Bonding 1 doe 2 bucks

[Ayten]

Hey everyone, I have 3 buns I want to bond soon. I’m just waiting another month so I can get 2 of them spayed and neutered (Luna and Milo). My 3rd one (Casper) is already neutered. I know to wait a few weeks/a month until bonding for the hormones to settle. I just need some advice on how to bond 3 together? I didnt plan on getting a 3rd bun anytime soon but I took him in because he wasnt getting the proper care from his original owners.
Before getting him i use to let luna and casper be together all hours of the day but would seperate them come bed time. But now i cant leave luna with casper like i use to because her hormones are starting to kick in, so i keep them seperated most of the time now. i want to wait one more month to get them spayed and neutered because luna is 5 months atm. Milo is around the same age as Luna and Casper turned 1 in July.
When i first brought milo home casper tried attacking me cause i smelt like another bun. But now hes fine with milos scent, the attack was a one time thing.
I also ripped up an old towel and switch the pieces around between all 3 of them so theyre always around with eachothers scent.
I just don’t know how to bond 3, when i only had 2 the task felt easier to do but now i’m more nervous about it and have no idea where to start with 3?
If anyone has any storied or helpful advice that would be great.
thank you

[Mikey]

The same way you would bond two bunnies Dont try to bond them before they are all neutered, spayed, and healed. While you wait, can you keep their cages close, not but close enough to fight? Put the fixed bun’s cage in the middle so that the two unfixed buns dont breed through the bars. Keeping them this way allows them to see one another and smell one another in spaces they feel are their territory. It helps them get used to having one another around in a semi close area, without them being close enough to fight about it. Keep switching the towel pieces around while you do this too, so they can learn it is safe to have the other bunnies actually in their territory

After the two months (the waiting a month for your bun, and waiting a second month to heal), put them all in a box together or take them into the the bath tub. Start with a ton of short (5 minute) sessions per day, and slowly increase the time they are in there together every. For example, you can do about 10 5 minute sessions on day one, then on day two try 8 or 9 15 minute sessions, on day three do 7 or 8 30 minute sessions, ect. Nipping is fine, but biting, latching on, and fur pulling is not acceptable. Mounting is fine for a few seconds, so pick up the top bun if it lasts more than 10 seconds or if the bottom bun looks too stressed out. Give everyone lots of pets often. Stop circling when you see it start. Ignoring one another is a good sign, but try to get them to interact if they ignore too often, maybe add some hay or greens. If you have to separate them due to fighting/scuffles, put all three of them next to one another and pet them for a good 30 seconds+ then put them all back into their cages. This is so they end every session on a friendly note, even if they tried to fight

[Ayten]

Thanks for replying It was really helpful. I’ll be sure to do what you said. I think I was just overthinking it and stressing myself out.

[caudex]

The three in my profile pic were a happily bonded trio– one lady, two gents. I was lucky, bonding was a cinch.

I had the female and the black and white male first, so they were bonded, and I introduced the third. There’s no reason you can’t do that if it is less intimidating. When they are ready, try some early dates and see if a certain pair seems to “click” best. Start there. When they are well established, add the third by doing both individual and group dates. This adds total time, but it might prove more relaxed. If they are a mellow group, it could still be very quick. In both my cases, they were cohabitating within days.

[Ayten]

Thanks I’ll try that too

[sophia.o_c]

Oh my! I’m in the same situation with yours! But can I ask is it better to have a trios of all 3 bucks or 1 doe 2 bucks? It’s sad tho.. because we’re in the similar situation, i felt bad for how my coming to be third bunny is treated! And p.s is both of your bucks already bonded? Will their bond break if you bond them with the third bunny?

[DanaNM]

Hi @sophia.o_c ! This is a very old topic, so you are unlikely to get any replies. It will be best if you start a new thread with your question! You can copy the Bonding Template and paste it into your post so we can get more info about your bunnies. 🙂

I’m going to lock this thread now to avoid confusion.

. . . The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.  

[Author]

Messages