I apologize in advance for how long this post may be but I’m in desperate need of help/advice. I tried bonding this pair on Monday, but it went horribly. The bigger one immediately attacked and chattered at the baby. Because the baby is so small, I immediately jumped in and separated them. I know you’re supposed to let them hash it out, but I let my fear and worry override logic. I had a 2x4 cage for them thinking they’d bond right away. However, because the bonding session didn’t go well, I put a panel in between to divide them. But unfortunately that has made their living space a 2x2, which I know is not okay. I thought, though, in 5-7 days they’d get comfortable with eachother and then I could remove the divider. And in those days I saw them popping with eachother and laying next to eachother, so I thought they’d finally gotten used to one another. Fast forward to today, I thought I’d try another bonding session. However, it still has been very poor. The bigger one has pounced at the baby a few times and sprayed her (which I know is normal). However, the baby has been submitting and the bigger one is still being mean. As you see in the pic, I set up two hay piles, but the bigger one decided to claim both of them and if the baby tries to eat at the same one she is, she’ll chatter and then do a face off and try to jump at her, but I block it with my hand. I’m not separating them this time, as I really want them to figure this out, but I will try to block any attacks. 

Now ironically, as I type this the baby is eating right next to the bigger one while she lays down. So that’s a step. (See 2nd pic) 

I was prepared to sit here with them for hours—even overnight if need be, but i’m worried that the bullying will persist and it will cause the baby to either be forced not to eat (from the older one resource guarding), or just simply not being able to exist without being attacked for it. The bigger one is just so insanely unpredictable. She’ll lay down and be seemingly relaxing, until the younger one breathes wrong and ticks her off. Will they ever be able to bond? 

Again, as I sit and type this, the baby tried to just sniff around and then the older one lunged at her. There’s just no way this is normal. How can they live together if the older one is always doing something like that?

Now I’ve heard that if a female is extra dominant it’s usually always a sign of ovarian cysts. Would anyone know anything about that? 

Please, please, please help me if you can. I don’t want to keep them in a small cage and I really want them to get along. I don’t have space to have two separate 2x4 cages :/

please help!!! (bonding troubles)