So, I have tried on several occasions to bond my two boys (can I point out that when I got the youngest, we were told he was a she!!).

I haven't tried now for well over a year as they just hate each other. The oldest is the soppiest bunny ever - when we put them together first it was on neutral ground and it started off fine. The older one was calm and fine but the younger one was a bit crazy and kept humping his head! We tried a few more times until the older one obviously had enough and went to bite the younger one Luckily I was quick and put my hand in the way so I got hurt instead!!! Please note that they have both been neutered. I read somewhere that if bunnies fall out at the start then that's it, they remember and won't ever get on? So sad as I wanted them to be friends.

They HATE each other. So, now I have two lovely boys outside in separate hutches. They both get let out in to the garden every day but separately.

I am starting to worry about them getting cold this winter and wondered what I could do seeing as they don't have each other for warmth. Last year we brought them inside - which I didn't realise until today, was a really stupid thing to do.

In an ideal world I would get a girlfriend for them both but funds are tight so couldn't provide for 4 bunnies. I am worried that they are lonely now

Any advice would be great thanks.

The bit I bolded isn't really true I have 2 does that fought before they were neutered (to the point of one having a chunk of her ear ripped off ) but once they were neutered they bonded fine, so just because they have fought in the past it doesn't necessarily mean they will never bond

When you tried to bond before can I ask what the time line was that you used (i.e how long from the start of the bond did you move them, how long did you keep them in a small space?)
Bonding can be a very, very stressful experience for owners, especially if they aren't used to bonding. Have you thought about looking into some local rescues as many offer a bonding service for a small donation which relieves the stress from you as hopefully you will end up with two bonded buns

It isn't impossible to bond two bucks but it can be very, very difficult and you have to know rabbit body language inside out so you can defuse any situation before it starts.

In the mean time to help them keep warm you can get a snugglesafe (animal hotwater bottle that you heat in the microwave) for each of them and pack lots of hay into their hutches

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Thanks for replying.

Well, we tried leaving them for a while but to be honest - maybe we are too worried and precious about them as as soon as it looked bad we were removing them. The time one went to bite the other we didn't try again. Didn't want to risk it.

I am quite good with my bunnies and know their moods well etc so can tell when there's trouble brewing BUT as I am not experienced in bonding bunnies, I don't know when too far is too far. I love them lots and don't like seeing them stressed and upset. Seeing the older one go for the younger one was horrible as it was so out of character.

I did look in to local centres but there doesn't seem to be any. I would happily pay someone to do this for me, I would pay a lot as I would really love for them to be together.

I will get some of those heater things and hay but I do worry about them getting lonely. Don't get me wrong, I do spend time with them but not as much as I'd like so would love for them to hang out together.

By the sounds of it you could have been removing them before they were able to establish any pecking order (chasing, mounting and fur pulling is all part of the process) if you aren't used to it it can look awful so I can understand why you wanted to stop it lol, my OH is always questioning me when I am bonding
You could always give them a teddy bear each for the time being, I always give singles a teddy as it gives them something to snuggle into, not the same as another bunny I know but I think it helps

Where abouts are you? I could have a look for you, how far are you willing to travel?

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Yeah that's what we thought but the older one looked proper scary and I think if I hadn't put my hand in the way we would have needed a trip to the vets. The youngest is a bit crazy (in a lovely scamp sort of way), very confident - and after he almost got bitten he was really shaken.

Are you really supposed to let them sort of fight?

I'm in Exeter, Devon. Trouble being that I don't drive, yet! So getting them anywhere could prove to be difficult.

Thanks so much!

Not fight no, this is why you need to know rabbit body language (especially with a difficult bond) as the chasing, fur pulling and mounting isn't fighting it is just them establishing who is boss. There are certain things to look for that tell you if things might escalate, but if you distract them before they do then normally things calm down.
You are a bit away from me so I think your best bet is to join here Rabbits United Forum and ask if there is anyone near you that can help, there are members from all over the country and a lot of people with a huge amount of bonding experience

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Thanks! Yeah I'm a member on there, have asked to see if anyone can help me.

I would be one happy bunny if my two got on!

Thanks

If you were closer, I would offer to do the bond for you, but I am near Bernie!
I would say the same as Bernie, that you may have been too quick to seperate them(which is natural when you love them so much) and they didnt get to sort out who was boss.
I think your boys can still be bonded. I had 2 boys who had a MAJOR fight, Rascal had to have his ears shaved to clean up the wounds and antibiotics etc and the vets said I would never get them back together into my group, even rescues were doubtful. It was the hardest bond I have done as there were alot of scraps, and they had to be bonded away from the group but they settled eventually after a few days and have been best of friends since

*Heidi*

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Oh wow so that is more hopeful then.

I think we convinced ourselves that as the submissive one tried to bite the little skamp, that that was it - they would never get on. I just don't know how far is too far.

As I work from home I am considering the 72hr thing where I put them together in a small pen in my lounge and I stay with them the whole time. Thing is, I reckon they'd go for each other straight away and I'd panic! If the little one does the head humping again, do I just gently move him off each time? He's quite a fast learner in that sense as when he was a pup he was a proper little nibbler - constantly nibbling or nipping us so my boyfriend spent an entire morning with him. Every time he went to nibble he gently moved his head away. He did it again and again and then by the end of the morning stopped doing it.

I am so excited at the thought of them being friends. The oldest (who's 4) is like a big soppy teddy bear and the little 'en is completely scatty and fast but also extremely loving. He kisses the vet nurses when he goes to visit - they all love him

Thanks for saying you'd help if you lived closer - that would have been ace. I think that maybe it is a lot easier for someone else who is not so emotionally attached to do it.

I take it they are both neutered?

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