Newly Adopted Boys...

We have two new members of the family who joined us today. Rehomed from the RSPCA, two bucks who appreciate each others company!  It's a little strange thinking of them as two boys, and I have accidently referred to Roo as "she" already... sorry Roo!! Rex (black bun), is fairly friendly and has been charging around, but Roo, our pretty lop is very timid and shy. I managed to get a couple of quick pics..

Oh well done love, they are gorgeous bunnies. A new little guinea pig I have at the moment is very shy but let's hope they both become friendly.

Hugs
JO xx

Oooh they are gorgeous

Are they lucky enough to have a humongous run, too?!

FluffSlave wrote:Oooh they are gorgeous

Are they lucky enough to have a humongous run, too?!

They currently have the use of a run that is 6ft wide but is almost 16ft long, Rex has been running about all day! They have constant access to the run via a tunnel from their hutch. However, the plan is to replace this 16ft standard height run, with a walk-in run, covered run. The new run will be 12ft x 8ft. I am hoping this will be within a matter of weeks... soon as possible!!

Gorgeous

Welcome Rex and Roo - you are very lucky buns indeed

Yayyyyyy! This is lovely news!

Welcome to HH little guys xx

Its been a troubled start.... but they are beautiful boys xx I think they are going to cause me worry for a few weeks until they start to settle... and I start to settle!!

Welcome to the boys!they are lovely I'm sure all and everybun will settle soon.

c.bolduan wrote:Welcome to the boys!they are lovely I'm sure all and everybun will settle soon.

It's been a stressful, anxious couple of days with them so far! I know it will become less worrying over time, once they start to get to know us and settle.

Apologies Thumper.. yes I did delete a long winded, detailed thread earlier when I was in panic mode!!

It was just about all initial worries with the new buns... and then I found Roo had a little nick to his ear that Rex had done... Roo's ear had been attend too and I phoned the foster's for advice. I'm assured its because they are newly bonded.. and now in a new space and rabbits like there territory etc.. I just find it worrying! I can't help thinking that perhaps we shouldn't have rehomed them so soon after bonding and maybe they should of had another week or two under the supervision of experienced handlers.

I'm trying not to get myself so worried..... but I couldn't sleep last few nights!!

I hope they are more settled today. How long have they been bonded for?

Sometimes too much space too early on can cause territorial behaviour. This is why bonding is generally carried out in a small space and then gradually increased as the bond becomes more firmly cemented. I am quite sure your boys will be revelling in their space but it may be that it has led to some minor scuffles.

We are also of course at the time of the year when Spring fever is in the air and even long standing partners can get a bit skitty. Indeed, Gabriel has spent a lot of today trying to hump Spring. I had to remind him that at his age (he will be 8 this year) he should have grown out of such behaviour

Hi Sixer...

Thank you for your advice, much appreciated. We had also come to the conclusion that they had too much space! Earlier today, we altered their set-up temporarily. We have halved the run size and removed the tunnel for a while. It's early days in terms of there bonded relationship, and I guess they are still accepting each other. Wish we had of rehomed them a week or two later! Nevermind, we will just keep an eye on them xx

Aww! Welcome to HH guys

I hope they settle down for you. Must be stressful!

Beautiful

The Snowman wrote:Hi Sixer...

Thank you for your advice, much appreciated.  We had also come to the conclusion that they had too much space! Earlier today,  we altered their set-up temporarily. We have halved the run size and removed the tunnel for a while.   It's early days in terms of there bonded relationship, and I guess they are still accepting each other.  Wish we had of rehomed them a week or two later!  Nevermind, we will just keep an eye on them xx

That is a sensible move. Can the boys see Seb and Dotty? Even if they can't they can more than likely hear and smell them which may just unsettle them initially too.

Fingers crossed that all is now well and you can really start to enjoy them.

I bet you never thought that such small balls of fur could be so complicated I know I didn't eight years ago when we started out.

The new arrivals caused major upset for Seb and Dotty. So much so, we decided the best course of action was to make sure they couldn't see each other. More building and adjusting!

At the moment, the boys are not at all like a bonded couple... and are still worrying me. No evidence of grooming etc.. (although apparently they had been). I haven't felt very confident around them and they seem so huge and jumpy! My husband has been doing the handling/holding whilst I check butts, bathe ears, groom and check them! I check on them often and chat to them. They have no toilet manners so far so I've been cleaning up lots. Its early days and I'm sure we will be able to enjoy them more in the coming months. At the moment, they are hard work compared to Seb and Dotty who are so easy to care for!

Rabbits are indeed very complex creatures! It can only get better!!

Hey there... I suspect the bad toileting is a territorial behaviour at the mo... they will be spreading as much poo as possible in the hope of claiming bits of space as their own.

I know its easy for me to say, but try and pretend you feel more confident around them as I suspect they might be pick up on your unease too.

Im sure things will settle.. they are such complicated little beasts... good luck!

I will try my best Katie! They are wonderful and deserve a good happy life. Rex was in a very poor state when he went into rescue.. bless him. We are going to try and rearguard Roo this evening... wish us luck!! Roo is a big fluff ball, so getting the first lot of rearguard. I am awaiting delivery of several more treatments but they will all be treated this week.

Now going to spend some time with the buns.... xx

Yep, the poo dispersion is territorial. Mine all leave poos along the boundary of their runs closest to the other pair's run and will also attempt to flick wee at each other

I wouldn't worry too much about the grooming, it took a while for Gabe and Spring to groom and even now Spring has to make do with a cursory lick from Gabe.

You could try some of this in their quarters - the spray

http://www.petremedy.co.uk/

I am also a fan of the Bach flower remedies, this is a link for the various ones linked to rabbit behaviours, which you can add to their water.

http://bananasforbunnies.org/?page_id=255

Your new buns are gorgeous and I hope things settle down soon - sounds like they are putting you through your paces as they get to know each other properly and explore their new home but I hope some more relaxed and happy moments are not far away!

Hi Snowman your buns are gorgeous,  hope they settle in soon, Rex looks like Bunny Boy they even have the different colored fur at the back of their necks, I have been wanting to know what breed Bunny Boy is, do you know what Rex is?
Bunny is 3 1/2 lbs don't know what that is for you

I have a Rex, Holly is one. She is brown with black fur underneath, she has very long ears and very short fur.

Hugs
Jo xxx