Was: Littermates? Now: Breaking a trio?

[CocoaB]

If I get two buns from the same litter, can I safely assume that they should be ok with each other? We are bun-less as of this morning and I’m considering looking for littermate bucks (will be neutered of course) or buck/doe littermates.

[bullrider76543]

I have been lucky with my litter mates that I have, but I have also heard there is no guarantee that they will get a long.

[peppypoo]

Quite honestly, having two bunnies from the same litter doesn’t make them more or less likely to get along when they get older. Before puberty, pretty much any two bunnies will get along quite well, cuddle, etc. However, when the hormones come out when they mature, even littermates can turn against each other.  Of course they could get along perfectly fine too..it’s just that a littermate pairing is just like any other, and you never know how it’s going to turn out.

If you decide on adopting two baby bunnies at the same time, you’d have to be aware that there is a possibility you’ll have to separate them when the hormones come out, and re-introduce them after the neutering procedure. In the meanwhile you’d have to house the two separately; two cages, two sets of food/water/litterboxes, etc. I particularly warn against adopting a baby male/female pair and housing them together from the get-go, because bunnies can mature quite quickly and the buck could impregnate the doe (yes, even siblings) even before you realize that they’re old enough.

To have two bunnies, I’d suggest starting out with one first. Build and strengthen the bond between you and your bunny first, and when you’re ready and your bun is neutered try bunny-dating to find a second.

[peppypoo]

Also wanted to add, try checking your local shelter! Many times they will have pairs of bunnies that are already bonded and looking for a new home. The plus side to adopting an already mature bunny is that you don’t have to go through the incredibly frustrating and destructive “teenage” phase that many bunnies experience. And even if you didn’t raise them from babies, they’ll love you just as much

[bullrider76543]

if you are determined to get two then I agree with Peppypoo try a rabbit rescue and look for a bonded pair giving two buns a forever home.

[CocoaB]

Posted By bullrider76543 on 08/05/2012 06:56 PM
if you are determined to get two then I agree with Peppypoo try a rabbit rescue and look for a bonded pair giving two buns a forever home.

I’m not necessarily determined… but I like the idea of 2 instead of 1. I looked at a few local humane societies/rescues online and one has a trio that will be up for adoption soon… a 3 yr old male, 4 year old male and 4 year old female. I was thinking younger… but the teenage reminder is a good point.

[CocoaB]

Ok, I heard back from the rescue. She said that the two males are on a temporary hold, waiting to get forms back, female is available. She said that if only one of the males is adopted, she could hold the other two. I would think it’d be traumatic to completely break a trio… what about splitting a trio into two? I don’t know anything about bonding, but it just sounds like a bad idea to me

[bullrider76543]

I can’t say on that, as I have only been able to sucessfully bond three pairs, I really wanted them all to get along but Baby clashes with everyone of the others except Blue, and Nibbilette clashes with all of them except Mr. Hopper. you might have a better chance talking to someone with better experience in bonding.

[Monkeybun]

Breaking a bond like that is cruel Sounds like they need to brush up on bunny info.

[Author]

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