I've broken those rules, too ... My previous girls were set up in side-by side cages pretty much immediately because one was crying (there was a gender issue with her original pair (long story) but fortunately nothing came of it). They were supposed to wait a extra day until I had longer to watch them for bonding, but they didn't make it that long ... they kept sitting in the closest corners and peering over at each other, so we put them in the bathtub for bonding, and they were bonded ever after.Well I have broken the rules and she’s not had a full quarantine. I just don’t have a separate room or air space to keep her in so even with the best intentions I’d accidentally cross contaminate.
Also she was a bit timid so thought I’d give bonding a go and just accept the risk.