1. 1. Introducing a new Rabbit to the Herd By Fantastic Furries
2. 2. The Run Get a run of substantial size to hold two rabbits. These can be found in any local Pet shop. Then proceed with the following instructions
3. 3. The current residents Use this run to put the current residents in and let them settle and graze for a while before
4. 4. Introducing the residents to the newcomer Get a partician to separate the current resident(s) and the new rabbit. Let them sniff for a while and get to know each other. If one starts snorting with aggression then definitely delay the next step
5. 5. Taking away the partition Make sure all kinds of suspicious or aggressive behaviour has died down before taking the partician away. Keep a very close eye on them just in case and look out for
6. 6. Supervising the meeting Look out for Aggressive behaviour A male rabbit being rough and trying to mate with the female(or another male). Snorting in aggression A high pitched squealing in fear, pain or panic.(You definitely won`t miss this if it happens which is very rare occasion). Rabbits only make this noise in very extreme situations.
7. 7. What do I have handy? Wooden Stick (not to hit them just to separate them). Tool Gloves ( So no-one gets bitten in case you have to intervene if things get a bit fierce). Someone handy (if possible another rabbit friendly person who can help separate the two). A newspaper (also not to hit but to unroll and block the view of the two rabbits so that they do not proceed to attack).
8. 8. What do I do? They are attacking each other Use the previous resources to either Block their view between them so that they can`t see each other so as not to provoke them to attack. Separate them. Put a partition between them. Calm them down. Remove them or one from the run.
9. 9. They are getting along, how do I proceed? Proceed to continue the bonding process until they are perfectly OK together. Then completely disinfect the entire hutch so that there is no smell of the former rabbit (or new one). Put them both in together so that the hutch will have an equal amount of smell from both of them and their smells will both meld together. The smell may not be apparent to you but rabbits have a great sense of smell.
10. 10. They are getting along, how do I proceed? Proceed to continue the bonding process until they are perfectly OK together. Then completely disinfect the entire hutch so that there is no smell of the former rabbit (or new one). Put them both in together so that the hutch will have an equal amount of smell from both of them and their smells will both meld together. The smell may not be apparent to you but rabbits have a great sense of smell.