This will be the last interview with Emma for a little while. I hope to do some more in the near future. This has been really fun, Emma! 
Visit my last interview on Emma's blog HERE. 
My questions are below and her answer is in bold :)

Q: What is your daily care routine for your rabbits?
A: About 7:30-8:30 I go out to the bunny barn, and I even care for them in a certain order!. Not on purpose, just happens haha. So first I go to 'Dana' I refill hay, feed and water, make sure she's acting ok. Then Ashe and Shen (sharing cage), same thing, then Annie, Dragon Fly, Goose and Sivir :) All refill hay feed and water, make sure they are acting ok. Then around noon, I come out bring the babies out to the exercise pen for daily exercise, then I pose the babies, I try and get each baby to hold pose for at least 10 seconds, so far they are doing OK with that. I visit whenever I am bored in the day, posing adults, playing with babies, and I also pick dandelion greens daily. Around 6:30-7:30 I go out, water for the night and give a tad more feed if needed, and then close the shed. Repeat next day :D

Q: What all goes into designing someone else's website? Do you just design it or do you write in the text as well? How much do you make designing someone's website for them? 
A: A lot of stuff goes into it, but it's fun and I enjoy it! There is different website 'packages' like, I'll make 10 pages and put content on 5 of them for you, is in the standard package. The premium I'll do 10 out of 15 pages, ect. I will also give you a shoutout on my FB page if you want, and possibly my blog! I also provide a certain amount of free pictures that I took of my bunnies in each package, and extra pictures are $.50 to $5 each, depending on picture. I'll add on extra pages for $2 each, put content on extra pages for $5 each (if the page has a small amount of content I may do a discount), you can get Weebly sized banners for $10 each. After a while if you feel like you need a updated look or need help with your website, I'll update it once, whatever you want updated for $20. I do lots of stuff designing, I'll put all the pictures in, go and edit the font/theme if you have a particular color, write in the text, make sure it looks nice if viewed from mobile, and all the other aspects of designing, every little thing! Like I said above, I do put content on some pages. The first website I did, I didn't get paid for, because my group reached 100 members and I did a giveaway of the standard package, even though Turtle Run's website had a few extra things not included...guess I was having to much fun! I have to hold myself to my rules lol. If you look at my page:
http://pocketfulofbunniesrabbitry.weebly.com/website-building.html 
you can read more and see the pricing there!

-Emma @ Pocketful Of Bunnies



If you need a website designed and don't want to do it yourself, I highly suggest getting one designed by Emma! She does really nice work :)

This week I asked Emma:
What are the top 5 things, in your opinion, that it takes to breed and raise Holland Lops?


1- A lot of cage space! Well not a lot, but at least 2+ extra cages, because babies have to grow out before you can tell their true potential! And you'll always want more. always. 

2- A strong stomach. Some babies are genetically deformed, and they cannot possibly live/shouldn't live. Peanuts will normally not live past 2 weeks, and Max Factors you would have to kill yourself if you got any. Sometimes you have to help pull a stuck kit, a mom dies during labor, and other things that can happen. It's worth it to me!

3- Time. Hollands need attention, they need fed and watered at least twice a day, in hot weather you need to check on them and water them more. When a doe is near her due date, you should be there, and check on her often. In a shed your Hollands would need the doors closed and opened, night and morning. 

4- Money. Ok, ok, no you don't need to be rich, but a good Holland is generally expensive! Then the feed bill, cages, supplies...it all adds up! If your looking at raising Hollands to make money, well that might not happen. Most of the money goes back into the rabbits! You should save up and make sure you have all the supplies before your first Hollands enter the barn!

5- Backup Plans. Who will take care of your rabbits on vacation? If your sick? If you get hurt? What about spending the night with a friend (if your a youth), will your parents take care of them for you? These are all things to take into consideration before starting to raise and breed Hollands..

Below is the Q&A Emma and I had over the weekend. In bold are my questions, and her answers follow!

How long have you had rabbits?
I have had my Hollands since Jan 31st 2015. I did have a mix that I got for Christmas a year or two ago, but she wasn't even kept at my residential house, and I didn't take care of her, my stepmom did for me. I knew nothing about rabbits, so I hardly think that counts.

How long have you been breeding Hollands?
I have been breeding Hollands since I got them! The first pair I got, the doe was pregnant but delivered one DOA (dead at arrival) sadly :( 

Tell me about your first rabbit. 
You mean my first pair? Sure! I got them at the same time from someone in Maryland, for $10 each. They were no pedigree and only petsbut for her, but she said one had been shown. They were cute and I didn't know any better. The buck was a smaller guy, a busy buck indeed, but he got agressive at me and I had to sell him. The doe was decently friendly, but I never weighed her, but she was big! She was pet quality for sure. Plus her first litter the one DOA and her second was 6 live and one DOA but she killed them all the next day..not mom material, right?

What are all the rabbit breeds you have owned?
Well the first one was a meat mix, or she would be good for making meat rabbits, not sure on her breed, but she was a bigger rabbit but still on the medium/small scale. Then I also have Hollands. 

How many rabbits do you currently own?
In my dreams or real life? Ok, I know what you mean! I own...1 buck, 2 does and 4 babies...so 7! Not all are staying though...not enough cage space. 

If you could get another rabbit breed, besides a Holland Lop or any breed you've had before, which breed would you have?
Oh the possibilities! Hmm, the Britannia Petite is one I like. My step mom raises them and really, they aren't what they are rumored to be! They are more high strung, but they don't attack you! But I also like Netherland Dwarves! They are like Hollands with normal ears. I like dutch too! See, I'm not sure! I think Netherland Dwarves or Britannia Petite.

How much money, on average, do you spend per month on your rabbits?
Oh gosh. I don't know lol! Bag of feed around $20, extra cages whenever I can..I spent $90 at the Ohio Mini Convention this year...and still have a list of stuff I want/need! I mean, after I get enough cages I'd say around $30. I always need/want stuff. 

What is your favorite thing(s) about owning Holland Lops?
I adore their floppy ears and their upright pose! I kinda don't like rabbits without the upright pose very much..it just doesn't look right! And the babies are ADORABLE!

Why did you start your rabbit-related blog?
Holly's Hollands! She has an amazing website and I really like the rabbit blog idea. So I decided to try it, I never thought of it before really! I mean, Holly is the only Holland breeder with a rabbit blog that I know. But so far it's working well for me, and I really enjoy it. 

What's your main goal with your rabbit-breeding venture?
Well, to have fun, learn more and improve the type! Eventually I'd like to work on improving a color, Like Chocolate, Orange, Siamese Sable or Cream. I really like all those ones, just have to figure out which one to work with! My herd buck carries chocolate and so does my current litter I am growing out. Fingers crossed for a good brood doe!

Do you have a favorite rabbit book?
I have not read enough yet! Rabbit Smarties books seem good, I bought one at the Ohio Mini Convention this year and I am enjoying it! But I have not read enough to say.

What's your advice to a first-time rabbit owner?
Don't trust everything the internet says. Don't feed any carrots, keep treats small, like a few times in tablespoon or less amounts per week. Most rabbits adore dandelion greens! Work up to where you can feed them as much as they want! Don't breed just for pets or for the heck of it. Don't mix breeds! If you are starting into rabbits for breeding, PLEASE research the breed first and get good stock, I don't advise when you start to do a color project with rare colors! You'll never have enough cage space.


Emma also has the Q&A interview she did with me up on her website/blog. Check it out! www.pocketfulofbunniesrabbitry.weebly.com/blog 

If you have any comments, leave them below! 

Q: DOES A HOLLAND LOP MAKE A GOOD PET?
A: Holland Lops make very good pets. They are sweet, gentle and small. They are not for everyone, as most do have very high amounts of energy. They prefer to be on the ground and not carried, but if they are trained from birth they can easily adapt to being held. Before buying a Holland Lop, make sure you have time in your day to play and be with them, every day. Holland Lops love the company of people. If you don't have much time to spend with them, consider buying another rabbit to keep each other company. 

Q: WHICH MAKES A BETTER PET, BOYS (BUCKS) OR GIRLS (DOES)?
A: Bucks are generally very sweet and loving. Bucks can spray pee when they go through sexual maturity to mark their territory. Does can become very hormonal and angry when they reach 6 months old. Does can also be very sweet and gentle. 
At Holly's Hollands Rabbitry, our rabbits (especially the babies) are all very sweet, loving and affectionate. It all depends on your personal preference, as well as what you care to go through when they reach sexual maturity at 6 mos before they get spayed/neutered. 

Q: DO RABBITS NEED VACCINATIONS OR IMMUNIZATIONS? 
A: In the US currently, there are no recommended immunizations for rabbits. 

Q: HOW MUCH SPACE DO HOLLAND LOPS NEED? 
A: Being a small rabbit breed (not over 4lbs generally) they don't require very much space. For an outdoor rabbit, the hutch should be at least (for a single rabbit only) 18" by 18", but 24" by 24" is better if you cannot provide playtime outside the hutch weekly. Indoor rabbits can either run around the whole house after they have been properly potty-trained, or they can be confined to one or two rooms, ect. 

Q: HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CLEAN UP AFTER MY RABBIT?
A: For a single rabbit indoors, the litter pan should be rinsed out monthly. The litter should be changed as often as necessary, usually once a week or so. For a single outdoors rabbit, their poop pan should be dumped anywhere from daily to weekly. 

Q: CAN RABBITS BE EASILY LITTER TRAINED? 
A: Rabbits litter train very easily. Some say they are tidier than cats. 

Q: DO RABBITS MAKE GOOD HOUSE PETS?
A: Holland Lops make especially good house pets because of their high amounts of energy and playfulness. They will never stop making you smile with their funny antics. 

Q: SHOULD MY RABBIT BE SPAYED OR NEUTERED?
A: Yes. Spaying or neutering a pet rabbit prolongs their lifespan, promotes better behavior and gives them a happier life.  

Q: HOW OFTEN SHOULD I TRIM MY RABBIT'S NAILS? 
A: About once a month or as often as needed. 

Q: HOW OFTEN SHOULD I GROOM MY RABBIT?
A: Holland Lops do not need to be brushed often. When they are not shedding, just lightly dampening your hands with water and petting your rabbit about weekly should be sufficient. For shedding, or molting, rabbits, they should be brushed a few times a week. 

Q: DO HOLLAND LOPS MAKE GOOD PETS FOR KIDS? 
A: No rabbit should be just a children's pet. All rabbits should be shared with the family. A young child can help take care of the rabbit, but a child under 10 years old (there are exceptions) should never be the primary caregiver of the rabbit. Rabbits do nip and scratch when they feel insecure. Rabbits do not like to be held all the time and should be treated with respect and gentleness. Rabbits in general are fragile and sensitive to noise and sudden movements, so they don't make very good pets for very young children. 

Q: HOW LONG IS A HOLLAND LOP RABBIT'S PREGNANCY?
A: 30 - 31 days, on average. 

Q: WHAT SHOULD I FEED MY BABY HOLLAND LOP?
A: Baby rabbits should only eat pellets, hay and a tablespoon of oats on their food once a week. 

Q: WHEN CAN MY HOLLAND LOP BABY HAVE FRUITS AND VEGGIES?
A: Once the rabbit is full grown (6 months old), the rabbit can be slowly introduced to fruits and vegetables.

If you have a question that you don't feel I covered well enough or isn't listed, contact me and I will do my best to answer.