Mixed Messages:Female will groom male, but then will start a fight

[Dface]

So maybe it’s a case Im rushing them and just not seeing it, but Im confused by some of the behaviour I see- I’ve written the long version below, but basically,
they will groom each other . Yumi will sometimes groom Peep but othertimes she will start a seemingly unprovoked fight instead (all he does is ask for grooms)

The long version:
 I started letting Yumi and Peep meet in the bathtub, she humped him a bit, he asked her to groom him, she was happy to, she asked him,he groomed her-  they groomed each other, we did a few more 15 minute stints of this, both grooming, no aggression, moving away from each other and back toward each other without any problems, mostly just happy to try and figure out how to get out of the bath tub.

Seemed like i could move them into a larger neutral space. (Neither bunny has ever been in the downstairs bathroom-even people dont really go there)

As expected they ignored each other at first to asses the area, then they acted similar enough to when they were in the bathtub(grooming, happy to move around each other)
Except, he started grooming her, stopped, lowered his head to ask her to return the favour, and she started a fight.

I calmed them down, and let them continue about the place(I figured there are some little skirmishes to be expected and that maybe they needed to sort it out), but after a few minutes of cooling down (they went and lay down apart ) literally identical scenario, where he asked her to groom and she turned it into a fight.

Put them back in the bathtub and she groomed him, and he was happy to lie down beside her. 

Should I be doing something different? Or should I have left them more time in the bathtub? Or am I overreacting?

(Im more worried cause I know Peep has previously been left needing his nose stitched back together after a bun lady was not happy with him)

[bunbun123]

Do your two bunnies live in the same enclosed area?

[Mikey]

Sounds like youre trying to move a bit too fast. They should be able to stay in the tub for atleast 2+ hours without any scuffles before you move onto the bigger neutral area. When I bonded, I didnt move on until 4 hours of no fighting was achieved. To help them both with grooming, you can add bits of banana or pure apple juice to the tops of their heads to encourage grooming

[Dface]

Thanks Mikey!

Will keep to the bath for a while so

[jerseygirl]

Yeah, you can always get some setback when moving to the next space. Sometimes you need to go back a step then try again later. I suppose there was something about the larger space that put Yumi on edge.
Also, they can see you more when in the bigger bathroom so the dynamic is little different. It’s like the 3 of you in the one space. In the bathtub, it’s more 2 in the space and one (you) nearby. If possible, try a pen in the bigger bathroom next time, even cover the sides a bit, and see if that helps.

[Dface]

Thanks JG
I do know I’m 100% part of the problem-Yumi will come to groom me if im sitting on the ground (So I sit in the bath tub)

Back in the bath,more scuffles- I got my hand in the way of one and got a lovely nip from Yumi (it broke my skin but it was not a wicked bite, and it wouldnt have got through his fur anyway)

[Jorin]

I have a similar problem – they’re fine in the stroller for hours – up to 4 so far with no problems. My female Luna grooms her new soon-to-be bondmate profusely but as soon as I try them in a pen she starts chasing, fur pulling and won’t let him eat (hay).
A few factors: My female lost her first mate around 6 weeks ago to respiratory infection. I wasn’t aware of the dead body deal (he died at the vet). New bunny is a TRI-pawd and moves very quickly and oddly; her first mate was a slow shy Californian. Luna does this behavior anywhere – not just at home downstairs but some of it may be territorial. When I let them out in separate rooms to exercise she holds up under the bed and is not relaxed. I suspect her first mates scent (fur) may still be there. They’re in side-by-side pens. Any suggestions?
I’m overthinking as usual!

[Dface]

Jorin-thats pretty weird, thats why I got a new male as well! (my girl lost her husbun to an abscess after months of respiratory issues) She was given time to mourn his body though so it’s possible the problem isn’t related to that.

Maybe they want to groom (it releases endorphins for them too) , but simply aren’t ready to accept another rabbit as being in charge yet?

[Jorin]

I think you’re right. He is t really grooming her yet and I think that has a lot to do with it. I know that each case is different and territory plays a ro,e but it takes me about 10 weeks to bond my rabbits so far 🙁 I tried the banana head trick but no such luck!

[reffiestamon]

Hi! So, I have a similar problem; I have two bunnies. I got Steffie in February of 2017, and I got Ramon in February of 2016.
I began trying to bond them the day after Steffie came home. Because I am still in school and the workload was getting heavy, I had to stop bonding, but it seemed to help; Ramon began to groom Steffie through the cage. I began to let her out for a few minutes each day to see Ramon, and they would sniff each other and then she would position herself in a way that would make it possible for Ramon to groom her. Ramon would comply and seemed to enjoy grooming her. Unfortunately, when Steffie would move, Ramon would go up to her butt and nip her. I’d break it up every time, but it is confusing. Steffie (who I think will be the alpha), also gets mad at/with Ramon, and will sometimes lunge at him if he moves quickly.

They are sending me mixed signals.

One time it was going so well (no fighting the whole session), I felt confident enough to take off my gloves (BAD idea). They heard a loud noise, got scared, and one thing led to another and they were fighting. I panicked, and as I was separating them, I got bit on both hands by both rabbits. I am fine now, but I really want some bonding advice. My bonding schedule is going to be set for the next month(s), as school has let out, and I hope to have them bonded soon.

Any advice is appreciated! Thank you!

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