intimate extent to observe when hormonal behavior/drive peaks/begins to plateau. This could effect the stability of a bond.
  
  2. Speed-dating. That seems to always be a go-to. When there’s uncertainty, go to a rescue for speed dating to see what initial impressions are of her to other rabbits, and what other rabbits think of her.
  
  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.
- 11/13/2018 at 10:31 PM
  A Happy Herd of Hares
  Participant
  155 posts
  Thank you!
  1) Her hormones are fully set-in, generally a female bun’s hormones are settled in around 5-6 months…
  
  2) I wondered about speed dating or if I should get a young rabbit, because “young and old get along better”…..The two bunnies at my shelter are 3 and 5 and spayed/neutered already.
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