Yeah, just breeding for breeding sake isn't so wise.
Obviously as the others have said you don't just need a plan for the kits. You need a plan for the kits that don't fit into your first plan for the kits (IE, unsold babies, etc.) that you may have to take responsibility for.
And here's a statistic set you might not like.... In a litter between two show-quality holland lops about 1/4 will meet breed standard, 1/2 will be WAY bigger, and 1/4 will be still born or die within two days of being born. Hollands have a lethal dwarfism gene.
Also are you aware that at least half of all doe rabbits lose their first litters entirely? Sometimes they straight up eat them and leave the half eaten baby rabbits strewn about the cage. Sometimes kits get stuck, are you prepared to pull a stuck kit? Sometimes the pregnancy kills the mothers or reduces their immune system leaving them open to disease. Sometimes the moms will not produce enough milk but baby rabbits are notoriously hard to bottle feed and don't live through it well - are you ready to bottle feed a kit for two weeks and then watch it die anyhow? That literally happened to me two weeks ago with my own rabbits litter.
You say she'll make a good mom - is that because she's been bred before and had a successful litter, because her line has a strong history of successful first time moms, or just because you love your rabbit? Because the latter is NO indication of being a good mother - it's an indication that she's a lovely pet.
Also, unspayed female rabbits get reproductive cancers, usually by the time they're 5 or 6. I mean, like, over 98% do. Spayed female rabbits can live 8, 10, even 12 years if you wanted to have a long, loving life with your pet.
So if you want to do this, you have to consider the fact that YOU are bringing life into this world. That rabbit isn't asking to be bred, she's just an animal. YOU are the one asking to breed her. And it's your responsibility if something goes wrong. When I breed my rabbits I have a goal, an understanding of the life, a care plan, experience, etc. I know how to put a sick rabbit down, how to treat them, how to try to nurse a baby kit that's not being fed, how to recognize dehydration and sickness, etc. And I *still* lose rabbits.
So first ask yourself if it's worth the risk, 'cause that's going to be examining WHY you want to do it too.... And then make a real plan. A serious one that takes into account worst case scenarios. And then, be real about what could go right and what could go wrong with your Dad and compassionate. It could be that Dad would be heartbroken to lose the rabbit. It could be that Dad expects to have to pay for the babies care (which if you're living with the parents is probably true). Maybe you can mitigate those concerns, maybe not. But have a real conversation about it. It's not something to be taken lightly IMO.
Obviously as the others have said you don't just need a plan for the kits. You need a plan for the kits that don't fit into your first plan for the kits (IE, unsold babies, etc.) that you may have to take responsibility for.
And here's a statistic set you might not like.... In a litter between two show-quality holland lops about 1/4 will meet breed standard, 1/2 will be WAY bigger, and 1/4 will be still born or die within two days of being born. Hollands have a lethal dwarfism gene.
Also are you aware that at least half of all doe rabbits lose their first litters entirely? Sometimes they straight up eat them and leave the half eaten baby rabbits strewn about the cage. Sometimes kits get stuck, are you prepared to pull a stuck kit? Sometimes the pregnancy kills the mothers or reduces their immune system leaving them open to disease. Sometimes the moms will not produce enough milk but baby rabbits are notoriously hard to bottle feed and don't live through it well - are you ready to bottle feed a kit for two weeks and then watch it die anyhow? That literally happened to me two weeks ago with my own rabbits litter.
You say she'll make a good mom - is that because she's been bred before and had a successful litter, because her line has a strong history of successful first time moms, or just because you love your rabbit? Because the latter is NO indication of being a good mother - it's an indication that she's a lovely pet.
Also, unspayed female rabbits get reproductive cancers, usually by the time they're 5 or 6. I mean, like, over 98% do. Spayed female rabbits can live 8, 10, even 12 years if you wanted to have a long, loving life with your pet.
So if you want to do this, you have to consider the fact that YOU are bringing life into this world. That rabbit isn't asking to be bred, she's just an animal. YOU are the one asking to breed her. And it's your responsibility if something goes wrong. When I breed my rabbits I have a goal, an understanding of the life, a care plan, experience, etc. I know how to put a sick rabbit down, how to treat them, how to try to nurse a baby kit that's not being fed, how to recognize dehydration and sickness, etc. And I *still* lose rabbits.
So first ask yourself if it's worth the risk, 'cause that's going to be examining WHY you want to do it too.... And then make a real plan. A serious one that takes into account worst case scenarios. And then, be real about what could go right and what could go wrong with your Dad and compassionate. It could be that Dad would be heartbroken to lose the rabbit. It could be that Dad expects to have to pay for the babies care (which if you're living with the parents is probably true). Maybe you can mitigate those concerns, maybe not. But have a real conversation about it. It's not something to be taken lightly IMO.
That is why so many rabbits are in shelters and free on Craigs list!
