For almost 3 months now, I have had a male/female fixed bonded pair of buns that I got at a rescue. They are about 1 1/2 years old. I have had bonded pairs in the past but have never experienced this: (sorry so long...)
The girl was out and about. The boy came out and before I knew what happened they were tumbling over each other, circling at lightening speed and the fur was just flying! I picked up the boy and held him, while my husband pet the frightened girl on the floor. I put the boy in the cage & shut the door for the moment. Sapphire (girl) went over to the cage and they were nose to nose but not aggressive.
I didn't want to keep them apart too much. I decided to give them some greens, so I opened the cage door again (left it open) and they both went in to eat. Then they each came out one at a time and took turns grooming each other.
Now I'm trying to figure out what happened. Is my line of reasoning correct?? I was wondering, since I keep the cage door open about 15 hours per day, if I inadvertantly am causing them to break their bond (is that possible?) During the day they seem to spend the majority of their time apart. Sapphire likes to find a spot to snuggle down, while Shadow seems to be most comfortable lounging in his cage. He comes out during certain times (morning & dusk and around 10pm), but is usually in the cage and away from Sapphire. They do spend the night together in the closed cage.
So, is it possible that I'm harming their bond? Am I over-reacting? Should I do something different?
Any thoughts would be welcome. I don't want to see them do that again.
The girl was out and about. The boy came out and before I knew what happened they were tumbling over each other, circling at lightening speed and the fur was just flying! I picked up the boy and held him, while my husband pet the frightened girl on the floor. I put the boy in the cage & shut the door for the moment. Sapphire (girl) went over to the cage and they were nose to nose but not aggressive.
I didn't want to keep them apart too much. I decided to give them some greens, so I opened the cage door again (left it open) and they both went in to eat. Then they each came out one at a time and took turns grooming each other.
Now I'm trying to figure out what happened. Is my line of reasoning correct?? I was wondering, since I keep the cage door open about 15 hours per day, if I inadvertantly am causing them to break their bond (is that possible?) During the day they seem to spend the majority of their time apart. Sapphire likes to find a spot to snuggle down, while Shadow seems to be most comfortable lounging in his cage. He comes out during certain times (morning & dusk and around 10pm), but is usually in the cage and away from Sapphire. They do spend the night together in the closed cage.
So, is it possible that I'm harming their bond? Am I over-reacting? Should I do something different?
Any thoughts would be welcome. I don't want to see them do that again.
