Flemish requirements

[angelicvampyre]

I know some people have them on here so I was wondering what people thought?  I know of a 3 month old desexed male that is looking for a new home as guess what?  he grew really big!

Anyway he is litter trained and free range and gets along with cats and dogs but just to big for the family and they where wondering if i could take him after xmas (they don’t want to upset their child before then) so i was thinking and wondering what are they like?  What are their housing requirments like?  I am not sure I could take him as i think i am maxed out with two and the amount of traveling that i will be doing in the next 6 months but you know just thinking

[Beka27]

Wow! So many of us would snap that guy up in a heartbeat! Flemish Giants have the same basic requirements as any bunny, but of course there is going to be more food, hay and litter being used. They are usually allowed to be free-range, but seeing as he’s still young (and possibly unneutered?) he will be likely to exhibit normal, destructive teenager behaviors, so totally free-range may not be an option right away. You could do a combined xpen set-up (I use two xpens for my buns set-up in a large rectangle) and that combined with supervised playtime will suffice until he is old enough to consider 24/7 free-range.

[angelicvampyre]

Thanks beka, they told me he was desexed (they use the same rabbit vet as me so i guess i could always check) because of his size they did him early to stop any onset of agression, i am more worried about my guys being so small and what if i do have to travel alot i don’t think my new cage could support him (I think i am pushing it with 2 rabbits for short periods of time). I think i might take him as a straight foster once my work shedule is sorted and will go from there

[Beka27]

The problem with fostesr is… they tend to STAY! LOL! I think it’s a good plan to take him in and see how it goes, but I’m seriously guessing you’ll just fall in love. I can’t help too much on the traveling thing, I don’t have any first-hand experience with that…

So they are really “getting rid of” him b/c he is getting big?! What did they expect?

[jerseygirl]

There’s room at my place!

[Deleted User]

The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of what a Flemish Giant would require is hay storage. You will need to buy hay by the bale and it needs to be stored properly.

[sgregory]

flemish eat SO MUCH, be prepared for it! most of the time nori’s cage floor is filled with food, i have to feed her a couple times a day.. and she’s pretty skinny. flemish also seem to really live up to the nickname “gentle giants”. i have one and a friend of mine from work has an unneutered male, and even hers is such a sweetheart, to other buns as well. as for their size, you dont have to worry too much. make a large NIC cage! you really shouldnt have to worry about levels, they’re too big unless you make a really tall cage anyway.
as far as free range goes, it should be easy to let him out most of the time. nori is still in her teenager stage and she is barely destructive. the only thing she does is chewing a little on the baseboards, when she’s lounging near them. and my friend’s unneutered male doesnt even chew wires! she lets him run around in her wire-strewn apartment every day and he doesnt chew them. it seems that other than the feeding requirements flemish are a lot easier. but im only basing this off of two, so i could be wrong!
also, make sure you have carpet, because as felmish are large they dont binky as much as they zoom and they really need the extra traction because of all the momentum they have!

[sgregory]

ohh, and come nail clipping time you’ll probably need an assistant. nori is pretty relaxed but shes too big to even fit in my lap so its difficult.

[angelicvampyre]

Thanks guys. I am going to met him in the next few days and will go from there. I am also keeping a ear out for someone in Melbourne who might be looking for one, if not jerseygirl I might just put him on a train to you

[jerseygirl]

Posted By sgregory on 12/14/2009 04:37 PM 
and my friend’s unneutered male doesnt even chew wires! she lets him run around in her wire-strewn apartment every day and he doesnt chew them.

Argh…I feel like a busy-body!  I want to say…what about the day he does decide to try chew them?  They can be unpredictable sometimes. Please encourage your friend to cover them as a safe guard.  Please.

AV – it’d be cheaper if I just come pick him up myself. It’s what, like and 8 hr drive?

[sgregory]

oh i know! it worries me too.. he could get electrocuted! but she’s had him a little over a year and there’s never been an issue.. it’s weird, i dont get it!

[angelicvampyre]

jersey girl if you are intrested when I met him I will let you know more. I would be more then happy to take him for you till you can drive over!

[jerseygirl]

I am…but i can’t I am…but i can’t I am…but i can’t
Unless I miraculously get better paid work between now and then, I cannot really have him. If I’m meant to have him – then the way will become clear. I’m just going to have to take this attitude. There’s a Melbourne rescue I came across but cannot remember the name. Edit:  http://www.rabbitrunaway.org.au  You may have even mentioned them yourself. Perhaps you or the current owners could contact them to see if they know anyone who is after a Flemish.
Also just found this person http://www.myspace.com/rabbitcare

[Cassi&Charlie]

Hahaha! JG – you, like me, don’t need another rabbit…but oh do I want a Flemish. My BF is looking for a Flemish, he’s 8 hours from Melbourne and visits regulary. I bet he’ll be pretty easy to convince once I steal my rabbits from him.

[jerseygirl]

don’t need another rabbit

lol. Speak for yourself. I always want/need another Flemmish or not. I don’t want to upset J&R’s equilibrium but I crave meeting other rabbits.  I think my solution will be to work with rabbits – paid or volunteer.  Your BF sounds like a good candidate. Strongly encourage him.

[Beka27]

Any update AV? I’m curious to hear what you decide to do (and we love Flemmies so a pic would be awesome if you brought him home!)

[MooBunnay]

Oooo a Flemie…I hope my husband doesn’t see this post or he’ll want to steal him I have always heard great things about Flemish Giants as well, as far as their personality, but I would imagine that the level of destructiveness probably depends on the rabbit, and also he may decide to “mark” around the house. I hope that he is able to stay with you, or find a good home, there are often lots of people out there looking for the bigger rabbits. I have also tried fostering before…and failed…I kept two fosters before I realized I’m not any good as a foster mom

[Moonlight_Wolf]

All these things people say about Flemish giants makes me think that Fern was born as the wrong bunny! She is just like a Flemish, she is so calm and gentle and doesn’t chew wires or anything at all (except her grass mats).

Good luck on the Flemmie! I hope you get him! To tell you the truth, the chances of you getting him are high.
1. You are seriously thinking about getting him and know all the perks of having a Flemish.
2. If you foster him you will fall in love and keep him.
3. If you end up not getting him then you will think about him a lot until you do, or until someone else does (either way he gets a home)
These are all things that would happen to me in your situation. They might not happen to you, it is just a guess!

[angelicvampyre]

Sorry guys i have been meaning to come back and tell you all what happened but it really was very upsetting and I was not sure how to handle the situation. Flem the Flemish was big, really big like 10kg big! he was also closer to 5 years (i think i heard wrong first time around) I went to see him on Wednesday. I arrived and he was attacking the door, finally the husband had to hold him by his harness (something he wears 24/7 for control resaons) and literally sit on him before I could come in, once he had calmed down (or so we thought) they let him go and he started to circle me and then launched himself on me and started to hump my leg, it was a little unexpected so I ended up flat on my arse with my head meeting the coffee table on the way down, I was now on the floor seeing double in pain ( I have a cracked coxes(sp??) bone in my butt and this really hurt not to mention my head) I tried to push him off but his only annoyed him more and he lashed out and bit me on the hand and arm.
4 hours later and stitches in both my hand and arm at the ER I was not overly happy. I also managed to get a mild concussion. Flems agression to anything and pretty much anyone is shocking, I am not sure why. I have brusies on my leg a few claw marks on my inner thigh and an arm banaged from my fingers to my elbow. Everything anyone ever told me about Flemish rabbits went out the window. the ER doctor kept asking me about a dog attack and even when i tried to tell him it was not a dog he would not believe that a rabbit did this. I am on anti biotic and still feeling sore and sorry for myself. To top this off today i got told that the family decided that this was the last straw and they opted to get Flem put to sleep, I am really annoyed at myself in regards to this, i feel like i failed him in some way and i have spent most of today in tears. i wish they had spoken to me about this before, I am sure I could have found someone that was prepared to do something with him, i am sure that it was the way he was raised that caused him to act this way but they where scared that he would do this to their young child and it was the final straw, maybe he could smell my guys on me i don’t know. i really wish it had gone down different but by the time i got back around to calling them the deed had been done.

Sorry Flem i think that i failed you. Binky free big man.

[Beka27]

Oh wow. I don’t know what to say. I’m so sorry. That is also against anything I’ve ever heard about Flemish Giants, but I guess like with any animal, environment and training will have a lot to do with the animal’s disposition. I feel so bad for that poor bunny, but I can understand their concerns.

Binky Free Flem. I hope you can find peace.

[RabbitPam]

That’s terrible. What an ordeal for all of you. I am worried most about your head hitting the coffee table. Make sure you keep an eye on yourself for any other problems.
If Flem’s scratches did that much damage I’m guessing they didn’t trim his nails much either. That much aggression after being neutered is a sign of something wrong. It’s possible that he had some sort of illness that none of you were aware of. I once had a cat who was pretty aggressive, and he died young of kidney disease that turned out to be fairly common to his breed. Flem just may have inherited an excessively aggressive nature, or had an underlying condition that kept him on edge that way. By 5 years old he was going to turn the corner and be a geriatric bunny within 2 years or so anyway, so I’m guessing something was off for him as well.

You show great kindness in being upset about his fate, rather than having any animosity toward him and his owners for all the harm you suffered.
{{{{{{{Healing vibes to you}}}}}}}}}
{{{{{{{{{{{{Binky free, Flem}}}}}}}}}

[Beka27]

Absolutely! ^^^

I’m sorry, rereading my post, I didn’t mean for it to sound as if I was not concerned for YOU! I’m just shocked by everything. Please take care of yourself! It’s not your fault he had to be put down. With that kind of aggression and a young child in the house, I can’t help but think it may have been for the best. You don’t realize the strength that is involved with a rabbit of that size.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

OMG

Firstly-you didn’t fail him-they did. Obviously did not train him properly and I wonder if he was even neutered… This is definitely a case -imho-of them lying about why they want to get rid of the rabbit-the ‘he’s just too big’ is an obvious excuse-they got a flemish GIANT- big should be what they were after; Sounds to me like they ended up with a problem rabbit and wanted to get rid of him. That’s too bad

AND My gosh-no kidding the doc thought it was a dog who got you! I can’t even imagine. I hope you are doing better now?

[angelicvampyre]

Thanks guys had a check up with my doc getting my arm done on xmas eve hoping it is not going to scar. The more I think about it the more I think there might have been an underlying issue, when they got him he was 3 months old and they where told he was nutered but then again he might not have been and they did not know. I think like alot of people they didn’t believe in training him and when he got big he was the boss and that was the end of it. He was really pretty but I do understand why they did what they did but it’s sad all around.

Thanks for the healing vibes. On another note when I got home from the ER I got my bean bag and put it in the rabbit room and went in there and feel asleep, my parents (who live in the country) came down after the hospital rang them an found me asleep on the bean bag with Anya asleep on my chest nose to my chin and Bugz busy rugging his chin all over my legs and arms as if to wipe away that crazy rabbit smell that someone else put on me. mum said it was cute he would rub and the sit back look at the area do a sigh and start rubbing again.

I am still in a little shock over the whole thing I mean I never in a million years thought that a flemish would be that agressive, it has put a dampener on me wanting to get one but at the same time I think that I will still get one just have this warning in the back of my head about training and socailizing.

Thanks again for all the well wishes

[hooty22]

Wow that’s unbelievable. I’m happy to hear that you are okay.
I don’t mean to make light of the matter, but am I the only one that immediately thought of the Killer Rabbit of Caerbannog from Monty Python fame?

[jerseygirl]

  I’m so sorry AV and hope you recover well.   I really don’t know what to say in regards to Flem… I’m just so saddened.

[Monkeybun]

Its too abd about Flem, poor bun… Binky free Flem!

very cute about anya and bugz tho

[jerseygirl]

Yes, Binky Free Flem. So sad he didn’t get a better chance at a better life.  AV, I hope this experience doesn’t cloud your opinion about flemish giants. Could have been any breed really.   I think human error is to blame here.   As you know, when you work in Rescue with animals, these sorts of scenarios come across your path all too often.  It is lovely to hear you have 2 sweet bunnies at home to remind you of better side of life.

[bunnytowne]

that is so funny about your Bugz.    Gosh what an attack rabbit.  I bet he would have been good to deter thieves from breaking into your home.

Poor Flem        Poor you     get well

[angelicvampyre]

Thanks guys. This has not put me off wanting a flemish I think it has just defered the option for a while. However I do feel sorry for Bugz not sure what it is but something is making me not smell right at the moment, last night he jumped up onto my lap while I was at the computer and started to scent my tummy and upper thighs????? Strange rabbit

[Monkeybun]

Nethies seem to be very dominant, from what I’ve seen of Monkey lol. Bugz doesnt want anyone stealing his Human away, so he’s gotta make sure you are well marked

[angelicvampyre]

You would think the daily showers would have fixed that but noooo, what in their cage today getting the litter try and he jumped on my back and started to scent the back of my head, we had words really enough is enough!

[KytKattin]

Wow. That is just crazy. I can’t believe that happened! I know a breeder of Giants and even though they aren’t fixed, at least with the males, you would hardly even know (except they are stinky). They are just so sweet and loving. They can just be picked up and cuddled like giant babies! On the other hand, we did have a female (unspayed) who bit my sister. Hardly a nip though compared to what happened to you! I hope you heal well! Don’t feel too bad about him. Too many rabbits suffer a much worse fate, for much less. He was taken care of in a humane manner. I think it was actually the responsible thing on the part of his owners.

[angelicvampyre]

Tanks KytKattin, I am now coming around to seeing it that way. I think that maybe this was the best option as I talked to a lady in Melbourne who breeds Flemish rabbits (and if I am going to get one will get off her’s as they are so nice) she told me to come around and met her guys and I did they where happy and came up to you and begged for treats and wanted a cuddle and just everything anyone has ever said to me about this breed, she was shocked at the extent of my arm and leg (I showed her the bruises) she said they might have been an underlying issue to cause this agression and that fact that it took them 5 years to do something out it makes her think is was a more recent thing not something that has been happeneing for the past 5 year who to her spells something like a cancer of the brain making him go nuts and creating the agressive behaviour. I am starting to think she is right.

Thanks so much for all the well wishes, got to pack my guys up to go on holidays now!

[Beka27]

That’s a good point too… I find it hard to believe they’d have a 15 pound bun who was THAT aggressive for 5 years and not do anything about it long before then. It’s very likely that it was something that came up more suddenly. Regardless, he’s in a better place now and no longer (possibly) hurting…

[Author]

Messages