Bonding Process

• Find a neutral place which was not already visited by one of the rabbits
• Introduce all rabbits simultaneously
• Include lots of houses and tunnels for rabbits to hide (with at least 2 entrances)
• Place food around the bonding site
• If outdoor enclosure, clean thoroughly with vinegar and hot water, and redecorate new

When your rabbits live throughout the house, it could be helpful to do the bonding in the house of a friend. If that is not possible, ensure the old territory is thoroughly neutralized by cleaning and disinfecting. This can be done with hot water and vinegar essence. Old furniture and litter boxes have to be completely replaced with new ones. The more neutral the room, the less the old rabbit(s) will defend their territory.

If bonding is attempted by simply placing the new rabbit into the old territory, it will most likely lead to intense fighting and very likely be unsuccessful. The place of the bonding has to be large enough that the animals can rest but also are confronted with one another.

It is very important that in the bonding site, there are lots of houses and tunnels with at least two exits. Alternatively you can place cardboard boxes with at least two entrances, so they may hide. Ensure you place food around the site, so they may be distracted. It is very important the rabbits are introduced to the new bonding site simultaneously and not sequentially.

Without outdoor keeping, bonding on a neutral site is a bit more difficult. In this case you must make sure everything is cleaned thoroughly with vinegar essence and hot water. You must redesign the enclosure completely different to previously. Alternatively you can use an unheated basement as a bonding site. It is very important that they have lots of space and the ability to rest but also be able to confront one another.

Other Bonding Methods

The previously explained method is one of the most successful and fastest. This suits most of the rabbits, however is not the only way possible. Each rabbit is different and sometimes you require an individualized solution when this bonding method is not successful.

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