Nose to nose question

[Stitchntwinks]

I’m in the middle of bonding my two buns, they are doing really well so far, I normally have them in a wicker basket then have them in the bath for around twenty mins, that’s been the routine for 5ish days now,  tonight I got them either side of the pen in their room to have their dinner, they weren’t interested in food just eachother, twinks put her head down flat on the floor and stitch was really trying to reach to groom her, I gave them both pets while they were face to face then stopped to see what they would do, and they just sat like that for like ten mins, I couldn’t work out if it was aggressive I don’t think so and they were both perfectly still. They weren’t flat out there back ends we’re sticking up and just there heads we’re down they were touching heads definitely and just sitting there, just wondered if thats what other people’s buns have done and if it was potentially aggressive behaviour, I just couldn’t work it out, but didn’t want to separate them unless it became bad, could they just have really wanted to be together, or just really interested in eachother? 

Any advise would be fab!!!!

 Thanks 

[lwayne]

Its not aggressive, but they are trying to be dominant. When a bunny puts its head down near another one, they are asking to be groomed (a sign of dominance). The submissive rabbit will groom the other one. My two have been bonded for 2 years and still do this, as the dominance switches daily, ie they both take turns grooming each other. They sometimes will be like this “locking horns” (as I like to call it) for a while, until one gives in and starts grooming the other one. If the lesser dominant one doesn’t give in, the more dominant one may try to mount/chase. Sometimes when mine are locking horns, Arduina will get fed up and mount Leo head first (since his head is down), I try to break it up when I see it, since its not good for them to mount front face.

[Stitchntwinks]

Yea i thought so! I’m pretty sure there falling in love though! I think it’s hard ad every duo is different

[bullrider76543]

My oldest two Mr. Hopper and Nibbles go through that. they have been bonded for 4 years, and usually Mr. Hopper is groomed first but sometimes, Nibbles gets grumpy and wants his first. then they will chase eachother around and usually wind up in different parts of their habitate and pout for a while. lol

[Stitchntwinks]

Should I carry on letting them do that through bars or get them to do it when they are properly face to face?

[bullrider76543]

Rabbits follow a unique hirearchy and are easily offended. this action can lead to a lot of nipping, especially if neither one wants to back down from being the “Chief” rabbit. I would sugest continuing your bonding slowly and keep an eye that neither one gets hurt. it is something that they have to work out and we as bunny slaves can’t do for them. here is a link that might help you understand their body language more. Hope that this helps
http://language.rabbitspeak.com/

[RabbitPam]

I’m just going to relocate this thread to the bonding section.

[Elrohwen]

Yep, it’s definitely normal. My two have been bonded for a few years and they still do it. One will ask for groomies, then the other will decide they want groomies instead and they go back and forth trying to shove their head under the other rabbit’s head to see who will groom first. lol

[Stitchntwinks]

Aww bless them, its nice to no that its normal. I have them in a neutral place today for a good half our they were cuddling, eating, grroming them selves. So all seems good, stitch grooms twinks side more than her head though! Wierd!!

[tanlover14]

My buns all do this with each other too! And it’s never gotten out of control so I wouldn’t be too worried about it. The worst that has happened is one will get irritated, show the other his bunny butt, and then go back to sitting there nicely.

[Stitchntwinks]

Haha yea that’s what they do they are doing really well nw….. Apart from the obsessive humping from stitch!

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