Bonding update: Calling all experts!

[Bunstheboss]

This is becoming a full time job. This is how it is going now: Baileys & Lemon are becoming more interactive. If these were dogs, it would be so much easier for me, but I am not that fluid in bunny language, yet… This is also going to be a real test on my English: Today we had two sessions. One in the morning in which I let Lemon out in Baileys’ garden. First she was in her cage, he chinned the corners as usual, but seemed to be indifferent. Then when she was out there was a loooooot more sniffing than in the previous sessions. What surprises me is that Lemon, who is super shy, comes out of her cage happily in front of him, maybe he has the looks of Brad Pitt! LOL! This sniffing concentrated on their backs and their lower backs…. you know…. But it stopped at that. Then they would both be munching their stuff, oblivious of the other one. From time to time, Baileys would look at her and put her ears forward, with a stretched neck, which, according to what I read in ‘The Language of Lagomorphs’, means he is curious, not aggressive. Is that so? They both ran and binkied. Then, the second session was in absolutely neutral territory. A bathroom. They, interacted even more. Baileys followed her a bit and sniffed her a lot more. HE delved his nose in her fur in different places on her back, literally pushing her a bit. She was quite stiff at the time. There was also some nose to nose sniffing. She lowered her body when he sniffed her so much. Lemon also came to sniff him a couple of times. Is that pushing aggression? Then, they ended up, cuddled in a corner. They were both in the same position, a lot of body contact. Resting, but expectant.

Baileys live in a room that has a bathroom. He has free run of that room, which is adapted to his needs (yes, I know I am nuts). It also has a door that leads o his bahroom. DO you think it would be ok for me to place Lemon in the bathroom in his room, or would she be seen as a cheecky poacher? I think it might be good for them to be sniffing each other through doors, but I do not want Baileys to feel threatened in his territory. Advice?

Experts, please translate. To me, a mere ‘dog whisperer’ this is ok, but I don’t know if I am misunderstanding some signs! Thank you guys!!! i promise I will get picture pretty soon!!!

[MarkBun]

According to what you said, things are going great. Your next test should be to actually house the two buns together in the neutral territory (if you can). You will want them to be living together for a couple of weeks before putting them to live in one of their own territories.

[Beka27]

i thought neither of them were altered yet? i would not risk putting them together until at least 1 month after Baileys neuter.

[Bunstheboss]

But isn’t she too young to get pregnant? She’s only a month old, and Baileys has not matured yet. Is it still so risky? Please let me know, if it really is I won’t, but I think neither of them still has any ‘power’ to do much… Thanks!

[Beka27]

she’s only 4 weeks?! i was thinking she was about 3 months. at what age did she go to the school?!

[Bunstheboss]

I was told she was between 30/40 days old. I’ve had her for a week now, so she might be 2 months max. She used to be in a tiny cage w/ two other litters of bunnies, until a student’s mother took her, but decided to bring it to school. I do not know exactly for how long she was at school before I took her, but it must have been a week tops. I found her so tiny and scared that I simply could not stand it. Honestly anyway, I am not sure how accurate this story is, because it is the janitor’s version of things. I am not sure how much he knew about it, although they are usually the ones who know more.

[rabbitsmba]

“Cheeky poacher” – I love that!

In all honesty, I wouldn’t move much faster until she has been spayed and he has been neutered. You just don’t want to risk it. Once they are bonded, they will want to be together all the time and before you know it – baby bunnies. And i am willing to bet she is older than you think – a four week old bunny would have a hard time surviviing without mommy – and how long have you had her?

But other than that, things are going really well for them! When she “lowers her body” to him, she is askinghim to groom her. This is her trying to be dominant. The one who gets groomed is the dominant of the two. You will see this happen back and forth a lot between them as they try to sort things out – sometimes they will sit for ages, nose to nose, waiting for the other to give in!

I would also keep her out of his territory for now. He might not like it yet. Wait until they get along spledidly in neutral territory before you attempt that.

Good luck – although it doesn’t sound like you need it!

[Beka27]

has she been to the vet yet? a vet will be able to tell you with some accuracy how old she is. females can get pregnant very, very early, and Baileys is most likely already mature (he’s about 4 months, right?) i’ve heard of males being mature as early as ten weeks. just b/c you do not see testicles does not mean he could not inpregnate her. boys can actually suck them up so they’re not visible. litters are usually separated right at 8 weeks when they wean off of mama, so assuming she’s 8 weeks old, she should be kept separate until at least one month after Baileys neuter. i’m just worried. the last thing you need is an “ooops litter”!

[Bunstheboss]

Sorry I could not post any news before! I know you worry Beka. Lemon had her vet appointment on Friday. The vet told me she is around 40 days old. She said she is definitely too young to get pregnant. Baileys is not ready either (unfortunately, since I can’t wait to neuter him). Luckily, he has not shown any ‘sexual interst’ in her. Anyway, I never leave them alone together, I want them to meet, but I am always supervising. To be honest I rfeally think this is love at first sight. They love each other! Here are some pics:

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[Beka27]

they are so beautiful! they will definitely make a lovely couple!

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