FlemishFloridians
Well-Known Member
Our youngest has kept Flemish Giant buns for a while now, and my husband and I immediately fell in love with the breed when we brought home the first bun. Velvet, who is now approximately 18 months old has had her first litter with an unrelated buck, Pinto. Both bunnies live outside (North Florida,) with a completely covered pen, have a high powered fan in their pen they can choose to sit by or not, along with tiles for flooring (keeps them cooler). They have continuous access to Timothy Hay, a water bowl (no bottles - I can't do that to them, knowing how much water they love to drink). We live on 40 acres of woods and have many animals - chickens, dogs, cats, and of course, Flemish Giants. Just sharing for background.
Velvet is 18 months (F) and Pinto is 8 months (M). Both are gorgeous - Velvet is pushing 14 pounds and Pinto is just about the same.
We checked on the buns this morning as we always do, pressured washed their pen out, refreshed water, changed litter boxes, etc. When we went back out to check on them about 45 minutes later, we noticed some blood in Velvet's pen (not a lot to be concerned with but obvious enough to see).
Our kiddo checked their attached kennel and found 10 gorgeous baby bunnies - all breathing and seemingly healthy. We are first-time rabbit "grandparents" and followed all of the recommendations regarding pregnancy diet, post-partum pregnancy diet, etc. Velvet has unlimited access to pellets, timothy hay, and fresh alfalfa hay.
We separated Pinto into the adjacent pen about a week ago, knowing she was close and they've got face-time through the bars and can even do some reasonable grooming. He misses her, even though they're close by and he's always been a super gentleman with his lady. We never actually saw them breed. Velvet was very regimented about only wanting snuggles most of the time whenever we were out in the pen with them, and we were shocked to actually discover she was pregnant.
Mom and Dad's parents were both grey, so I was surprised to see that we have sandy colored Flemish buns on our hands. We saw the parents on sight and they were all beautifully cared for, along with innately beautiful themselves.
The biggest concern my husband and I have is the North Florida heat. Today, we cracked the external kennel enough to put a small fan blowing OUT, not into the kennel, to allow for some air circulation. Not talking whirlwind or breeze, just to allow hot air to escape. We had a temperature probe inside the kennel with an external reader and temps were right around 82-85 degrees inside the kennel. We also put a lean-to type tarp off the outside of the kennel to offer shade to the kennel in addition to the kennel itself being vented. My biggest fear is they might get too warm over the next 24 hours, where heat is supposed to be around 88-90 during the peak.
Now that you have my bunny life story, hoping you can help fill in some blanks
1) My first and foremost question is: What are the guesses of eventual colors for these little guys?
2) My husband, kid, and I have studied as much material available as possible on pregnancy, birthing, etc. on buns (but again, first time here)....
Would it be detrimental to bring the babies into a different location where the temperatures range 75-78 degrees, knowing that Velvet "should" only feed them 1-2 times daily?
She has checked on them a few times that we've seen but not fed them yet (and also know that that is normal). This pair (Velvet and Pinto,) have lived outside in their pen and never inside with air conditioning, so I do believe they are very much conditioned, in conjunction with their fan option.
Appreciate the help in advance!
Velvet is 18 months (F) and Pinto is 8 months (M). Both are gorgeous - Velvet is pushing 14 pounds and Pinto is just about the same.
We checked on the buns this morning as we always do, pressured washed their pen out, refreshed water, changed litter boxes, etc. When we went back out to check on them about 45 minutes later, we noticed some blood in Velvet's pen (not a lot to be concerned with but obvious enough to see).
Our kiddo checked their attached kennel and found 10 gorgeous baby bunnies - all breathing and seemingly healthy. We are first-time rabbit "grandparents" and followed all of the recommendations regarding pregnancy diet, post-partum pregnancy diet, etc. Velvet has unlimited access to pellets, timothy hay, and fresh alfalfa hay.
We separated Pinto into the adjacent pen about a week ago, knowing she was close and they've got face-time through the bars and can even do some reasonable grooming. He misses her, even though they're close by and he's always been a super gentleman with his lady. We never actually saw them breed. Velvet was very regimented about only wanting snuggles most of the time whenever we were out in the pen with them, and we were shocked to actually discover she was pregnant.
Mom and Dad's parents were both grey, so I was surprised to see that we have sandy colored Flemish buns on our hands. We saw the parents on sight and they were all beautifully cared for, along with innately beautiful themselves.
The biggest concern my husband and I have is the North Florida heat. Today, we cracked the external kennel enough to put a small fan blowing OUT, not into the kennel, to allow for some air circulation. Not talking whirlwind or breeze, just to allow hot air to escape. We had a temperature probe inside the kennel with an external reader and temps were right around 82-85 degrees inside the kennel. We also put a lean-to type tarp off the outside of the kennel to offer shade to the kennel in addition to the kennel itself being vented. My biggest fear is they might get too warm over the next 24 hours, where heat is supposed to be around 88-90 during the peak.
Now that you have my bunny life story, hoping you can help fill in some blanks
1) My first and foremost question is: What are the guesses of eventual colors for these little guys?
2) My husband, kid, and I have studied as much material available as possible on pregnancy, birthing, etc. on buns (but again, first time here)....
Would it be detrimental to bring the babies into a different location where the temperatures range 75-78 degrees, knowing that Velvet "should" only feed them 1-2 times daily?
She has checked on them a few times that we've seen but not fed them yet (and also know that that is normal). This pair (Velvet and Pinto,) have lived outside in their pen and never inside with air conditioning, so I do believe they are very much conditioned, in conjunction with their fan option.
Appreciate the help in advance!
stay safe 
You're right though, about the risks of handfeeding. I would only ever do it or suggest it to anyone, if there was no other option.
