Scuffle during first at-home introduction, what’s next?

[Quartz]

2 neutered rabbits (long ago)

Shelter “dates” went very well, even combined space.

Few days at home now for the second rabbit, first is a long-term resident.  After allowing the new rabbit to settle in for a few days, we’ve decided to try another introduction – in the bathtub lined with a towel and a bunch of hay.  This meeting went quite badly: the new bunny was being nice as usual, our bunny only wanted to attack and bite   We were right there, so no bites actually happened (other than a mild one to my boyfriend’s finger).

We separated them right away and gave both treats (new bunny got lots of love and pets afterwards to calm him down, though the old bunny also got some calming down from us afterwards).

Their pens are next to each other but I’ve covered the adjacent divider so they again can’t see each other, as I remember that bad dates need to be followed with a period of separation.

What’s next on the recommended list of options?  I think our bun got very agitated because I picked him up to bring him into the bathtub, which is always very much against his will.  He’s super friendly with us and likes pets ,but he HATES being picked up.  The new bunny is okay with being picked up and is a lot more gentle in general.  Bathtub is definitely neutral territory for both, but perhaps my first bun was just in a foul mood from the unceremoneous grabbing and carrying by me?

I’m thinking to try them again tomorrow in the kitchen, with some dividers placed at first, then remove a divider after a while if all goes well.  I will not be carrying my rabbit there and will instead lure him in with a treat.

Any other suggestions?  I really didn’t expect this to go so badly, considering their previous meetings, but of course this is the first time in my rabbit’s home apartment.

[Vincent]

I’d suggest aftet the new bun has settled in for a while longer you should start pre bonding, which means swapping items in the cages so they get used to each others scents in their territories

I even have had a lot of luck with switching them in the two cages, for me this worked best by leaving the litter box full before switching.

And feeding them treats and food at the same time in an area where they can see each other works really well too so they know that having the other bun nearby means good things like food and treats.

Maybe do this for a month and then go back to bonding in the kitchen and bathtub and other neutral areas.

This worked well for one perticular pair I had where the older bun thought he owned everything and got aggressive about it.

Stress bonding also has worked well for me in the past, put them in a small container together, like a laundry basket perhaps (they shouldn’t have enough room to chase each other), and either go for a drive or put it on top of the dryer or vacuum close to them and they’ll seek each other for comfort, then put them together in a neutral area and see how it goes

But if the other way works I think it’d be best to stick to that cause some people think stress bonding is more a temporary thing and aftet the buns calm down they could go back to being agressive to one another

But like I said it has worked very well for me in the past

It really depends on your bunnies and what works best for them

[Quartz]

Thank you, I have 2 identical litter trays for them standing on opposite sides of a solid acrylic divider where they can see each other but not touch.

Is it important to not let the old bun see the new bun being petted by me? I don’t know if me displaying affection for the new bun would make my first one jealous and thus less likely to accept him as a friend. I’ve been trying to do it less visibly, such as when my first rabbit is away somewhere like in our bedroom, but I know he’s still seen me talking to the new bun and petting it sometimes.

[Mikey]

Prebonding for atleast a month. This gets the new bun used to his new home, and lets your first bun get used to sharing items/territory. During this prebonding month, swap sides every morning or every night. It is also good that they can see one another. You should give them equal affection, and they are allowed to see it. If your first bun gets jealous, pet Bun1, then pet Bun2, then give one last pet to Bun1 again (this might have to be petting routine, depending on how easily jealous Bun1 is; its been over a year for me and two more buns later, I still have to pet my Blue first and last or he gets nippy).

After that month or prebonding, start actual bonding in a neutral area

[Quartz]

Do you mean actually swapping rabbits from one pen to the other? Or just swap litter trays and houses and blankets daily?

[Vincent]

I’d start with just swapping items while the first guy settles in and then start swapping bunnies into each others pens after the new bun settles on a bit

That way the dominate bun (Probably bun1) will get used to the other buns scent in their territory and it will feel more normal.

While just switching items helps switching buns is even more effective in swapping scents so I’d do that

[Quartz]

My first bun free-roams my apartment for a year now, and his pen is almost always left opened, so it’s a bit tough to keep it fair for both buns. I’ve covered all the sides of the new bun’s pen with blankets to avoid having him see my first bun free roaming. So only the side of his pen that’s parallel to my first bun’s pen is left uncovered. I plan to start letting the new bun out to explore the living room periodically, while I keep the first bun closed in the bedroom temporarily.

[Author]

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