Bunnies Chasing/Scrapping

[becca6]

Have also posted this on RR but really could do with some advice so posting here too.

Not quite sure what is going on with T and Miss Hobnob. I thought their bond was pretty solid - it was an instant bond, they were home the day after they were put together, and everything has seemed fine.

They've been spending most of their time in their cage together - when I'm at home the pen door is left open and they can free range, though Miss H hasn't ventured out a lot, only really coming out as far as the doorway and no futher.

On Saturday for the first time I brought her through to the bedroom, where T has been pottering a little during this time (though he's spent most of the time in the cage with Miss H). T did seem a little puzzled by it, but it seemed OK - she had a great time exploring and he was watching her. In the evening, after most of the fireworks had stopped, there was some chasing in the room, but didn't seem too serious. When I woke up both were back in their cage.

This morning there has been chasing again. I got into their room and T was being chased by Miss H. Picked him up to calm him down - I can't help but still be very protective of him - and brought him into the bedroom. Put him on the floor and he hopped straight out of the room and back to their cage. Have tried to stay calm and he was choosing to stick close to her - I've been off work for over a week - assumed that if he was really unhappy he could always come into the bedroom to get away from her if he wasn't happy.

Just heard more scuffling and T has now come into the bedroom and settled himself down and that scares me more than anything - there are big tufts of Miss H's fur in their cage and she is in there on her own. She's right at the back of the cage so I can't easily get to her without climbing into the pen bit in front of it.

Have I spoilt things by bringing her into the bedroom before either were ready? They've been together five weeks now and although they do seem to spend a bit of time in different parts of their cage (they have two cages in an L shape and then a pen in front of the gap so it makes a big area, but with three separate areas), I've also seen them together and there's been grooming.

I'm just worried now that their bond is breaking down and I don't have a clue what to do. I'm still so upset over losing Bell, that I just get in a state and worry about T. I so want him to be happy like he was with Bella, and so want to give Miss H the life she deserves, but just don't know how to handle it all.

This is the first time he's taken himself away from her completely, and as she's not coming out of the cage she won't come after him.

Any advice?

[poppymoon]

sorry to hear this.

i'm not really the best person to advise on bonding but i didn't want to read and run.

i have a feeling that the suggestion will be to make their area small er again.

[poppymoon]

are they any calmer rebecca?

[Hunnybunny2007]

I would say the same, make the area smaller again, the fireworks and the new area could have been a comination to upset them, I would put them back as they were and if possible cover them slightly so there are less distractions and see if their bond builds again. Hope they fall in love again

[holidayhutch]

Hi Rebecca, if it was me I would remove a cage for a few days and reduce the pen size, go back to bonding basics, small area etc. Also T may not have been ready to have her in what he sees as his territory (i.e the bedroom) as it is not a neutral area for them. So as much as I know you want them in bedroom with you, I think it is important to reinforce the bond first and then allow them that little bit more space day by day. You say they are grooming etc which is great and you can help this by popping something like a bit of mashed banana on one rabbits head, neck etc Good Luck

[donnamt]

hope they are playing nice today xx

[Kareen]

Hi, I am new to the site. I run Fife rabbit rescue and have done a fair bit of bonding, I would agree with what has been said about reducing the area they have together. I usually keep new bonds in a smallish area for 3 full days then gradually allow them to have more space. The mashed banana is a great trick and works well you can also put them in a per carrier and take them for a wee drive in the car. Also don't be too fussy with their litter tray let it get well used from them both and when you do clean it don't do it completely. I hope they fall in love. With some rabbits it just takes time. Let them get on with it without interfering too much.

Good Luck.

Kareen.

[becca6]

Thanks everyone. I'm trying to stay calm and Angie has been fantastic - she did the bond and Miss H came from BARC. We're mystified as to how it's happened as they liked each other instantly, and have been fine for the last five weeks.

We think maybe T has got jealous with her coming in the bedroom - he was definitely disturbed by it on Saturday and I just didn't think. She hasn't been back in since, and the cage is now shut and T can't come out.

The pattern seems to be morning and evening they have seconds-long at a time chasing - I think it must be fairly mutual going on there being fur from both of them, though when I've seen it, it has been Miss H chasing T, but as she's the one with the most fur in the cage, it's obviously not just her chasing him. Yesterday there was quite a lot of fur from both of them, none so far today. The rest of the time they're calm. I have been over-protective of T since we lost Bella and I don't think that's helped. I put them in their carrier last night and walked up and down the passage for 15 minutes. There was no bother at all.

I've tried to keep out of their room today except to feed them. A couple of times they've been in the same area but most of the time they're staying in separate bits. The chasing lasts seconds and I haven't witnessed any serious fighting.

Angie also wonders if perhaps because I've had nine days off work and have hardly been out, whether it has unsettled them a bit as they're not used to me being around for such long periods of time.

I don't know now whether to reduce the cage size back to what it was when they first came home - it's a funny arrangement as it's two cages at an L shape, with a pen in the gap. If something does kick off tomorrow I won't be around to step in, but on the other hand I haven't seen any grooming for a few days now, so think they would benefit from less space. There was loads of grooming before these last few days. Both seem to be eating fine, and this morning Miss H had pooped absolutely everywhere - which they both did when they first came home from Angie - after the first few days they both settled back to using the litter trays, so I'm sure that's connected. I haven't attempted to clean them up, thinking it's probably best to leave traces of both of them there.

I'm holding on to the hope that things will settle. They have been so settled, so calm, it's been a dream. I'm so annoyed that I perhaps tried to get her to be more free range before they were both ready, but as they've lived so happily with each other for the last five weeks, I never dreamed that this would happen.

[Bunnyaddict]

Oh Rebecca I'm so sorry things seem to have a gone a little backwards with T & Miss H

I really hope they will both settle again very soon & be a loved up little couple once again I know how worried you've been about them Try to stay positive - I'm sure it's only a little blip xxx

[becca6]

Oh Rebecca I'm so sorry things seem to have a gone a little backwards with T & Miss H

I really hope they will both settle again very soon & be a loved up little couple once again I know how worried you've been about them Try to stay positive - I'm sure it's only a little blip xxx

Thanks Feeling quite fragile at the moment. Don't know whether to reduce the space and hope for the best, or leave it as it is - they're OK, just not spending any real time together, and no grooming. Doesn't help that I'm back at work tomorrow, which in one way might be a good thing because I can't keep checking on them, but on the other hand I know I'll be worrying about them all day.

I think there has only been one scuffle this evening and it was over in seconds. My worry is that if they're just staying apart then they're not dealing with it - as if they're only scuffling when one goes in the bit the other is, whether that's to get water or what I don't know as I'm trying to stay out of the way. I suppose it is probably OK leaving them as they are for the next couple of days, and then on Friday reduce the size so I'll be around if anything happens, and just hope that they go back to snuggling and sitting together and grooming. Trying not to think what I'll do if the bond really breaks down