Flemish giantsFlemish giant rabbits are a GIANT breed of rabbit. Some flemish giants can get up to 20 lbs, however most flemish giants will only get up to 18 lbs. Think about the size of a fairly large cat, or a small-medium dog. These lovely gentle giants are known for their goofy personality and calm demeanor, which makes them a perfect companion animal.
These bunnies have been so much fun to raise! Here's a little page of what I've learned about this breed from raising them for 4 years so far. |
diet
They require most of what normal average-sized rabbit will need: exercise, things to chew on, etc. However, one thing to note about flemish giants is that they eat and drink 3 times more than that of a 5 lb rabbit. Not only does this require more money to care for them, it requires more persistent and watchful ownership. An adult flemish giant will go through a large Kaytee water bottle in 2 days, and eat about 10 oz of feed per day, which does NOT include hay and veggies.
However, I have found that buying in bulk at feed stores is EXTREMELY cheaper than buying the Oxbow bag of pellets from PetSmart, AND it's better for the rabbits! I used to buy Purina Show Professional rabbit pellet which I could get for about $14 for 50 lbs of feed! Now, I buy a more expensive feed called Bar Ale Rabbit Pellets , which is about $16 for 50 lbs. About a $2 price difference, but both of these are quality rabbit feeds that I highly recommend. These feeds have a higher protein percentage than your average bunny food, and are fresher than the Oxbow/Brand pellet from the pet store.
However, I have found that buying in bulk at feed stores is EXTREMELY cheaper than buying the Oxbow bag of pellets from PetSmart, AND it's better for the rabbits! I used to buy Purina Show Professional rabbit pellet which I could get for about $14 for 50 lbs of feed! Now, I buy a more expensive feed called Bar Ale Rabbit Pellets , which is about $16 for 50 lbs. About a $2 price difference, but both of these are quality rabbit feeds that I highly recommend. These feeds have a higher protein percentage than your average bunny food, and are fresher than the Oxbow/Brand pellet from the pet store.
health concerns
I haven't noticed any major health concerns with flemish giants besides two things:
1. Many flemish giant breeding lines have developed allergies to certain materials. Allergies are not uncommon among flemish giants, and it's quite possible that you could end up buying a flemish giant with an allergy. Allergies can present the following symptoms:
I know, I know, "But isn't hay/alfalfa a key part of their diet?" YES. If your rabbit has an allergy to hay or alfalfa, you will need to supplement the hay with compressed GRASS hay cubes (remember, alfalfa is a legume not a grass ), like timothy hay cubes. Alfalfa should only be given to young rabbits up to 6 months, or nursing mothers. If you have a young rabbit (2-6 months old) with a hay/alfalfa allergy, compressed alfalfa cubes are okay.
Like hay/alfalfa , and allergy to wood shavings is due to the very fine particles that irritate the respiratory system. Some rabbits just have a respiratory system that is more irritated towards shavings/hay/alfalfa, which is why allergies can be genetic. If the shavings are bothering your rabbit, switch to a paper-pellet rabbit litter like Yesterday's News cat litter.
2. While I have not had this case in my barn, it is well-known that due to flemish giants' big ears, they are more prone to ear mites/ear canker. Check your bunny as often as possible for any substance in the ear.
1. Many flemish giant breeding lines have developed allergies to certain materials. Allergies are not uncommon among flemish giants, and it's quite possible that you could end up buying a flemish giant with an allergy. Allergies can present the following symptoms:
- Conjunctivitis / watery eyes
- Discharge from the nose
- Excessive sneezing
I know, I know, "But isn't hay/alfalfa a key part of their diet?" YES. If your rabbit has an allergy to hay or alfalfa, you will need to supplement the hay with compressed GRASS hay cubes (remember, alfalfa is a legume not a grass ), like timothy hay cubes. Alfalfa should only be given to young rabbits up to 6 months, or nursing mothers. If you have a young rabbit (2-6 months old) with a hay/alfalfa allergy, compressed alfalfa cubes are okay.
Like hay/alfalfa , and allergy to wood shavings is due to the very fine particles that irritate the respiratory system. Some rabbits just have a respiratory system that is more irritated towards shavings/hay/alfalfa, which is why allergies can be genetic. If the shavings are bothering your rabbit, switch to a paper-pellet rabbit litter like Yesterday's News cat litter.
2. While I have not had this case in my barn, it is well-known that due to flemish giants' big ears, they are more prone to ear mites/ear canker. Check your bunny as often as possible for any substance in the ear.
flemish giants and children
How are flemish giants with kids? Are they temperamental?
Flemish giants have such lovable personalities and are fabulous with children. They are not known to bite/attack people.
I raised flemish giants as an FFA project in high school, and it was just so much fun. Showmanship proved a difficult challenge due to the size of my 15lb doe, but she was one of the most calm rabbits on the show table, and she still lets me do anything to her. I took my doe to the 4H meetings and she was so gentle with all of the kids. Flemish giants can be handled by anyone.
Flemish giants have such lovable personalities and are fabulous with children. They are not known to bite/attack people.
I raised flemish giants as an FFA project in high school, and it was just so much fun. Showmanship proved a difficult challenge due to the size of my 15lb doe, but she was one of the most calm rabbits on the show table, and she still lets me do anything to her. I took my doe to the 4H meetings and she was so gentle with all of the kids. Flemish giants can be handled by anyone.
Need more info about flemishes? Contact me with what you want to know (: