holland lop breeding

Question
I have a 4 month old holland lop doe that I want to breed. Can I breed her now? Or when is the soonest I can?

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Kylie

Do think long and hard before you breed. Four months is too young, minimum is 6 months. But Holland Lops are rife with genetic health problems due to people breeding any old bun, if you don't know the genetic family tree of both this doe and the buck going back at least 2-3 generations, don't breed. Health problems can be hidden, and may only show when the rabbit is a year or two old.

Lops are also the most common breed to end up in rescue. And there are Holland Lops in rescues in MN and surrounding states, according to Petfinder. There are many more rabbits out there than there are responsible forever homes for them. In the UK (where I am) over 60,000 pass through rescue every year. Think carefully before adding to this number! And friends/family who SAY they'll take a kit, don't necessarily realise what they're taking on and may no longer want the rabbit in a year's time.

So, if you don't know the family history of this bun going back several generations, don't breed. If she doesn't have perfect conformation, don't breed. If the bun is at the extreme end of the Holland Lop breed standard, don't breed. Those super flat faces equal dental, eye and ear problems.

There are far more rabbits out there than there are proper homes. Hobby breeders and pet shops are the two primary causes of this.

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