LOL! So many questions... I can give you my opinion and what's worked for me... (ummm... this is going to be a long post...)
- What do flemish giants eat? How much do they eat? Do they need special supplements? If you free feed them - for how long?
My Flemish are free fed a 17% protein pellet with 17% roughage. On average, most of my adults eat 1 1/2 to 2 cups a day... some Juniors/Intermediates eat more, especially during "growth spurts". I do not give supplements other than hay. If I have an issue with a rabbit getting "potty" (as the judges call it) or overweight, I will measure feed... but I can't say it's happened very often. They seem to eat what they need...
2. How much space does a flemish giant need for a cage? How much exercise time do they need?
My Flemish cages are 36" deep x 48 " long x 24" tall. I find height is important, they do not like their ears to be brushing the "roof". My Flemish get "turn-out" time in the yard twice a week (when I clean everything.) But I am not say they "exercise".... they do a circle around the yard, run over to a nice patch of clover, plop down in the middle and eat whatever they can reach without moving... Even when I bring them in the house, they seem to "hang-out" in the den, next to the couch... I think they are just to laid back to care about that "bunny binky stuff".
3. What is a flemish giant's personality like? Are they mean? Nice? Do they bite?
I would never presume to tell you any rabbit would never bite...( the good Lord gave them teeth...), but generally, no, they are not known as an aggressive breed. They are known as the Gentle Giant. You do have to watch the usual hormone issues, mostly with the does, (much discussed on this forum), just in a bigger package than usual. The boys tend to be really laid back (OK, lazy...). The girls are more alertand I find them easy to train (little tricks, coming to their name, etc.). They tend not to act "silly" when they grow up, and I find them reserved and regal. I think they are pretty smart too...
4. What should people be concerned about as far as health risks for flemish? I'm assuming sore hocks due to their weight...anything else?
Same exact issues as other rabbits, but yes, sore hocks can be a problem. Sometimes it is a problem with the flooring they are kept on, but sometimes I think, it is an issue with genetics. Some rabbits have a tendency to have less fur over the feet and hocks... (This is an issue being discussed and worked on by several Flemish breeders that I know of... breed the rabbits that have the most "felting" on the feet and wean for that trait...) This problem is also seen in other breeds, like Mini Rex (no weight issue there!). So looking for a genetic "fix" makes the most sense to me.
5. What is the average lifespan of a flemish giant?
I tell people that on average, they live 5-7 years. (Giant breeds tend to have shorter lifespans than smaller ones.. think of the short lifespan of a Great Dane (7-9 years) vs.a Miniature Poodle (12-15 years)...) But there are exceptions...I had a fabulous Sandy buck that lived for almost 9 years. A lady that lives near me hasone of myblue bucks that is 7 1/2 and doing just fine! (Yeah, he gets pushed in a baby carriage everywhere! No stress there! LOL!)
6. What is the average size of a full-grown, adult, flemish giant?
Depends on breeding... how big were the parents? How was it raised as a baby? Was it weaned too early? What was it fed? Assuming it was raised properly, an adult can be anywhere from 12 - 18 lbs. (Yes, there are 20+ lbs rabbits out there, but I'm talking averages.)
7. Anything else you think potential pet owners of flemish giants should know?
Flemish take a little longer to mature. They are not ready for breeding until 6-7 months for bucks and 8-11 months for does. Spaying and Neutering should wait a little longer in the Giants... (not 4-5 months like smaller breeds). Ibelieve that the majority of their diet should be made up of a well balanced, higher protein pellet, until they are at least adult weight (13 lbs for bucks and 14 lbs for does). Flemish have an incedibly rapid growth pattern that requires enough protein to build good thick bones to support their adult weight. Babies at 8-10 weeks are usually 6 lbs+. By 5 months of age, they should be 11 lbs+. They do not stop growing until they are about 14 months old. Food can be switched over to a lower protein/timothy based pellet at adulthood.
I think they are the sweetest most laid back and loving rabbits I've ever had.
