What to expect?

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’ve been starting work on bonding. I will start a journal when we get a bit further along.

I have a question and, although it’s pretty vague, would appreciate input: What should you expect from a first meeting? I know not every bun is the same, some have “love at first sight”, etc but I’m just wondering because I had to intervene a lot with my hands during a bath tub meeting or there would have been some bunnies missing chunks. My bf said “just leave them alone, let them work it out”, but I can’t just let them bite each other!

[mrmac]

Ignoring is good. If the bunny is relaxed enough to groom themselves or eat hay (though this could cause competition over food) that is good. I had Davey and Delilah who were that “love at first sight” and Delilah moved into Davey’s cage immediatly. Then I got Dexter, neither of them were particularly fond of him at first, especially Delilah. Nipping is ok, some tufts here and there are ok, but do not let them get to the point of latching onto each other or drawing blood. I had this experience with Delilah getting into Dennis’ pen and he is now missing some chunks. You might want to wear some gloves to break up fights, or the squirt bottle. They can be “left alone to work it out” to a certain extent, but do not let them latch on. Davey and Delilah, even though they are totally in love, have times where she gets too worked up and they will get into little circling, chasing nip tiffs, but usually work it out themselves. If it gets too intense (nipping, chasing, biting, etc) break them up but always end the session on a good note: mutual pets, eating a treat together (they may be to nervous to eat it though), holding both of them to your chest and petting them, etc. Some forced cuddling and mutual pets just to spread their scent directly onto the other bunny will help some. I would work one on one to start. Work with each pair, like I did Delilah and Dexter, Dexter and Davey paired sessions. I hope this helps some to start with!

[mrmac]

Since you said that they already had some scuffles I would reccommend stress bonding: Dryer rides, car rides, the earthquake box (just them in a box while you sway or shake it a little), the bath tub with a towel and a little water in the bottom, shaking a bag of pop cans or bottle caps, the blow dryer, the sweeper, the shower head can be like rain, etc. The whole point is to get them to turn to each other for comfort. Stress bonding was key with my trio. Delilah is aggressive so I had to almost “scare” her into running to Dexter to hide.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Thanks for the input!

[Deleted User]

I think a first meeting should be uneventful, so I don’t allow any fur-pulling yet. That way they have a good start. Maybe you’d like to start off by just holding two of your rabbits on your lap and stroking them for twenty minutes and allow for scent transfer.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Maybe I could try that, Petzy, but put them on a chair or something. None of my buns will sit on my lap. I’m going to try Olivia and Bindi for the first time, probably tonight, so I will try your idea.

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