bonding wierdness

[annette Sibert]

I’m bonding 3 bunnies together and what I expected is not happening!  First of all, when I take Zowie and Peanut (both girls don’t seem to mind each other)  to the designated bonding area they both try to hop on my lap instead of explore the area or each other.  Peanut is usually a scardy-bunny but not Zowie!  It’s just so uncharacteristic of Zowie to be so clingy, and she is extremly adamant about being in my lap during the bonding.  Immediatly after my bf and I put them into play they dig at me and hop into my lap and bury their heads in the crook of my arm.  Everytime I place one back on the floor she hops back on me and neither care that they are sharing me.   Usually Peanut wants nothing to do with me so I am very suprised that she hops into my lap too. 

Once when I had them both next to each other on the floor instead of in my lap they sat there and let me pet them, but after I stopped Peanut tried to hump Zowie.  Peanut is smaller and yonger and was just spayed about 2 months ago.  She will not be permitted to be the alpha bunny because Nibbles (she is the alpha bunny over Zowie, and they have been bonded for 2.5 years) would never allow Peanut to be dominant, Nibbles still hates Peanut with a honking, thumping passion, they even "lion" fight through the cage bars when the other is out playing.  Its almost a game between Nibbles and Peanut to stick their noses through the other’s cage bars and try to antagonize and bite….they are not very nice and I think I’m going to have to get out Mr. Hoover to help with the bonding, or take a few car rides.  Any thoughts and/or advice?  All are spayed.

*Zowie has a video on youtube if your interested, search "zowie bunny walking upright" 

Brown bunny= Nibbles  Big white/grey bunny= Zowie (my lovey bunny) small white bunny= Peanut

This picture is special because it was taken the first day we brought Nibbles home from the humane society.  She looks so confused!

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[bigsis7]

have you tried putting them in play pen by themselves? This might work just be sure to watch them closely. Good luck! Very cute buns!

[Gravehearted]

aww, what cuties!! I especially like the picture of Nibbles.

now with regards to the hopping in your lap, it sounds like they’re really freaked out in the bonding zone. Does it have a slippery floor and they’re used to carpet? My bunnies often do that kind of thing at the vet’s trying to hop off the table and into my arms. The one upside is that they’re both bonded with you and consider you a safe zone 🙂 It may be that you should try standing, rather than sitting or a different location?

When introducing a new bunny – it can change the dynamics of the existing pair. Plus, you’re trying to bond three females, which is really tough.
Just because Peanut is younger and smaller does not mean that she’s going to necessarily accept Nibbles as the dominant one. My guess is that both have dominant streaks and it’s going to hard work to get them to bond.

A lot of people find it easier to bond the two first – like what you’re trying with Zowie and Peanut. There will still be a pecking order, so I wouldn’t assume that Peanut is going to simply demure to Zowie because she’s older. It’s all about them figuring out the social structure and who’s top bun.

I’d definitely recommend car rides, swapping litter boxes / pens, banana on the nose trick and dates with the hoover.

hang in there and let us know how it’s going.

[BinkyBunny]

Gravehearted has given you some great advice. Car rides can really do wonders! It is amazing how bunnies can change during bonding or duirng stressful times. Rucy who is far from a cuddly bun only wants to be held or be in my arms burying her head in the crook of arm when we go to the vet. But any other time, she would have NOTHING to do with being on my lap or in my arms.

Also, Rucy who is a VERY dominant bunny I thought would never agree to step down from her queen role, actually did take the more passive role after her very aggressive dominant behaviors did not intimidate Bailey. Bailey proved to be a more nasty mean queen than Rucy ever dreamed to be and so Rucy decided she would take the passive role. They ended up not getting along because Bailey is just too demanding and with them both having health issues, I ended up just separating them, but if Bailey would have settled down, then the dominant Rucy would have let Bailey take the thrown. So ya just never know.

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