Bonded Pair Fighting After Getting Fosters

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This topic has 2sd replies, 2 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 1 month ago by bunz714.

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- 10/15/2017 at 8:09 PM
  bunz714
  Participant
  15 posts
  So I have a bonded pair (both fixed) who have been bonded for a year. It took them ~6 months to bond, so they’ve been around each other for around a year and a half. Since they have been bonded, they almost never fight. Rarely, they’ll get a little huffy for a minute or two, but things always blow over and they’re fine.
  
  My problem started today when I took in two foster buns. They are also a bonded pair, but they are kept in completely separate housing in a different room. The room is blocked off, but my apartment has a very open floor plan. A few hours after setting the new foster buns up in a separate room from my buns, one of my rabbits (Pickles) escaped past the blocked off door and went to explore the new scent. He saw the foster rabbits, and as soon as I saw he had moved out of his room, I put him back and secured the gate blocking him off so he couldn’t escape again.
  
  About 20 minutes later, him and his bonded partner started fighting–bad. It was as if they were never even bonded. I’m almost positive the scent of the new foster rabbits has upset him and made him territorial. I separated my two buns as they were pulling out hair and WOULD NOT settle down.
  
  My question is: is there anything I can do to remedy the situation right now? I really want to avoid having them completely un-bond, as it was a really tough process. I also don’t want to have to give the foster buns back to the shelter because they are so sweet and I’ve only had them for a day. I’ve tried washing my hands and changing clothes, to make sure that I’m not provoking anything, but do you have any other suggestions?
- 10/15/2017 at 11:09 PM
  Mikey
  Participant
  3186 posts
  Adding new bunnies to a bonded pair or their territory can break a bond. I suggest you dont foster, or separate your current bonded pair until the foster pair are moved out. If theyre fighting very bad on the first day, you dont want to keep them together to risk worse fighting. Also worth noting, the more they fight, the less likely they will ever bond again.
- 10/16/2017 at 5:49 AM
  bunz714
  Participant
  15 posts
  Thank you! They are still fighting a bit, but it is no longer hair pulling and bunny tornadoes. Just avoiding being anywhere near each other. I will contact the rescue and see if there’s anything I can do with the fosters.
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