Bonding my two bunnies

[Mariah]

Hello all!

I know there is a ton of topics on bonding but my situation is a bit different. Citrus will be 3 in October and is neutered. My little doe Lemon Kiwi is only 5 weeks old. I just got her on Tuesday. She will be spayed when shes 6 months.

Here's the question: Both their cages are in my room and they can see/ smell each other. Citrus is a house bunny when Im home. He will go and sit by her cage and they both smell each other through the bars. Where ever one goes, the other will follow.

1) How soon can I introduce them out of the cage?

I know it needs to be in a neutral territory. The problem with that is that the neutral territory would be the kitchen and Citrus will not go in there. I cant pick him up - never could from the time he was a baby.

2)How bad would it be to introduce them in the living room where Citrus has been?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

I would not try them together until she is a bit older. 5 weeks is pretty young and you should focus on making sure she is doing well and keeping stress to a minimum. I would wait until she is at least 8 weeks old, but 10-12 weeks could be better. I am really thinking of her safety and health.

Keep in mind that when young rabbits are involved in bonding, the relationship can change when they get to be about 4-5 months old. Many older rabbits will get along with a young rabbit, but once that rabbits gets to be more adult and hormonal it can all change.

I have bonded my male Korr to 3 females (not all at the same time) and all the bonding was done on his territory. He took it really well with the exception of the first time that one of them was brought in and I think that was just shock on seeing another rabbit in his area. I don't know if it makes a difference that he is a male and the other rabbits have been female, he is also a really social guy with other rabbits so that might help too.
If you are going to do it, let him out and close his cage so they don't go in and possibly fight. For the first introductions, have a pen to keep them separate and even to limit the space they have to run around and get into trouble. Basically, treat it as if it is neutral territory.

I would also not have them living together until she is spayed. Intact females, even young ones, can be hormonal and want to breed. This can upset the male if he is being humped all the time. You can also run into issues when she does get done as they could unbond and you are back to the beginning with bonding. If they get along well, then they can have play dates, but I would not go to cage them together until she is spayed and healed.

 

[Mariah]

Oh yes, I wouldn't put them together until she is spayed. Citrus just sits by her cage when hes out. They are both very curious of each other. I've held Lemon Kiwi and Citrus has also come up and sniffed her. I took that as a good sign? Is that ok to do?