Flemish Giants, when do they get fur?

[garden lady]

I asked this on the Backyard Chickens just now and wonder if there is something different with Flemish Giants born in the wild or in tunnels. I have looked at other pictures of baby Flemish Giants and do not think these I have are bigger than others the same age, but I do see they have more fur. Pasting what I posted.
Just wondering when do they get fur? Everybody in my family says they were not there on the 18th and I have a picture of the fur in the nest and zoomed in and nothing in there. I found them on the 20th, so would be 2 days old or if born on the 19th would be 3 days old. I am wondering since Lulu the mother was born in the wild and her mother was before her and not sure how many before that, and then Lulu was caught as a baby and raised in a hutch with humans, but then later turned loose and bred in the wild (meaning on their own, in a tunnel or under a building, no humans feeding or caring for them) and was going to be having her babies in the wild, would this make them develop faster? Here is picture today.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I don't think a couple of generations of living wild would have an impact. Being born in a tunnel or a nest box wouldn't make much difference. The nesting material and fur keep them nice and toasty, even in the depths of winter.

If it was a factor, we would see accelerated fur development in the coldest months of the year.

I believe their nutrition has more to do with it. I noticed today that one runty kit that I have has much less fur development than its siblings who are healthier overall.

Those are very sleek healthy kits- I'd say your doe is an excellent milk producer, and that may be why they developed fur so quickly.

 

[garden lady]

I don't think a couple of generations of living wild would have an impact. Being born in a tunnel or a nest box wouldn't make much difference. The nesting material and fur keep them nice and toasty, even in the depths of winter.

If it was a factor, we would see accelerated fur development in the coldest months of the year.

I believe their nutrition has more to do with it. I noticed today that one runty kit that I have has much less fur development than its siblings who are healthier overall.

Those are very sleek healthy kits- I'd say your doe is an excellent milk producer, and that may be why they developed fur so quickly.

Maybe it is the black oiled sunflower seeds, or the raspberry and blackberry leaves, or the kale maybe, or the thyme, sage, lavender, cilantro, and mint, or the crab apples and watermelon,or the oatmeal or comfrey. She is a very good mother so far. Seriously though, do they look like Flemish Giants? The reason the people that moved in with the dogs did not want them was they were told that maybe they were part jackrabbit because they looked different than the older female. I told them that was impossible for a jackrabbit and domestic rabbit to breed. They thought I was nuts, but they thought this was a male, picture of the older female, who could be their older sister, cousin, aunt, who knows, but related.

 

[3mina]

Looks like a Flemmie to me

 

[garden lady]

Looks like a Flemmie to me

That is the older one and the people said she was a Flemish, but not the other 4. Should of put a picture of them. It might be because they are younger. I looked for a picture that looks the least Flemish. I think they thought they looked odd maybe because their legs look longer. This is one of the males,does he look like a Flemish Giant?

 

[Piper]

This is one of the males,does he look like a Flemish Giant?

He looks fine, he does not need to get fat, But can you feel his backbone. He may be used to being trim, one his feet and ready to move.

 

[3mina]

You mentioned these guys were on their own for a goodly while right? Then they bred with other feral rabbits so the Flemmie got diluted some

 

[garden lady]

This is one of the males,does he look like a Flemish Giant?

He looks fine, he does not need to get fat, But can you feel his backbone. He may be used to being trim, one his feet and ready to move.

No cannot feel his backbone.<br /><br />__________ Sat Sep 22, 2012 9:10 pm __________<br /><br />

You mentioned these guys were on their own for a goodly while right? Then they bred with other feral rabbits so the Flemmie got diluted some

I asked about that and only Flemish Giants were turned loose and I knew they could not mix with jackrabbits, but checked to see about cottontais and that is impossible too. They do not have the same amount of chromosomes. I wonder if they are smaller since they were caught very young and taken away from their mother too early?

 

[3mina]

Mostly likely not since does usually wean at four weeks or so on their own. A natural diet will also slow growth but I don't nearly as much about that as others on the board since I do a pellet diet

 

[ZRabbits]

They all look like Flemish to me. Have one in my living room, first big rabbit I've ever owned. Absolutely sweet breed.

Wish I could help regarding the natural diet, but do pellets and hay. I think maybe MamaSheepDog has a point about Mom being an excellent milk provider. Giving the babies lots of nutrition to help them grow. Babies look good.

Karen

 

[Devon's Mom Lauren]

The longer the buns remain in the oven also will have a bearing on how fast the fur shows up. A couple days overdue and they will be born with the fur already partially in. However from that list of feeds, they are certainly getting a very nice diet!!

 

[garden lady]

The longer the buns remain in the oven also will have a bearing on how fast the fur shows up. A couple days overdue and they will be born with the fur already partially in. However from that list of feeds, they are certainly getting a very nice diet!!

I really believe it was from being late. I know she was at least 33 days from when we caught her I think what I have read here, all the rabbits on this site are well fed and cared for, and I don't think my food is any better and I doubt they are some special super dooper baby Flemish Giants, but maybe :mrgreen: I opened the door and peeked at them today and they look pretty super dooper. :lol: