Marathon Bonding Update – breakthrough or just funny?

[JackRabbit]

I’ve been so frustrated trying to bond my trio – Moshi and
Marlee trying to groom Kieko, Kieko refusing to groom back, then Marlee and
Moshi nipping Kieko’s butt because she won’t groom back, and Kieko thumping and
running from them.  We usually end up
with Marlee and Moshi laying down and Kieko huddled in a corner.  We didn’t seem to be getting anywhere.  Well tonight we either had a breakthrough or
a shock and a good laugh . . .

The bonding session was going along as always but we got
brave and added a litter box tonight.  Kieko
wanted that litterbox, but would jump out whenever Marlee and/or Moshi jumped
in.  We thought “oh well, here we go,
still thumping and running whenever M&M come near.”  Then Kieko hopped in the litter box with them
for about ten seconds.  This was
new!  Moshi has been binkying during
sessions (nothing but the dog stresses this bunny!) but out of the blue Kieko
started binkying a little.  Scaredy
stressed out shaking bunny started binkying!

A little while later, Kieko started following Moshi around
(not too close) and stretching to try to sniff him.  Next she started crawling up under his chin
and trying to lay down.  About a minute
later, Kieko sneaked up behind Moshi and climbed on his backside and started
humping him.  He laid down and let her
keep going.  Apparently she wasn’t sure
he was getting the message so she started going around him humping him from the
back, each side, the front, and around again. 
He just laid there in the same position with the same look he gets when
he’s being groomed!  Next she moved on to
Marlee.  Marlee’s a fast little bunny and
Kieko’s been watching her so when she humped Marlee she moved lightening fast.  When Kieko decided she’d made her point with
Marlee and had stolen Moshi’s top bun spot, she hopped over to the middle of
the bonding area (x-pen), laid down and slowly sprawled out.  I swear she had a strange smug look on her
face and just laid there completely stretched out with her head held way up
high.  My husband and I just sat there
and laughed.  Must be the new hay . . .
.!

[RabbitPam]

That’s excellent! I think she is trying to bond, and establish a pecking order. It’s not a fluke, and will happen more, so there’s hope.

One caution: do not let her hump anyone’s face. Ever. It’s hazardous in 2 ways – first, the humped bunny should never have their face covered. And two, she can get a terrible injury if the bunny she’s humping bites. So move her off asap if she goes for a face or ears. Otherwise, they all sound pretty cooperative. If she bonds with Moshi first, that’s fine. Marlee will observe for a while.

[Author]

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