So....the rabbit hater must confess....

[theawesomefowl]

Mini Holland Lops are adorable! (I believe that is the breed name?)
I saw some at a local farm, and they had some for sale...boy, they are cute!!!

I am *considering* (haven't gotten parental permission or anything) purchasing my younger sister either one of these or baby ducklings for her birthday in August.
Questions: are they difficult to breed? The rabbit would be likely only a pet, but it would be fun for her to breed and sell some.
Can you keep one rabbit in a 24" x 24" wire rabbit cage? Is that enough room?
Lastly, are they good, gentle pets? I've always thought they were dumb, and i'm allergic to English Angora bunnies which I hate, but these guys were so cute....

~ The Rabbit Hater

 

[jessica117]

24 x 24 would be big enough as long as she is getting it out so it can get some exercise.

We raised English and French angoras when I was a kid and my mother developed a severe allergy to them. We assumed it was just the angoras but now that I raise rexes we have discovered that she is just as allergic to them. You may want to expose yourself to the babies before you buy so that your are sure you aren't allergic to them as well.

As far as breeding, it isn't difficult, though you should know that many times a doe will loose her first litter because as a first time mom she might not completely know what to do. Usually the second litter goes much more smoothly.

Rabbits can be very gentle, as long as they are handled often while they are still small. I handle mine every day from the day they are born. Some rabbits don't like to be picked up, and even those that don't mind it will kick/scratch you if you don't support their bottoms.

Hope this helps

 

[theawesomefowl]

24 x 24 would be big enough as long as she is getting it out so it can get some exercise.

We raised English and French angoras when I was a kid and my mother developed a severe allergy to them. We assumed it was just the angoras but now that I raise rexes we have discovered that she is just as allergic to them. You may want to expose yourself to the babies before you buy so that your are sure you aren't allergic to them as well.

As far as breeding, it isn't difficult, though you should know that many times a doe will loose her first litter because as a first time mom she might not completely know what to do. Usually the second litter goes much more smoothly.

Rabbits can be very gentle, as long as they are handled often while they are still small. I handle mine every day from the day they are born. Some rabbits don't like to be picked up, and even those that don't mind it will kick/scratch you if you don't support their bottoms.

Hope this helps

Thanks so much! But what if it was a grown rabbit? I may not be able to get a young one if I get one.

 

[jessica117]

It would all depend on the rabbit. If it was handled you should be fine. You need to try to pick it up and see how it responds. Short haired breeds don't need much grooming but I'm sure you and your sister will want to get it out and pet/play with it. I have never had an "unfriendly" rabbit but I have had one in particular that I couldn't really handle easily (it was a red eyed white that I got from a neighbor that hadn't been handled EVER.)

If you reach your hand in the cage and it runs and cowers in the corner, it's probably not the rabbit for you.... however if it comes over and wants to sniff you and be petted, it is a pretty safe bet that it's been handled and would make a good pet.

 

[theawesomefowl]

Sounds good! Thanks!!!