Thanks for all the suggestions about Jaspers girlfriend/trio.

My decision was made for me - as they decided to split the mum and the baby as the mum kept picking on her, and has taken a chunk out of her ear. I picked her up this morning.

I got the neutral cage ready, with hay and new food and water bowls. I gave them both a wipe over with grooming wipes and put them in together....

All hell broke loose... they both chased each other round and round the cage. There was fur and bits flying, and lots of grunting. I pulled Jasper out, gave them both a bit of a check over. They both seem fine apart from tufts of fur sticking out. Now what do I do??

I've put them both back in separate cages, but with the fronts up against each other for tonight. Do I just do the same thing tomorrow and hope it goes better? I really don't want two separate rabbits! ;( Any help would be appreciated! I've read the rabbit bonding threads and thought I was doing it ok?

If it is just chasing and fur pulling then that is all part of the bonding process. Try getting a water sprayer and give them a quick squirt of water to distract them when things kick off (this also encourages grooming, as they can't stand getting wet) Also it is best to just scatter feed whilst you are bonding so that there isn't a food bowl to get in the way
When you are bonding it is best not to separate because when you do you have to start from square one when you put them back together.

Have you tried taking them on a car ride? A lot of people swear by that method as it encourages them to snuggle up, also you can try sticking the cage next to a washing machine that is on spin cycle as this can have the same effect

Oh and if I remember right Crofty smeared banana on the heads of her buns, yet again this encourages mutual grooming

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Thanks Bernie,

I'm going to try again tomorrow - now I've recovered a bit and hopefully she will have a night to settle in. I will buy a water squirter tomorrow, and some banana too as well as scattering the food, thanks

Hopefully they will be ok - at the moment Jasper is licking the cage she is in. She is a bit iffy with him, but she has lived with lots of rabbits so I guess she will be alright with him eventually.

Hopefully tomorrow will go better (and I will have a bit more nerve!) I just don't want to see either of them hurt.

Do I just put them both together in a small cat carrier for the car trip? I don't think the bonding crate will fit in my car. Is that too much of a confined space?

The only thing I would worry about with the cat carrier is you wouldn't have easy access to them, so if things kick off there wouldn't be a lot you could do about it

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I was worried about that. I might just put them next to the washing machine when the time comes.

I've just got up this morning and decided to postpone bonding until Tuesday. She is very upset with me. First thing this morning I can't even put my hand in her cage without getting growled at. I've won her over a bit with bok choy and carrot, so at least I could touch her now. They are still side by side, but I'm not sure if that is stressing her out more? Should I put them at separate ends of the garage for the time being, or will she get used to his smell next to each other?

I feel so out of my depth!

Oh just a thought, how long ago were they neutered?

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Jasper was neutered 4 weeks ago, and the little girl 1 week ago.

Maybe it is all a bit too soon. I've just sat out there with them, maybe I will put it off for another couple of weeks for her to get used to me, and being in a new environment.

I just feel like crying. I think I have stuffed everything up. When she came round for a bunny date she was so sweet and friendly - the rescue woman even said how sweet she was when I picked her up. Now she is lunging at me every time I put my hand in her cage I hope she'll forgive me and settle down ;(

Its too soon, let her settle first shes in a new home and her hormones are still all over the place shes probably scared. Give it another two weeks and let them calm down. Then set up a very small neutral area, take them for a car ride first, have the engine running and put them in last minute so they dont get chance to fight. If they start as soon as you put them together give them a spray of water and say no.

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There are 33,000 bunnies young, middle aged, old, large and small all looking for a second chance and loving home, can you help? www.rabbitrehome.org.uk



If tears could build a stairway, And memories a lane,
I'd walk right up to Heaven, And bring you home again.

Thanks Crofty.
I'll wait a couple of weeks so she gets used to the place. I hope I haven't stuffed everything up Do you think she'll forgive me?

Shall I put her at the other end of the garage until she settles down or is it ok to keep them next to each other? Their cages are both flywired so the can't actually touch each other.

Yes of course, dont worry, yeh keep them next to eachother, they should settle and just spend time getting to know her, sit in with her and let her come to you, you need to build that repore with her so that when you come to bond them she trusts you and you can read her better, remember you are top bun.

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There are 33,000 bunnies young, middle aged, old, large and small all looking for a second chance and loving home, can you help? www.rabbitrehome.org.uk



If tears could build a stairway, And memories a lane,
I'd walk right up to Heaven, And bring you home again.