Introducing two rabbits to eachother...

[Sallyschickens]

I searched, but I could not find any info on a safe and easy way to intorduce a new rabbit to my current one.

Both are young does, one is a year old lionhead and the new one is a Holland Lop, 5 mo old.

I have a huge run with cover that totals about 20x20. I have had them seperated but next to eachother for 2 days.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Is there ever a case that they wont get along EVER?

Thankyou!

 

[LyonFuzz]

Rabbits are super territorial! I've paid some hefty vet bills to patch up some bunnies because they got into it immediately after putting them together.
I had a guy from a rabbit rescue tell me to put them in the back seat of your car and drive them down a bumpy road....sounds crazy? It is supposed to make them forget about their differences and bond through the rough ride....LOL Not sure if this would work, but it was a serious suggestion from a so-called expert.

 

[rebecca100]

If you do put them together, then MAYBE take the older one and put it in with the younger one. The older one will be much more territorial and you will be taking her out of her territotry and into the other one's who will hopefully be less agressive. Stay with them in case they do fight. If they do it will be over when one gets dominance. At least that's my experience. I have been wrong before and am by no means an expert.

 

[Sallyschickens]

Thank you so much for your ideas! I finally got in touch with the breeder and she told me to put them into the bathtub together. Then they are like "Who are you?" and "Where am I?".

I did that and it worked! They spent the night in there and now are in the big pen together without a problem.

I highly recommend this trick. Although putting them in the car for a bumpy ride sounds like fun too!

Now off to clean the bathtub!