Should I let them spend the night together?

[bun1992]

I’ve been bonding my buns Hubble and Miley for just over a week. It’s been fairly easy, no fighting, only occasional butt bites. Tonight they spent 6 hours together in the hallway and dining area (neutral territory), no biting or chasing. I even fell asleep for 20 minutes and woke up to them cuddling. Since it’s a long weekend this would be the best time to put them together and observe for 24-48 hours.  

I’m thinking of moving them into the living room (which is where I’ve had them in separate pens for the past week) during the day and if there’s no fighting I’ll remove the barrier and sleep on the couch and see how it goes. 

I feel like maybe it was a mistake separating them after doing so well for so many hours tonight- was it? I know not to separate after they’ve been bonded but they’re only semi-bonded right now. It seems too early for cementing the bond but it’s going well. There hasn’t been a lot of grooming (both have groomed the other though) but a lot of cuddling. I don’t want to push things too quickly and cause tension.

[Mikey]

Some rabbits bond together super easily. In my opinion, if you think theyre ready for a 48 hour marathon, then go for it

How long have you had them before bonding them, and how long were they prebonded? This could be important as rabbits who do not feel completely comfortable in their space might be more passive at first, then act out later.

[bun1992]

I’ve had Miley for 2 years. I got Hubble a month ago, I pre-bonded them 2 weeks. They spent their first night together last night after spending the whole day together (24 hours down now). I set them up in the hallway since its neutral and put a baby gate up to block my room since its Miley’s favourite room, but so I could still hear them with my door open. They didn’t fight at all, I woke up to them sleeping on the same ikea wooden doll bed even though there was 2. This morning I opened up my room and they explored it together without Miley getting territorial – but now she’s sleeping under my bed and he’s sleeping in the hallway. They seem to be independently doing their own thing for now. I’ll keep an eye for what Mikey said about acting out later because i’m not convinced they’re bonded yet.

[Author]

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