Bunny “Speed Dating” – What to look for

[Toady]

Next weekend I’m planning on taking Loki to the rescue where I got him from and see if I can find him a bunny buddy. Unfortunately due to the distance (over 2 hours drive) I can’t go back and forth so hoping that he finds a bunny he likes up there when I’m there.

The rescue is mostly outdoors with a rather large open run which has a lot of bunnies in it (the rescue has roughly 50 bunnies in their care) but I’m going to see if I can have a few put into a smaller area for Loki to meet others.

I want to ask what kind of behaviour should I be looking for when Loki is introduced to other bunnies? I know that ignorance, a bit of humping and grooming are good signs and fighting etc are bad. But what else should I be seeing if he’s picked a buddy??

[jerseygirl]

I just want to say…

Yay!!!

I suppose along with ignoring, seeing each doing normally bunny things (like grooming themselves) is a good sign. It shows they’re reasonably relaxed in each others company.

If you see tail flagging and chasing, observe how they deal with it. Does it escalate or peter out? Displays of dominance will occur down the track regardless of what you see in first meetings. So if one bun puts the other in its place without a full on fight, it’s not a bad thing.

If you see a good match and they’re doing well together, I’d even try have them travel home in the one carrier. That would help the bond a lot!

[LittlePuffyTail]

Jersey gave you some great advice and I don’t have anything to add except: Good luck to you and Loki with the bunny dates!

[Toady]

Well we’re home… Loki had two speed dates, the first with a rather large multicoloured cashmere/fuzzy lop female, they didn’t seem to mind each other’s company but I saw this gorgeous little black cashmere/fuzzy lop and we tried her in there with Loki and they seemed to get on well, no fighting although Loki had no idea where he was. They travelled home in the same carrier and are now in the same crate, so far we’ve had a few laps, but she seems happy to be near the corner of the crate and Loki’s humped her numerous times without her fighting back… he’s also mounting her then grooming where ever he can reach.

I just need to keep reminding my mother that it won’t happen overnight!

[jerseygirl]

Aw! I wondered if you’d have your eye on a fuzzy one. It’s good they go to experienced people like you.

Good luck!

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m glad you found a bunny Loki seemed to get along with. If they are content in the same crate you really lucked out!

[kcomstoc]

Thank you for making this thread I too am thinking of “speed dating” my bunny. Idk when because I haven’t made the appointment yet but I want to make sure that we can get off to a good start. Also do you have to take the other bunny home after the “speed dating”? or did you just do this because you live kind of far away?

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