Mel Hearse finds out about life with Flemish Giant rabbits — who can become 9kg bundles of bounce!
Forget the wisp-like creature resembling a bunch of soft white cotton balls bunched together with a twitchy pink nose — the Flemish Giant rabbit is a totally different beast from the stereotypical Easter Bunnystyle rabbit. These thumpers can clock in at 9kg at maturity, often weighing around 6kg by the time they are the tender age of nine months old.
“My breeding does weigh a minimum of 5.5kg when bred for the first time, and are 6kg by full maturity — in a healthy condition, not overweight. My bucks are only just over 12 months old, and clock in at 5 to 5.5kg and over. I have had reports from happy customers that my rabbits have matured well over 6kg, and we can aim for a minimum of 6kg at maturity if well cared for and fed correctly during the first 12 months of life,” breeder Jodie Carrison says. She adds that giant rabbits make great pets as they are easier to handle than most smaller rabbits. “Many of the bucks [intact male rabbits] go to city homes, where they live inside and are trained to use a litter tray like a cat.” As with most breeds of rabbit, Jodie says desexed males are the best choice for a family pet as the females tend to be more territorial, and can become aggressive when they reach maturity.
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