Flemish Questions

[Colie]

 So, I got a flemish giant today sort of unexpectedly (saw him on craigslist and then went and picked him up)  I plan, if everything goes well, to have him be a free range bunny.  For short term, until we are sure on his litter habits and behaviors, he is in a 4′ x4′ pen.  Is this suitable for short term, or should we build him something bigger until he is ready to free range?  I also saw on another website people saying they use dog harnesses to take giants for walks in the garden.  I know this is bad for normal rabbits, so I figured it would be no different for the giants?  And as far as diet goes, he get the same foods, just more of them?

Thanks!!

[Sarita]

Congratulations. I think for the short term that the 4×4 will be fine. That will allow you to assess his behaviors. I would recommend a very large litter box though.

Is he neutered yet?

I honestly would not recommend any type of harness for him – a better idea would be to put him in a pen in the garden (always supervised and attended of course).

Do you know how old he is?

[Colie]

I am already on the hunt for a huge litter box, our giant cat one can just hold him for now, but he will need a new one before the week is out. He is 5 months old and I am going to get him in to be neutered and checked out within the next couple of weeks here depending upon what the vet says.

[Sarita]

He’s probably ready to be neutered – males testicles usually descend at 3 1/2 to 4 months so the sooner the better.

You may want to look at some of those large storage container type things for a litter box for him too. You kind of have to think outside the box and be a little more creative with these large rabbits and their accessories.

[RabbitPam]

A plastic tub with low sides like a dishpan you would use in the sink might be big enough. Sometimes you can find one by Rubbermaid in a store like Wal-mart.

Any pix to post yet?

[Colie]

Thanks, those are great ideas! He is already using his kitty litter box, so I am hoping this is a trend with him.

I will have pics tomorrow, he is gorgeous!!

[Barbie]

Ooo so exciting! Good luck with getting him settled… Can’t wait to see pictures!!!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

I was gonna suggest getting storage bins or something instead of litter pans-they are much cheaper! Just make sure at least one side is high (bums scoot over the edge!)

The minimum room a bunny needs is four times their body size when it’s sprawled out-however your looking temporary so I’m sure the space you have is fine. Plus you want a smaller area while you toilet train.

I can’t wait to see pictures!!

[Colie]

The temp cage without the litter pan and hideout would actually be big enough for four of him spread out, so I figure its good short term.

Here are the pics:

 

And one of my other girl Torri who is not old enough to be spayed yet and is VERY interested in the newcomer.

The cage is all messy because I am trying not to bother him much just yet with cleaning and all that. I figure it could be a little stressful for him since he is used to living in a wire floored outdoor hutch.

[Colie]

Also, that litter box is an XL cat box for size comparison and my other girl pictured is a mini lop.

[mrmac]

*Squeal* Oh my…Adorable!!!!! Those ears and that face! *melts into a puddle* Does he have a name yet?

[Kafrn]

omg. just read this post. Didnt know what Craigslist was. Googled Craigslist. Awesome. So much stuff to buy!!!

Your rabbits are AWESOME! he must be the happiest bunny in the world right now

[ScooterandAnnette]

We’ve taken our rabbits for walks on harnesses before, although we haven’t for a while. They seem to really like being able to run. I think if you start them on the harness when they’re young they get pretty used to it. There used to be a girl close to my mother’s place that would take a very large white rabbit out for a walk daily.
– Annette

[jerseygirl]

Congrats. He IS Gorgeous! I love those soft, deer-like eyes! Does he have a name?

I don’t think you’ve posted pics of your girl bunnies before….(hint hint)

Look at Torri though! lol. I think you should rename this thread as “Meet Flemmie and his New Squeeze”

[Sarita]

He is gorgeous – what a looker!

[Colie]

Thanks everyone, he is even more handsome in person! My girls are Notorious (Torri) and Infamous (Moose) and Torri’s (hopefully!) new boyfriend is Scandalous (Dale)

Moose:

Torri as a baby:

[katie, max & penny]

adorable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[luvmybunny]

Congrats on your new baby! He is so handsome! Your other babies are cute also!! Great names!

[Furface]

AWW, such cuties!!!

[Colie]

Thanks everyone!

[Monkeybun]

Oh my, Torri’s face there just makes me want to snuggle her. *snuggle!*

[Barbie]

What a pretty bun fam you have! =)

[Colie]

[jerseygirl]

Oh you had posted pic of Torri before! I remember now, like a baby Rumball.  I hadn’t seen Moose though. Is she actually steel coloured? Her markings are great. Great names too, especially for rascally rabbits!

[Colie]

Yep! Of course, Torri is much bigger now… Moose seems to be a very dark chocolate color. We thought she was black for the longest time. I am horrible with colors though!

[Colie]

So, my new boy Dale gets along with my spayed girl Moose quite well (she doesn’t like him at all, but no fighting, humping or aggression whatsoever. He has been spending increasing amounts of time in her cage which is 2.5ft by 7.5ft. He stills gets out of cage time as well. Does this sound like a better set up for him to be living in?

The eventual plan is to have him in a 4.5×4.5ft room connected to the 2.5 X 7.ft cage to create a larger space for at least him and one of the girls (if not both if intros continue to go well after Torri’s spay!)

[Sarita]

The 2.5 does not sound at all adequate even it it’s width. You want him to be able to stretch out either way – width and length. Also you have to consider the height too (he needs to be able to stand up comfortably on his hind legs – not that he will do that but many rabbits like to periscope – not sure how high the cage is though).

[Colie]

Of course, I was thinking of square footage and got lost in the math. I plan to add at least another foot in width along one half of the cage and I think that will do as it it temporary and go from there. There is no top on the cage (it is built sort of pen style with one very small little level) so I think he is okay there.

He has been hopping about and doing binkies all morning since he got in there, so I am hoping I am heading in the right direction.

Also, I just measured, the cage is 29″ and with the addition, it will be 43″ wide in the larger space. I did have the length correct however.

[Sarita]

I have a large NZ who pretty much stretches out at the 2 feet length and she is in a 4 x 4 foot enclosure. She is about 13 pounds so I imagine your Flemmie is going to stretch out longer than her. He may also have more growing to do – makes me wonder how long he is when he stretches out – maybe you can measure him between binkies :~)

[Colie]

He weighs 10lbs now and I am sure he is still growing! I don’t think he will be really giant though. The guy I got him from said he should be about 15lbs total based off of the lines he comes from. I had no idea he was a breeder until we went to pick him up

I have tried to measure him now that you bring it up and of course he won’t let me!

[Colie]

Thanks for the help!! I decided to just make a whole new cage for the pair based off your advice. New thread about it here: https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/aff/4/aft/106907/afv/topic/Default.aspx

[Author]

Messages