Bonding a new girl bunny

[kylo]

I have an adult bunny named Kylo, I’ve had him for a year and a half now. And I noticed some signs of him being lonely, ( he was rescued and we believed he was around other bunnies). So I called my local bunny shelter and we set up a bunny play date at a co workers house. I made sure I got a spayed female adult bunny, and Kylo is neutered as well, and they’ve both been fixed for awhile now. The worker had them in an X pen, and Kylo laid there and sniffed around while the girl bunny was very active. One or two times she would lay her head down to him, and on the car ride home they were just fine. For the past year and a half I have kept Kylo in a huge wooden pen in my room. I cleaned it out and divided the pen and gave them each their own food and water bowl and litter box. I have switched their sides of the pen once today, and they did not seem too bothered by it. But I have noticed the girl bunny has been nipping Kylo through the fence I had dividing them. She has nipped him about 5 times today, and one time he clawed back through the fence. I spaced it out so she couldn’t reach him anymore. Tomorrow I put them in the X pen in my brothers room for a five minute bonding session. I’m really nervous because I can’t tell the character of her, and don’t want any fighting. Is it normal to have second thoughts? How could I tell if Kylo isn’t interested or is upset by this new change? He has been through a lot in his past so I don’t want to stress him out anymore. We followed a strict routine every day, so it’s stressing me out too haha.

[sarahthegemini]

Don’t put them together yet. You’re moving way too fast. You need to let her settle in for a few weeks before you start pre bonding. Then you pre bond for at least a month (switching them between the pens, swapping litterboxes and toys etc)

After that, you can start physical sessions.

[kylo]

Thank you! I thought so, but the co worker said I had to keep the bonding or else the bond will break. Right now they’re in their own cages and able to see each other.

[sarahthegemini]

The bond can’t break because they’re not bonded yet so I wouldn’t worry about that.

It’s good that they can see and smell one another although when new bun is settling in, it’s usually recommended that this is done away from the other rabbit but if she seems okay with it, you can keep them next to each other. Just be sure they can’t tough one another through the bars

[Author]

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