How do you pick a "mate" for your bun?

[juliew19673]

So, Baxter was neutored the end of April and after having Scooter and Marvin here for a "hiccup" of time he seems to be in need of another bun mate. (not sure if he liked having S/M here but he was mentality stimulated by the exposure) That being said how do I go to a rescue and pick out a "friend" for him?

Do I take him with me and have a "play date" or do I just "foster" one and hope that he makes a match? He's a 10 month old male english spot/hotot or mini-rex mix that really does ( as far as I can tell) love interation between species (he tries to love my 19 year old cat that HATES him, but just hisses - Baxter! is very submissive to her, but do not know if he would feel the same way with a bun his same age).

Again, how do you pick out a friend? What do you look for? Sex, age, behaviour

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

Hey Julie,

Best to try for him to pick out a mate. Age doesn't matter unless their not spayed. Behavior is different in every bun, so hard to tell on that one.

Take him to a rescue with you, the techs will let you in and I'd say watch who he seems fond and calm around the most. Have a bun date and it could be bun matrimony.


Just watch for the normal signs of aggression, lunging, biting, etc. Separate buns if signs of aggession happen in any way. It's kinda hard as they can get along for say weeks then not and start fighting. That's what scares me. Advice anyone?

In case this happens to any of our members that are trying bonding, and any of us that are trying it again or for the first time. Notes! (We can start a thread for this if anyone is interested.)


Best of luck! Keep us posted or else!:biggrin2:

 

[juliew19673]

Thanks AngelSnuffy.. What behaviour am I looking for if Bax likes another bun?

When Scooter was here,Baxter! circled my feet and acted like he was "so excited" to just see another bun - but I couldn't tell you if he liked him or not? (they were separated by a screen door - so could smell each other and see each other).

Know when I woke up in the AM Bax had strategically placed Poo's at the threshold of the door where Scooter was staying.. So wonder if he was being "aggessive" or just saying "My Home" and what to do if I would be trying to "bond" buns w/this same behavior. Mind you I would look to get a spayed female for Baxter!.

So many questions and I know -so hard to answer - assuming you just have to sit back with them and "see" how it goes..

 

[AngelnSnuffy]

Aw, you should takevideo as I want to see all of this!

What is good is: a little circling (if spayed/neutered), a little chasing, but no fighting; huddling together, the best. And after that, notice any inferior actions. If there are none, you may be good to go, usually more time is needed. It can take months to bond buns.

 

[Spring]

I'm in a similar boat with Pebbles.. have taken her on one date at the rescue and tried her with multiple awesome boys, but the time was so short was hard to get a good idea.

For the most part, male/female pairs will bond eventually, but some bunnies can be little brats! I would definitely talk with someone from a local rabbit rescue, and just try a few dates. Hard to tell in the beginning, so great opportunity to try a few girls, go from the one that shows the most (or in some cases, least) interest, and then possibly bring him back a couple more times, and if you feel comfortable with the pairing, foster while trying to bond.

With Pebbles, I only tried males the time I took her to the shelter. I tried 4 boys, ranging from 8 months to4 years. Nothing really clicked, but I'm going to bring her a few more times just to see, then go from there.

Bonding has a lot to do with luck.. but truthfully you just have to jump in head first and see what happens! I've lucked out firstly bonding a pair, then bonding a trio on love-at-first-sight basis.. extremely lucky! Really I had my three guys, and was almost done bonding with Poppy and Bruno when I adopted Jasmine, as a friend for Pebbles.. then the pair bonded and after multiple months of duds with bonding Pebbles and Jasmine, I decided to have all 4 together just to see. Love at first sight between the pair and Jas, week later they were bonded! .

Really go with your instinct though.. if you feel good about a certain rabbit during 'speed dating', most likely bonding will succeed in some way or another! .

 

[juliew19673]

Yeah its the "months" that makes me take a breath.. I have a one bedroom loft apartment, so I have limited space if "all went south". There is enough room for 2 buns to NOT interact, but could have MORE room if 2 buns bonded and then could think of the 3rd bun..

To new to buns to make this determination, but am willing to try and post my findings so that others might learn, but would in the same breath, love to find Baxter! a play mate and am willing to give up my "top dog" status" with him if he were to "fall in love...

Sigh.

Would be heartbroken though if his affection went to the new bun and he dismissed me - must be honest. Would champion his cause but would be weepy and the rest of you would have to put up with me! LOL!

 

[Spring]

Some can take a long time, but both of mine were quite quick and easy. I'll have to look back, but after I scratched the idea of trio bonding between Pebbles, Poppy and Bruno, and started focusing on Poppy and Bruno, they bonded in a month or so. Then with the trio, They were able to stay together the whole day by day 3, living together in a week.. so it all depends on the personalities, and if they mesh.

I think who would be perfect for Baxter! is a mature, quiet and shy girl who is willing to initiate grooming and isn't high strung... always a good mix with bonding to have someone who won't try to cause trouble.

Even with my trio, they are still quite individually bonded to me.. not the same as when ALL their socializing was with me, but still very eager to be cuddled, talked to and loved . I can sit in the middle of their pen, and they'll all come up to groom me orputtheir heads down to be pat, awesome feeling interacting with bonded bunnies!

 

[juliew19673]

Awwwww.. My happiest thought yet is that I could have a number of Baxter's! running amuck around me! Being stupid and licking me as they run off to investigate a new "thing" or just binky about..

What a great time that must be!

 

[juliew19673]

AngelnSnuffy wrote:

Hey Julie,

Just watch for the normal signs of aggression, lunging, biting, etc. Separate buns if signs of aggession happen in any way. It's kinda hard as they can get along for say weeks then not and start fighting. That's what scares me. Advice anyone?

In case this happens to any of our members that are trying bonding, and any of us that are trying it again or for the first time. Notes! (We can start a thread for this if anyone is interested.)


Best of luck! Keep us posted or else!:biggrin2:

I'm thinking if the board could share their wisdom of bonding buns (both the best and worst case scenarios) and what to expect when you put buns together for the first time would be helpful..

I knowmounting is to be expected but punching and obviously "tearing/biting" at each other is wrong, but what is the point where you let them "interact" and allow one bun to become more dominant, do you step in? Or is it obvious behaviour that you stop? And how do you know that they are truly "bonded" and won't have an aurgument when your gone?

 

[slavetoabunny]

I would take Baxter! on a bunny date and if somebunny looks like she will be a good match, ask if you can foster for a while to make sure. I don't have much advise on bonding. Sparky and Scooter were love a first sight. I am going to be supervising my first bunny date for my foster Snowball next week and am a little nervous about it.

 

[juliew19673]

slavetoabunny wrote:

I Sparky and Scooter were love a first sight. I am going to be supervising my first bunny date for my foster Snowball next week and am a little nervous about it.

How did you know they "fell in love at first sight?" and why are you concerned about Snowball? THIS is the question I have - do you know your bun when they are put into a social situation?

 

[LuvaBun]

Oh goodness, it is going to be one lucky bun to get a home with you as it's mom . Will you take them both to work?

Pernod and Perry was a 'love at first sight' bonding'. We got them the same day from the same shelter, but they hadn't really met there. As soon as we got them home, they snuggled. There was no mounting until a day or two later, and never any aggression between them. They were inseperable, and both knew Pernod was in charge

When we lost Perry, we got Shadow about 2 months later. Pernod hated him on sight, and there were several real fights, which led to Pernod coming off worse (she was a lot smaller) but she was the aggressive one. She had a few vet visits to stitch up wounds. It took 10 months before they eventually bonded. Shadow had the run of the upstairs of the house, Pernod the downstairs, with time in the garden shared. I have to say, it is hard having free roam buns that aren't bonded, and time consuming making sure they get the same amount of loving, so be prepared for that.

I am hoping my new bun and Shadow will bond. Shadow has always wanted a bunny friend - he prefers bunny company to human company. If they don't get along, then I am back to sharing my time, but so be it. You may find if Baxter! bonds with a bunny, he will spend a little less time with you, but then the new bunny will want loving as well, so you shouldn't lose out.

Sorry, I've rambled enough . Good luck with whatever you decide - and yes, we will be here to console you either way

Jan

 

[slavetoabunny]

juliew19673 wrote:

slavetoabunny wrote:

I Sparky and Scooter were love a first sight. I am going to be supervising my first bunny date for my foster Snowball next week and am a little nervous about it.

How did you know they "fell in love at first sight?" and why are you concerned about Snowball? THIS is the question I have - do you know your bun when they are put into a social situation?

By "love at first sight" I mean that from day 1 there was no fighting. They bonded right away and groomed, snuggled, etc.

I'm not worried about Snowball, just about supervising my first bunny date. There will be two other eligible female buns besides Snowballto be introduced to their prospective husbund.

 

[tonyshuman]

Other people's comments have been great. I want to say that since Baxter! was submissive to TBone, he probably will be an "easy" bond. I've only had trouble with my dominant/angry/mean bunny Tony. Baxter! sounds like he'd get along with most bunnies, since he's a submissive one.

 

[juliew19673]

LuvaBun wrote:

Oh goodness, it is going to be one lucky bun to get a home with you as it's mom . Will you take them both to work?

Pernod and Perry was a 'love at first sight' bonding'. We got them the same day from the same shelter, but they hadn't really met there. As soon as we got them home, they snuggled. There was no mounting until a day or two later, and never any aggression between them. They were inseperable, and both knew Pernod was in charge

It took 10 months before they eventually bonded. Shadow had the run of the upstairs of the house, Pernod the downstairs, with time in the garden shared. I have to say, it is hard having free roam buns that aren't bonded, and time consuming making sure they get the same amount of loving, so be prepared for that.

I am really feeling that I need to take Emily (Zooh Corners rescue - looks like Baxters! twin sister) as She andZoohcorner are "against the wall" with bun space;Emily could be the perfect mate for "Baxter!". That being said its just not the "right" time to bring in another Rabbit into my household, but is there the "right" time when you need to save one?

So Cat/BF? is uncomfortable for 3 weeks, I don't neccarsarily think this means that life is bad perse, just complicated and perhaps on the outcome "fun, and curious"?.

I "sigh" alot in my Blog, but its needed and do not want to take anything lightly.. But feel good about Emily (sigh) she will , as I will, live to deal w/us all..

Pray for us!One Newbie bun owner with 2 buns!

Lord help us all!

 

[Spring]

Good luck!

I find bonding quite fun, once you get over the nervousness of it. Squirt bottles are great during bonding, really helpful to nip problem situations in the bud!

Wish you truck loads of success!

 

[Leaf]

juliew19673 wrote:

I am really feeling that I need to take Emily (Zooh Corners rescue - looks like Baxters! twin sister) as She andZoohcorner are "against the wall" with bun space;Emily could be the perfect mate for "Baxter!". That being said its just not the "right" time to bring in another Rabbit into my household, but is there the "right" time when you need to save one?

You know, it's hard to tell when timing is right.

I recently took in three rabbits from a forum member whose hands were tied. She was on a deadline to find a home for the bonded trio and was frantic and heartbroken. Since I had room and am in the same state I agreed.

The things got very urgent in IL with some shelter rabbits. Unfortunantly those rabbits have few options and practically no exposure.

I have room - but 5 house rabbits plus three...

Fortunantly I've secured homes for a few of the Chicago Ridge rabbits through friends so... they would stay a few days at maximum until we get organized. With the time allowed though, if things work out they may be able to pick up right away.

That would open space for a few extras. Weighing in euthanasia vs a little hectic crowding/sorting - even with 3 new buns (bad timing?) it's well worth the extra work for me.

Sometimes theres a lot to weigh in decisions made but in the end you'll come to the right conclusion.

Don't overtax yourself - don't risk relationships or health... Everyone has a comfort zone and balance. Just make sure to find your own.

 

[Raspberry82]

Just wanted to add my two cents . I tried to bond Max with a female bunny early last spring. Their bonding session went great and they were calmly sitting side by side, seemed happy with each other, no agression what so ever, happily checking each other out. Got them home, put into their separate pens with 1 section flush to the other's so they could get used to each other in their own space. Max got extremely territorial, aggressive and they both poo'd and pee'd all over the place where their pens came near to the other's (for 2 months straight) which was a nightmare to clean up because they both ended up pooing/peeing more often in that spot than in their litter boxes. We had bonding sessions periodically in our bathtub because it was the only "neutral" place that didn't have Max's scent in our 2 bdrm condo.

Oh, and both buns had been neutered for a long time.

The 2nd Bun was just a darling sweet thing, but Max was constantly dominating/biting and getting jealous of our playing with the new bunny even though they got equal play times and it just wasn't working. Eventually we had to give her back to the Rescue we got her from because it turned out she was actually sick with abscesses they didn't know about and she was not in a good health place for bonding.

For me, at this point I don't think I will try to bond Max with another bunny. Maaaybe someday sometime way down the road(because I would like to adopt another bun), but I get the feeling Max likes being solo and having his people all too himself, so I think I have to just respect that because I couldn't do 2 un-bonded buns. Eventually he'll have a n animal friend when I get a small dog puppy or kitty down the road.. But I think he's too used to being top dog so to speak for another bun. I think it is possible for buns to be a match right off, but it can also be hard to tell which way it will go.

My best advice to you is to make absolutely sure the rescue will agree to take the bun back or try bonding with another bun for you just in case it doesn't work with whichever one you bring home. It's of course tough to not get attached immediately to the new bunny!! But I totally get where you're coming from with two non-bonded buns in one small living area being too much. Separate play times, separate everything. Not to mention possible moodiness and territorial marking/behavior between the two non-bonded buns.

hope this is helpful

On another note, you may want to wait until you're closer with Baxter until introducing a 2nd bun. I've heard of other people on here who bond their buns and then both bunnies end up not wanting to spend any time with their owners, only with each other.