Feeding a Flemish Giant cross

[Rescuemom]

Hey, so I'm new to the forums and I want to do the utmost research(I hate saying that because I'm not new to being a rabbit owner - just haven't done it in many years and things have changed) before I bring a bun into my home.

I have my heart set on adopting a Flemish Giant cross that's been sitting at my local shelter for a couple of weeks. He's known for being calm and a staff favorite(let's hope none of them adopt him first, haha!) and he's 8.5 lbs of full grown rabbit.

Now.. here's the question. What's the healthiest food to feed and HOW MUCH should I feed per his weight to keep him healthy and fit? I don't want to overfeed or underfeed. And what can I supplement with and what should be avoided?

I've got my basics down, but well... My rabbit was a dwarf cross and much much smaller, lol.

Thanks!

 

[Samara]

How old is he?

 

[ZRabbits]

Welcome to RO!

As I have smaller breeds, I do have in my future a big guy coming. I've been looking into everything on how best to keep this Big Guy Happy!

Here's some basic info on flemish. This is from someone who raises and shows. Still trying to find out how much really should be feed when an adult. I'm not sure about the alfalfa at an adult age. Since alfalfa makes small adult rabbits fat, I'm wondering about flemish. You really have to watch their weight.


Here's about feeding:

[font=Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif]FEEDING
Flemish seem to require roughage as well as pellets as feed. We feed high quality alfalfa, free choice, and one large tuna fish can of 18% protein pellets.[/font]




http://myplace.frontier.com/~szabof/id7.html



Hope this helps a little. Look forward to hearing about your Big Guy. Also would love to see pics.

K

 

[Samara]

My heart stopped when I read "one large tuna fish can" - I was like KAREN! Have you lost your bunny mind??

LOL

 

[Rescuemom]

He is two according to the shelter, but that could be a vets educated guess too as he was a found stray. Thanks guys! =D

 

[SOOOSKA]

Have you put an application in yet for him? You don't want some one else to get him.:confused2:

Do you have a picture of him?

Susan

 

[Nelsons_Mom]

At two, he should be eating unlimited Timothy Hay and Oxbow T (also called Oxbow Essentials) pellets. It is pretty much the only store-bought pellet that has the proper nutrients. The rest of the stuff is a load of crap--like feeding your dog kibbles and bits or beneful.

The pellets should have an amount-by-weight on the back, which isn't exact, but it should give you a good idea. I'd start introducing veggies slowly up to about a compact cup a day (about two handfuls).

 

[Rescuemom]

Planning to put an application in on him right away here.

Thank you so much Nelsons_Mom! Yeah.. My dogs get only the best(raw or high quality, grain-free, preservative-free kibble) so I'd like the same for my bun in the equivalent of bunny-nutrition. One of my boys actually has epilepsy and preservatives and fillers can trigger seizures, so I know what you mean about the kibbles n bits and whatnot.

Are there any veggies that I shouldn't give? I don't want to bring him any unintended harm by accidentally feeding something I thought was good. I'm also going to be reading up on rabbits all over the net and on the posts here too.

 

[ZRabbits]

Pretty rabbit.

Good luck!

K

 

[Nelsons_Mom]

http://adoptarabbit.org/articles/toxic.html

Here's the forbidden foods list c:

The biggy that most people don't think of is iceberg lettuce.

 

[Korr_and_Sophie]

He's cute, but doesn't look like a Flemish Giant. Unfortunately, the shelters around here aren't really good at breed ID. He could maybe be a harlequin mix, but it's hard to tell without seeing all of him.

As far as feeding, you want a lower protein (about 14%) with high fibre (18% or more) and low fat. A timothy hay based pellet is ideal for adults. Oxbow is a good brand and available at most pet stores in Calgary for about $15-20 for a 10 pound bag. You will want to feed him between 1/4 and 1/2 cup per day. The actual amount depends on him, some need more than others.
Hay is important. Timothy is popular and easy to get. Since we live in Calgary, baled hay is pretty easy to get and at a good price, I pay $10 a bale and it is better than bagged hay. Give as much hay as he wants.
Veggies really depend on what he likes. There are tons of lists of safe veggies. I tend to give parsley, cilantro and romaine lettuce.

You should come to Bunanza. It is June 17th in Chestemere. It is a bunny day with vets, some pet stores, rescues and tons of info. http://bunanza.ca/