Bonding vs Colonies

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This topic has 6sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 12 years, 6 months ago by Sam and Lady's Human.

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- 10/26/2011 at 12:49 PM
  Sam and Lady's Human
  Participant
  2001 posts
  So I’ve been reading on a couple other (slightly distasteful) forums, and I’ve noticed that there are a few people who choose to do colonies. They basically just throw a bunch of bunnies together and wish for the best, and seem surprisingly successful. How is it that bonding 2 can be so hard when people who don’t seem to care get it so easily?
- 10/26/2011 at 12:53 PM
  Elrohwen
  Participant
  7318 posts
  I’ve heard that the more you have, the easier it gets. There are some shelters who go by the colony model successfully (and thankfully are much more careful than the people you’re talking about – I know what you mean about people who just throw a bunch of rabbits together and hope they get along). I once read a quote by a shelter owner who said once you have a certain number of rabbits you can introduce a new one at meal time and the others hardly seem to notice. lol
  
  I’m not sure why rabbits are like this. Could be that in a big group, a new rabbit isn’t going to try for dominance quite so much and will just try to fit in with the existing social order. It could also be that in an already large group, the others become more accepting.
- 10/26/2011 at 1:17 PM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  Well even in some rabbit colonies some of the rabbits get beat up (at least in the rescue colonies I’ve seen). There is usually always an alpha rabbit and some pecking order.
- 10/26/2011 at 2:58 PM
  Nova
  Participant
  220 posts
  I’ve been wondering about this, too. I have been thinking of adoption for a third bun, but, I’m afraid that two will double-up against one…which would be really bad, like a love triangle. I know I wouldnt want some random chick coming down on my relationship! So then I think, well, maybe four buns – two groups of couples? Then I think, too many buns!
  
  So would 3 buns be considered a colony?
- 10/26/2011 at 4:59 PM
  Elrohwen
  Participant
  7318 posts
  Sarita, that’s true – I guess somebunny has to be on the bottom of the group.
  
  Nova, from what I’ve seen on the forums, 3 is definitely not a colony and is actually harder than bonding 2. Four also seems like quite a challenge. I’m not sure where a “colony” starts, as I’ve only known anybody to attempt 4. Petzy was our most experienced bonder and even she had so many issues with her quartet. No way I’d have her patience!
- 10/26/2011 at 5:02 PM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  I think 3 is a trio – to me it’s anything over 5 rabbits.
- 10/26/2011 at 7:08 PM
  Sam and Lady's Human
  Participant
  2001 posts
  Ugh. Almost makes me want to just buy a dozen bunnies
  
  kidding, of course
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