x-pen setup that helped Maryann and Dono bond

[MarkBun]

So, Tracy set up an x-pen configuration that helped my buns be together 24/7 and yet kept them from killing each other.  It looks like this:

The entire pen was about 3’x6′.  The idea behind it is that the “L” shaped fence area broke the pen into 2 sections so each bun had their own and could get away from one another.  In addition, if a fight started, one of the buns could hop to the other area to get away and with the barrier in the middle, it broke up the natural urge to charge since something was in their way.  She put them in there and never worried again.

She continued with regular bonding sessions, pushing down the head of the aggressor to have them submissive to her.  The trouble is that we all know that WE are submissive to the buns – they’re the Alphas.  In a strange place with a strange person, that isn’t the case.

If you plan on doing this, I’d suggest monitoring them for the first couple of hours to make sure that one isn’t dead set on killing the other.  Maryann only had a strong dislike of Dono, not hatred.

 

[Sarita]

What a great idea. How did she make the L shaped barrier?

[MarkBun]

It was just made out of two sections of another X-pen.  I suppose you could make it out of NIC pieces as well. 

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Thanks sooo much Markus!! I’m going to try that tonight maybe!!

[MarkBun]

Do realize that this setup is to give an escape avenue for a bun. That means that there will be a scuffle just before the escape. The hardest part about bonding is knowing that buns will get a bit aggressive towards one another as they sort things out. So, in this pen, let them do the nip and hide. If it becomes a fight, a good, loud clap tends to stop them.

[Beka27]

very interesting.  so how are they doing now? does she still have them?

[MarkBun]

Nope, after the second day, Maryann adopted the attitude of “Well, since you’re not going anywhere, guess there’s no real reason to waste the energy nipping you.”  So the L has been removed and for the last 5 days, it’s been just the x-pen.

The important thing is that Dono DIDN’T go anywhere.  The fact that he was in the same, close environment with her 24/7 made her give up trying to get him to go away.  I was told by Tracy that under no circumstances, short of seeing blood from a fight, am I to remove one of them from the pen for any length of time.  It would be a step back and have to start all over again.   In case of a major issue, the ‘L’ could be extended and simply cut the X-pen in half with two seperate areas.

They’re buddies now.  Not quite bonded but getting there.

[JK]

That’s fantastic! I hope that other member (name forgotten) sees this. She is the one having trouble bonding her buns…

[Lisa_43]

Great idea. Good news that they are doing so much better now.

[MimzMum]

That’s a really interesting configuration. I would’ve though there’d be more to it, but, hmmm….
So the buns were in that pen, no humans inside with them? Geez, I’d be terrified that if I wasn’t right there, something awful would happen.

I have an exercise pen that I could modify for this. Can you start off with this type of setup or do you have to keep them completely separated and only see each other through a barrier for the first try at bonding?

[MooBunnay]

I think thats a really great idea – I had mentioned in another post that my boyfriend has always been much more successful at bonding rescue bunnies than me because he is much better at allowing the “scuffles” to happen without panicking, and removing both rabbits from the bonding. The first bonding I did, my bunnies bonded instantly, so its hard for me to see the more difficult parts of bonding, but I think its really necessary for bunnies to have those scuffles in order to be able to live together. I think the reason that my buns did so well is that Kramer was a baby that got dumped on a golf course, so I think he was really needed some type of companionship (though, Brian claims its because Juli is in love with all men…including human men!)

[MarkBun]

Well the first bonding I would follow the other advice and try the bathtub style. This set-up is more for buns that don’t like each other – not buns that hate one another. This is also the home for both buns. You don’t put them in and then take them out. This is where they learn to live with one another.

[babybunsmum]

cool… thanks markus, i’m going to keep this in mind later depending on how things go after pinky is spayed.

[Beka27]

Markus, i forgot about this thing she did. at what point did she do this? i have not yet reread your other thread, altho i’m going to do that today.

Mead and Max are pretty good in the neutral space, i’m just confused as to my next step. nowhere else in my house is neutral or semi-neutral.

[Scarlet_Rose]

Beka, how about a shopping cart in PetSmart? Bring a blanket or towel and cart them around. Have a carrier handy for separation in case they go at it.

[Lisa_43]

I put this L shape in my top two floors of both my condos, works a treat no one has fought since I have put it in.

[Author]

Messages