Bonding advice needed, please!

[Jen7751]

I have one female, spayed 7 month old and one male, unneutered (currently) 3 month old bunny.

I have always planned to wait to bond them until he is old enough and has been neutered as I’ve read all previous advice.  They have interacted through cage bars, but not touched.  Yesterday, we decided for the second time to try them in a small neutral space, with a water sprayer at the ready.  The first time was going OK until Elmo (The youngest) sniffed Millie and then tried to follow her into her house and she jumped on him and attacked him.  He wasn’t hurt, as we dived straight in and he didn’t seem too traumatised, went straight back to sit by her cage!   A pretty similar thing happened last night.

I’m not going to try again now until he’s bigger and has been neutered, but I guess I am looking for some hope.  Do you think they will ever bond, or does Millie really dislike him?  She is a bit fussy, she only seems to like me, she won’t let anyone else touch her!  We can keep them separately forever, but I would obviously love more than anything for them to be together.  I would so appreciate any advice,

Thank you for your time

Jen

[Tessie]

I’m not the best person to ask about bonding, so I’m sure one of our wiser members will come and offer their advice, but I would say a couple of things; first, you’re right, you can’t bond them until they are both neutered, it is a risk not work taking, so you are right to wait

Second, (and more answering your question) you say they were fine until he tried to enter her house – well then this is fine. You wouldn’t expect her to be cool with that!
This doesn’t mean she hates him, or that there is no hope, just that he shouldn’t be in her territory unless they are bonded.

So in my opinion you don’t need to worry!

[tanlover14]

First off, no more introductions. It’s an un-necessary risk and if something traumatic happens and someone sustains a terrible injury – it will be MUCH, much harder to bond as rabbits are known for holding grudges. This said..

Your three month old male may already be exhibiting signs of hormones so if he’s become territorial already, you’re doing more harm than good by trying to introduce. Also, since you allowed the younger male into HER house that’s just asking for trouble. You ABSOLUTELY cannot allow them in non-neutral territory when beginning bonding. It’s considered their area and they can get very aggressive about their territory.

With that said, definitely wait until he’s neutered to attempt introductions. With all the factors of him entering her home, his hormones possibly becoming a factor…. it’s almost impossible to base their future on this one date! I definitely would not think they will not bond because she attacked him though – it’s extraordinarily common for a rabbit to become aggressive and agitated about someone else entering their house. I would base her reactions on that, NOT think she hates him!

I have a bonded group of six and love to help bonders so when you are ready to bond, definitely message me and I can give you some tips, pointers, and help you along the way along with tons of other people on BB!

[Jen7751]

Thank you for the advice, it’s much appreciated. I wasn’t seriously trying to bond them at that one meeting, just more being hopeful I guess! I always knew it wouldn’t be possible before they were both altered, just that the breeder I got the youngest from had sold two other babies who had both managed to bond with the opposite gender before the youngest was neutered. I think I thought it may have been the same with our two, but I know now to listen to what I’ve read not the one offs!

I will definitely not be putting them together again until he is neutered and had a few weeks to recover, it is not really an issue even if they never bond, but of course I would love to see them happy together. I also remember reading that females are far more territorial than males and think that will definitely be the case with ours!

Out of interest, how long would you wait to our male neutered? I don’t like the thought of doing it too young! Thank you

[MoveDiagonally]

Males can be neutered as soon as their testicles descend which is usually around 3-4+ months.

[tanlover14]

I have to giggle – because I was just writing a blog post on my website today regarding my first group bonding – I had purchased three babies from a breeder. I also did introductions before spays/neuters and my post made me giggle a lot because of all the numerous “noobie” mistakes I made! When I came back and read your post, it definitely made me laugh because I remember how anxious and excited I was to introduce them (even if I didn’t plan on them living together yet).

My boys were both neutered at four months. =) As MD said, as soon as they descend! I promise it’s worth the wait and if you start a thread on bonding once you’re ready, you’ll find a lot of support, suggestions, and help on BB! I have made a thread for all the buns I bonded in my group and sometimes the extra support and insight was extremely helpful!

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