| FAQ's |
| Bunny Trail Farm |
Q. How long do Holland Lops Live?
A. Holland Lops live between 7 and 12 years. To extend the life of your
pet Holland Lop, consider neutering or spaying. Excessive breeding of
does can shorten a doe's lifespan.
Q. My new Holland Lop has ears that stand up straight. Will they ever
lop?
A. Ears on Hollands will lop sometime between 3 weeks and 6 months,
and perhaps occasionally later (even as late as three years). Bunnies
that have narrow crowns or are slow-maturing will lop later. Bunnies
with wider crowns or long and heavy ears, and those that mature more
quickly will lop sooner. Almost all Holland Lops can exhibit ear control
when they are excited. Ear carriage should be evaluated when the
bunny is relaxed
Q. Which gender makes a better pet?
A. Generally, bucks have a better pet personality. Does can become
defensive of their potential nesting areas. Spaying or neutering makes
either an even better pet. It is worth mentioning that a number people
have unaltered pet does that are wonderful.
Q. Do bucks always spray?
A. I have a number of bucks that never spray and a few who have
sprayed for a short period in their lives (after moving here, for example).
I have had no bucks spray on a long-term basis. The problem of
spraying is overstated, in my opinion.
Q. Do rabbits like carrots and lettuce?
A. Yes, they do like them. But carrots should be regarded as a sugary
treat and lettuces should be avoided altogether. A 1-inch slice of a
large carrot or one baby carrot is enough for a daily treat. Some of the
higher fiber leaf lettuces may be tolerated by some rabbits, but head
lettuce can cause a watery diarrhea and lead to death. By the way,
most rabbits actually prefer the green carrot top over the carrot itself.
Some pet rabbits have been killed by being fed carrot-only diets or too
much iceberg lettuce.
Q. How much do Holland Lops weigh?
A. My adult Holland Lops have ranged from 2 pounds 12 oz.-4 pounds
12 oz. Holland Lops may be a bit smaller or a bit larger than that, but
most fall between 3 and 4 1/2 pounds.
Q. Do Holland Lops need shots like puppies and kittens?
A. Being caged animals, Holland Lops do not require shots such as
rabies. Vaccinations are not necessary. Always check with your vet for
recommendations.
Q. How big should a Holland Lop's cage be?
A. I believe that 24" x 24" is the smallest size that a doe with kits should
have. Bucks, young rabbits, and dry does can be housed in a 18" x 24"
cage. Indoor rabbits may be housed in a slightly smaller cage (15" or
16" x 24") as long as they spend part of their day outside their cage.
Q. How much money do you make breeding and selling Holland Lops?
A. Raising and showing Holland Lops is a hobby that generally costs
more money than it generates. I hope to manage my hobby to the point
that someday the income matches the outgo (I doubt I'll ever recoup my
initial investments), but that's a lofty goal. In my opinion, there is only
one reason to raise Holland Lops: for the love of it. There are some
creative ways to make some extra cash with your rabbits, if you are
going to be keeping rabbits anyway.
Q. Is red urine from my Holland Lop a sign of a medical condition?
A. No, unless the consistency is more like blood than urine. Normal
rabbit urine ranges from a color that looks like lemonade with milk in it,
to orange juice with milk in it, to fruit punch with milk in it. Sorry if I just
ruined all of your favorite beverages. Red in urine is undigested pro
Q. What should I feed my Holland Lop.
A. I feed my Holland 3 oz. by weight of professional extruded pellets
(Blue Seal Show Hutch Deluxe), unlimited low protein hay, and water. I
give my show rabbits 1 tsp. of Show Bloom. In the winter, I give rabbits
ages 4 months and older 1 tsp. of raw oatmeal (old-fashioned, not quick
or instant). I occasionally give my bunnies raw sweet potato, herbs from
my garden, kale, a chunk of banana or raspberry leaves. There are
numerous other acceptable treats which may be given in very small
quantities once per day.
Q. When can my Holland Lop begin having treats?
A. I think it's best to wait until the Holland Lop is at or near adult weight
before giving treats. It's always possible that a treat would not agree
with your rabbit and cause a reaction such as diarrhea. An adult-size
rabbit has a better chance of coping with the change in the diet and any
resulting reactions. Treats should be introduced slowly, one at a time,
with observation of any ill effects on your rabbit. Until bunny is 6
months old, I would not give anything but hay and pellet
-
Q. How old should a Holland Lop baby be when it goes to a new home?
A. Unless a kit is being sold with its parent, it should not leave the
rabbitry until it is 6- 8 weeks old and fully weaned.
Q. When is Holland Lop fully grown?
A. A Holland Lop is considered to be a senior at six months of age. He
or she is fully sexually mature at that age, too. Although a Holland may
gain a few more ounces in weight after this age, they are pretty much
the size they will be by then. Holland Lop bucks especially continue to
mature towards their optimum showing potential until about 18-24
months old. Then, they may continue to be shown until age 5 or after.
(Note: Holland Lops could breed as early as three months old, which is
not healthy for the doe.)
Q. Can my Holland Lops share a rabbit cage or rabbit hutch?
A. Generally, Holland Lops should have their own cages. Occasionally,
unaltered does raised from birth together may be able to co-habitate
without incident. Altered rabbits (spayed or neutered) may become a
bonded pair and live happily together. Otherwise, you can expect does
to scrap by the time they are 6 months old, at the latest. Bucks may
begin to scrap around 3 to 4 months old. Pairs of opposite gender may
breed as young as 3 months old, with disastrous results.
Q. Can my bunny live outside during the winter?
A. In all but the coldest of US winters (and hottest of summers), bunnies
can live safely outside (0 degrees is no problem, but I can't vouch for
-30 or 110 degrees). It is important that your rabbit have a place to get
in from the rain, wind, and sunshine, though. A roof and one solid side
is minimum, but a small wooden enclosure is better. You may want to
cover your hutches with tarps during really bad weather and bring
bunny inside anytime there is a severe weather warning for outdoor
animals. If you live in an area of extreme weather, try to locate
breeders in your locale for specific tips for your location.
A. Holland Lops live between 7 and 12 years. To extend the life of your
pet Holland Lop, consider neutering or spaying. Excessive breeding of
does can shorten a doe's lifespan.
Q. My new Holland Lop has ears that stand up straight. Will they ever
lop?
A. Ears on Hollands will lop sometime between 3 weeks and 6 months,
and perhaps occasionally later (even as late as three years). Bunnies
that have narrow crowns or are slow-maturing will lop later. Bunnies
with wider crowns or long and heavy ears, and those that mature more
quickly will lop sooner. Almost all Holland Lops can exhibit ear control
when they are excited. Ear carriage should be evaluated when the
bunny is relaxed
Q. Which gender makes a better pet?
A. Generally, bucks have a better pet personality. Does can become
defensive of their potential nesting areas. Spaying or neutering makes
either an even better pet. It is worth mentioning that a number people
have unaltered pet does that are wonderful.
Q. Do bucks always spray?
A. I have a number of bucks that never spray and a few who have
sprayed for a short period in their lives (after moving here, for example).
I have had no bucks spray on a long-term basis. The problem of
spraying is overstated, in my opinion.
Q. Do rabbits like carrots and lettuce?
A. Yes, they do like them. But carrots should be regarded as a sugary
treat and lettuces should be avoided altogether. A 1-inch slice of a
large carrot or one baby carrot is enough for a daily treat. Some of the
higher fiber leaf lettuces may be tolerated by some rabbits, but head
lettuce can cause a watery diarrhea and lead to death. By the way,
most rabbits actually prefer the green carrot top over the carrot itself.
Some pet rabbits have been killed by being fed carrot-only diets or too
much iceberg lettuce.
Q. How much do Holland Lops weigh?
A. My adult Holland Lops have ranged from 2 pounds 12 oz.-4 pounds
12 oz. Holland Lops may be a bit smaller or a bit larger than that, but
most fall between 3 and 4 1/2 pounds.
Q. Do Holland Lops need shots like puppies and kittens?
A. Being caged animals, Holland Lops do not require shots such as
rabies. Vaccinations are not necessary. Always check with your vet for
recommendations.
Q. How big should a Holland Lop's cage be?
A. I believe that 24" x 24" is the smallest size that a doe with kits should
have. Bucks, young rabbits, and dry does can be housed in a 18" x 24"
cage. Indoor rabbits may be housed in a slightly smaller cage (15" or
16" x 24") as long as they spend part of their day outside their cage.
Q. How much money do you make breeding and selling Holland Lops?
A. Raising and showing Holland Lops is a hobby that generally costs
more money than it generates. I hope to manage my hobby to the point
that someday the income matches the outgo (I doubt I'll ever recoup my
initial investments), but that's a lofty goal. In my opinion, there is only
one reason to raise Holland Lops: for the love of it. There are some
creative ways to make some extra cash with your rabbits, if you are
going to be keeping rabbits anyway.
Q. Is red urine from my Holland Lop a sign of a medical condition?
A. No, unless the consistency is more like blood than urine. Normal
rabbit urine ranges from a color that looks like lemonade with milk in it,
to orange juice with milk in it, to fruit punch with milk in it. Sorry if I just
ruined all of your favorite beverages. Red in urine is undigested pro
Q. What should I feed my Holland Lop.
A. I feed my Holland 3 oz. by weight of professional extruded pellets
(Blue Seal Show Hutch Deluxe), unlimited low protein hay, and water. I
give my show rabbits 1 tsp. of Show Bloom. In the winter, I give rabbits
ages 4 months and older 1 tsp. of raw oatmeal (old-fashioned, not quick
or instant). I occasionally give my bunnies raw sweet potato, herbs from
my garden, kale, a chunk of banana or raspberry leaves. There are
numerous other acceptable treats which may be given in very small
quantities once per day.
Q. When can my Holland Lop begin having treats?
A. I think it's best to wait until the Holland Lop is at or near adult weight
before giving treats. It's always possible that a treat would not agree
with your rabbit and cause a reaction such as diarrhea. An adult-size
rabbit has a better chance of coping with the change in the diet and any
resulting reactions. Treats should be introduced slowly, one at a time,
with observation of any ill effects on your rabbit. Until bunny is 6
months old, I would not give anything but hay and pellet
-
Q. How old should a Holland Lop baby be when it goes to a new home?
A. Unless a kit is being sold with its parent, it should not leave the
rabbitry until it is 6- 8 weeks old and fully weaned.
Q. When is Holland Lop fully grown?
A. A Holland Lop is considered to be a senior at six months of age. He
or she is fully sexually mature at that age, too. Although a Holland may
gain a few more ounces in weight after this age, they are pretty much
the size they will be by then. Holland Lop bucks especially continue to
mature towards their optimum showing potential until about 18-24
months old. Then, they may continue to be shown until age 5 or after.
(Note: Holland Lops could breed as early as three months old, which is
not healthy for the doe.)
Q. Can my Holland Lops share a rabbit cage or rabbit hutch?
A. Generally, Holland Lops should have their own cages. Occasionally,
unaltered does raised from birth together may be able to co-habitate
without incident. Altered rabbits (spayed or neutered) may become a
bonded pair and live happily together. Otherwise, you can expect does
to scrap by the time they are 6 months old, at the latest. Bucks may
begin to scrap around 3 to 4 months old. Pairs of opposite gender may
breed as young as 3 months old, with disastrous results.
Q. Can my bunny live outside during the winter?
A. In all but the coldest of US winters (and hottest of summers), bunnies
can live safely outside (0 degrees is no problem, but I can't vouch for
-30 or 110 degrees). It is important that your rabbit have a place to get
in from the rain, wind, and sunshine, though. A roof and one solid side
is minimum, but a small wooden enclosure is better. You may want to
cover your hutches with tarps during really bad weather and bring
bunny inside anytime there is a severe weather warning for outdoor
animals. If you live in an area of extreme weather, try to locate
breeders in your locale for specific tips for your location.
© 2006-2011 Bunny Trail Farm.
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