I need help!

[i<3lucy]

I have been trying to read as much as I can about bonding bunnies, and I feel horribly lost. I took Lucy to meet Vinny yesterday at his house. They were doing really well. They sniffed and groomed and took turns hopping in and out of Vinny’s cage. I was so happy to see that maybe Lucy found a “love at first sight” friend.

Then we got home. I set up their cages in a new room that Lucy never had access to before. Once I had everything all nice and clean, I brought the bunnies into contact again. Things were okay until Vinny started eating Lucy’s food inside of Lucy’s cage. She went after him and then he went into attack mode. I was terrified because they were in an enclosed space and I couldn’t get to them. In a act of despiration I ended up shaking the cage and saying “no” loudly. I put Vinny back in his space, and Lucy stayed in her’s. 

So, today I tried again.  This time I took Lucy out of her cage and closed the door and opened Vinny’s cage so he could hop out. Vinny immediately went after Lucy and tore out a significant chunk of her fur. I had my daughter take Lucy into another room so she could calm down while I sat with Vinny. After a little while, when Vinny hopped into Lucy’s cage, I closed the door and brought Lucy back in. Lucy sniffed near him, but I could tell that he wanted to try to bite her through the cage. I put Lucy in Vinny’s cage, and that’s where I’m at now. 

Both bunnies are enjoying their new digs very much, but I wonder if it’s more that they are trying to establish eachothers’ spaces as their own.  

I’m sure there are like 4,040,402,954,865 things that I am doing wrong. I really need help, but please be gentle? I am so sad that things have deteriorated so much and so quickly. 

So, what do I do next? I was planning to switch their cages every day for a while, and was going to try to make “stunt doubles” of the bunnies for each other. Should I wait a while before bringing them back together? How long should I wait?  I have included a picture of the buns in the other’s cage and an additional picture of Vinny since you can’t see him in the first one. 

             

[MoveDiagonally]

I really suggest reading the bonding page on this website. It’s really helpful and outlines the bonding process really well.
https://binkybunny.com/BUNNYINFO/tabid/53/CategoryID/9/PID/940/Default.aspx

The main thing I noticed from your post is that you’ve been putting them in territorial areas, around their cages, etc.. You want to start in completely neutral territory (somewhere they never are), when they get along you move to semi neutral, when they get along there you move to more territorial areas. I would start with 15 minute sessions multiple times a day.

My advice would be to put them in a neutral area (bathtubs are popular), wear gloves and long sleeves so you can separate them without worrying about being bit. If they fight in the neutral territory I would try stress bonding. Some people take them for car rides but I use a  laundry basket. 

Stressing:
Place rabbits in laundry basket and jostle it for 5-10 seconds. If they are still being hostile jostle them again. If they are pressing themselves against each other then continue the session without applying more stress. Stress bonding is about getting them to see each other as a source of comfort instead of as an enemy.

Try to end bonding sessions on a good note and whenever possible avoid ending bonding sessions right after a fight. You don’t want them to associate fighting with “getting what they want” (the other rabbit away from them). This will just encourage fighting.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress! I’m currently bonding 3 rabbits together and I’m finding keeping up a thread about it in the bonding section has been helping me keep perspective and focus.

[i<3lucy]

I’ve read about the bath tub suggestion numerous times and I think I will try that next. I thought since neither of them had been in the dining room, that would be enough, but I can see where you’re coming from in that I’m too close to their cages.

@ the stress method… I can see why shaking the cage when they were fighting got them to stop! I’m glad I inadvertently did something sort of right.

Do you have any suggestions on how to end on a good note? Once they go at it, I’m afraid to let them near each other again. Vinny pulled out A LOT of fur tonight.

[MoveDiagonally]

 I definitely understand being nervous about keeping them together after a scuffle! After a rough bonding session my nerves are thoroughly shot. 

 

What might make it easier in the beginning is to do entire bonding sessions in a laundry basket. You can stress them right off the bat and then apply more stress as the session goes on if they get aggressive again. What I found useful when trying to end on a good note when aggression is an issue is to stress them and let them lay calm next to each other for a minute or two before ending the encounter. You can also try using a  metal mesh strainer and place it between them. The mesh prevents them from hurting each other but they can still see, smell, and interact. 

 

If you ever feel that continuing a session will cause serious injury or harm that you should separate and end the session. First and foremost we all want to keep our bunnies safe. 

 

I really liked doing the early sessions in the basket as my 3 fought in the tub (but the tub worked great when I bonded my original pair). The basket gave me more control over the environment. Keep in mind that what works for my rabbits, or anyone else’s, might not work for yours so there is some trial and error involved. Don’t be afraid to try a new tactic if something isn’t working. 

 

Here are some other ideas and techniques/ideas for stressing without using a car:

https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aft/124529/Default.aspx

 

I look forward to hearing how your next session goes!

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