Re bonding bunnies dilema, need hep!

[mangoandbourbon]

Hi there, 

We got 2 bunnies back in April that were originally thought to be both female but it turned out that Mango was a boy. We separated the buns straight away and got a spare hutch for Mango to go in until he had been fixed and we could put them back together. They had been very well bonded up until then. 

Now it’s been 5 weeks Since Mango has been neutered and we attempted to put them back together but it didn’t go too well. Bourbon is yet to be spayed but unfortunately Mango is becoming too big for the temporary hutch that we got him and it’s unfair to keep him in it. We placed them in there run that they both share at separate times, I thought this was ok as they should be use to each others smells. The problem is that Bourbon has become rather territorial since being on her own and probably reaching maturity. 

On there first encounter there was a lot of circling, both trying to hump each other and a few flops from Bourbon. Then they started nipping each other and a full fight started which I had to interrupt. Luckily no bunny was hurt but there was a lot of fluff that came of Mango. I think Mango was pestering her a bit and she didn’t like it. 

We then decided to try and split the run in half with mesh so we could gradually bond them. At first this seemed ok but then they both started trying to scratch at the mesh and dig to get to each other. There was still some nipping through the wire and Bourbon was letting off some growls. Also Mango was thumping a lot more and neither of them would settle but Mango is probably least fussed out of the two. I should note they were both doing a lot of binkies as well so that could be positive? We are not to sure where to go from here as it’s becoming increasingly stressful having 2 bunnies in separate cages and they aren’t getting enough run time as we have to put one in at a time. Is it possible they may never get on again? Me and my boyfriend have argued over what to do and if we may have to give one away which we really don’t want to do. Please help give any advice. Sorry this is so long! 

   

[JackRabbit]

Both should really be neutered/spayed before trying to bond them. Once Bourbon has been spayed, give it 4 to six weeks for her hormones to calm down and then slowly re-introduce them in a neutral area. Since both have spent alot of time in the run, it would be one of the last places you would put them together toward the end of bonding. In the mean time, I would keep them separated.

I know it’s difficult and time consuming when you have to keep them separate while waiting on the spay, dissipating hormones, and then the bonding process, but it can definitely be worth it in the end.

[Author]

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