Where to go from here?

[The Rabbit]

My Gram called me out to visit her(in another state) for two weeks I wasn’t able to work on bonding. I got back on sunday. While I was gone, my mother(the bunny sitter) started opening my bedroom door, where Pixel stays, and Zelda(the new buns) door and letting them out the play at the same time. They are separated by the living room, so that is where they played. It worked well, so she kept at it. and I tried it once I came home. Zelda and Pixel run in and out of both rooms and the living rooms. They mostly ignore each other, but one day Zelda did chase him, and another she did a quick thump at him, binky, and binky after him sort of thing. They go in and out of each others spaces and territories freely during this time, and neither seem to mind. During the regular sessions Zelda might do a very little grooming, and the very rare now, hump. They often times sit in a corner together. Pixel hasn’t groomed her except when I stressed them on the washer he kissed her a little. He did however, box her fac, and bite her yesterday, which he has never done before.

 Edit: forgot to add, they both groom themselves quite a lot around each other now.

where should I go from here? Things are getting interesting!

[Deleted User]

It sounds very positive, especially sitting together in a corner and not fighting in the large space of the living room. You could set up a neutral enclosure, a pen, and see if they get along in it. If they don’t fight, you can move them into the neutral pen together.

[The Rabbit]

This is exciting! I’m going to set up a pen in my bedroom, and set up a movie(or two) and see how it goes. All last night Zelda was kissing Pixel. She’d put her head down to demand kisses, shake her head and then kiss him instead. She did 2 rather long and large dead bunny flops also. Wish me luck!

[The Rabbit]

I let them hang out for awhile, and besides one (maybe two) very soft nips on the butt from Zelda, everything was great! They ate a full plate of greens together! Pixel still won’t approach her on his own though, but right now I have them both in my bedroom playing. Pixel seems annoyed that she’s in his area, but he hasn’t bitten or nipped, or anything. when she comes near he just hops away.. :/

 

Edit: and there goes Zelda chasing him. two steps forward, two steps back…

[Deleted User]

how did Zelda’s chase end?

[The Rabbit]

It ended with them hopping about the room. They mostly just play now, and I can’t rally tell if they play together. I’ve decided to have Zelda move into the room, because I can leave them alone for a couple hours at a time with no worries. I had her in Pixel’s cage last night. This morning, Pixel was playing on my bed, and Zelda decided to join him. Most of their play consists of hopping around. that’s it. they just hop around each other. They haven’t snuggled, (they would in the bathtub, and if I got them in a small enough space in the living room, and that was always either me or Zelda encouraging it) but I think things are going to be fine. Do all bonded bunnies snuggle?

[Deleted User]

As long as they are not fighting, they can live together. They will snuggle at some point in time. Bonded just means getting along well enough, even if they chase a short distance at times.

[The Rabbit]

I consider these buns officially bonded. all yesterdya and today Zelda lived with Pixel, and they get along great. They eat together, and hop around together. I even caught them flopped near each other. I’m really, really happy!

[jerseygirl]

Congratulations!!! Wishing you continued Bonded Bliss.

[Author]

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