bonding problems

[fizzy and ollie]

so I've had a bunny(m,neutered) for a bit over a year now and about a month ago I got another one(f) as a surprise birthday present.
at first she was very curious and outgoing and he didn't seem to have any problems with her, quite the opposite actually. I was thinking of getting another bunny before being surprised with her anyways becouse my male seemed lonely and I don't have quite enough time to spend hours with him every day.
so as i said, everything seemed to be going alright but after a few days he started to be aggressive towards her- not trying to kill her or anything, but he wouldn't let her get too close to him becouse he would hiss and run after her. he is a free roam and although I do have a large metal fence-thingy I never keep him closed in it becouse he just chewed and tried to bite through it. then I tried to keep her in that "cage" but she kept trying to bite through it as well so I just gave up and since they were getting along relatively well, I just tried to keep them both free roamed- which I know was obviously a mistake.
i did a few stress bonding and normal bonding sessions with them but they didn't seem to make any difference.
i was advised to keep them separated and not try bonding them until I get her neutered (which I should be doing soon) but I just don't know how since she's now used to free roaming and keeping her caged just seemed cruel. I probably forgot to mention she usually spends time under my bed and is very cautious of me as well, probably becouse we don't really have a chance to bond with the male around (he is pretty protective of me). anyone got any advice?

 

[Blue eyes]

Trying to bond an intact rabbit is not advised for the reasons you are already seeing. Absolutely separate them completely until she is healed from her spay surgery. If you allow them to continue to interact, you run the very real risk of sabotaging their future bond.

Even once she is spayed and healed, having your other rabbit free roam already can make things difficult. You should try to find some neutral space for when the time comes to try to bond them. That means it should be a space that neither rabbit has ever been before. So keep that in mind as you try to figure out where to house her until bonding can begin--some place different than where the bonding will take place.

Also, once bonding begins, the male's usual space should be made as neutral as possible before allowing them both back there (after bonding). That may mean wiping things down with vinegar and re-arranging furniture to make it as unfamiliar as possible.

Here is further info on bonding that you will definitely want to know before bonding.

 

[fizzy and ollie]

Trying to bond an intact rabbit is not advised for the reasons you are already seeing. Absolutely separate them completely until she is healed from her spay surgery. If you allow them to continue to interact, you run the very real risk of sabotaging their future bond.

Even once she is spayed and healed, having your other rabbit free roam already can make things difficult. You should try to find some neutral space for when the time comes to try to bond them. That means it should be a space that neither rabbit has ever been before. So keep that in mind as you try to figure out where to house her until bonding can begin--some place different than where the bonding will take place.

Also, once bonding begins, the male's usual space should be made as neutral as possible before allowing them both back there (after bonding). That may mean wiping things down with vinegar and re-arranging furniture to make it as unfamiliar as possible.

Here is further info on bonding that you will definitely want to know before bonding.

that's really helpful, thank you so much!

 

[Watermelons]

There is zero need to swear like that. Please refresh yourself with the forum rules before posting again.

 

[fizzy and ollie]

There is zero need to swear like that. Please refresh yourself with the forum rules before posting again.

sorry, I didn't seem to find any rules so I figured everyone's chill with that. I'll try not to swear again if it offends you

 

[Watermelons]

https://www.rabbitsonline.net/index.php?threads/10320/

If it offends me....? This is a family friendly forum. If you can't follow the rules you will be removed.

 

[fizzy and ollie]

https://www.rabbitsonline.net/index.php?threads/10320/

If it offends me....? This is a family friendly forum. If you can't follow the rules you will be removed.

I wasn't being sarcastic but okay. I'll look into the rules and it won't happen again

 

[Blue eyes]

Would love to see some photos of your buns. The lop looks really cute from what I can see in your avatar.

 

[fizzy and ollie]

Would love to see some photos of your buns. The lop looks really cute from what I can see in your avatar.

she really is beautiful! the lionhead is really cute as well <33

 

[Blue eyes]

Very cute! I've never seen a lionhead with that coloring. My first rabbit (not a lionhead) had that type of coloring.

 

[fizzy and ollie]

Very cute! I've never seen a lionhead with that coloring. My first rabbit (not a lionhead) had that type of coloring.

I bet he/she was beautiful! I'd say both of my rabbits have pretty unique coloring, especially the flop

 

[Reese_loves_her_bun]

I bet he/she was beautiful! I'd say both of my rabbits have pretty unique coloring, especially the flop

Aww there both really cute, good luck with bonding them. The lionheads colour is called tri colour (cause of the 3 colours in one) and the lop is a charlie broken black (charlie means less than 10% colour and broken means colours when they’re mixed with white) just if you were wondering

 

[April LD]

ADORABLE!!!!

 

[TheBookWorm107]

she really is beautiful! the lionhead is really cute as well <33

BUNNY BURRITO!!!