Other Critters
We have several critters available at different times throughout the year. Please contact us directly, or follow our Instagram page @JirehHills_FamilyHomestead for regular updates.
Bunnies
Small rabbits are an excellent way to introduce responsibility and care into a child’s life. Even at a young age (with supervision) a child can be “in charge” of feeding and giving attention to a furry friend. Small bunnies do require supervision when being handled as they are fragile and easily frightened, but parents should not shy away from allowing children to enjoy and appreciate the beauty and wonder of these living creatures!
Our daughters have been raising pet rabbits for almost 10 years now. It started with folks gifting us with unwanted rabbits, picking up free rabbits from peoples’ backyards and soon we had to hire the boys to build us an outdoor rabbit hutch to keep them all in.
It wasn’t long before we started researching the most friendly and calm natured breeds that would be ideal for children and families to raise. We settled on the Lionhead and Holland Lop breeds as not only are they just the cutest and fluffiest creatures ever, but they are such a good-natured breed that we were confident we could provide a healthy pet for families looking to introduce a small pet into their families.
Our rabbits live outdoors year-round in secure and draft-free wooden hutches. They actually prefer the colder temperatures and we try to plan their litters in the cooler months. Of course, rabbits can also be raised indoors, but they do require some exercise time, and an outdoor run is a great way to supervise their playtime. We would love to answer any questions you may have, especially if this is going to be your first pet!
We raise 2 breeds:
Lionheads
Widely known for their fluffy mane and straight ears, our bunnies arrive with both double, single and short-haired. This breed originated in Belgium from a cross between a Swiss Fox and a Netherland Dwarf. Some say this progeny was then crossed with the Dwarf Angora. Whatever the case may be, the obvious genetics of the Netherland Dwarf can be seen in the Lionhead’s compact body shape, multiple colour combinations and small ears. It was actually a genetic mutation that resulted in the wool to appear around the head and on the flanks…which is obviously, the part we love, the “mane”. Even though we see a lot of variety in the amount of mane that appears, we are working towards breeding mostly double-mane genetics.
Body Size:
(small/medium) 3-3.5 lbs
Hair:
Medium length hair on body, with a “mane” of soft wool
Colour:
white, black, blue, chocolate, lilace, Siamese sable, samese smoke pearl, sable point, tortoiseshell, agouti, chestnut, opal, lynx, chinchilla, squirrel, tan, fox, sable martin, smoke pearl marten, silver marten, otter, orange, fawn, steel, butterfly
Temperament:
generally good-natured, although lively and often timid, quite outgoing and sociable
Special Requirements:
some additional grooming of the longer “wool” of the mane needs to be combed once a week to prevent mating
Holland Lops
Developed in Europe in the 1950s by first crossing a French Lop with the Netherland Dwarf to achieve the desired small size. This was then crossed further with the English Lops to achieve the desired lop ears. It took many years of selective breeding to achieve the small sized rabbit with floppy ears that we love today! Only accepted into ‘breed society’ in the 1970s we are thankful that this popular bred was brought to the US in 1976 as a recognized breed. Holland Lops have a stocky build with short, strong legs. Its head is broad with broad, thick ears that hang down beside the head. The have a dense coat of soft, medium length hair.
Body Size:
(small/medium) 3-3.5 lbs
Hair:
Dense coat of soft, medium length hair
Colour:
white (red or blue-eyed), black, blue, chocolate, lilac, chestnut, chinchilla, lynx, opal, squirrel, Siamese sable, Siamese smoke pearl, sable point, tortoiseshell, fawn, orange, broken
Temperament:
quite lively, generally good-natured and friendly, active and playful
Special Requirements:
none
Please contact us if you are interested in adopting a bunny or a ‘retired’ older rabbit. If you plan to join us for a Farm Event, let us know if you would like to meet our rabbits. They are usually hopping around somewhere!!!