What to do for Hollie.

Little Hollie, bless her, so far doesn't seem to be missing Herbie      But she can't live on her own forever, she is a protective little soul who needs the company of another rabbit. However she is almost seven years old and I really don't want to be taking on another rabbit for her, particularly a much younger one. I can't bear to think about losing more rabbits but long term Chris and I would for a number of reasons be less stressed with less rabbits.

So the question is do I try and bond Hollie with BJ and Hollie's sister Rosie or with Gabriel and Spring.

Rosie is a stroppy moo and the reason we found her a partner in BJ is that she refused to share Herbie with Hollie. I don't think for a minute that Rosie will remember this but given her recent assertiveness now she has discovered life off the decking, her efforts in winding Gabriel and Herbie up when she could, I have qualms about introducing Hollie to her.

As far as Gabe and Spring go, Gabe was a handful to bond, he is very very humpy. Also I wouldn't say Gabe and Spring's bond is rock solid and I would hate to disrupt/spoil it by trying to bond Hollie with them.

I now have a week of work so this would seem to be an ideal time to try bonding, I hope this isn't too soon for Hollie. My next oportunity would be 7 weeks away at Easter when spring fever could maybe add further complications.

I am torn what to do - I feel BJ and Rosie may be the better bet but am very nervous about it       

I wish I knew what to advise hunni - I would be leaning towards a an and Rosie too though I think. Rosie may have mellowed towards sharing?

How are you doing?

I am OK, thanks Katie. Just hits me hard going out to Herbie's shed and not seeing him snoozing in the window     

Chris is going away for a couple of days with work tomorrow, and as he struggles with his asthma with hay in the house, this would seem the best time to attempt a bonding. If things are looking promising then I could relocate the bunnies to Louise's for the rest of the week. It's not ideal to start off there as it will involve a lot of shifting of furniture etc but I am prepared to do this if needs be.

I am not sure about Rosie mellowing. The older she gets, the more stubborn, determined and stroppy she gets   

I would be really reluctant to mess with your established pairs. Trios can be really unstable as far as I understand it as one bun is often left out, And worst case scenario is that you end up with one of the existing pairs unbonded. I guess you could put Hollie in a run next to the pairs and see how they react then make a decision from there.

I am not too worried that Rosie and BJ would become unbonded if things went badly. Rosie had two prolonged stays at the vets last year (one of six days) and BJ accepted her back without a problem. I would be more concerned that the bond between Spring and Gabe would break down.

I do accept that there may be a left out bun in a trio, but it is harder to accept leaving Hollie on her own   

We have dry weather her today so I was half thinking of putting Hollie near Rosie and BJ and see what happens.

Sadly for personal and financial reasons a new partner for Hollie is not possible   I knew that when we lost a rabbit trying to form a trio might have to be an option.

Trios are completely different, I had mine as a four and it didnt work, and when Peanut died I bonded Jelly with Domino and Pebbles and it worked fine, okay Jelly did chase Pebbles a bit but it calmed down, and i think its a completely different dynamic so id give it a try

I know that Veganbunny was really unsure about bonding the stray doe she found into her existing pair, but after a rocky start it has ended really well, with what seems to be a very stable and balanced relationship.

I think you need to expect some friction at the start and not be too quick to intervene as long as nobunny is getting hurt, and be prepared to take the bond very slow and expand space very gradually.

Never had to bond a third bunny into an already existing pair. So sorry no experience and can only say that whatever you decide I hope is gonna work out fine for all involved.
Would lets get on with each other vibes be good.? Send you a ship load of those. Xxxx

Some let's get on with each other vibes would be very welcome indeed   

This aftenoon I had Hollie in a run in the garden whilst BJ and Rosie had some free range time. BJ and Rosie ignored Hollie for a long time and then made their way to her. BJ was sniffing Hollie through the bars with no sign of aggression, though Hollie (and she did do this with Herbie too ) would jump away as though expecting a nip. Rosie, although she was 'tail up' was not looking to attack. There was one minor skirmish between BJ and Rosie but this was over as soon as it started. I have seen worse when they have had Gabriel in the vicinity.

So, all things considered it could have gone a lot worse and therefore gives me a little bit of hope.