Help with bonding

[Marcelleboutis1975]

I haven’t had great luck with my rabbits so far. Mistakes have been made and I’m sick to my stomach with worry. My bf has a Flemish giant that has his own pen area set up in our spare room. Last week I bought a dwarf. She has her own pen area set up in our living room. We are in a small basement apartment. Chester the Flemish isn’t neutered nor is my dwarf Pebbles spayed. They’re both young and Chester will be neutered next month. Obviously we’ll have the separate pens in the same room as soon as they’re fixed but the problem is Pebbles is petrified of my bf and I can’t handle another bunny heart attack. My question is is it ok to introduce the two pens in the same room (without the rabbits being in the same pen) if they’re not fixed? I want Pebbles to be comfortable and feel safe but she doesn’t seem to when my bfs around. He of course always is as we live together and we have a small but open plan living/kitchen so there’s no escaping her being around him. My tummy is in knots with worry as I can’t always be there to monitor her and when I am home im still worried sick. Help!!

[jerseygirl]

My question is is it ok to introduce the two pens in the same room (without the rabbits being in the same pen) if they’re not fixed?

Hi and welcome to the forum! 

 

It’s a shame she reacts that way to your BF. It is something that can improve though, so don’t lose heart! Dwarf buns can be quite skittish and it take a long time to gain their trust. Rabbits sort of see out outline, so if your BF is bigger in stature she may react to that. One of my rabbits that is ruby-eyed reacts a bit when I wear dark clothing. She hops away and hides initially when I enter the room.
So, I do understand you are thinking to move Pebbles to the spare room so she is less frightened. 

However, I really advise you do not put both rabbits in the same room when not neutered. The chance of them getting together is too great. The drive for Chester to get to an intact female will be great. Rabbits are notorious at getting out of or over pens. If he mounted Pebbles and she not receptive to that, it would scare her greatly. If she becomes pregnant to a flemish giant, her life would be at risk.

Actually, while they are in the same household, I’d advise Pebbles be in a cage when you are out. Does she have a cage along with her pen?

Could you set Chester up in your living room and let Pebbles have the spare room, closing the door when you are out and cannot supervise?

Just an added caution in case you’re not aware; after Chester is neutered, he will still be fertile for a period of time afterward. Some sources say for 4 weeks after, others say longer. To play it safe, we normally recommend no interactions happen for 8 weeks after neuter. Ideally, it’s better both rabbits are desexed before any bonding work begins.
Some people that don’t wish to spay a female rabbit, just get the male done to prevent litters. But they get caught out when they put the male with her too soon after his neuter, thinking he was no longer fertile.

ETA: It sounds  like there is plenty of time before bonding starts that you bf could work on his relationship with Pebbles. If Chester a very social rabbit? Is you’re bf more used to that and confused by Pebbles reaction too him.  Dwarf rabbits can react so differently compared to flemish giants! Here’s an article on Bonding with a Shy Rabbit. 

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