Welcome! Flemish Giants – I am so jealous :~)

I would find out what kind of food they are currently on from the Rescue – they may currently use the Oxbow pellets but I would recommend too that they stay on their current diet and then slowly switch them over to the new pellets. Also find out if they care currently getting any greens at the rescue too.

Do you by any chance know their age? That will help you determine what if any changes from their current diet that you will need to make.

I would get them a very large cat box – the bigger the box for Flemish Giants the better too – you may have to go with a storage type bin that is larger than the large or x-large cat boxes. Ask the rescue what type of litter they use as well since they are using their box already, you may want to consider sticking to what they are using.

Orchard Grass is just fine for them.

Best article ever on stasis and this will answer all your questions on that:

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/ileus.html

Hi Paula, Wejcome to the forum.
I have tiny rabbits but I beleive the needs are very similar.
Oxbow Bunny Basics are a very good pellet, great choice.
Orchard grass hay is fine for bunnies, Timothy hay is also a really good one. Any hay type that they sell at this sites store is a great choice, where ever reputible place you buy.
There is a list of safe veggies & fruit uder the Bunny Info tab at the top of the page. Also states “Minimum 2 cups of chopped greens per 6 lbs” so go from there.
You should only try 1 new veggie per week to insure you know if something upsets their tummies.
For a flemish giant, I would get the biggest litter boxes available – or use those under the bed storage things. You may need 2 boxes in their inclosure & there should be at least 1 available per room in their out of cage areas.
The best way to protect cords is to block access, I’ve tried several cord cover methods & eventually they get to the cords.
Old phone books are awesome bunny toys. They also love to distroy baskets, make sure they are not treated, painted, varnished etc.
I’ve never had a stasis problem but a variety of veggies every day & free feed fresh hay (preferably not alfalfa unless they are very young).
You watch for not eating & or pooping/peeing for a period of 12 hours or more.
Different bunnies shed at different rates. My Holland Lops are tiny shed machines. The Rex hardly sheds. I’ve never had a Flemish so don’t know.

Congrats on your soon to be new bunnies!

Everyone here seems to swear by Oxbow Bunny Basics T. I feed that to my older bunny and he does great with it. Orchard Grass is fine also for bunnies.

As for the litter box, I would get a large kitty box, since they are large bunnies I use a wood pellet litter for my box, which is aborbant and safe if the bunny eats any. (Green Pet Products, Aspen Supreme Pellets is what its called)

Most petstores and online stores sell cord protectors. My bunnies have never nibbled my molding (yet!), maybe other members will have more advice on this topic.

As for toys, you can use things you have around, TP/PT rolls are fun, you can fill them with hay and treats! My bunnies enjoy their flip n toss carrots a lot. Also willow baskets and balls. This site has a great store with all the fun things they will like. Mine also love the cardboard tubes they can run through and chew, most petstores sell them too.

Good luck with your new additions! This is a great site and everyone is helpful and will answer any questions you have or problems you run into. Also, be sure to post pics of your new babies!
 

Welcome and congrats on your soon to be new family members!

I have a chewer Dutch girl and the most cost effective cord protectors I have found is the clear plumbing tubing sold at your home depot type stores. While it doesn’t come “pre split” like some of the other cord protectors, It is easy to do with a good utility knife. I then just seal every foot or so with some electrical tape. I do this because Coco won’t chew the thicker smooth texture of this tubing – whereas she WOULD chew the black corregated stuff. I swore I would out think my new guy and surrounded the cords with NIC cubes….until he figured out how to get behind them and chewed through our entire VOIP and internet system in about 7 minutes. Even though he doesn’t live in that room any more ( bonded with my Dutch) everything is covered…Just in case.

I would be interested to see how the rescue has their litter configured. Do they share one big pan? Both my rabbits have the big open cat litter type boxes, which is too big for Coco, but a good size for Jackson.

Jackson was on a generic pellet at the rescue – so I did the 4 week switch – switching out 1/4th each week until it was all Oxbow. He did fine with that. He was a bit standoffish about greens though – and I did what the other folks here have suggested – we started with Romaine and parsley as his base, and I offered new things in rotation. He first turned down mint, spinach, dandelion, kale, chicory, dill…anything that wasn’t a straight lettuce. He turns nothing away now – but I am lucky and he doesn’t seem to have much of a sensitive tummy.

As for play – each of mine has very different play styles – Jackson likes to bunch and smooth towels. He also is a bit of a thrower with his teeth and will heave a toy to go and pick it up again. Coco is my chewer. I need to set up more “cerebral” rabbit problems for her to solve – such as partially obstructing one side of a hay bungalow with sisal rope so she has to chew/dig her way through it.

You are going to have such fun getting to know these guys – they are so lucky to have found you and a home that will keep them together!

Posted By Paula on 09/13/2009 04:46 PM

Hi all, my name is Paula and in a couple weeks I will be adopting two young male flemish giants.  They are neutered, bonded brothers that are described by the rescue as mischievous but very loveable with dog-like personalities. 

Welcome!  CAN”T WAIT to hear more about them!  Do report in when you bring them home.   Also, thank you for taking in rescue rabbits and doing your research beforehand.
 

Already bonded, neutered and litter trained, you’ll be off to a great start.  To make the transistion smoother, it might pay to try keep things similar to what they have at the shelter in the beginning. ie. regarding type of litter, hay, food etc.  Then make changes to what suits you better.  This all depends, if they’ve only been at the shelter a short time, they may take to changes well.

The artlcle Sarita posted link to is EXCELLENT for reference.  Hold onto that one.  I also find this one useful to have on hand.  http://www.mybunny.org/info/gi_stasis.htm

I think most of your questions have been addressed.  On cord covers, if they’re big chewers, provide acceptable things to chew and maybe go for heavy duty cord covers.  Something like hard plastic corrugated pipe that you can split down the middle with a utility knife.  I think you can actually get this already split but I don’t know the product name – sorry.

Oh I didn’t see your second post as I was posting mine same time. For food transistion to oxbow, see post in Diet & Care forum titled “switching food question?”.
Going to check out Rabbit Haven now! Great Rescue – I believe a member here “Osprey” is greatly involved with Rabbit Haven.

Oh thanks! I was going mad trying to find them! lol

Edit to add: OHMYGOOOOSH! That cuddle picture!!!!!! 

They are so gorgeous! I think they will give you tons of excellent advice as well at Rabbit Haven for the transition as well. Purina is a great pellet but I think you will be happy with Oxbow too. Many times rescues must use what is most cost effective for them too so they may not do everything exactly as you may do at your home since running a rescue is expensive. My advice is to ask tons of questions to the rescue and see what they recommend as well too…but we love to help too :~)

They are adorable! I bet you are excited to get them home! They look like such good buddies! How do you tell them apart?! More pictures will be required!

OH MY _they are adorable!! I literally ‘awwwed’ out lloud at that cuddle picture!! So CUTE!! They are gorgeous! You are asking all the right questions-I can tell your going to be a great bunny mom!

Welcome Paula and congrats!!! If your going to the shelter to adopt them (ie. they aren’t being delivered to you) be sure to give ‘chocolate’ the dutch on the adoptions page a nose rub from me!! He’s too cute!

oh my, 32 pounds combined. them some big bunnehs! Adorable ones tho

I use Oxbow Bunny Basics T for my Monkey, she loves them pellets. If you aren’t sure about what toys they like, try one of each get a box for em to dig in, somethign to toss, something to roll, so they can try em all.

To bunny proof the baseboards and such, not sure if there’s a sure fire way, might just wanna wipe them down with vinegar or lemon juice so it doesn’t taste good to them.

Molting happens in cycles, although it seems like it never ends! Once one ends the next one begins. Plucking is just picking off the extra fur sticking out. My three get little tufts of fur around their tail that they cant reach themselves. Just pinching the clump of fur and pulling it out. Or using a damp washcloth or towel to get the extra stray hairs off.

Aww, they are adorable, Paula! I bet you are SOOOO excited!

Welcome to BB Paula! They are so cute, and everyone wants a flemish and you get two!

WOW!!!!!!!!!! Welcome here! So many of us experienced bunny folks would love to have Flemmies, but we’re not sure how we’d be able to handle it… you’re starting off with not ONE, but TWO!!!

^^^J.E.A.L.O.U.S.^^^

They are amazing guys, I love the description, and they look like (literally) a TON OF FUN!

DEFINITELY keep us UPDATED!

It seems your questions have been answered for the most part. My advice to you is to try and get things cheaper as time goes on and they acclimate themselves to your home and routine. Woodstove pellets or horse bedding pellets will be your best bet for litter. If you’re not already getting hay in bulk, you’ll want to start. Oxbow can be ordered in 50lb boxes, Timothy as well as Orchard hay, both are great for buns.

What are you doing for your enclosure? You said 9×9 feet? Are you doing a few xpens attached together? I would not recommend a “Build-It-Yourself” deal with such a large area to cover… NIC grids would be way too wobbly.

Hi Beka, when you say folks wouldn’t know how to handle it, are you speaking only of their size, or is there something about the breed in general that I should know?

Dont worry, she is talking about adjusting to their needs because of their size. And possibly the addiction you will no doubt face when you fall for two adorable flemmies! lol

Congrats!!! I cant wait to see pics of them
A very large box with some comfy blankets on the bottom. Bring extra blankets/towels to switch them out if they peep and you feel its necessary. Also you might want to ask for some of the hay/pellets that they have been eating. This way you can gradually ease them into the new stuff at your house. Im sure that both would appreciate a treat like a carrot or cilantro.

I have one bun that LOVES car rides and one that is TERRIFIED of them. The good thing about two is that they will have eachother to comfort one another!!!

You can change their names. Even if they DO know their names (which is rare with buns), you can start to introduce the new names, and phase out the old. You are the one who will be talking to them for 10 plus years, so I think you need to like the names. Others will disagree, but that’s my opinion.

And yes, I’m sorry! They are daunting in terms of SIZE, but in general the breed is supposed to be awesome! My wrist starts to cramp when I trim my 5-lb bun’s nails, it’s difficult to hold him upright (and still) long enough to do four paws… I couldn’t imagine trying to hold and trim a 16 pounder! For you it will be all about adapting to their size, and learning the best way to get the day to day chores done.

For transport, I would not do a litterbox. The large carrier and a couple absorbent towels or blankets and a layer of hay should be fine.

For a food dish, you could get those heavy ceramic crocks, but you’d probably need to move up to the dog department. Another option would be a food dish holder (you know the kinds you can raise up and down for dogs of various heights?) You wouldn’t have it very high, but it would at least secure the dishes in place. Do they drink from a water bottle at all? If so, it wouldn’t hurt to have a bottle set up in case they do dump their water when you’re not around. My 5-lb guy easily drags his ceramic crock around with his teeth (namely drags away from his wife and towards himself). I can imagine that they’d easily tip a “small critter” food dish.