Bonding help please!

So I started the bonding this evening, i put them in a neutral pen with a pile of hay and some herbs. It started off well, they were ignoring each other, then they'd sniff each other a bit, then go back to ignoring, Hec was grunting like he does when he's about to get food/when i come home. Then Hector started to hump her which she didn't like, it was ok at first, she'd push him off and they'd go back to ignoring, then it started to tend more towards aggression, they were almost bunny 500-ing on each other, I got the feeling she was going to lash out soon so I have separated them for now. I'm not sure whether to give it an hour and try it again this evening? Or leave them over night and try tomorrow? I've messaged Jill to get her advice but I thought I'd see what you guys think as well

are they in pens next to each other where they can see/smell but not touch each other? Have you been swapping their pens so they can get used to each others scent? seems like you may have moved a bit quickly.

Chasing humping and nipping is all fine. They need to sort out who is boss. Only circling and face humping [due to bitten bits] is bad and should be avoided. With the humping if it gets a bit too much you can gently push one of them off. Did you have hay in the pen? how big was it? i find a smaller space better to start with [one pen pannel x one] as there is noting to fight over and having hay helped ours to settle.

If you have separated leave it until tomoro to let them and you calm down. Mostly you need to learn not to stress as they will pick up on that and it wont help them to bond.

Leave it. It is good the let them tussle a bit, but not too much too quickly.

Amelia66 wrote:are they in pens next to each other where they can see/smell but not touch each other? Have you been swapping their pens so they can get used to each others scent? seems like you may have moved a bit quickly.

Chasing humping and nipping is all fine. They need to sort out who is boss. Only circling and face humping [due to bitten bits] is bad and should be avoided. With the humping if it gets a bit too much you can gently push one of them off. Did you have hay in the pen? how big was it? i find a smaller space better to start with [one pen pannel x one] as there is noting to fight over and having hay helped ours to settle.

If you have separated leave it until tomoro to let them and you calm down. Mostly you need to learn not to stress as they will pick up on that and it wont help them to bond.

The thing I've found weird is when he humps her front she accepts it, when it's her back she runs away from him

Yes they had hay, in a 2' x 3' pen

I was advised by Jill who runs the rescue the girl came from to keep them completely separate then introduce in a neutral pen. They are next to each other now as i want to continue the bonding (feel it's better for them to see each other throughout)

cheryl'n'bruce'flo wrote:Leave it. It is good the let them tussle a bit, but not too much too quickly.

Ok, I will try again tomorrow! thanks cheryl

Fingers are crossed for you here

I'm certainly no expert but I would be keeping them side by side to get them used to one another.

Hello....
I have sent Zoe advice via Fb re the bonding
Just wanted to add a bit re side by side
If you have a few weeks to do a slow bond then side by side is good..keep swapping them into each others area so they get sued to the smell of each other .
But if you are going to do the introduce and leave bond..then best to keep them apart before you start. The problem with having them living next door to each other is they can get used to just that, the other rabbit being next door is fine but don't come into my house ..they accept the new bun with the fence in between.

So advice to Zoe is start again in the morning and don't panic too quickly..full advice in my Fb message

just adding it's ages since I've posted on here and such a surprise to see that old signature!

Oo hello jill! I didn't know you had an account on here! Thank you for all of your help

It went a bit better today mostly peaceful with a bit of humping, I've cleaned and 'neutralised' the main pen, so they're in there now after spending all day together, fingers crossed they keep this up!!

ooo was that grooming in that last picture??

It was!! Hector is going to have to learn that not everyone will sit and fuss him for half an hour though, ha. Just hoping it stays good tonight, then I'll feel a bit more relaxed!

What adorable bunnies.

Hugs
JO xx

Awww

I remember how stressful and scary it was when I bonded my two, so I am thinking of you

Fingers crossed everything goes well xxx

Thank you Fluffslave

It's looking really good Zoe, well done you and please give little Zelda a noserub from me ! x

 BUNNY LOVE IS IN THE AIR!

Ooh ooh ooh. Have been AWOL and missed this. How fabulous to see them together. Am hoping for a happy update today. I am absolutely thrilled for you all

Forgot to say, don't they just look gorgeous together

Logging on in anticipation of reports of Lurrvveeee.....

Hahaha!! All seems good today, Hector got a bit over excited when I was dishing out their pellets and started humping her but i haven't seen anything since

Woohoo!

Great news hun.

Hugs
JO xx

Humping is ok. Bunnies do best? So glad it all goes smoothly!

Sometimes they hump the wrong end, now that is funny to watch

Hugs
JO xx