A bit of a bonding issue…

[RetroSquid]

Right, we are trying to bond our two buns, Navi and Daisy, with Daisy being the newcomer.

Their first couple of interactions seemed to go okay, with Navi sniffing at Daisy, and even putting her head under her a little.
But something spooked one or both of them and a fight kicked off, instigated by Daisy, I believe. Then, every time we put them anywhere near each other, they would fight.

So, we left it a few days, let everyone calm down and recover.

Just tried again, and almost instantly, a fight, this time instigated by Navi… She straight away went for Daisy… Fur flying everywhere and, having just looked over Daisy, she’s even got a couple of sores from just having so much hair pulled from one spot.

Daisy otherwise seems okay… Just a little on edge, and Navi is stomping around her room, shaken, unhappy, but otherwise fine…

Now, regarding bonding… We’ve done everything from small, neutral spaces like the hallyway by the front door and bathroom, then, after things were a little hectic, I tried the kitchen while the dishwasher and washing machine were on. And they seemed distracted enough by the noise to not focus too much on each other, but within minutes of the wash cycle finishing, they were at each others throats again…

This time, we tried a more open, spacious environment, still neutral, but with a little clutter to give them an opportunity to get away from of behind things if they wanted or needed to get away from each other…

No such luck. They just straight away went for each other…

We’re currently housing Navi in our dedicated bun room and Daisy has a pen in the dining room/my office… It isn’t ideal, but suitable for short term living… 
The intention was simply to have Daisy in my office and eventually move her in with Navi… But it’s something we’re really struggling with right now…

Buns are socially so very VERY complex little critters…

Any advice at all would be most appreciated.
Also, if anyone is aware of any bonding specialists in the Glasgow (Scotland) area (Or a bit further, as we’re happy to travel if it’ll help bring the ladies closer together?!

Thanks

[Dwarf Sparrow]

I would suggest putting them in something that you can move around. I was having issues with my two going after each other a lot, too. The vacuum and noises in general didn’t help, the spray bottle didn’t help… I had been bonding them in a bin with a NIC-cover to keep them from jumping out (https://binkybunny.com/tabid/54/aft/128800/Default.aspx) and finally started walking around the apartment with the setup. They were too shaken- literally and figuratively- to go after each other, and after a few walk-around sessions in the bin they started making progress.

Good luck!!

[MK]

Is there any way you could get the buns next to each other in pens? A few inches apart, so they don’t bite through the bars.

[RetroSquid]

We actually tried having them inside a rather large box, again, the moment they clapped eyes on one another, the fur was flying and they were difficult to separate and Daisy ended up being bitten to the point where the skin was ALMOST broken… no blood, just a bruised pinch

Also, we’ve been putting their enclosures side by side over night… :/

[MK]

If the fighting continues, I would say that the buns just might not bond. Sometimes bunnies don’t, and you don’t want Daisy to be hurt

[LittlePuffyTail]

This may just be a difficult bond. I would not give up on them. Have you tried stress bonding like a car ride?

[MK]

Definitely don’t give up! I was just putting that in there as a consideration. One thing that I have tried in pairing my two is to push them until they are smooshed together, then pet them quickly and firmly on the head at the same time, so they associate the other bun with pets (a treat for each helps too. Don’t let them share a treat, that might start more fighting) You have to pet them a little firmly so they don’t just hop off.

[Author]

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