When are Holland Lops too old to have babies?

[BubbbleBrains.]

THIS THREAD IS NOT ABOUT INTENTIONAL BREEDING– Beka27

Hello!

Years ago I raised Holland lops as a 4-H project, and because I loved rabbits so much. I only had two litters, but I had a ton of fun showing them, and finding loving pet homes for the babies.

Anyways, here I am years later with two buns. Thumper is 8 years old, and his Grand daughter Sugar is 5. I tried to breed Sugar when she was about 7 months, I tried multiple times but she never had babies. I thought it might be because when she was 8 weeks old some dogs managed to get into our yard and scared some of my rabbits to death. She survived, but she lost a toe. I know bunnies are very sensitive and I thought she might have been traumatized, although I’m not sure that could actually make her infertile, it was my guess. She was from the last litter I had, and I do not plan on breeding buns again. I have always kept my rabbits outside in large cages off the ground, and letting them out in pens so that they can hop in the grass all day whenever the weather is nice. The summers have been getting hotter every year, and even with misters and shade I feel bad for my bunnies being out in the heat. I want to be able to bring them inside when it gets hot, but I don’t have enough room inside for two separate cages the size that they are used to, and I really don’t want to put them in tiny cages.

When are Holland Lops too old to have babies? Is there any chance that I could keep them in a cage together? I would of course supervise introductions carefully, but they have been living right next to each other all their lives (they live in one large cage with a wire divider so that they can lay up against the wire next to each other) so I think they would love to be able to live together.

I am guessing that it probably differs for each rabbit, and that there isn’t really a way to tell for sure, but I thought I’d go ahead and ask anyways. I am apprehensive to have them spayed or neutered because I have had bad experience with vets. I recently lost a bunny due to an incompetent vet that couldn’t admit he had no idea what was wrong.

What do you guys think?

Thanks!

[bunnylova123]

I’ve been doing some research, and it really depends on the bunny, some stop breeding at 3, some at 8, so to be totally sure I recommend you find a rabbit savy vet and get them both neutered, as 85% of un-neutered female bunnies under 4 get Uterine Cancer, Testicular Disease is less common, but still can occur.

[peppypoo]

It’s definitely possible to bond your rabbits and have them happily live together indoors.  However, spaying and neutering both parties is a necessity before this can be done.  It’s normal to be apprehensive of the operation, but the risks are really quite minimal under the guidance of a good vet that is experienced with rabbits.  Since Thumper and Sugar are on the older side (especially Thumper) I would encourage you to have a blood panel done before the operation to make sure that their liver and kidneys are able to handle the anesthetic.  The House Rabbit Society keeps a list of rabbit-savvy vets here: http://rabbit.org/vet-listings/

[Beka27]

Welcome to Binkybunny! I appreciate you sharing the background of your bunnies.

Your story isn’t at all uncommon. Many people have had rabbit experience when they were younger, but they were kept more as “livestock”. I’m pleased that you’ve “seen the light” and are making strides towards bettering their positions and enjoying them as indoor companion animals. I agree that with some of the crazy weather we’ve had as of late, outside is no longer an option for full-time housing. This past summer, I didn’t even want to be outside… it was WAY TOO HOT!

I don’t know what the natural reproductive span is for rabbits. I’m sure, just like with people, it’s going to vary. Have you discussed spay/neuter procedures with your vet? As long as they are healthy, females can be spayed well into their senior years (6+ years old) and males can be neutered later in life as well.

Intentional breeding discussions are against the rules on this site. I’m going to edit your original post just to bold some key phrases so people reading this realize right away that breeding is not your intention.

[LBJ10]

When I saw this post, I understood that breeding was not your intention. Like Beka, I am happy that you are wanting to do right by your bunnies. I don’t know at what age rabbits become infertile. I would worry though that if she did become pregnant at an older age that there would be problems. So I would not risk having them together while they are still intact. Having her spayed is a must. Considering her age, she has a high risk of developing cancer. You boy is pretty senior, but if you have any hopes of bonding them then he will need to be neutered. I agree about having bloodwork done on both of them first. It will help you make the best decision. If you know they are okay for surgery, then you will feel more comfortable about having them spayed/neutered. Then you can think about bonding them. =)

[BinkyBunny]

Thanks so much Beka for pointing out that the OP’s intention is not about breeding.  I understand completely though how it could be misunderstood at first, especially with the title (though I understand now that that’s because the OP wants to bond them, not breed them).  So thanks for clearing that up.  

Bubble – I understand your apprehension of spay/neutering after your heartbreaking experience of losing your bunny during the process. I would feel the same way.  

I think it is important that you find a rabbit-savvy vet you can trust. 

Check out our Vet Resource Thread — hopefully you can find a vet that IS rabbit-savvy nearby.  

It’s important to ask some questions of any vet you haven’t seen before — here is a link to some great screening questions.  And if a vet feels upset by you asking questions, then I would avoid them.

Keep us updated! 

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