Youngster and adult bonding

[bellebunnies]

Hi everyone!
I’ve tried to read through a few threads but can’t find anything really matching my situation so thought to reach out for help. I have two girls bonded who are 7 months old and both spayed, they were from the same litter and so have always been bonded and lovely to each other, Dora and Dixie. Yesterday I got two more girls who are both 8 weeks old. In the future I would love to have all 4 living together. I have put their pens opposite each other and let Dixie and Dora go up to the pen and sniff around the new girls, Dolly and Darcy. Should I wait until the new girls are spayed to introduce them? Will Dora and Dixie see the youngsters as a threat or even turn on each other? Is it best to wait till their spayed? Or will Dolly and Darcy be okay since they’re so young, would they not be a threat? Any answers are very much appreciated, thanks very much for reading!

 

[Janellek]

Yes I would wait just so they don’t make any bad memories! Of course if they don’t seem to mind through the bars I find they don’t mind at all when there together you just have to see your bunnies reactions and decide which is best for the pairs!

 

[bellebunnies]

Yes I would wait just so they don’t make any bad memories! Of course if they don’t seem to mind through the bars I find they don’t mind at all when there together you just have to see your bunnies reactions and decide which is best for the pairs!

Thanks very much! Like you said I don’t want to rush it and have them make bad memories! I’d never forgive my self if it went south, I think I’ll wait till they’re spayed! Thank you

 

[Blue eyes]

Typically an adult rabbit will tolerate a baby rabbit... as long as it is a baby. The problem comes when that baby's (in your case, those babies') hormones kick in. At what age that occurs can vary per bun, but when they do kick in, they can affect any bun in the household. This is why it is recommended to keep young babies away from adult rabbits.

There is another scenario you may not have considered. It's possible the two new babies will not bond with each other. They may decide to not get along either when those hormones kick in or (and) after they are spayed. Only time will tell.

Same will apply to any future bonding with the older girls. They may or may not accept either or both of the new girls. OR, the older girls' bond could break from the presence of the younger girls -- either when those young ones' hormones kick in or later after they are spayed.

With multiple buns, there's no way to predict how or if they will get along.

 

[bellebunnies]

Typically an adult rabbit will tolerate a baby rabbit... as long as it is a baby. The problem comes when that baby's (in your case, those babies') hormones kick in. At what age that occurs can vary per bun, but when they do kick in, they can affect any bun in the household. This is why it is recommended to keep young babies away from adult rabbits.

There is another scenario you may not have considered. It's possible the two new babies will not bond with each other. They may decide to not get along either when those hormones kick in or (and) after they are spayed. Only time will tell.

Same will apply to any future bonding with the older girls. They may or may not accept either or both of the new girls. OR, the older girls' bond could break from the presence of the younger girls -- either when those young ones' hormones kick in or later after they are spayed.

With multiple buns, there's no way to predict how or if they will get along.

Thanks very much! What would you do in this scenario? Both babies are grooming each other and sleeping together at the moment but like you said, things could change.

 

[Janellek]

It’s just when hormones kick in so definatly fix them before 6/7 months. A few years ago I had 2 does who were bonded and not spayed about a year later they started fighting again I mean it works for some bunnies it just depends! Just keep youraked calm around them which will reflect onto them, you want calm bunnies because there is less likely something bad to happen once bunnies love each otheras babies it can change when there older but itvaries withe the bunnies!

 

[bellebunnies]

It’s just when hormones kick in so definatly fix them before 6/7 months. A few years ago I had 2 does who were bonded and not spayed about a year later they started fighting again I mean it works for some bunnies it just depends!

I guess I was lucky with my two older girls, at 4 months old one of them developed an ovarian cyst (they were booked in to be spayed 2 months later) but the vet brought it forward for both of them because of the pain she was in. Silver lining to the situation that it didn’t get too late I guess!

 

[JBun]

Thanks very much! What would you do in this scenario? Both babies are grooming each other and sleeping together at the moment but like you said, things could change.

You just have to wait and see. There's no way to predict how they will all get along. It could work out perfectly where the two babies mature, get spayed, and you bond all 4 without issue. Or it could go the opposite where neither of the babies will get along with your current 2. It all depends on what the babies grown up personalities end up being, and if they are compatible with your current two. Generally, if you have two(or more) very dominant personalities, it won't work out. For a group to work out, you have to have one top bun and the rest of the buns willing to submit to that buns authority.