Blue Skies and Buns

It was an absolutely BEAUTIFUL day today, and The Buns and I spent most of it outside, in the back yard. They played and ate and ran around until they were tired, then relaxed in the shade, then ran around some more. I studied. I think they win. It was really great to see Hef and Holly be more receptive to Jude. Holly didn't bite Jude or chase her away every chance she got. It was peaceful, and I think, a lot of fun for everyone. I think we are making progress! This last picture is my favorite of the day. Holly and Jude were laying RIGHT NEXT TO EACH OTHER! This is big news! The girls cuddled for a bit while Hef looked on. Look at his cute little behind with the grey tail- I love it! How are Bunny Butts so darn adorable? I was a very happy Bunny Mama today. I hope we can accompish #10 on my Thirty Before 30:
"Bonding All Three Buns Together" soon!

Another Bonding Update

We are still working on bodning. We've tried "bathtub bonding" (being in a strange area -like the bathtub- together promotes a bond and positive feelings toward each other) and have been able to go for longer and longer periods of time. When Holly and Jude were able to last for an hour to an hour and a half in the tub together without Holly trying to bite Jude's face, we put them both in the same hutch together. The hutch has two sections and I divided the sections with a wire door. Each Bun got a section to play in, but they could still see and smell each other through the door. I monitored this and saw some pretty good signs!

Holly HATES being away from her house. So being in a new environment was probably pretty stressful for her. Jude was trying to lick her and sniff her through the slits in the wire door, and really wanted some love in return. Holly was just like "get me out of here". But, she didn't seem aggressive toward Jude, which is progress! Yay!

For a few hours, I bring both bunnies on the couch with me. I pet them and talked to them and let them interact with each other and run around a bit. I didn't see any biting or fighting. Jude tried to groom Holly, and Holly tolerated it nicely. We all hung out and watched Glee together, and it was really nice.

Last night, They stayed in the 2 room hutch for an even longer period of time. While I cleaned the kitchen, did dishes, folded laundry and hung out in the living room, they hung out in their divided cage. I stayed up pretty late, and napped on the couch, listening for them. There were no signs of aggressiveness, and they seem to be adjusting nicely. (I think Hef was a little lonely in his hutch by himself though. He was monitoring the Ladies' activity as much as I was. He would look around all sad like "Hey? Where are my girls?" and every time he heard a noise coming from the Girls' hutch, he'd climb to the highest part of his hutch and try to see what's going on.)

So today, I took out the wire door dividing the hutch. There is just one big space for Holly and Jude to run around in and play. I've been monitoring them for a couple of hours. They've been napping and eating. Holly has been letting Jude groom her, and hasn't tried to bit her.

The biggest test will be when we try putting all three of them in the big two-story hutch together (that's where we hope they'll all live eventually). Holly and Hef can be pretty protective of their space, so it might take a little longer to get everyone comfortable with that. And, I am a little concerned about re-introducing them all after Jude is spayed next month. (She'll have to be by herself for a while to limit her running around so she can heal).

Hopefully everything works out, and all three of our Crazy Buns will be head over heels for each other. ::fingers crossed::

Bunny Bonding Update

When two bunnies meet, it's not always love at first sight. They can be very territorial and aggressive. When Hef and Holly met each other, there was some sniffing and a little bit of biting... and then they literally bonded overnight. They fell completely in love with each other. We were lucky.

Bonding with a third bunny is a little more complicated. The dynamics are totally different. Hef and Holly's whole life as been turned upside down. And poor Jude just wants to be friends. It's taken more time with this bonding experience, but I know it will be worth it.

During the evening, Huz and I (or just me if he's at work) will open up the Buns' hutch doors and sit on the kitchen floor. When they're ready, they come out and walk around, come get a treat from us (usually some cilantro, or a grape, or a piece of dried apple or banana) and run around the kitchen. Well, Hef will run around. Queen Holly doesn't even want to leave her bed sometimes. Actually, I give her credit. She's been coming out to play more often. And Jude will explore a little, and then then come sit on my lap. Then, get brave again, go out and explore a little bit more, and then come back and lie next to me. It's adorable.

So, through these carefully monitored playtimes, we've made some progress. Hef (the most dominant bunny) no longer snaps at or chases Jude. He will sniff her, lounge next to her, and I even caught him licking her fur once! (but I think it might have been because she dribbled some grape juice on it by accident ::shrugs::) Jude is very careful around him, and will approach him gently, sniff at him, and attempt a little cuddle. But if he moves or she hears him make any noise, she'll run like hell. Sometimes, one of them will accidently make a quick movement, which will startle the second one and make him/her jump back quickly, which makes the first one freak out and run.... and they both end up running in opposite directions at top speed over nothing. I'm glad they're getting to know each other, and neither is outright attacking. I choose to see it as a positive sign.

Now, Jude's attempts to win over Holly have not been as successful. Holly has always been very shy and timid. But, with a new girl hanging around, we've seen that she can get a little aggressive as well. If Jude comes near her, or her house, she'll try to bite her fur. Jude immediately runs away. I've kept a really close eye on those two, and won't leave them alone together. I'm hoping that eventually, Holly will get used to Jude and they will all get along so well that we can keep them in one hutch.

This pic was taken yesterday. They were distracted by some yummy cilantro and forgot to be suspicious of each other for a minute.