Bonding with a free roam rabbit

[Meaghyean]

I’m really in need of some help. It has only been a day but I’m just wondering how to go about rooming a girl I’ve brought home for my boy, Finny, to bond with.
So originally I was going to have her share the room my boy resides in at night (usually he is free roam in the house), but even separated with an X pen he would bite the bars and try and attack whenever she approached him. Also he tries to jump the X pen and get in with her. So I’ve had to move her into my room and not let him in there. But everywhere I read says I should keep them close so they can sniff and see each other but Finny would definitely hurt her if I did
I’m really at a loss of what to do. Is it okay if they can’t see each other but I swap litter boxes? Should I wait a week for her to be settled before I try anything? Finny is being so mean and agressive and I’ve never seen him like that before, during the first meeting they got along fine and actually she was the one who was chasing him and he was just running away. I really don’t know what to do.

[Bam]

You’ll have to keep them separated in different rooms, then start swopping toys, then litter boxes. Finns may not be happy though, he’ll know there’s a foreign bun in his territory. You can’t hide the scent of another bunny from a bunny.

I’d wait at least a week before doing anything. It’s worrisome that Finn is being so very territorial and confrontation. The actual bonding, if you decide to go ahead with it, must take place in a neutral space. It can’t happen in Finn’s room.

I hope other members will soon come to this thread and discuss the situation with you. For now, keep them out of each others’ sight.

[Sirius&Luna]

Firstly, both rabbits need to be spayed and neutered I assume they are, since you said they had an initial meeting, which sounds like bunny speed dating!

Anyway, if they are both spayed and neutered, you can go ahead!

I would keep her in your room for 2 weeks, so she can settle in and get used to her new home, and bond with you a bit. It helps with bonding if the bunnies know that there’s a human they can trust.

After that, it depends on the set up of your house really. Ideally, they should share a room, and be swapped between sides of the room or cages every day. During this time there needs to always be a double set of bars with a 10 inch gap, so that no biting can occur through the bars. If Finn jumps, then you could try pinning a sheet to the pen to provide a temporary roof. It might feel cruel to cage him when he’s free roam, but if you don’t do the swapping between areas properly, then he’s likely to remain very territorial over ‘his’ space. You should do this swapping for a month, or longer if you keep seeing the same aggressive behaviours from Finn.

After that, then you’re ready for some face to face bonding in neutral territory. Start very short, and be ready to stick your hand in between them if they look like they might fight. Happy to talk through how that will go in more detail when you’re ready

Don’t be too worried about Finn’s aggression. It doesn’t mean they won’t ever bond, but it does mean you need to be very careful to be patient and slow in your bonding. What you really don’t want to happen is for them to accidentally get in a fight before you’re ready to bond them, as that can make them hold grudges and never want to bond. My female bunny was just as aggressive as Finn when I first brought home a male bun for her, but now they’re the best of friends. BUT, I prebonded them for months, and was very hands on in the actual bonding.

[Bam]

Thank you, S&L ?

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