You should feed your Holland as much fresh rabbit pellets as it wants until it reaches about 3 months old. After that, the standard rule is 1 ounce of feed per pound of the Holland. Most Holland’s do well on a ½-measured cup of rabbit pellets per day. That should keep them at a happy and healthy maintained weight. Of course, an extra busy or nursing Holland will require more food. If you let your Holland get too fat, it can cause serious health problems and even death. Holland’s require low protein, high fiber. You should feed your Holland rabbit pellets that are between 15 and 16 percent protein, and at least 20 or 21 percent fiber. You should make sure the rabbit pellets you feed are hard, green, and dust free. Make sure if the rabbit pellets you are currently feeding does not look the same as it usually does, or it is dusty, that you inform your feed dealer of the change. They can notify the feed mill. If you Holland ever refuses to eat a feed--remove all feed and have the feed checked. If you get a new Holland, make sure you get "change-over feed" from the previous owner, so that you may change the Holland over to your brand of feed slowly. Any changes in feed should be done over about a week's time. This also applies if you are changing the brand of feed you are currently feeding, to something different. Any uneaten pellets should be thrown out and replaced with fresh pellets everyday.

It is also highly recommended that you feed your Holland as much fresh coastal hay as it wants to eat everyday. If not everyday, at least 3 times a week. Remember that Holland’s require high fiber, and coastal hay has lots of fiber. Make sure the coastal hay you feed is fresh, mold free, dust free, and preferably green.

As a treat, you can give your Holland Cheerios and Shredded Wheat (unfrosted) cereals. They are a very tasty and high fiber snack.

If you feel your Holland needs extra conditioning, ask a Holland breeder if they could recommend something for you.

And of course, make sure you Holland has as much fresh, clean water as it wants at all times.

Do not…. Feed your Holland lettuce. It can be very deadly. This also includes grass. It is recommended that you do not feed your Holland any vegetables until it reaches at least 6 months of age.

Some safe things to feed your Holland when it becomes of age are: raisins, carrots, apples, oranges, spinach, collard greens (most dark leafy greens) and sweet potatoes. If you decide to feed any of these, check with a Holland breeder on suggestions and amounts.

A Holland does well in a 18"x 24", or a 24" x 24" cage. If your Holland is housed outdoors, make sure it has a leakproof roof on it, and it has at least one solid side on it. (preferably two). If you are thinking of breeding your Holland, check with another Holland breeder, on specific types of cages and equipment you will need for the doe and her young.

Rabbits have a fur coat so cold is not a concern. In case of extreme cold weather, a nestbox, a board or a thick pile of hay may be added for your Holland to sit in or on.

Heat can be very deadly for a Holland, so make sure the cage is in a shady spot with good airflow. Also make sure that the sun never hits inside the cage in the afternoon. When it is really hot in the summer, you can give your Holland something to lie against (or on) to stay cool. You can give a frozen 2-liter bottle of water or a wet towel or wet stepping-stone. You can also install a mister system very easily on the roof of your barn or cages, which will keep your hollands more comfortable during those very hot Texas summer months.

Holland’s do not always require brushing, but they do like it and it is very healthy for their skin and hair. Rabbits molt usually twice a year with the change of seasons. They are getting rid of their old coat and putting on a new one. If your Holland is molting, you will need to brush it to help remove the hair before they ingest it. If you don’t, your Holland can develop a deadly fur ball from licking the fur out themselves. When brushing, check for furmites. If your rabbit has furmites, you will see what looks like dandruff (usually behind the head). To treat for furmites, we recommend that you give Ivomec orally. Check with an established breeder for dosage.

You will need to clip their toenails about every other month.

It is recommended that you do not give your Holland a bath.

You should also check your rabbit's ears for earmites and wax buildup. If you notice any earmites, you should purchase some earmite medicine drops to put in them. If wax buildup is all that you see, you can clean the ear out with a q-tip and some mineral oil.

Please visit the THLRSC website:

http://angelfire.com/on2/thlrsc/index.html

Remember, if you have any specific questions or concerns, please feel free to contact a member of the THRLSC. They will help you find answers to any of your questions concerning Holland Lops. The THLRSC is dedicated to helping its breeders improve the quality of Holland Lops in Texas.
 

For a printed copy of this flyer, contact THLRSC Secretary,Lisa Hall at - hallshollands@cs.com