Baby Flemish Giant Rabbits

[LyonFuzz]

Ok, I am not a flemish giant breeder....mine are rescues from an asian farm market:/. If 16# is big, what would you call my 24# female? She does not look fat by any means. She eats Purina rabbit chow and fresh veggies/grains as she pleases. Is she extraordinarily large or from outer space??? She is being hugged by my 6yr old daughter in this pic.

 

[LyonFuzz]

Here's her neutered boyfriend Dodger.....I think he's more like 20#.

 

[dddCT]

Although your rabbits are quite lovely, I doubt that they are Flemish Giants. They appear to be Continental Giants . Pure breed Flemish typically are between 16-21 lbs. Although it's not unheard of for a Flemish to get to be 24 lb that is not typical...and yes 16lb is a nice size rabbit especially since this one still has 6 months of growing to do. Quality rabbits are also bred for several standards and not just brute size.

Look up continental giants and see the difference in the size of the heads and ears compared to flemish giants. You also won't find many breeders of Continentals in this country because it is difficult to get them brought over, to my understanding, I know there are some Flemish breeders that are mixing continentals into their flemish lines but that is not highly regarded among most breeders. In fact one of my does has continental in her, but she is not one of our show rabbits. She is a pet and her babies are pet quality.

I think its great that you rescued these rabbits from an Asian Farm Markets you can't compare a continental to a flemish. Its like apples to oranges.

 

[LyonFuzz]

Thank you for the great info! I have never heard of a continental giant, but will definately do some research. We've had these two for about 4 1/2 yrs now and they have been nothing short of a pleasure Very docile, as you can see, and even let the chickens lay next to them. The best part about them is the looks of disbelief they get from visitors....LOL! People have to look twice to make sure they are truly looking at a real rabbit!
Thank you!
Karen

 

[Run-A-Muck Ranch]

those rabbits look beautiful....

questions on the weights though...at the fairs there is a family that always brings Flemish Giants....There smallest weighted like 32 pounds and they were told that's a little on the small side...And I know at one animal sale/auciton I went to there was one that was 36 pounds...if 16 pounds is average what would these two be called besides HUGE!!!! They weren't fat or anything either..They were very healthy and well taken care of...

I love the FG's and our girls are actually getting into raising them this year..They have some already, but are really diving head first into them for showing and what not through 4-H...
(Champagne d' Argents and Flemish Giants are the 2 main breeds they want this year).....

 

[dddCT]

A rabbit of the weight of 32-36 lbs is more then likely not pure flemish.More then likely it is pure german giant or a flemish german mix.Anything is possible but flemish just dont get that big but who knowns.There is one breeder I know of that is trying to mix flemish with other giant breeds to try to do just that breed a huge rabbit and one he is getting beat up by alot by other breeders for doing this they want flemish bred to standard.Once again there is alot more to a good flemish then just weight.I would love to have a 25 pound rabbit but thats not my goal as a breeder.My goal as a breeder of true flemish giant rabbits is to breed to standard and have rabbits of good type balance size and temperment.

 

[dddCT]

why was this thread moved???

 

[Run-A-Muck Ranch]

Quote:
I understand what you are staying. I was just curious as I have seen the FG's get HUGE!!! I know there's more to them than weight. It's agian just curiosity...
I personally am not looking at them just for size/weight either. Standards are standards for reasons.(Some I don't understand--but that's another long and winding road--I mean story..

)

 

[gypsy2621]

Quote:
I dont want to start an argument here but those 2 flemish ARE NOT Continental Giants.
Continental Giants have a much larger head and ear carrage.
Face much rounder and much fuller
please see this link
http://britishgiantrabbits.co.uk/
I raised Flemish for more than 6 years and the pictures of the LyonFuzzs' rabbits are definately Flemish Giant, notice the more narrow face , closer ear carraige.
Its not unheard of for Flemish to get 24 + lbs. especially Does.
I had a Fawn doe who weighed 25 lbs


As for the breeder breeding Continentals into his herd I know this person and choose to shut up.

Flemish should be bred to Standards, if you want to breed the other Giants then breed them they need to stay out of the Flemish Gene pool.

 

[dddCT]

I agree they need to stay out of the flemish gene pool if you read what I wrote my goal is to breed flemish to standard not mutts and as far as looking at the link you sent there is know need for me to look at it I have seen them in person so I dont need to look at pictures.And as far as the head on the rabbits have you seen any of the mutts up close that other said breeder is breeding because I sure have.