Frequently Asked Questions

These are the most commonly asked questions about our Holland Lop bunnies. 
Feel free to contact us if your question isn't addressed. 

Hook's Hollands

Where are you located?
Hook's Hollands - Ohio Holland Lops is located in northern Ohio.  Our organic family farm is near the town of Wellington, Ohio.  We are no longer able to ship bunnies due to United Airlines' policy changes.  Of course, you can also find us on Facebook or YouTube.
If you are not located within traveling distance to Ohio, you may wish to search for local breeders on RabbitPedia.

I REALLY want one of your Holland Lops; how do I purchase one?
First, it is important to understand that we only breed a few of our females (does) at a time so that we can devote enough attention to the babies that are born as well as the adult rabbits.  If you agree with our philosophy of quality over quantity, large solid floor cages with outdoor exercise as often as possible, litter-training, top-notch special order feed, organic hay, filtered drinking water, daily interaction, and breeding stock acquired from renowned breeders from across the United States, then it may be worth the wait to adopt one of our bunnies. 

It may take SEVERAL months before bunnies are available.  Once bunnies are listed on the sale page, CONTACT US to apply for the bunny.  Approved applicants will have the opportunity to reserve an available bunny.  I want my bunnies going to the best environments/caregivers, so priority is given to those that are the best matches for available bunnies.  A $50 non-refundable deposit is necessary to reserve a rabbit, but it can be temporarily held if you will make a deposit in person that week.

Secondly, we will carefully watch each litter of bunny kits for those that can improve our herd and will remain with us.  At around 6-7 weeks old, we begin to make our first round of decisions about which babies to sell and which to keep a while longer.  For this reason, we ask that you please try not to get attached to a particular bunny until you know that it will be placed for sale and available to you.  Bunnies are able to go to their new homes beginning at 8-9 weeks old.

How much are your Holland Lop bunnies?
Our Holland Lops are usually priced around $250+ depending on quality and color, and they come with litter training experience (most babies will still be perfecting that skill).  That may seem like a lot, but the only way to lower our prices is to feed cheap pellets with "fillers" such as corn and soy, have smaller cages with more bunnies, and to breed our females non-stop...all of which we are completely against!  It may take several months of breeding just to get one doe to "take" and become pregnant, and that litter may or may not be born alive.  We are not breeding to make a profit; we are trying to improve our herd for the few shows we attend each year and because we love Holland lops.  The bunnies we do sell merely help to cover SOME of the feed/hay/housing costs. 

Will my bunny need spayed or neutered?
Yes.  Generally, it is a good idea to spay/neuter your bunny unless you plan to breed him/her, as spaying/neutering helps to reduce territorial behaviors, can prevent certain types of cancers, and may assist in litter training.  Bucks and does can become grumpy teenagers around 4-6 months of age and display territorial behaviors such as digging, spraying (males), lunging, difficulty litter training, and cage defensiveness.  Spaying or neutering should help significantly, but your bunny (bucks especially) might calm down with time if you wish to be patient.  More often than not, does kept as pets will be healthier and more pleasant if spayed.  Some bucks will spray, especially if other bunnies are in the area, but others do not spray.  It is recommended to find a rabbit-savvy veterinarian in your area and inquire about spaying/neutering costs before adopting a bunny.  Spaying/neutering a bunny usually costs $200-400 and is often performed when the bunny reaches 5-6 months of age.  If this is a concern, you can always inquire about adopting one of our senior bunnies that has a pleasant disposition and is well past the teenage stage.    

"I accidentally let my male and female bunnies play together, and now I think she's pregnant."  I get emails like this weekly from people around the country.  How long does it take for a male bunny (buck) to impregnate a female bunny (doe)?  Watch this video of Sunny Jim (orange) with Molly.
If you don't get your bunnies spayed/neutered, then extra vigilance and a plan for caring for baby bunnies is necessary.

Should I get a BUCK or DOE bunny?
If you merely want a rabbit as a pet, I usually recommend a buck, but it really depends on the bunny's personality, as does can be sweet and amiable just as bucks, especially if spayed.  Bucks can become moody or a bit crazy during bunny puberty just as does can become grumpy or territorial.  Please understand that your particular bunny's temperament is always a variable.  My best advice is to pick a bunny you like and plan on getting it spayed or neutered if necessary.
All of our bunnies get daily interaction, but many rabbits never get over the fear of heights and being picked up.  Most bunnies really enjoy play time on a floor, and if you give him/her small treats (ONLY for bunnies 6 months and older, except a small pinch of raw oats!) like raw oats, a thin slice of banana, or a few stalks of parsley, that definitely helps to create a bond.  Last but not least, give lots of head rubs!  Even the grumpiest bunny will eventually enjoy gentle head rubs.

Does my bunny need a friend?
Contrary to popular belief, bunnies are just fine being the only rabbit in the household, as long as they are given daily attention and interaction; they will bond with YOU instead of another rabbit.  IF you choose to adopt two bunnies, two does (females) from the same litter or similar age are the best option, but you will want to get them spayed when they mature.  Bucks will fight each other if not neutered.  PET QUALITY MALE/FEMALE PAIRS WILL NOT BE SOLD, SO PLEASE DO NOT ASK.  If you intend to breed your bunnies, please inquire about a pedigreed pair.  Unless the waiting list is small, we will sell one bunny per household to offer a more fair opportunity to everyone.
Check out our blog article about whether two bunnies can get along together and our Tips for Bonding Rabbits. 

How big do Holland lops get?
A quick answer is around 3 to 4 pounds, however it depends on genetics and whether the bunny has one or no dwarf genes.  A true dwarf Holland is closer to 3 pounds while a false dwarf with no dwarf gene can average 4 to 5 pounds.  There's no sure fire way to know whether a Holland is a true dwarf or false dwarf until they're adults, but long ears and a pointy, narrow muzzle are usually good indicators.  Since we're really only talking about a pound difference, unless you plan to show your bunny, it's not that significant.  :) 

How do I litter train my rabbit?
Well, this is a process that requires patience and the understanding that no matter how well your bunny does at urinating in his/her litter box, you'll probably still find a few poo balls scattered on your floor, but they are usually dry and easy to vacuum or pick up.  READ OUR BLOG POST ON LITTER TRAINING YOUR RABBIT!
**As of spring, 2017, all bunnies at Hook's Hollands (even babies) will be litter trained (or nearly litter trained) when they are adopted.  This service requires a lot of time and cleaning on our part!

I recommend that my customers purchase a JUMBO corner litter box that has a metal grate to keep your bunny off of the soiled litter and clips to the side of a cage.  Use a thin layer of bedding to line the box (I like Yesterday's News, CareFresh Natural, compressed wood pellets, or aspen shavings...pine pellets work but aren't the best due to their potentially irritating oils).  Place the box in the corner that your bunny most uses to urinate.  A smaller second box in the cage might help prevent accidents during the first few weeks.  During play time, bring the litter box (or have an extra litter box) into the play area.  Keep the play area very small until you see your bunny return to the litter box to urinate.  This may take weeks to accomplish, so don't despair!  Slowly, allow your bunny to explore larger areas of your house, and bring him/her back to the litter box every now and then as a spatial reminder of where the box is located.  When you find "escapee poo pellets," pick them up and place them in the litter box so your bunny knows that's what the box is for.  Wipe up urine and place the paper towel in the litter box.  It's handy to have a small Shop-Vac or cordless vacuum near the bunny's cage for daily vacuuming of rogue poo balls, but the urine will eventually be completely or mostly in the litter box.

There are likely many more ideas on the internet for litter-training rabbits.  Be diligent and persistent, and you'll likely succeed!  When you need to clean any accidents, a mixture of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle (I mix it about 50/50) or Zorbx odor-removing cleaner are very helpful.