Three? Four? Two Pairs?

[DreadfulLullaby]

Hello all! 

I’ve been doing as much reading as I can on this issue, but I’m finding some mixed information and I can’t decide where I stand. I’m hoping to get some input. 

My husband and I adopted a bonded pair of buns about 10 months ago. Their bond is amazing. They are IN. LOVE. 

Last week, we adopted a new bunny. I’d been thinking about adding to our roster for a while, and then this little guy popped onto my radar and I knew right away that I needed to take him. He’d been abandoned and injured, and then adopted and returned a couple times after recovery. He was desperate for a loving forever home. 

Anyway, he’s about 1.5-2 years old according to the shelter, and never been bonded. He’s crazy friendly and SO affectionate. He just spent almost an hour cuddled up to me on the couch while I stroked his head. Despite how happy he seems, I know he shouldn’t be alone.

My original intent was to bond him with our pair to make a trio, but I’m second guessing that idea after doing some reading. I’ve read a lot of articles advising against it, as it can change/damage the dynamic, and, worst case scenario, break the bond of the pair. This is the absolute last thing I want.

I’m thinking it might be a better idea to get him a friend of his own, and just have two pairs – and maybe eventually try for a group of four instead of three??

Trio, quartet, or two pairs, I don’t really mind either way. I just want what’s best for all buns involved – any thoughts or opinions on the situation would be MUCH appreciated! 

Thank you in advance! 

[Gina.Jenny]

In a similar situation, I gave up on bonding the trio and took on a forth bun. I ended up with two happy pairs. Since then, I took on a third pair, and now have 3 boy/girl pairs, who live happily alongside each other and keep themselves contentedly busy making sure the other two pairs know their place lol

[DreadfulLullaby]

Thanks so much for your reply Gina.Jenny!
Do you let everyone out to interact on common ground? Or do you keep all the pairs completely separated at all times?

[vanessa]

I have 1 pair, and another pair that I separated due to Lancelot’s poor health. So I have 1 pair and 2 singles. I also want to do a trio but I dont’ have the time at the moment to devote to it. While they were 2 pairs – they lived hapily side by side. Now, Guin lives hapily next to the other pair. But in about 2 months I do want to work on the trio again. It depends on the rabbits. The only reason I’m willign to do a trio, is that they have known eachother for years – and have lived side by side for 2 years. If I didn’t know their interaction, I probably wouldn’t risk it.

[Azerane]

If you’re not keen to risk the bond of your current pair, and have the space, time and money for two separate pairs, then by all means go for that option You will need to let each pair out separately for free range times, as interactions between them could lead to fighting. Depending on how they interact next to each other through the bars, you may also need to keep their cages/pens a couple of inches apart so that they can’t bite each other on the nose through the bars as bunnies are known to do

[Gina.Jenny]

Posted By DreadfulLullaby on 6/06/2017 9:48 PM

Thanks so much for your reply Gina.Jenny!
Do you let everyone out to interact on common ground? Or do you keep all the pairs completely separated at all times? 

The dining room is split into three indoor runs, outdoors we have three covered runs side by side, and each pair takes it in turn to have ‘floor time’, where they get to zoom around the living room and race up and down the stairs. The boys keep themselves busy during floor time, chinning everything, cos wouldn’t you know some other bun has chinned everything since you last did  

I would love to bond the pairs, or at least let them spend floor time together, but all 3 girls are clear no way is that going to happen, all 3 girls are too territorial. 

[DreadfulLullaby]

Posted By vanessa on 6/06/2017 9:57 PM
I have 1 pair, and another pair that I separated due to Lancelot’s poor health. So I have 1 pair and 2 singles. I also want to do a trio but I dont’ have the time at the moment to devote to it. While they were 2 pairs – they lived hapily side by side. Now, Guin lives hapily next to the other pair. But in about 2 months I do want to work on the trio again. It depends on the rabbits. The only reason I’m willign to do a trio, is that they have known eachother for years – and have lived side by side for 2 years. If I didn’t know their interaction, I probably wouldn’t risk it.

Thank you! I appreciate the input

[DreadfulLullaby]

Posted By Azerane on 6/07/2017 12:44 AM
If you’re not keen to risk the bond of your current pair, and have the space, time and money for two separate pairs, then by all means go for that option You will need to let each pair out separately for free range times, as interactions between them could lead to fighting. Depending on how they interact next to each other through the bars, you may also need to keep their cages/pens a couple of inches apart so that they can’t bite each other on the nose through the bars as bunnies are known to do

Thank you! That’s pretty much what my gut was telling me, but it helps to hear it from someone else as well!

[Serenity]

Don’t know if my input helps but I figure I could try:
I had a pair for a few months before I rescued my third and it was such short notice that I didn’t get any time to do research and just tried bonding her to the original pair. It was reeaaaalllyyy easy. I let them out on neutral ground and the two boys didn’t seem to notice that she was a stranger at all. They never fought, there was a bit of mounting at first but other than that it was very simple. Then I noticed that the two originally bonded boys (Fred and George) had drifted apart wheras before they were inseparable. I noticed that they were no longer close and while George and Ginny were friendly toward Fred they rarely played with him or groomed him, mostly paying attention to each other. This made me sad so I just went ahead and bought a fourth bun and everything cleared up perfectly. All of the buns are now incredibly happy and love to play with everyone now that Fred’s no longer the third wheel.
In short, I guess I’m trying to say getting another bunny would be a good idea, but not entirely necessary.

[DreadfulLullaby]

Posted By Serenity on 6/07/2017 4:39 PM
Don’t know if my input helps but I figure I could try:
I had a pair for a few months before I rescued my third and it was such short notice that I didn’t get any time to do research and just tried bonding her to the original pair. It was reeaaaalllyyy easy. I let them out on neutral ground and the two boys didn’t seem to notice that she was a stranger at all. They never fought, there was a bit of mounting at first but other than that it was very simple. Then I noticed that the two originally bonded boys (Fred and George) had drifted apart wheras before they were inseparable. I noticed that they were no longer close and while George and Ginny were friendly toward Fred they rarely played with him or groomed him, mostly paying attention to each other. This made me sad so I just went ahead and bought a fourth bun and everything cleared up perfectly. All of the buns are now incredibly happy and love to play with everyone now that Fred’s no longer the third wheel.
In short, I guess I’m trying to say getting another bunny would be a good idea, but not entirely necessary.

That definitely helps thank you!

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