Flemish Giant Show and Tell

[mmsa417]

I didn't see an all purpose Flemish thread, so I thought I'd start one to show off the new baby I got. I wanted a 'house rabbit' that would be good around a 4 yr old. I did some research and decided on a FG. Since he's still small at 9 weeks, I have to play heavy supervision, but at least once he's bigger, the kiddo won't be able to pick him up and there will be no need to worry about anyone getting hurt He's also SO chill. I love this rabbit! I've never had one before but have heard nothing but good things from owners and they have all been proven right so far.

Here's my baby, named Hazel. I know it's not original, but he just reminds me so much of the rabbit from the animated movie of Watership Down. I can't get over his ears..they are soooo beautiful. <3 He's super lovey as well and has spent quite a bit of time loving on me while I was watching TV.

Please share your Flemish Giant pics and maybe tell a little about them.

 

[Peach]

I don't have any flemish but I adore their big ears! I was transporting one for a friend and she was a hoot


No photos,please. :roll:

I wish I had the space for one I'm up to my ears in Mini Lops. If only convention would come sooner so the pre-purchases will give me some temporary relief XD

 

[mmsa417]

Oh she's a beauty! I haven't seen an all black one yet. I've seen fawns, sandies, and chinchillas, but black is very pretty. Thank you for sharing! And yes! The ears are soooo impressive! They also have such sweet faces and dispositions. Our FG is going to be like the around the house rabbit and we have room with a big 24 x 72 expen/cage. Which I'm using to help with litter training. The expen is great because you can just make it smaller even on the frame we built. He's been doing good with pees, but still leaves cocoa puffs everywhere in the cage. I'm beginning to wonder if it's possible to litter train for the poops. Guess I should be happy he's peeing in the litter! xD

And honestly, I wish I had room for more, but I definitely don't. The breeder said he was a big boy, so he's going to be at least 16 pounds if not a little bigger. But, one is enough. I'll have my Netherland Dwarfs too, which are thankfully much smaller.

Also, anyone feel free to comment on the cuteness, even if you don't have one and wish you did <br /><br />__________ Tue Jul 23, 2013 6:34 pm __________<br /><br />I have to ask if anyone else has had this happen with their Flemish o_o. Just now Hazel was out on a romp in the living room and he stopped, sat on his hind legs and was cleaning his paws/face a little. He started this weird yodeling/ singing noise that went on for like a good 15-20 seconds. Everyone just kind of stopped and looked at him like..."Is he ok?!" LOL than he stopped and hopped over to me and said hi. I pet him and he was just fine. I have never heard of rabbits doing that so I'm really curious to know what the heck it was. xD I have to assume it was a happy noise because he didn't seemed stressed at all.

 

[Flemishstar]

I love flemish giants..hence my user name...although now I have NZ whites.....

__________ Tue Jul 23, 2013 6:48 pm __________

and those are beauties<br /><br />__________ Tue Jul 23, 2013 6:50 pm __________<br /><br />maybe he was calling for his litter mates or you lol

 

[mmsa417]

Well, I'm definitely his favorite..he tends to follow me around when he's not exploring so that's a possibility I guess! xD Yeah I'm new to the breed, but I love this rabbit. He is so sweet, and so smart. I can't believe how fast he picked up litter training!

 

[Mountain Spice]

Whoa.... he... said... "Hi" !?!? :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:
Call an Exorcist!!!! :x :x :x :x
Call Ripley's!!!
LOL!!!!

 

[mmsa417]

Lmao! Well you know a bunny "hi" I'd be kicking myself for not catching it on video if he actually said hi! xD As it is I wish I caught the little song.

 

[fuzzywuzzy]

This is Jethro, we've had him since he was 4 months old... another shelter bunny.


<br /><br />__________ Tue Jul 23, 2013 7:31 pm __________<br /><br />I love this rabbit... he likes my hubby more, but that's ok. When he gets annoyed, this "shark fin" of fur will stand up in the middle of his forehead. He is personality plus!!

 

[mmsa417]

Oh, Jethro is so pretty! It is funny how they pick favorites though - I've certainly noticed that. But at the same time they don't seem to dislike other people in the family, just have a preference as to who their go-to person is xD Thank you for sharing the pics!! He is gorgeous and looks very loved Did you get him fixed? If there's no big change in personality then I won't bother, but if he's going to change big time with maturity, I'd def get him fixed.

 

[fuzzywuzzy]

MMSA...Jethro started with us a foster rabbit from a shelter. The girl that runs it doesn't believe in neutering or spaying rabbits. She believes that "ALL rabbits should be left natural".

Needless to say there were other things that I felt were unethical in the way that place was run. In the middle of a severe cold snap, she sent me an email saying either adopt the 2 rabbits we had or bring them back. Neither rabbit had a winter coat at this point and her place wasn't heat at all. I couldn't take them back after seeing how the place was run and the condition of the rabbits... so I adopted Jethro and Henri.

Jethro is REALLY into my hubby and not so much me. If I'm barefoot and wearing shorts, he'll come right after my legs and try to box me or bite my toes. There have been many times when there has been a broom that separates as I'm trying to walk through the kitchen or any place that he's in.

Regardless, I still love him and he is so beautiful. He's just about a year old and he's coming up on 25 pounds. And YES! Just as soon as I had conformation that the adoption of both rabbits went through, I had Jethro neutered. That girl at the shelter was so p.o.ed, she's never spoken to me since. She's never even checked to see if the rabbits are ok or if I even still have them.

 

[mmsa417]

Yeaaah..I know with male cats at least..you almost have to have them neutered. The last cat we had..completely changed once he hit a certain age..maybe about a year old. We got him fixed after he turned into a psycho cat, but it didn't matter - it was too late. He was a Bengal cat, and they have a tendency to be a little wild. He escaped once..by pushing a screen out in the window. We managed to find him again hiding in the driveway, but after that he wouldn't stop trying to get outside. After the 3rd time we weren't lucky enough to find him again. I have actually seen him from time to time and I try to get him to come to me, but he won't even come near me. Like the cat just went completely feral after having a taste of the outside. Strange because I know so many other people around here who have outside cats and they always go home when they're done. Anyway, I guess you could say I am really worried that our sweet and lovable bunny will turn into a terror like the cat did. I have to check with the vet and see if they can even do it, and what age is a good time. I think I read it was about 6 months? I know it can be dangerous to fix a female because it's more complicated, but the male procedure is pretty simple - so why the heck wouldn't you? Especially if there's no intention to breed them.

 

[Mountain Spice]

I guess you could say I am really worried that our sweet and lovable bunny will turn into a terror like the cat did.

Have you ever seen "monty python and the holy grail"..... love that bunny!!! :bunnyhop:

 

[mmsa417]

I guess you could say I am really worried that our sweet and lovable bunny will turn into a terror like the cat did.

Have you ever seen "monty python and the holy grail"..... love that bunny!!! :bunnyhop:

HAHA Yes!! "With nasty, big, pointy teeth!" xD

 

[PSFAngoras]

I had a pair a while back. I ended up not having enough space for them, and had to sell them. I was never atatched to the buck, but I miss the doe very much. I raised her from 3 weeks old. She would sing too.

 

[MamaMandy]

Well, I was going to post pics of our pair of Flemish but it's telling me the pics are too large. You'll have to check them out on our fb page. The address is in my signature and you don't have to have a fb account to see the pics. There is an album called Flemish Giants. Our buck is a Frosty which is not accepted or showable but he's super sweet. He's 17 months old and only 12 pounds so he's not a real big one. I guess he was the runt of the litter! LOL Our doe is a Sandy and she's only 4 months old and already weighs 9 pounds! She's going to be a big girl! The buck, Monty (named after the Monty Python movie lol) is a real sweetie and we're all pretty attached to him. The doe, Mandolin, is a little aggressive. I'm wondering if it's due to her young age or if she's just that way? She likes to nip. If we get close to her cage she'll reach out and bite your clothes! Maybe she is just wanting attention, but I'm a little worried about having a 20+ pound rabbit that's aggressive! We're taking her to the ARBA show at the county fair tomorrow. I may sell her depending on how she does. I'd really like to have a black or blue Flemish doe. Maybe I'll find someone to trade with!

 

[Honorine]

These are old pictures- haven't had Flemish in years Fawn one is actually a Creme d Argent Satin Angora cross

 

[mmsa417]

Honorine - they are gorgeous!! Is that chincilla coloring on the Flem in the last pic?

Mandy - I will go take a look at your FB now. I know what you mean about aggressive rabbits being that big. I have heard the females have a tendency to be less 'pet-quality' as they can be either uninterested or aggressive. But have never experienced this first hand - just info passed on to me by other owners. The breeder I got Hazel from suggested a male, and I couldn't be happier. With my Netherlands I notice a distinct difference between the bucks and does, but it's not 100% The bucks always seem to be friendly, while the does, are sometimes mean, sometimes just a little skittish but otherwise fine, and one of my does is an absolute doll baby. She kisses and cuddles and all. She's still young so she may grow out of it - I HOPE NOT!! xD

__________ Wed Jul 31, 2013 12:43 pm __________

I had a pair a while back. I ended up not having enough space for them, and had to sell them. I was never atatched to the buck, but I miss the doe very much. I raised her from 3 weeks old. She would sing too.

See and also from what PSF said, she had a really nice doe too, so I think it's just a better chance sort of thing, but not guaranteed. Depends on the personality of the bun.<br /><br />__________ Wed Jul 31, 2013 12:45 pm __________<br /><br />Ooo, I see em, Mandy. I love sandies - although I'm partial haha. The white one looks like a big puffball xD

 

[Honorine]

They call them 'Light gray' in Flemish, and yes they are chinchillas. Mine were not wideband, so they look darker, wideband light grays often looked 'whiter' or 'paler'. Sandies and Fawns are usually widebands. Mine were never nasty, bucks or does, but not extra friendly either. They didn't like being picked up, and could leave some mighty big scratches. I have seen wounds inflicted by an angry Flemish, they can do a lot of damage, very ugly damage. A big cheesed off Flemish is a scary scary sight as well. They are a lousy meat breed, feed to weight conversion stinks, and little Flemish are growing frame while other breeds are putting on meat. Interesting novelty. I've always liked them, can't afford to feed and house them though.

 

[luvmybunnys]

Wow nice pics! Thanks for sharing.

 

[CanadianRabbit]

Love the pics! I'd love to have a flemish giant as a pet someday.