Somethings about bonding I read that might help you:
I'm going to tell you somethings that are very VERY important! Do not ever forget this!
NEVER just put two rabbits together in a cage or pen together! THEY WILL FIGHT! They also have the potential to kill one another!
DO make sure that you get the rabbits spayed/neutered. You do not want baby buns there are too many in shelters that need adopting! It also cuts down the fighting due to the hormones raging.
Do some speed dating at your local shelter. Let your bunny choose his mate!
These are the possible matches for bonding a pair of buns!
Male and female are the easiest to bond. Often love at first sight! It is easier to bring a female into a males territory.
Female and male are often very easy. Might take a wee bit longer to bond. Some fighting is possible.
Male and male: fighting may happen. It can be a very difficult bond but it is not impossible.
Two baby bunnies are super easy!
Some scenarios may happen upon their first introduction...
Love at first sight. You will know after a few mintues. If you put them in their shared space and everything is still great then they are bonded and there is nothing else that you have to do! :inlove:
Cautious friendship.. NEVER leave them together alone! they have yet to work something out in their relationship!
Seperate them when you leave the room. No fighting equals friendship will eventually form!
If affectionate behavior happens this is very common. If the neutered male mounts the female and she doesnt fight him back or just doesn't care, the relationship will most likely go well! If the female fights back or turns to face him be prepared to to have a full intro period!
Fighting is very hard to see happen! DO NOT LET THEM FIGHT! Always interfere! PROTECT YOUR Bunnies! Be ready for a very LONG bonding!
Chasing can occur. If the one being chased gets aggressive towards the chaser be ready for a fight. If they do not fight Do not interfere, Just be there just in case!
The actual bonding!
Pick a neutral space to help them along. Some Buns can be bonded in the tub! You can choose anything that you are comfortable with people opt for the top of a washer or dryer. You can also put them in a cardboard box and take them for a ride in the car! Make sure that you have another pair of hands with you to help! The tub was the best though in my opinion.
Do what you're comfortable with!
The frequency of the sessions should go hand to hand how they are behaving together! Start with very short sessions 10-15 minutes tops. If they are behaving after a few of these short sessions then start making them longer. Soon you will be able to leave them alone for a few minutes while you do something different! be sure that you are still in earshot of the buns!
When putting them in their room or shared area together after the bonding make sure that their cages are next to each other but enough room apart so that they cannot bite or fight through the bars!
After a few sessions try introducing food into the equation! Give them a handful of hay or some pellets. Try some treats. When rabbits eat together they are bonding! This is a great trick!
When they start grooming, eating, just being happy together you will know that they are almost done with neutral territory bonding!
Before you try shared space bonding you MUST clean every inch of the space removing all scent and territorial markings! Use a diluted vinegar solution to scrub the floor and anything your dominant bun has touched! THEN thoughly clean out litter boxes and food dishes!
When you put the two together in their space NEVER LEAVE THEM ALONE! When you leave the room seperate them. Going to bed? Seperate them! Always supervise until you are sure that they are TRUELY bonded!
When seperating them for the evening, trade out their litter boxes! They need to get used to each others scent.
Let them eat together at all meals. After they are done let them play together! Then do not forget to separate!
You will be able to tell when they are infact bonded. They will do almost everything together! They will eat, groom, sleep, and even use the litter box together! There will be no fighting! If they fight, they are not bonded!
HAPPY BONDING AND BEST OF LUCK!
