Posted by Melony on 15/9/2005, 8:27 am, in reply to "Introducing two bunnies" From there I open the fence between them, allowing them to investigate. Doing this means they both have a new area and smells to check out which can help distract them, and they also have their own 'safe' space to run back to if things get intense. I've found that unless one is particularly aggressive they're happy just to remove the intruder. Be sure to have the area large enough that you can be in there with them, talk to them, intervene at the slightest hint of trouble (watch the body language, especialy the tail and ears), if necessary hold one while the other moves around and swap after a few minutes. If you can get them to be near each other, pat them both while they're side by side or nose to nose so that the others smell is associated with good things. I keep the first few sessions to about half an hour depending on reactions. It may be shorter, but usually not longer. Once I know they're not going to really hurt each other then they get longer, use the rabbits as guides. If they're snuggling, you're probably ok to leave them together, if they're ignoring each other, I leave them during the day and seperate at night. I also tend to leave the temp area set up for a while, even once the fence is open permanently. It can take a lot of patience and commitment to bond two buns. Keep in mind both rabbits are going to be feeling disorientated, defensive and a bit flustered so it's important that you are the stable, calming influence. I've used the first couple of meetings to do regular activities like cleaning litter boxes, brushing, nail clips etc. I also talk constantly and it does seem to help. Good luck, I hope it all goes well for Roger! Melony
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My rabbits all have a condo/pen set up, so I usually make a temporary pen and attach it to the resident bun's. They don't meet through the fence until I'm confident they're over the initial upheaval of having a new rabbit around and the newbie has settled in a little.
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