Hi everyone,

I have been reading lots of similar stories, but can’t find anything that answers my particular question.

I have a 7-month old doe Netherland Dwarf (M), who was sterilised 3 weeks ago. Yesterday, I adopted a young buck Belier (T), who I would like to bond with her.

M is a free roaming bunny, allowed in all parts of the apartment and balcony. The only rooms she isn’t allowed in are the guest bathroom and master bedroom/en-suite bathroom.

We set up a temporary room for T in the guest bathroom. It’s joined to the hallway, which M has free reign of. We set up a C&C barrier along with a metre-high piece of wood so they cannot see each other. The barrier also gives about half a metre between them.

I’ve read different opinions on whether they should be kept in the same room and whether they should be able to see each other or not, and I’m hoping this is okay. It’s my first time bonding bunnies, so I’m in new territory and a little terrified.

My plan is to get T neutered in the next couple of weeks, then begin the bonding process in the master bathroom (neither of them have been in) once he has recovered/hormones have calmed down. At the moment he’s very docile and just seems curious when he knows M is on the other side of the barrier, looking up on his back legs etc.

At first, M was curious and on higher alert than usual. Then, she started pooping a lot. She never poops outside of her litter trays – one on the balcony and one in her bedroom – except the occasional poop on my sofa when I’m not sat down by the usual time. But she has been pooping all over the house since T came home, mostly on the hallway floor and the sofa.

Is this normal and will it affect the bonding process? I don’t want to stress either bunny more than I need to. But she has started circling me a lot, pooping all over and generally running around more. She’s still flopped in her usual spots and mostly followed her daily routine, but she’s also been running off to stand on her back legs and try to see over the barrier.

Any help/reassurance would be greatly appreciated!! I don’t want to do anything that will stress either bunny or, more importantly, complicate the bonding process. Thank you!