I've had rabbits, but never did I have to worry about pairing them. They've always come to me as a couple, or Jim and Esther came to my home and helped me introduce a new companion to a surviving mate.

This year, however, circumstances were that I would be the one to introduce the new rabbits and that they would bond.

This year, however, circumstances were that I would be the one to introduce the new rabbits and that they would bond.

Mary Foster

Having talked to Esther, I told her that I had room for more bunnies. I decided on a beautiful Red Satin male and a delicate Jersey Wooly female. The male was clear of coccidia; the Jersey had to be treated. The male, who I named Radish, went into a rabbit run that I have in the garage. The female, Lilac, went into a rabbit cage. Every day, I treated her for coccidia until the day came that she could go with Radish. I looked at her, and because she was so dainty, I decided she was the perfect house bunny, and paired her with my other house bunny, Mr. Peppercorn.

Worried because Mr. Peppercorn could be a bully at times, and was twice as big as her, and had never had a mate, I was rather scared about what he would do. I brought Lilac into his room, and it was love at first sight for the two of them. That was easy, I thought to myself; now to find a mate for Radish.

Once again, I called Esther and told her what had occurred and that I would like another female companion for Radish. I selected a large Californian, which I named Nutmeg. The bunny had to be treated for coccidia before joining the arranged mate. The day came again for the joining of bunny to bunny. I hope it goes as smoothly as the other couple, I thought. I got the rabbits out, rubbed their faces together, so they could have each other's scent, and put Nutmeg into Radish's run. They hated each other; fur went a-flying, dishes were upset.

I stood in the run with them to break up the fighting, but it didn't work. I rubbed their scent on each other several times. Radish was interested in her, but she despised him, so out she went, back into her cage. I'll try it tomorrow and the next day, and maybe they will come to an understanding. I remember Esther had told me once to try a neutral place that neither rabbit could call their own. I got out a dog x-pen and set it up on the grass, put both rabbits together and it seemed to help. Afraid to leave, I stood in the pen for a while, to watch them. Eventually, I could sit outside the pen. I did this for three days, several hours at a time. It worked. Now it was time to put Nutmeg back in the run with Radish. I did -- and fur went a-flying. OK, now what to do? First I took out all the dishes, closed the door to their house, and took out a box in the run. This way neither rabbit could be pinned in the box or house. I sat in the run, and it worked. They seemed to tolerate each other. After the third day, I put back the box in the run, so they could hop and hide in it. All dishes and toys were put back. The fourth day the cage was opened. After almost a week of constantly checking on them, they were now officially a couple.

-- Mary Foster

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Contact Information:

The Oregon House Rabbit Society
12700 SW Dakota
Suite 180 PMB #125
Tigard, OR 97223