Flemish Giant rabbits

sallydog

Does anyone know where I can find a breeder of this particular rabbit?

I have been searching now for months for one and I'm almost in despair, If anyone can help or point me in the right direction it would be really appreciated.

I own large breed New Zealand Whites and Californian Whites and an experienced rabbit keeper.

Narsil

Hi! Dont know if this helps but i saw one of those rabbits for sale in Petmania in Ballysimon, Limerick about a month or more ago. Maybe they could tell you where they got him and hopefully it might be a breeder that would suit for you . He was a cool looking rabbit!Good luck:)

Sigma Force

Wouldn't buy from them.

sallydog

Thanks very much but Im in Monaghan and looking for a breeder that can show me parents and how they are kept etc

Anyone else any ideas?

And yeah they are such a lovely breed.

hadook

The people behind Animal Magic breed (or did last year anyway) Flemish Giants.

animalcrazy

http://www.freewebs.com/tonispets/

They sometimes have Flemish Giants for sale, they aren't in their doe and buck pages (I don't think) but they are in their our breeds page and they had them for sale before. If you are willing to travel to Dublin you may be able to get one from them. Give them a ring and see

I would love a Flemish, I have to stick with the small/,medium breeds though, I have the space but I would need to build something for a flemish!

sallydog

Hi

Iv actually been on to Toni and she has nothing until next year, I have dealt with Toni and have had rabbits from her before and would recommend her to anyone looking for a rabbit.

But still no closer to the elusive Flemish!!!!!! Anyone else got any more plans?

Sigma Force

Perhaps trying the UK could be an option even the rescues in the UK if they will home outside of the UK that is. Worth a try.

sallydog

I dont know if the shelters will rehome without checking my premises etc as I know with rehoming dogs they check your yard to make sure it is safe etc and as I live in Ireland and that is the UK??

Im hitting a brick wall !!

What I want to know is why no one is breeding them? Is it that no one wants this breed or are they just really hard to find here?

animalcrazy

Breeding rabbits properly is still just developing here, yes people breed mixes for petshops pretty often but not many people are breeding rabbits for quality. There are some rabbit shows up North run by the BRC, British Rabbit Council but so far they haven't done any shows in the Republic. If the BRC starts to cover the Republic there should be a good increase in the amount of people breeding good quality rabbits who aren't in it for the money and want to improve the breed they are working on. The BRC have a standard that can be found on their site for every breed that breeders should follow.

I have been trying to find good quality Netherland Dwarf rabbits to start breeding but it doesn't look like I'll be doing that anytime soon as the quality so brutal in Ireland. There are a few people breeding Flemish, you just have to keep your eye out for them online, but very few people are doing it.

Sigma Force

If getting from a UK shelter you will still get a homecheck I presume but it depends on the shelter and also wether they even home outside the UK.
Perhaps if you went on to the uk rabbit forums someone might be able to provide you with more info. Just google house rabbit uk or rabbit welfare uk.
There could be some Irish on it too as well.

sallydog

Hi Animal Crazy - Really enjoyed reading your post. I totally understand where you are coming from and agree 100%.

I have a black otter doe that I bought in Belfast - She is registered with the Rabbit Council and is pure bred Netherland, She is only four months old so she is not ready for breeding but I am having the same problems in finding a quality PB Netherland buck, I am not breeding her for money - as Im sure you know that these little rabbits may only have two - three per litter and the time and effort and love put in would not be worth it - It is purely to distinguish the breed and to establish a line that is pure with no mixing involved.

Same goes with the Flemish - they are either mixed with Brittish Giants or Continentals, I have only ever seen PB's in the UK

animalcrazy

You were lucky to get that Nethie! I am thinking I will probably have to import if I want some nice nethies, the only ones I can find in Ireland are BUB/BUD (netherlands without the dwarf gene) with huge ears

sallydog

Animal Crazy - send me a private message with your email address and I will send you a picture of her - She is tagged with a ring around one of her back legs, I was really lucky to get her. And her ears are TINY lol

00112984

Out of sheer curiosity, can someone answer a question for me? I have some experience with rabbits but your typical lops, nothing specialised.

What additional work is involved with Flemish Giants and can be be kept exclusively indoors or excusively outdoors or a mix?

Not in a position to get one and not experienced enough either but just curious.

animalcrazy

It's like owning a large dog other then a small dog The only thing about them is that a shop bought cage or hutch is way too small for a flemish and you really need to build one yourself that fits them properly. Obviously they go through alot more food then your average rabbit and they have a shorter life span because their hearts give up quicker due to their size. Flemish are also prone to more joint problems due to their size, it is better to keep them in a shed or house because of their weaker hearts then your average rabbit (which is quite weak too) a dog barking at them, a predator trying to get into their cage can easily give them a heart attack. Flemish are also known as 'gentle giants' as they are often alot friendlier then smaller rabbits.

sallydog

Well they are a giant breed - Some grow to over three feet long so already you are into a giant hutch / cage for one of them, As with any giant breed animal - they are more work than a small breed. Its like owning a miniature yorkie or a great dane. A yorkie will eat very very little and same goes for poo - very little. Giant will eat four / five times that and you can multiply the poo as well, They can live indoors or outdoors as long as you have the correct type hutch and generally they have a wonderful temperment.

sallydog

No Probelm, And I have some good new, I may have found a flemish, Everyone keep their fingers, paws and claws crossed for me xxx

00112984

Glad to hear you found one. Hope it all goes well. Please come back and post loads of pictures

sallydog

I will when I figure out how to use this darn message board correctly!!!

vincentf

i'm looking for breeder for new zealand white rabbits or other large meat breeds.

sallydog

I breed New Zealand and Californian meat rabbits, As far as I know Im the only breeder in the country,

visit

irishgiantbreedrabbits.yolasite.com

But there is a waiting list

jjustme

sallydog wrote: »

I dont know if the shelters will rehome without checking my premises etc as I know with rehoming dogs they check your yard to make sure it is safe etc and as I live in Ireland and that is the UK??

Im hitting a brick wall !!

What I want to know is why no one is breeding them? Is it that no one wants this breed or are they just really hard to find here?

Just to mention ALL pets leaving shelters must be neutered same here same UK so it is not an option if you think of breeding...
and to answer a question yes there is people breeding them here in Ireland, just they are not overbreeding them ,it is still hard to get them there,they are not so populiar ,just because the small rabbit is cute,but Flemish is different he is huge,he has character and he needs a lot of space and even more your time and attention

The difference between Rabbit and Flemish Giant is the same
as between goldfish and dolphin

http://flemishgiantandcompany.yolasite.com/

sallydog

jjust me - thank you for your post, Can you tell me how long you have been breeding flemish?

I have been breeding New Zealand and Californians and each rabbit I re-home I send a pedigree sheet and contract stating terms and breeding conditions as I am responsible in terms of the health and welfare of the animals I have bred, Also to protect against inbreeding so I go to great lengths to protect the breed.

I also Show and breed great danes - which are the largest dog in the world, for my love of giant animals extends into canines also and I'm considerably experienced with large animals having worked also with horses on my family's stud.

I have visited your site and it is still under construction? If you can send me a PM and pass your email on to me it would be appreciated.

jessicaR

animalcrazy wrote: »

You were lucky to get that Nethie! I am thinking I will probably have to import if I want some nice nethies, the only ones I can find in Ireland are BUB/BUD (netherlands without the dwarf gene) with huge ears

I totally agree, but you can get lucky as I did with Asha. She is almost a year and still under 1 kg with tiny ears:)

sallydog

If anyone wants to visit our site -

Irish Giant Breed Rabbits

you can view our rabbits

www.irishgiantbreedrabbits.yolasite.com

irish giant breed rabbits

New Zealand Whites
Californian Whites
Netherland Dwarf
Flemish
Brittish Giant

jessicaR

sallydog wrote: »

I breed New Zealand and Californian meat rabbits, As far as I know Im the only breeder in the country,

visit

irishgiantbreedrabbits.yolasite.com

But there is a waiting list

That's good to know. I have often heard people ask about meat rabbits in Ireland

sallydog

I have just had a litter of PB new Zealand white rabbits if anyone is looking for them. The does are €50 and the bucks are €45, They are that price as I had to spend a lot of money importing them as I could find them here.

I am planning a mixed breeding next of New Zealand crossed with a Californian - which are best for meat.

A few people have sent nasty emails - - saying how heartless I am for breeding meat rabbits - Simple truth is that thats what the particular breed were designed for. My rabbits are kept indoors - IN MY HOUSE ! And are treated as well as any rabbits - its like Buckingham Palace compared to some of the people over breeding pet rabbits not giving a stuff about them! I don't take part in any form of eating them - I sell to responsible people who are explained the rules before they buy any rabbit from me.

The bucks make great pets and are so laid back and placid - whereas the females get restless once they reach breeding age so anyone wants one for a pet a male is better.

My site is www.irishgiantbreedrabbits.yolasite.com

If anyone would like to make contact.

jjustme

sallydog wrote: »

I have just had a litter of PB new Zealand white rabbits if anyone is looking for them. The does are €50 and the bucks are €45, They are that price as I had to spend a lot of money importing them as I could find them here.

I am planning a mixed breeding next of New Zealand crossed with a Californian - which are best for meat.

A few people have sent nasty emails - - saying how heartless I am for breeding meat rabbits - Simple truth is that thats what the particular breed were designed for. My rabbits are kept indoors - IN MY HOUSE ! And are treated as well as any rabbits - its like Buckingham Palace compared to some of the people over breeding pet rabbits not giving a stuff about them! I don't take part in any form of eating them - I sell to responsible people who are explained the rules before they buy any rabbit from me.

The bucks make great pets and are so laid back and placid - whereas the females get restless once they reach breeding age so anyone wants one for a pet a male is better.

My site is www.irishgiantbreedrabbits.yolasite.com

If anyone would like to make contact.

hi Sallydog,


I can`t believe:eek: I feel sorry for people who sending such emails,as most likely their thinking is obstructed in some way or other. they probably do feed the lovely small birdies in winter time,some maybe even have birds as parrots or canaries as pets and guess what??-they happily eat chicken,turkey ect.!!!
I just would like as many people as possible to understand breading rabbits for meat and even consuming them is not an evil it is OK. And if you are eating meat at all,you are not any different the meat is all the same. And if you think that rabbit is cute and that makes the difference you are not right... did you ever saw how cute is one day old chick? or baby piglet ? or even newborn calf trying to stand up for the first time?? did you ever noticed ,have you ever been so close to them?
Wake up people rabbit meat will save the world !!!

animalcrazy

sallydog, ignore those uneducated idiots. I understand the total vegetarians might send you messages but the majority of them are people who happily eat chickens nuggets and quarter pounders at the local chipper. :rolleyes:
Even though, I, personally don't eat rabbit meat I wouldn't go condemning those who do. I would much prefer to hear of places like yours then large scale rabbit farms where the animals are totally abused.

jessicaR

Can only agree with animalcrazy and jjustme.

P.S. Caroline, I send you a PM on IrishRabbits

sallydog

Thanks guys, There are straight thinking people after all - who are not hypocrites!

I put my hands up and say I eat meat, Iv seen the programmes about the chickens in the chicken houses who are so over fed and pumped up that the poor creatures are so heavy their poor legs cant support their body and end up dying :mad:, The disease in cattle because they feed their heard "Parts of cattle" crushed up and dried so essentially they are eating their own kind, Swine flu in the pigs, Foot and mouth in sheep, Even Chicken Fillets are soaked in a fluid that contains pigs fat - how disgusting is that.

Almost every meat we eat has been contaminated in some way or form and I am merely giving people a chance to rear their own animals and they know exactly what they are getting. I have done fund raising for the local SPCA and am totally against any form of animal cruelty which is why emails from stupid people bugs me so much:mad:!