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The Flemish Giant Rabbit 

It is thought that the Flemish Giant rabbit is the modern descendant
of the Patagonian rabbit of Argentina. The Patagonian rabbit was
brought to Europe by 16th and 17th century Dutch traders and was
raised for meat. The first written records of the Flemish Giant Rabbit
dates from about 1860. At that time, English travelers returning from
Flanders brought back stories of the enormous rabbits that were being
raised there.  

The Flemish Giant was imported from England to America in the early
1880s. It received no special attention until about 1910 where it
started appearing at small livestock shows throughout the country.
Today, it is a popular breed (although not considered to be a common breed) at rabbit shows because of its enormous size and its many  beautiful colors.
 
RAISING FLEMISH GIANTS
Flemish Giants are the true giants of all rabbits. They can grow to
immense size, reaching four or more pounds in 7 weeks, and maturing
up to 18 pounds in 9 months. Although they are large, they are docile
and not wild or hard to handle. That is why they are called "The Gentle Giant."    Flemish are also called "The Universal Breed," because they are fast developing rabbits suitable for either meat or fur production. They thrive on a large percentage of roughage and green feed reducing total food costs. Best of all, they make wonderful pets!  They are large and strong enough to hold their own with small children, but are docile and gentle. However, when abused, they can scratch or bite painfully!  Ours love to go nose to nose with you every chance they get.   They can be "skidish"but generally are very friendly and lovable. Like many rabbit breeds, they can be trained to use a litter box, making them ideal, loveable pet. Mature bucks seldom spray. Flemish also have a good tolerance for the cold outdoors if you don't want them indoors.
The only thing they do not endure well is extreme heat. It is essential
that they be kept in the shade during the summer. If the temperature
exceeds 90, evaporative coolers can be used in barns to keep them cool;
fine water sprays can be used outdoors. Ours are kept in the shadiest spot we own and in extremely hot days we always make a point to hose everything (except the rabbits themselves!) down as often as possible to help disapate the heat.    You can also take a large plastic soda bottle, filled with water and frozen in the freezer, to allow them snuggle against when the temperature gets too high.  A word of advice to those contemplating letting their pet rabbit roam their house freely. Rabbits seem to have a fascination with lamp cords. They will frequently chew on a cord, damaging it and injuring themselves. Owners are advised to keep excess lamp cord out of the reach of their rabbits!    We do not allow any of our animals to roam freely through out the house.   Even our dogs & kids have rooms off limits!    We do permit many of our animals to be out in the house for extended periods of time almost every day but this is done when we can supervise them and after we have "critter proofed" the area!

CAGES
Flemish Giant rabbits are usually very vigorous, healthy and easy to raise. They can be difficult to breed sometimes though.   They are very big and require very big cages. The smallest cage that should be considered for single animals should have a floor 24 inches by 48 inches.  Cage height should be should permit them to carry their ears erect. Because of the considerable weight of these rabbits, wire floors should not be used, because sore, bleeding, hocks will probably result.   Some breeders use solid floors bedded with straw, shredded computer paper, or wood chips. Others use wood slat floors. The slats comprising the floor of such cages are usually 3/4" x 1 1/2" spaced at approximately 5/8". The rabbits will chew on these slats, but they will last long enough that this is generally not a problem. Recently some breeders have been experimenting with plastic "hog slat" floors. These seem to be both very durable and sanitary.  We are constantly trying different materials.   We start with a plywood floor (which is screwed down so it can be replaced eventually), and have tried linoleum covered with dries pine shavings (not recommended - they chew and rip it up!); we have used a rubberized roofing material (this works great when covered with shavings but is expensive); bare wood covered with shavings (plan on replacing it eventually); and so on.   Bottom line is they need a solid floor and it will need to be kept cleaned.

FEEDING
Flemish seem to require roughage as well as pellets as feed. We offer a high quality grass hay but have read where a high quality alfalfa is good as well.  All hay is kept clean and fed free choice.  We also feed a high quality pellet food.   Remember you can save a couple of dollars a week or month by buying cheaper/less expensive rabbit food but you get what you pay for in many cases and you definitely get out of things what you put into them!   Animals are no exception!   We never sacrifice food quality for our animals.   We have been told that you can feed about a tablespoon full of black sunflower seeds daily to shine up their coats. Be careful, too much sunflower seed can make a rabbit fat!    Only feed the sunflower seeds for a few days and then discontinue for a while.

HANDLING FLEMISH GIANTS
Even if the Flemish Giant is large and strong, it has a very "laid back"
disposition. They are docile and tolerant of considerable handling.  However, if abused or scared, they can inflict painful and possibly serious injury with their razor sharp teeth and powerful hind legs. It is best to always support all 4 feet, so they do not become scared of being off the ground, and start flailing with their hind claws!  Since they can take care of themselves well, some people will let their pet rabbit roam their well fenced back yards freely. Remember, if you are contemplating leaving your rabbit roam your back yard, rabbits are burrowing animals and can burrow under fences if no special precautions are taken.  You also need to consider predators.    Even in a town there are hawks, owls, opossums, raccoons, CATS, DOGS and so on.   Any one of these animals are capable of killing or injuring a rabbit - even a big rabbit.   Our Flemish are more likely to walk up to a dog or cat out of curiosity as much as run from them out of fear!  Another consequence of its large size and strength of the Flemish Giant is that it consumes more feed than other breeds.   

One might think that a huge, docile and attractive rabbit like the flemish giant has much potential as a pet, indeed they do make great pets and many people seek them out as pets.   We bought our first flemish for a pet and a word of caution ... we got hooked on them!!   The Flemish Giant is very laid back and docile especially neutered males.  If you are looking for a great pet - rabbits are wonderful and flemish giants are truly the gentle giant and fit the niche well!

Status:  uncommon

Flemish Movie
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Lilac Rabbit

Though Lilac rabbits are known to have originated in a number of locations at about the same time, the first breeder is said to be H. Onslow, of Cambridge, England. In 1913, he showed Lilacs for the first time at the famous London exhibition. Miss Mabel Illingworth also crossed her newly developed breed, the Blue Imperial, with the Havana to produce a Lilac in 1913. She called her new creation Essex Lavenders. C.H. Spruty of Gouda, Holland created the Gouda or Gowenaar in 1917, using Havanas and Blue Beverens, but these were of a greater size. In 1922, Professor R.C. Punnet of Cambridge University created what he called the Cambridge Blue using Blue Beverens and Havanas. All three of the British strains were eventually merged and the rabbits of the pinkish dove coloration became known as Lilacs. There are a number of strains of Lilacs but, because of breeders’ preferences, the colors will vary greatly as will the size of the animals. Our lilacs are similar in size as that of a Dutch Rabbit and have judge recomended color.

Lilacs were imported into the United States from England in 1922. Lilacs in America have never been one of the more popular breeds. Though Lilacs as bred in America have outstanding characteristics, it is the British that can claim to have achieved the best coloration for the breed – their Lilacs are truly the pinkish dove gray called for in the breed standard.    This breed has made the watch list by the American Livestock Breed Conservancy.   We hope to help this breed comeback.

Lilac rabbits are medium-sized; with mature bucks weighing 5 1/2 to 7 1/2 pounds and does 6 to 8 pounds. They are reasonably docile in nature and are fairly good mothers. But litter size can be rather small with only 4 to 6 kits. The breed is somewhat slow to mature, but is hardy and easily raised in all wire cages.   We utilize all wire cages as well as solid floor cages.

 A very rare breed, at one time facing extinction.    The folks at SS Bunny Hut spoke to us about these beautiful and gentle rabbits and right away we wanted to try to help to promote the species.  If you would like to learn more about this breed, contact us or SS Bunny Hut.   If you are a youth member in a 4H organization, and are interested in breeding Lilac Rabbits, contact us on our special program we offer!

Status: Watch

    

       

Netherlands Dwarf Rabbit
     
In memory of "Hershey"

The Netherlands Dwarf is a tiny, cute bunny with plenty of energy. They are very popular and come in many different colors.  Our's Have the best temperament you could ask from a rabbit!

NETHERLAND DWARF:


ORIGIN:
A commonly accepted version of the Dwarf's origin is that it is the result of the accidental crossing of a Polish rabbit (the white dwarf is still called a "Pol" in Holland) with a small wild rabbit in the Netherlands. The Dwarf had been popular for some years before British fanciers brought them to England in about 1948. The breed was accepted by the American Rabbit Breeders Association in 1969.   Probably the most popular of the dwarf breeds, the Netherland's ideal weight is 2 pounds although they are seen as small as 1-1/2 pounds and as large as 3 pounds.      Can be seen in more than 25 different colors.  

Netherlands Dwarfs are generally quite active and should not be kept cooped up all day.  We are all the time playing with ours.   They enjoy to be cuddlewith and of course love to run about the house!   Netherlands Dwarfs will use a litter box filled with a non-cedar or non-clumping litter. They need a high fiber commercial diet and hay. They do need an occasional brushing. It is recommended that you purchase a rabbit that is five months or older so that you are sure of the temperament.   We have yet to have any offspring that were not cuttle-bunnies!   We hope to keep it that way!   We sell ours at about three months of age.    To see what we have available check our sale page ...(click here)
 

Mature Netherlands Dwarfs should weigh two pounds, making them the smallest breed. They are dense, stout, with a round head and wide skull. Their head is set up high on their shoulders. Netherlands Dwarfs have bright, bold eyes. Their ears, about two inches or less, stand up. Netherlands Dwarfs come in more colors than any other rabbit. The solid colors are: black, chocolate, blue, lilac, blue-eyed white, and ruby-eyed white. The shaded colors are: sable point, Siamese sable, and Siamese smoke pearl. The agouti colors are: chestnut, chinchilla, lynx, opal, and squirrel. The tan patterns are: tan, otter, sable marten, silver, marten, and smoke pearl marten. Other colors are fawn, Himalayan (which can be black, chocolate, blue, or lilac), orange, steel, and tortoiseshell. A Netherlands Dwarf will be disqualified from competition if it is over two and a half pounds or if its ears are more than two and a half inches long.   Ours are not bred for show but for well tempered pets.    Our buck and doe were rescue rabbits and were saved due to their temperament.   We do not have pedigrees available for this breed.   However our buck, Hershey, has been on television numerous times - he is a lovable camera ham!!

Netherlands Dwarfs came from Holland as a descendent of the Dutch rabbit. After World War Two, only 18 of these rabbits were left, but the English rescued nine of them. The English breeders bred them and perfected the breed. Netherlands Dwarfs were first seen in the United States in the mid-1950s. The American Rabbit Breeders Association recognized the Netherlands Dwarf as an official breed in 1969.

Because of their small ears, Netherlands Dwarfs may not be able to regulate heat as well as larger-eared rabbits. Therefore, they must be kept cool. Due to their very rounded heads, they may also be prone to getting mallocclused, or misaligned, teeth. If this happens, the teeth must be trimmed regularly.  Ours are kept indoors with us.   Netherland Dwarf rabbits do well in an outdoor medium-sized hutch as well with a well-covered top for protection from the elements. The hutch should contain sturdy-wired flooring (with small wire spaces), a nesting box for it to hop onto and snuggle up inside of, a salt block, a water bottle or dish, a food hopper or dish, and possibly a hay rack. In cold weather, give your rabbit a hot water bottle, and in hot weather give him an ice bottle. Make sure it always has plenty of cool, fresh water and rabbit alfalfa pellets in its food bowl.  Handle and pet your Netherlands Dwarf a lot, so that it will be easy for the veterinarian to work with in case it gets sick. Also remember to always make sure your Netherlands Dwarf is safely locked away in its hutch each night, so predators can't get at him.   A netherland use to being around people and handled is the greatest!    They learn to love attention and never seem to get enough of it!

Status:  Common

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Since we often rescue animals, from time to time we have bunnies that are of no specific breed but are wonderful animals !    These we either adopt in and wind up keeping as pets or adopt them out at a miminal fee (we can't keep them all!.)   We try to keep this up to date as much as possible.   These rabbits have no pedigrees and are sold as pets only!    If you are interested in one of these good mannered pet bunnies, drop us a line.

This is Harry. He was a lovable little guy! (adopted out)	Fuzbut & Barney These two were adopted out almost as soon as we got them!	Barney after Fuzzbut found a home - he soon found one as well!	This is Hershey - he was adopted in and we just couldn't part with him! He soon was in several television shots and even was part of an animal planet program. See our dedication to Hershey below.	Born in June 2007 - These little guys will be available early August 2007
These are Fluffer and Lucky's offspring

Pics updated often!!!

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