Broken bond? [resolved, thank you!]

[Toki]

Ever since I brought home a new bunny a few months ago, my eldest (presumably the alpha figure) has been going after another bunny he's been bonded with his entire life. I haven't even introduced my newest to the others yet since he hasn't been neutered (he has an appointment set for next month). Is there anything I can do in the meantime? Should I separate the once-bonded pair?

I've tried bonding sessions to strengthen their bond again, but they seem fine and will even groom each other. I'm at a loss. Also, my eldest will only go after my Dutch and not my Jersey Wooly. They're all bonded together.

I'll add a few pictures of the pair below. Thank you in advance!

 

[Blue eyes]

Sorry, but this was a bit confusing. How many rabbits total do you have?

It sounded like you were saying that you have a bonded pair and then brought home a 3rd rabbit (but have not introduced them yet). And as a result, one of the original bonded pair has been going after his bondmate. But then you say they "seem fine and even groom each other."

Or is it that you had a trio and the newest bunny is a 4th rabbit?

Breed is irrelevant with bonding. But what are the genders, ages, and neuter status of each rabbit? And which are bonded (or having trouble with their bond)?

 

[Toki]

Sorry, but this was a bit confusing. How many rabbits total do you have?

It sounded like you were saying that you have a bonded pair and then brought home a 3rd rabbit (but have not introduced them yet). And as a result, one of the original bonded pair has been going after his bondmate. But then you say they "seem fine and even groom each other."

Or is it that you had a trio and the newest bunny is a 4th rabbit?

Breed is irrelevant with bonding. But what are the genders, ages, and neuter status of each rabbit? And which are bonded (or having trouble with their bond)?

Sorry about that! I'll try to elaborate more.

I have five rabbits in total, three of which is a bonded trio. My two newer rabbits have not been introduced to any of them since they haven't been neutered yet (not even to each other).

My eldest, the Mini Rex, has been going after one of his bondmates but not both of them - only one. When I try bringing the pair out for bonding sessions (the two having problems), they seem perfectly fine and the attacks stop.

I have four males and one female, and all but my two newest bunnies have been neutered/spayed. They both have an appointment set for next month, though, and introductions will start after they've recovered.

I'll call them by their breeds to make it easier to explain/tell apart! My Mini Rex and Dutch are the ones having problems right now. My Mini Rex doesn't attack the female, who is among the bonded trio. As for the ages of the bonded trio, the Mini Rex is 1 years old, the Dutch is 9 months and the Jersey Wooly (the female) is also 9 months. My two new rabbits are 4 and 5 months (both male).

I hope this makes more sense! I'm wondering if it's a territorial thing, but I don't understand why my Mini Rex would be going after his bondmate so suddenly. They're all in the same area but caged separately - the trio is housed together.

 

[Blue eyes]

For group bonding, the best arrangement is 1 male and the rest females. How long have the three been bonded?

I am not surprised that one male would fight another male in a trio. It likely has to do with the female. The fact that they seem fine together when she is not there would support this. When they are all together, the males will be vying for her attention.

This all may have been exacerbated with the coming of the newer rabbits. Whenever there is an existing bond (pairs or group), the mere presence of a new rabbit can cause issues with the existing bond.

The possibility, I'm afraid to say, that 4 males will get along in the presence of 1 female is rather slim.

 

[Blue eyes]

There is a rescue that has detailed info on bonding rabbits. It is a long article, but if you scroll way down almost to the bottom, you will find a title, "Rabbit Groups and Trios."
You may want to take a read there:
https://www.cottontails-rescue.org.uk/information/bonding-bunnies/

 

[Toki]

For group bonding, the best arrangement is 1 male and the rest females. How long have the three been bonded?

I am not surprised that one male would fight another male in a trio. It likely has to do with the female. The fact that they seem fine together when she is not there would support this. When they are all together, the males will be vying for her attention.

This all may have been exacerbated with the coming of the newer rabbits. Whenever there is an existing bond (pairs or group), the mere presence of a new rabbit can cause issues with the existing bond.

The possibility, I'm afraid to say, that 4 males will get along in the presence of 1 female is rather slim.

They've been bonded for five months now with no problems until I brought home the two new rabbits. I'm fully prepared and have the means to keep separate bonded pairs if need be.

I wasn't planning to try bonding all four males together, honestly, so that's fine with me. I intended to bond the two new males together and just keep the trio intact, but I may have to rethink things. For now, I've removed the Dutch from the enclosure. My Mini Rex calmed down, as well, so I'm guessing you were right with him being protective of the female.

There is a rescue that has detailed info on bonding rabbits. It is a long article, but if you scroll way down almost to the bottom, you will find a title, "Rabbit Groups and Trios."
You may want to take a read there:
https://www.cottontails-rescue.org.uk/information/bonding-bunnies/

Thank you so much! I'll be sure to read through this thoroughly.

I really appreciate all your help!