Love blooming

[kathydip]

Well it's been long enough since Oliver had his nip to place them together. We came home late last Saturday night and decided to let them see each other. I was rather surprised that they got along pretty well. I was also surprised that Ophelia decided she was going to make the first "move" to show she was top bun. After she took some fur out I separated them to their own corners - well cages. But we felt pretty good that they did well for their first time. So off and on this week I have let them be together. Oliver even gave her a couple of licks on the head. There has been a little more hair pulling but really no big fights or anything. Ophelia is going tomorrow for her tuck. We will have to wait for 7-10 days before they can be together again. I am hoping that once her hormones are out of her system she will be more willing to groom Oliver back or at least not bite him and pull out his fur. I really thought that Oliver would want to be the dominate bun. Since Ophelia is so timid I never thought she would try to be dominate. Maybe it's because Oliver has already been neutered and he is getting very laid back. He is so much calmer than he was 3 weeks ago. He is also so much better about not biting his mommy. He is letting me cuddle him a bit too! I am praying that Ophelia gets the same way as well.

[Iloverabbits]

Sounds promising. I think the trick to it is to do it gradually. When i introduced Lily (who hasnt displayed anymore signs of nest building) to Dexter there was some stamping of feet, which i think is just adorable and Dexter trying to mount Lily. Now Dexter has calmed down because he has had his op and Lily, who is getting to that age is trying to mount him. Almost like "now it's my turn!"

Lily hasnt had her op yet but will in the new year. She is very loving towards Dexter when she isnt trying to mount him. She regularly bows her head down in front of Dexter, asking him to lick the top of her head. Theyre a match made in heaven and looks like yours will be too.

Hope all goes well with Ophelia's op.

[kathydip]

Thanks!
Ophelia is home. She looks a little miffed but she let me pet her and seemed to enjoy it. I gave her a banana chip and she is now settling down in the small cage. I plan to give her more attention after she gets some rest. Maybe a carrot will cheer her up.
When I dropped her off this morning there was an old bunny coming in for a tooth trim. He just laid on his back in his mom's arms. I miss those days but I am hopeful that once Oliver and Ophelia get a bit older they will enjoy relaxing in my arms.
Now we have to wait 10 days to continue bonding. I will keep up the trading of cages and the housing side by side. It really seems to work!

[purplebumble]

kathy hun..bucks hormones take 4 weeks to die down..does take 6 months! and let me tell you..oscar was the boss and when he died and bif found bertie..it was SHE who was boss!! he gets horny everynow and then or has to prove he is boss every now and then and its so funny to watch this 12lb lump run away from a little 4lb bunny!
slow and steady wins the race kathy!
Mm i know what you mean..we will never find another bun like oscar and i miss his affectionate nature..bertie does his version every now and then but sleeps so much! Bif has for the past 2 days let me stroke her! and today after her bath had a cuddle in my arms for over 20 minutes and she didnt get stressed at all!
bit worried bout her tho..had to bath her cos dried on poo..but shes already doing weeny poos and lots of cecals but its stress from this mess in the house post flood..
i hope ive not made it worse poor love.
Every buny is unique and evry show of affection so different..but nevertheless special...
the licking is a good sign..but please you MUST leave at least 14 days after her being spayed before introducing them for bonding..

fur pulling still goes on from t ime to time here.when one wants to be boss..but the next minute theyre cuddled up blissfully!
believe it or not its usually the doe whos the problem..theyre way more territorial than bucks..in my experience anyhow..weve had 3 bucks and 2 does over the years and does rule the roost!

[kathydip]

14 days. Why so long? I was hoping for 10 - which would be Thursday but if 14 is better ... We are still doing the cage switch.
Poor little Bif. She has had a rough time lately.
I just started adding lettuce to their diet last night. It went over very well. I was waiting to see the poos this morning and happily they looked great. Oliver must have been very hungry last night. He ate all his pellets, all the lettuce I left in there and basically all the hay as well. I was so surprised that a little thing could eat so much.
I keep thinking that it's going to be 6 months before Ophelia is completely free of crazy girl hormones. Poor thing. I know her frustration.