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Bunman · Dec 11, 2005

Hello all, my name is David & i have anew tan & white minilop, Flopsey, & a bunwith coloration somewhat like a wild rabbit but darker &turning to black on the face, ears, & feet (i've had variousnames offered to me for this type of color scheme.) She's named Daisy.

Both are young shelter rescues. This is my first time with 2 buns, soany advice appreciated. They are in cages side by side but i have inmind bonding them. Once bonded do they need to be in the same cage?They will be getting out in the kitchen once i get a rug to put down.

Just how much attention do they really need? I feel a bit overwhelmedwith 2, Flopsey in particular is a love-sponge & always wantsaffection, leaping up on the side of the cage whenever i come near.

Thank you all for your help.

cirrustwi · Dec 11, 2005

Welcome to the forum! I'll try to answer your questions.

As for caging when they are bonded, they can be together or they canlive seperate and just share play time. I have 2 girls wholive together and then I also have a couple of girls who just shareplay times. They all do fine. I see displays ofdominance sometimes with all of them. The 2 that livetogether are Flemish does and the littler one shows dominance in thecage when she wants my attention or needs her dish filled or more hayor water or something. If she's content with things, shedoesn't do it, but as soon as she wants something, she will do it andit always gets her what she wants. She never does it outsideof the cage. As for the ones who live separately, all of themtake turns occasionally trying out dominance, but it's never bad.

With attention, I tend to feel that there are buns out there who spendtheir entire lives in cages getting no love at all, so buns who getlove and attention and time to play are lucky and the more time theyget, the luckier they are. I have 16 buns and I just dividemy time with them. They all get time out of their cagesdaily. I usually have at least 3 buns out at a time indifferent areas. Then a few get most of the day out and thatrotates. My whole thing works on this greatschedule. I'd suggest trying to get them on a schedule whereyou are happy and so are they.

I'd also like to recommend that you check out the Top Picks at the topof the first page. It has some links on it, including onecalled a Cheat Sheet for Rabbit Care which has a good link for bonding.

Jen

Bunman · Dec 11, 2005

Thank you Jen.

I amalso concerned that they might harm each other in the attempt to bond - any reassurance on this?

I have also read that just being close to the bun is helpful if i can'tplay - my buns are in cages right next to where i sit & work,so i'm with them all day even when they are not being petted& cuddled.

kgarver · Dec 11, 2005

here's a thorough article about bonding:

http://www.rabbitnetwork.org/articles/bond.shtml

bunnydude · Dec 11, 2005

Welcome to the forum, David. Just like Jen said,bonded bunnies can live apart or together. I have a bonded mother/sonpair who spend most of the day together, but sleep in different cagesat night. As for getting enough attention, it is a good thing that theylive in an area where you spend alot of time. Also, if there are twobunnies together, they can provide each other with love and attentionwhen you cannot. Just be sure to put aside some dedicated "bunny time"every day, and they should be fine.