Bonding Bunnies fighting

[Cinnamin]

Hello all,

I am looking for some information and some help. Our unspayed baby girl rabbit(7 Months old) passed away yesterday morning suddenly due to a prolapsed uterus. She was bonded with our neutered boy rabbit(4 Months old). Today we saved a doe from our local animal welfare center. We took our boy to the AWC with us to have a bunny date with the rabbit we adopted and that got along fine. Some dominance humping and circling but no fighting. When we brought our new girl home(9 months old) they started fighting instantly on a neutral territory. Fur ripping and all. I would like some advice if this is normal at first once bringing her home. Is he being territorial? I am confused on why they were fine at the shelter but both fighting now.

Thank you!!! 

[LBJ10]

Your boy was in an unfamiliar place, likely after a car ride, when he went on the date. So he may not have been acting as he normally would. The fact that they seemed to get along OK during the date is a good sign, but that doesn’t mean they will be best buds right away.

What is the neutral territory? The bathtub? Did they spend some time getting used to each others’ scent first? If not, then it might be a good idea to take a step back. Maybe do some stuffed toy or litter box swapping to get them used to what the other bunny smells like. This can take some time, so don’t rush it. When you start bonding sessions again, there are some things you can do if there is still fighting. For example, you can put them in a box together. If they try to fight, shake the box a bit to break it up. Not enough to hurt them or anything, just enough to get their attention/interrupt them. Or you could try a car ride together. Sometimes the stress of the car ride makes them forget about fighting. Just have someone next to them to break them up if they do start fighting. There are some other techniques too. Those are just a couple of examples.

[Cinnamin]

We put them in a bath tub together and they went at it after 10 seconds. It looks as if our boy is the one who instigates the fighting. We have a dog tent to to put her in in the living room to try and let them smell each other but they seem to attack the netting.

[LBJ10]

Are their cages/pens in separate rooms?

[Deleted User]

It really is so important to let your girl settle in. She’s in a new environment, which is stressful, then getting put through bonding instantly, which is also stressful. You need to take 1-2 months to let her settle, do prebonding, and let her actually trust you guys.

[Cinnamin]

Posted By LBJ10 on 2/03/2018 10:02 PM

Are their cages/pens in separate rooms?

We have our new girl living in our Bedroom & Bathroom and our boy is in our living room and kitchen.

[Author]

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