getting ready to bond two of my buns…advice?

[Samantha1357]

I have 5 buns, Rascal, Rosie, Charming, Derek, and Annabelle. Rascal Rosie Charming and Derek were all bonded until they were spayed and neutered, after that Derek got kicked out of the quad. Rosie Rascal and Charming are a great little trio besides their occasional pee pee accidents. Derek is so lonely so we got Annabelle. She was spayed last week. Her cage has been inside Dereks pen (I have 3/4 of the room blocked off for Derek) as has Rosie Rascal and Charming’s cage. Derek doesnt have any problems with them, they go nose to nose, once in awhile Rosie will get a little upset but they are moving to another room into a huge enclosure we are building so that wont be a problem anymore. So my question is how should I go about bonding Annabelle and Derek? My trio of buns have been together since they were almost 8 weeks old so I didnt really have a “bonding process”.When I first got Annabelle she was almost 8 weeks and it had been three weeks since Derek had been neutered. I put them together in a neutral territory and they actually did well until Derek humped her. So I decided no more play dates until his hormones are out of his system and until hers are out too. When can I start having little play dates again? How often should they be? What should I be watching for? Once they get along will they have potty problems once they are in the same territory? Both have outstanding litterbox habits. Derek hasnt had a single accident since he was neutered and Annabelle has only had one in her life. Any help would be appreciated. 

[LittlePuffyTail]

You can start off by reading the Bonding Info here on BB in the “BUNNY INFO” section. There’s a lot of great info there.

Derek humping her is perfectly normal. That’s him trying to establish dominance. Both male and females will do this during the bonding process. There’s no need to stop it unless the other bunny is becoming aggressive. Also, never let any bunny face mount.

Start out in a small, 100% neutral territory (bathroom works great). Start with small sessions and increase the time gradually. You have to play this by ear. If they are doing well, increase the next bonding session. Try to always end on a good note.

Are you planning on having 2 separate groups or eventually rebonding all your 5?

[Samantha1357]

well I wouldve loved to have all 5 together but Rosie Rascal and Charming still have accidents and I dont want to ruin Derek and Annabelles good potty habits. Derek and Annabelle, if they bond, will have run of the whole house eventually but will still have their room that they can go in if they want. Rosie Rascal and Charming will be in a closed off room in an enclosure we are building right now. Its going to be around 5 feet tall, 3 feet deep, and 6 feet long and 3 stories(large enough?) but will also have a pen connected to it and will be allowed a few hours of supervised run time.

How long after Annabelles spay do I need to wait before I can start bonding sessions?

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