Re-bonding?

[pheney]

I bought my two Holland Lops (both males) almost 6 months ago, when they were six weeks old. Last month (I think) I noticed that they were scuffling, so I immediately separated them and got them neutered.

After a couple weeks, I tried putting them in an enclosed, neutral area a couple times and for the most of the time they were fine. They would lay next to each other in the hutch and groom each other. However, each time I had to separate them because Oakley (the smaller one) would nip Quincy (the larger one – especially on his backside), pull out tufts of hair, and chase him. The first couple times I didn’t separate them because I read that as long as the scuffles are short-lived and minor, it’s normal. I kept a close eye on them, and after a few minutes Oakley nipped Quincy and Quincy started squealing. I immediately put them in their separate cages and I haven’t tried bonding them since. I did check Quincy for injuries and he seemed perfectly fine, just rattled up. It’s been about two weeks since then. I’m about to build a large C&C/NIC cage, and I would like them to share it, but I’m not sure what to do to get them both back together.

They were very close before, and they seem lonely without each other.

[Mikey]

Go about bonding as if they were not bonded before. Start with their cages next to eachother for a few weeks, then work on bonding in a tub or box for several (5+) short (3 minute) bonding sessions. After a few days, move onto fewer but longer sessions in the tub/box. When they can be in there for about 2 hours with little to no scuffles, move onto a bigger area (an xpen or small room). Start that the same: often and short sessions spanning to fewer but longer sessions. After they can be in the room with little to no scuffles, move onto their final area (xpen they share or free roam room they share). Again, start often but short, spanning to fewer and longer sessions. Once there are little to no scuffles, move onto the cage theyll share. Same thing, often+short to fewer+long. After every session put them back in their cages that are next to one another. Once they can be in their shared area(s) for 24+ hours together with minor or without scuffling, they should be fully bonded Good luck!

[pheney]

Thank you for the help!

[Author]

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