Bunny bonding

[MiniRexMN]

Hey everyone,

 Yesterday I got 2, 2 month old Holland Lops, one doe (Olive), and one buck (Murphy). I have them in a large exercise pen with a big dog kennel in it with the door off (which they like to hide in and behind). I’ve been sitting in the pen, letting them come up to me on their own, and smelling me to try and bond with them. I can tell that they hadn’t been handled very much or very gently at the breeder’s. They both seem extremely scared of when I try to reach my hand out. I don’t know what to do because what I’m doing doesn’t seem to be helping. I’ve offered them a little treat, but neither are interested. When I sit with them, they come up and nudge me. Should I hold them and read a book, watch TV etc….? Any suggestions?

Also, yes I got them from a breeder. I would appreciate no negativity about this because I have ‘rescued’ rabbits before as well.

Thanks

[Sirius&Luna]

Hi!

Congratulations on your new arrivals we’d love to see photos

The best way to bond with bunnies is to spend time on the floor with them, and let them come to you. Read a book or bring your laptop to the floor and just hang out there! Most rabbits don’t enjoy being picked up, so try to avoid picking them up too much as it might make them scared of you. When they nudge you, try giving them a nose rub, and see where they like to be pet! Treats are also great bribery, but they might be a bit young still.

The other thing is, unfortunately you’ll need to separate them. Rabbits can mate from a very young age, and as soon as hormones kick in, they can be very vicious. It’s actually recommended to even split up same sex pairs as they can have very nasty fights as they turn into teenagers, but it’s extra important for male/female pairs. I know they can look adorable and snuggly now, but it can all change in an instant. Then, when they’re old enough to be spayed and neutered, you can bond them. It would be good if you could keep them near each other during this time, but make sure there’s a 10 inch gap between their cages so that they don’t mate or fight through the bars!

[sarahthegemini]

You’ve had them for a day…you need to give them a bit more than 24 hours to feel safe and secure around you and in their new home.

Rabbits do not like being picked up. Some will tolerate it but it’s not something they enjoy so no, don’t hold them unless absolutely necessary. Also, stop reaching out to touch them. If it’s scaring them, you’re just going to make it worse by continuing to do it.

It’s totally unrealistic to expect them to want to be touched/held etc when they have literally just been taken to a new environment with a new human. You need patience. Let them learn that you’re safe in their own time. That means just letting them explore without trying to touch them. If you respect their boundaries, they’ll come around! 

[Nutmeg]

Hi & CONGRATULATIONS On your New Bunnies!!!
I also got two young bunnys (back at Valentines day) that were a boy and a girl and were the same age! And S&L is 100% correct.

As much as it broke my heart too, as they just loved each other so much, they had to be separated right away. Males can become fertile as young as 3 months – some even sooner. I went out and bought another cage – bunny’s can mate through the bars, and fight through them, so make sure there is a good foot between their cages.
And sadly NO, they can’t even have supervised play time together.

They will both need to be spayed and neutered – you unfortunately can’t just do the one – My vet did both of mine at 7 months (my boy was a late bloomer) which was just 2 weeks ago…. so now I am working on Pre-Bonding them, which will lead to bonding them… but we can get to that when you are ready and they are a bit older.

But everything else said above is also correct… the best way for your bunny’s to trust you is to ironically ignore them… Play “Hard to get” as they say lol. Just sit on the floor and let them come to you….
AND As much as it sucks to separate them, this is actually a great time for them to bond with YOU, as you will have one on one time with each of them.

And congrats again!

[MiniRexMN]

Thank you for all of the tips!

I wasn’t expecting them to want to be touched, obviously I just got them and I am still letting them get used to their environment which is going very nicely. I just wanted some extra advice for a couple of days ahead so I can be prepared. I’ve done hours and hours of research about this topic, and I’ve bonded with my other 3 bunnies, so I do know what to expect. Yes, I will separate them, just wanted them to be together for a week or so, so they didn’t feel alone in this new place. Also, they are very cuddly with, and fond of each other Me reaching my hand out isn’t me trying to handle them or pet them, just saying that they are skittish and not used to people.

Again, thank you very much

[Nutmeg]

Posted By MiniRexMN on 7/27/2018 12:06 PM

Should I hold them and read a book, watch TV etc….? Any suggestions?

Hey MiniRexMN – that’s great to you have done so much research  

The only reason we mentioned that they don’t like to be picked up is because you asked if you should “Hold them” and read a book or watch tv  
Sitting beside them on the floor while you do those things would be great though!

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