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Bonding Rabbits - Fighting

22 10:27:39

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I've just started to bond my two rabbits. My female is a dominant, bossy, but usually laid-back Harlequin. My male is a submissive but nervous Argente Blue.

I did two introductions today. In the morning they ignored eachother and then had a minor skirmish but nothing severe. I tried again in the afternoon and it turned into a huge fight. My male got bitten on the face (drew blood but seems fine, doesn't flinch when i touch it etc). I also got bitten badly by my female.

I wanted to know whether bondings starting like this have ever worked out, and also how long i should leave before re introducing. I wanted to put them in the carrier and stress them, but i'm worried about even putting them near eachother. i think my female just needs to hump him and say 'i'm boss' but now she knows he's scared of her and just keeps bolting for him everytime she sees him.

Do you have any advice to offer?

ANSWER: This is a hard one as bonding is really up to the rabbits in question.  I am going to assume that both rabbits have been neutered. And that they are both about the same age/size etc. Other than just taking your time and keep trying over and over again  I personally don't have any suggestions for you.
Being a breeder all my rabbits are in seperate cages before 3 months of age.  However I do suggest you look at the house rabbit society webpage
http://www.rabbit.org/
and in the search box enter bonding.  You can also find a house rabbit society near you and email, or call them for advice.  They deal with bonding issues all the time and are generally a really good group of people.

Good Luck
amy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks. Yes they are neutered. Lottie (female) is estimated around 15 months and Archie (male) is around a year. They are both roughly the same size but seem to have very different personalities. I hope it works out. Thanks for your help.

Answer
Your welcome, I wish I had been able to help more with this, but unfortunatly I just don't have much experience with bonding rabbits especially at that age.  However I suggest you get in contact with a House Rabbit member as they should be able to point  you in the right direction.

Good Luck to you and your buns
Amy