Question for my Flemish friends...

[MamaMandy]

I found an ad for a Flemish Giant. My 11 yr old son is wanting one for a pet. What do you think of him? They say he weighs about 15 pounds and is full Flemish but no pedigree. I don't plan on breeding so that's no biggie. I assumed it was a REW but they told me no, it has brown eyes and that it's a "ghost chinchilla". Is that a Frosty? If so, is that even a Flemish color? Any input here would be much appreciated.

http://dayton.craigslist.org/grd/3360332916.html<br /><br />__________ Sat Nov 24, 2012 10:38 pm __________<br /><br />Well, we went ahead and picked him up. I got him for $15! He's 9 months old and his color is technically ermine, which I know is not a recognized Flemish color, but he's pretty! I haven't weighed him yet, but he's by far the biggest rabbit I've ever held! He's a very sweet boy. I'll try to get some pics of him up soon.

Oh, and they told me he won Best Opposite Sex at an open show...is that possible given his color?

 

[boundarybunnyco]

Maybe in a county fair? I have gotten some ermine kits from crossing my sandy FG buck to a REW New Zealand doe. I use them for meat rabbits. I've gotten the brown eyed whites several times, and one kit is a blue eyed white. I don't know where that comes from, but for my purposes they are fine.

 

[garden lady]

Glad you got him. I do not know anything about the color, but he is pretty and he looks like a Flemish Giant. Can't wait to see pictures. opcorn:

 

[ZRabbits]

Your Son is just going to have a ball with this rabbit! Educational and exciting experience for years to come! Wish your Son and you all the luck with him.

BTW, what will you house him in? I have a big dog crate to house Fawkes. A few modifications. A plywood floor and a shelf which Fawkes loves to lounge on. Plus he loves jumping up and down from it when he gets excited. Especially when treats are being passed out amongst the Tribe.

Regarding show colors, have no clue. The breeder I got Fawkes from does have show quality flemishs, but we were only looking for healthy and good temperament, which we got. Believe me you will not believe this animal. What a big difference Fawkes is from my smaller tribe members. He's just a joy to have and experience.

Again wishing you and your Son all the luck with your BIG rabbit!

Look forward to seeing pics and would love to hear what your Son named him.

Karen

 

[ladysown]

my guess is he was a 4H bunny. As long as he's hale and hearty should make a good pet. 4H buns tend to be well handled.

 

[MamaMandy]

Yes, he was a 4-H bunny. The county fairgrounds were right down the road from where we got him, so I'm guessing that's where he won. I got a better chance to look him over today in the daylight and he looks pretty healthy overall. Clean vent, thickly furred feet, clear breathing etc. I did notice scabby looking junk down inside both of his ears. Ear mites? If so, what is the most effective treatment? Is it contagious to my other rabbits? We're taking care of the other rabbits first and then him, and his hutch is separate from all my other cages. We weighed him and he's 12 pounds even. He's exactly 9 months old. Should he weigh a little more than that? Should we free feed him for awhile? At what age do Flemish stop growing? He's quite a sweet boy and is fairly easy to handle despite his large size! Of all my years in rabbits I've never held anything so big! LOL He seems very laid back. Oh, and my son named him Monty, as in Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail...remember the killer rabbit scene? LOL

__________ Sun Nov 25, 2012 6:34 pm __________

 

[3mina]

The only question I have an answer for is, the easiest treatment for ear mites is oil, vegetable, mineral. Camphophenique is popular too. A bit in each ear, massage and get out of the way when he shakes his head.

 

[tm_bunnyloft]

He is a nice looking bunny. I am sure your son will just love having him.

 

[garden lady]

Nice looking Flemish Giant.

 

[MamaMandy]

Thank you! Do you know if baby oil will work for ear mites?

 

[ZRabbits]

Yes, he was a 4-H bunny. The county fairgrounds were right down the road from where we got him, so I'm guessing that's where he won. I got a better chance to look him over today in the daylight and he looks pretty healthy overall. Clean vent, thickly furred feet, clear breathing etc. I did notice scabby looking junk down inside both of his ears. Ear mites? If so, what is the most effective treatment? Is it contagious to my other rabbits? We're taking care of the other rabbits first and then him, and his hutch is separate from all my other cages. We weighed him and he's 12 pounds even. He's exactly 9 months old. Should he weigh a little more than that? Should we free feed him for awhile? At what age do Flemish stop growing? He's quite a sweet boy and is fairly easy to handle despite his large size! Of all my years in rabbits I've never held anything so big! LOL He seems very laid back. Oh, and my son named him Monty, as in Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail...remember the killer rabbit scene? LOL

__________ Sun Nov 25, 2012 6:34 pm __________

He is sweet! As I am new to the "Flemish", my Fawkes is now 5 months old, I have been feeding him free choice alfalfa pellets and timothy hay. Next month, when he turns 6 months old, I will start introducing slowly greens. I did a search because I needed to know as well, but it looks like at the 8th month mark is when they make senior weight. I did read that they don't become sexually mature until 1-1/2 years old. I plan to change Fawkes from alfalfa (free choice) to timothy pellets (1-1/2 cup) at 8 months while supplimenting his diet with greens. He's also getting flax seed now with a few sunflower treats. He's a house rabbit and I don't want him to get fat. Flemishs tend to get arthritis when they get older, also sore hocks, so I really want to watch him.

Regarding size, Flemishs do range in size, from 13 to 20 plus pounds. It just depends on the buck and doe on how big the kits will become. Fawkes parents were both 20 plus pounds so Fawkes is going to be big. Haven't weighed him lately, but he's approximately 13 pounds now at 5-1/2 months old.

Here's the article I found that may help.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index ... 446AAjhg3Z

Wishing you all the best with your Flemish. Have to say we are enjoying Fawkes immensely. Biggest rabbit I have ever held too.

Karen

 

[Devon's Mom Lauren]

Sorry to say but i don't think you have the same rabbit from the craigslist add.. or did I miss something? lol! At least you did pay a lot less than they were asking.. but i think the one you have looks a lot nicer anyways.

 

[MamaMandy]

Haha! I'm pretty sure it's the same one. I think the pics in the ad were just not very good. He seems really healthy other than his poor ears. Is that a common problem for Flemish or does it mean he wasn't well cared for? I put a few drops of vegetable oil in each of his ears today. I guess I just keep treating him each day til they've cleared up?

 

[ZRabbits]

Flemishs are very suseptible to ear mites with those huge, beautiful ears. Don't think not well cared for. Though a rabbit is well cared for, sometimes you miss some things and want to kick yourself. Been there.

Vegetable oil or mineral oil is good to get rid of those nasty things. And I would be treating every day until his ears look nice and clear. And just do maintenance each month afterwards.

Karen

 

[MamaMandy]

Ok, good to know. I've never had a rabbit with ear mites before so I wasn't sure. I'll just keep treating him! Thanks!

 

[Secuono]

Veggie or mineral oil will work. The mites can travel to other rabbits, so handle him last and keep him from the others. Treat now and retreat in 3-4wks.
You can also use Ivomec, I used 5 drops for 9lbs of rabbit. Put the drops on the backs of the ears, since there is the least fur there, but I also wanted the drug to spread over them and not just stay in the ears.

 

[MamaMandy]

Thanks! He is far from the others and we've been handling him after taking care of the others...he's still in quarantine until I'm sure he has nothing besides the ear mites. Do you recommend treating everyday with vegetable oil? I don't have any Ivomec but I could get some...

 

[3mina]

As long as its at least once a week, mite eggs hatch weekly I think. The oil suffocates the mites but not the eggs so you ned to retreat at least weekly to get the new mites.

 

[MamaMandy]

Ah, I see! Thanks so much!