Bonding issues

[MichelleandThumper]

Okay guys so I have a new addition to the family. Her name is Willow, she's a mini rex/mini lop doe. She's almost 3 months. The other bun I already had is thumper, he's roughly 5 or 6 months, dwarf. Thumper was neutered about 3 weeks ago. Before he was neutered he was aggressive with me but it dyed down after the neutering. This new bun is very shy and timid and I'm not sure if they'll get along. I let the new bun explore my room while thumper was in his cage and he was okay at first but then when Willow went near thumpers pee spot to sniff thumper he tried attacking her through the cage so I sprayed him with water. Willows just a baby and thumpers intimidating even to me at the times he used to grunt and bite me but how do I get these guys to bond? I'm scared that thumper is going to continue this behaviour with Willow. Please, I would one day love for them to be together and thumper just gives me a sense that he won't bond with her. He even peed on his blanket that's by where her cage is which he never peed on his blanket before. I'm guessing it means "it's mine stay away". Could he be jealous? Their personalities are definitely different. Thumpers more of a brave bun and Willow is more timid and hides, thumper never has hidden but Willow does. She seems submissive so I thought they would be okay): Please I need some help);

 

[zombiesue]

You don't until she is spayed. Once she is spayed, you need to wait about another month before beginning to bond them.

They should have no contact until then. Repeat, they should NOT be allowed near one another UNTIL SHE IS SPAYED and her hormones have died down.

Furthermore, her personality might change when she hits sexual maturity. There's no way to tell if this will be an easy or difficult bond.

 

[MichelleandThumper]

Will it be okay to house them in the same age but separated. My big cage has two levels so could I keep her on the top and thumper on the bottom ? They wouldn't be able to really see each other or interact. It would be easier to just make the top level a complete other cage than to house them in two cages. So ya basically I would make the top level a whole separated space where they can't get at eachother

 

[Azerane]

When you introduce them, you need to do it on neutral ground that neither bunny has been on before. That way, you won't get aggressive attacks and defensive behaviour trying to claim what is theirs, because it will be new to both of them. But I agree, you will probably need to wait until after she hits maturity, because if you bond them before them, it may break when she's going through the hormonal changes. Spaying would certainly help too.

 

[selbert]

I would suggest going through the bonding diaries of other people on here, then you can see what kind of troubles you may face and be prepared to deal with them appropriately.
I would also suggest swapping their blankets and what not, litter tray, even food bowl. This way they can get to know one another via smell. But this should all wait until after she has been de-sexed. Females tend to get a little territorial when their hormones kick in (mine liked to poop EVERYWHERE and even pee ON ME!) so it's always best to begin a bonding session in a neutral area like Azerane suggested.

Hope it all goes well! Keep us updated (with pictures hehe)

:brownbunny