Stormy is terrified

[LittlePuffyTail]

My plan is to try all the different pairs with my bunnies: Olivia and Bindi, Bindi and Stormy and Stormy and Olivia to see who gets on better as some members suggested. I started with Olivia and Stormy since I want to wait until Bindi’s ear infections clears up before trying him out with anyone.

The first night, I took my x-pen and made two small squares with it, to make 2 cages they could see and smell through the bars. They saw each other but were really not interested in smelling or seeing each other. They both were just standing up wondering why the heck they were in this little cage. I want to start through the bars since they have never seen each other before; Olivia and Bindi are on the floor and Storm is up on a bookcase. They seemed too distracted by the whole cage idea. The second night I divided the kitchen in half with the x-pen, the kitchen being neutral territory. I sat on Olivia’s side and Ricky sat on Storm’s side. They saw each other but wouldn’t go near the bars. Stormy was shaking and went and hid behind Ricky for 10 minutes until I brought them back home. Olivia was just hopping around the kitchen to check out stuff. I’m not sure if Storm was scared of the other rabbit or being in the kitchen. He used to run in the kitchen a while back with no problems but long enough ago he would no longer consider it his territory.

Wondering where I should go from here? I don’t want to put undue stress on him, he’s a very sensitive guy.

[Karla]

I would continue as you have done so far. With Ricky and Storm on one side, so he has someone to seek comfort in. Any chance you could do the session in an area where he is more comfortable?

[LittlePuffyTail]

The kitchen is the only place that’s neutral. Or the bathroom but that’s too small. The only room he would be comftorable in would be the living room but they all have run time there so they all consider it “theirs”. Should I put their litter boxes with them or not? Storm took his litter box and had a fit and threw all the litter out of it before he went to hide.

[Karla]

I have to admit that I don’t deal much with neutral territories when I do bondings, but then again, I’m doing mine a bit differently from the book. I always let them meet and then see how it goes. But it is a risk, of course.

How are they all living today? Perhaps this would be a great idea to move the litterboxes around between them.

Are Ricky and Storm bonded?

Anywhere I can read about your bunny setup, because I must have missed out on you having so many bunnies

[Beka27]

^^^LOL! Ricky is her guy! LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Start is a smaller space I think. The issue with bonding is it is going to be stressful for the bunnies involved. But the light at the end of the tunnel is… they get over it. I would not have them meet thru bars. Go right to a session in the bathtub and see how they react.

[kralspace]

Good luck and you will get through it!

[Deleted User]

LPT, definitely use neutral territory and leave it bare. Never risk a fight over turf or toys. 90% of bonding is about environment. If you can set up a neutral spot the right way you will start seeing progress without exposing your rabbits to too much stress.

The first few weeks of any bond is usually about finding just the right location. Once you have that, you are set!

Can you use your car as a neutral space?

[Karla]

OMG, Beka!! I was wondering why she did not mention Ricky among her bunnies….LOL! That is bad. Sorry, LPT! Now, that is embarrassing

 Haha, but it sounds like they are bonded then

[LittlePuffyTail]

This had me laughing out loud!!! lol Ricky the bunny

Petzy: I think I will try the car. That’s a good idea. We’ll try it parked at first.

[Author]

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