What are the dynamics of a trio?

[Minty]

So, as the title states, what are the dynamics of a trio? For those of you who own or have experience with trios, do you find that one bunny is left out or do they all love each other equally? Which combinations are the easiest or most difficult? (ie. introducing male to male/female pair, introducing female to male/female pair, etc, etc.) What are the pros/cons that come with having three buns? Any insight appreciated!

[mrmac]

With any group it all depends on each individual rabbit and their personalities. I have a female and two males. In my trio, Delilah and Davey were a pair (an instant bond) first then Dexter was introduced. Sometimes I feel like Dexter is left out a little but Davey is the middle man in the group. He divides his time quite equally between Delilah and Dex. Delilah is the ‘top bun’ in my trio. If I looked at Davey and Delilah though, as a pair, Davey is top bun. The cuddles are definitely worth it in a trio, there is always somebunny around, and something going on! With three I think that you have to put more effort into making a relationship with the bunnies because they have other companions. I noticed that Dexter, once bonded, didn’t spend as much time seeking attention from me but was extremely happy and content being with Davey and Delilah. After their bond cemented more each of them were a little more social, adventurous, and curious about what/where the other buns were and what they were doing. Once they are all together the bond is totally worth it!

[Beka27]

I don’t have a trio, but from what I know about buns, it’s all about personalities. I think a pair is so much easier to bond and there’s less risk of ending up with separate bunnies.

[Karla]

Posted By SullysMum on 05/16/2010 03:54 PM

So, as the title states, what are the dynamics of a trio? For those of you who own or have experience with trios, do you find that one bunny is left out or do they all love each other equally? Which combinations are the easiest or most difficult? (ie. introducing male to male/female pair, introducing female to male/female pair, etc, etc.) What are the pros/cons that come with having three buns? Any insight appreciated!

Hmm, tough question.

I found that the strong bond between Molly and Karl was not as intense once they become a trio. They used to be joined by the hip, but once they became part of a trio, Karl would often go off to spend time on his own, leaving Molly and Jack alone to snuggle. However, I will say that they all loved each other equally because there were times, when it was just Molly and Karl snuggling, or only Karl and Jack snuggling or all three of them together.

They were always near each other, even if they were not all snuggling together.

I found that introducing a male to my male/female couple was very, very easy. I’m doing it right now again with a new male, so I will have to get back later to tell you if I still think it is an easy combination. However, it was careful thought out that I wanted a new male and not a female, as I have a feeling that this is easier, although I have also heard the opposite.

Pros:

• It is sort of easier to bond with a trio, because they have more time for you unlike a couple that can be so into each other.
• It is a lot of fun, because there is a lot of action going on all the time
• They clearly enjoy the company of one more

Cons:

• You may not necessarily break a strong bond between your pair, but you will definitely change the dynamics between them, of course.
• Just when you thought the days of poop war was over, you go out and get a new bunny

[Minty]

Thanks for the helpful replies everyone! Of course I know it has a lot to do with personalities. This being said, did you guys bunny date with your pairs to find the right match? I have to say, I think Sully and Frankie are really taking to each other… They groom each other through their pens, flop next to each other, and like to sit side by side when eating. I’m hoping this will make for an easy bond. I know I am getting ahead of myself but I am quite tempted to add a third bun to the mix (eventually.) Most likely a boy. I wouldn’t mind keeping a third bun individually (like how I don’t mind Sully and Frankie individually since I enjoy them both so much) it would just make litter box duty and free run time a lot easier.

Karla, I like the pros you’ve listed. I like the idea of always having some bunny to spend time with! Definitely keep my updated on how bonding your three goes as well. Mrmac, I hadn’t thought about your point of having to work harder to maintain relationships with each bun. However, both Sully and Frankie are quite sociable already and seek out attention much of the time so I’m hoping that would play a factor into it. Beka, the possibility of having one bun be left out or kicked out of the ‘group’ is one of my big concerns… It would be kind of sad to see a happy couple and then one lonely bun.

There are lots of factors to take into consideration but a third bunny is hard to resist. Three would definitely be my limit though. I have heard people say they prefer keeping even numbered buns since one always seems to be left out. I think keeping two pairs would just be too much for me though.

[Karla]

I think you need to let Frankie and Sully (and what a beautiful pair!) bond and be just the two of them for a couple of months, before you begin looking into adding a third. I think that will make it easier for all parties.

I didn’t do any bunny dating, not with Jack and not with this new guy. I don’t have that option here. LOL, the shelter would think that I was being sneaky and trying to get rid of my bunnies for free if I brought my bunnies along claiming I just wanted to date a bit But if you have that option, I think it would be great. At least, it would give you a heads-up on whether it will be an easy bond or not. I may still have a lot to learn, but it is my impression that you can bond any rabbits, if you are willing to spend the time.

We have talked about a fourth down the line, but I am a bit hesitant about that, because I’m afraid that they will pair up. I have still to hear about a trio where one has been excluded.

[Minty]

I am definitely not getting another bun anytime soon. Just looking into the possibility of a trio somewhere down the line.

[Deleted User]

Any group can have a left-out bun that lives amonth the others but keeping a low profile. It can happen in a trio when two out of the three bond very strongly. Definitely don’t rush into a trio.

[Andi]

I’ve had/have 3 trios. The first were two unspayed sisters, one (Mittens) fell in love with a neutered male (Kyoto) i had, when he lived with them the one sister (Ebony) was ignored. She was handicap, so i bonded her to another bunny (pitStop) after a date, he was hand picked for her.
When Ebony passed, I bonded Pitstop to the other two, he hit it off with the female (Mittens) great and they were a little closer then her and her Kyoto. When she passed of old age, the boys were left and got closer.
PitStop & Kyoto I started bonding to a male and female pair (Bo & Ani), Bo passed away this week, and now I have those three together. So far things are going well, though Ani is not partuicularly nice, adn so pitStop is left out a bit now, While kyoto is in love with Ani and wants to spend time with her.

My friend took her male for a bunny date, he liked one female there, but then met a second and they fell instantly in love. The first female hopped into the carrier when they were getting ready to go and so they took both girls home. He still in more in love with the one female, but that is ok to the second.

So that’s my experiacne, someones left out, I’m not sure if they really care though, or if it’s just me caring and wanting them to have their own special friend?

I’m wondering if Pitters needs his own girlfriend now, but i don’t really want another bunny, and he is older with health.

[Minty]

Thanks for the reply Andi! How did you find it was with 4 living together? Did the pairs ever become territorial or become annoyed with the other? Did they truly live as a group or did the two pairs live separately but ‘together’? (If you know what I mean.) Four would be too many for me I think. My dream would be to have three as a trio, but as Petzy advised, I’m definitely not rushing into anything.

[Andi]

I never got to get the four into living in one cage, so that I didn’t get to experiance, but they still hung out in tehir two pairs, and then msotly the boys playing/grooming one another.

I actually had 3 as well i forgot about, as one died. they were all siblings, 2 girls and a boy. The one sister was more independent, and so the other two were more snuggly together.

I am considering the three thing adn wether it needs to be a 4, as right now pitstop is being kinda the loner, so i am condisering MAYBE taking on a older female for him as a girlfriend. This is still up in the air, the head of my resuce is bugging me to take another in LOL, sent me pictures of baby girl rex’s all that need homes asap…. and then told me she has a 9 yr old dwarf female in need of a boyfriend and a mama …. *sigh* lol

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