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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 4sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 9 months ago by BinkyBunny.

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- 02/14/2009 at 10:44 AM
  katiep
  Participant
  222 posts
  I have four rabbits and we are hoping to bond them either into all 4 together or 2 pairs. I have 1 unfixed male, 1 fixed male, 1 unfixed female, and 1 fixed female. I KNOW I can’t put two un fixed rabbits together for fear of breeding but I wanted to pair off the rabbits into 1 fixed 1 unfixed into one pair and the same with the other. ( I am working on fixing the other two, but it is expensive so we are saving up.) So, I was wondering if anyone had any luck pairing 1 fixed and 1 unfixed in the meantime. They would be female/male combinations in pairs. They have a great relationship through their pens and routinely groom each other through the bars and flop next to each other through the pen. I don’t see an issue with putting them in neutral territory like the bath tub but i’ve never done that before and wanted advice before I tried. One of the rabbits, (Rupert) a fixed male, was originally being bonded with another fixed male (Malcolm) when sadly he passed of a cronic abcess issue in his jaw. They weren’t completely bonded but made it to the point where they could run around my apartment together with no issues(but never in the same pen yet.) After Malcolm passed Rupert became kind of withdrawn but recently after rearranging their pens he has shown a lot of interest in my unfixed female, Smokey. She seems to like him back. He chews at the bars and “scratches” them as if to try and get through and Smokey LOVES the attention. My other two love to lay together side by side in their pens. He’s the unfixed male so I’m a little concerned trying those two because he is still hyper and she is a little skittish. So, what do you think? I can wait but it seems like they really would hit it off. Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated.
- 02/14/2009 at 10:45 PM
  BinkyBunny
  Moderator
  8776 posts
  Welcome! Assuming the male has been neutered for over a month (otherwise, he could still have viable sperm), then I have heard of this working but you may find some issues that you may need to be prepared for. Like a “false” pregnancy – she would not get pregnant, of course, but if he mounts her, her body may fool her into thinking she is and she can go through a whole three week period of nesting which can be rather stressful which can be accompanied by aggression. Also, you may find some more territorial marking etc. (but this usually happens anyway regardless)
  
  Sometimes scratching at a cage can also be a form of aggression but you are there, and will be able to hopefully see the real intent.
  
  So, I think your idea of starting in a neutral territory is best. So just take it slow and go through the bonding steps. The worst situation is that you are just back where you started but if it works, then Rupert may be happy again with a new best friend. It’s worth a try. However, if you do see repeat false pregnancies then you would need to be prepared to get her fixed asap to prevent this.
  
  FYI: Also, since you are saving up, I would recommend doing the unfixed female first since they have a high rate of cancer of their reproductive organs.
  
  Good Luck and Keep us updated!
- 02/15/2009 at 6:39 PM
  MooBunnay
  Participant
  3087 posts
  I don’t think that there is anything I would change from the normal bonding routines – but one thing you might want to consider is that when you get to the point of spaying/neutering the unfixed member of the pair that it could possible be detrimental to all the bonding work you previously did. The reason that is when you take the one to the vet to be fixed and they have to be separated for the bunny to heal, that it might have a damaging effect on the relationship, or break the bond, and then you would have to start all over. I am just saying that so that you can also consider that before bonding, and be forewarned so that you are not surprised if that happens.
  
  A bathtub has always worked well for me, especially for my more aggressive bunnies because they can’t even get their footing on the ground
- 02/18/2009 at 5:20 PM
  katiep
  Participant
  222 posts
  Ok, so we did our first bonding session in the bathtub tonight and everything seemed to go well! There was a little mounting by my unfixed female, Smokey, but she was more concerned with getting out of the bathtub then anything else. Rupert, my fixed male is very happy about being submissive and the only issue he has is he wants to be groomed SO BAD! Anytime there is a lifted chin, belly, or butt his nose went underneath. There is no reaction from him while he is getting mounted, he just sits there and waits it out. We will try again tomorrow probably and possibly try a hallway so she isn’t concerned with getting out. I’ve included a picture of the interaction tonight, apparently Rupert has been reduced to furniture as she thought maybe she can use him as a step stool to get out.
- 02/22/2009 at 3:17 AM
  BinkyBunny
  Moderator
  8776 posts
  It’s good to hear that things went well so far. His asking to be groomed is also a dominant move, so you may have to watch later on that she doesn’t get offended by that move. They are expressing dominance in two different ways, though it does sound like he is taking the more passive route so far.
  
  Keeping my fingers crossed that thing progress smoothly.
  
  Keep us updated.
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