Flemish Giant

العملاق الفلمنكي

Draft: needs vet review

Type: Rabbits
Region: Belgium
Main use: Meat, crossing
Known for: Very large body

This information is general. For doses and treatment, always ask your vet.

About

Very large body

Real photos are coming, each with the photographer's name and license.

Benefits & uses

Meat, crossing

Meat

Food

Rabbit pellets plus good hay or berseem, and clean water at all times. Change feed slowly, and never give wet, mouldy or freshly cut wilted greens.

Common vaccines

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD), pasteurellosis, myxomatosis where present.

Draft: needs vet review

Water and general notes: Water is available all the time, and a lactating doe can drink a liter per day. First mating is at 4.5-5 months, gestation period is 31 days, and weaning is at 28-35 days. Rabbits are sensitive to heat above 30 degrees Celsius.

Feeding by stage and goal

Stage	Weight / goal (kg)	Ration protein (%)	Energy TDN (%)	Daily ration example
Suckling kits (0-4 weeks)	50-500 جم			Dam's milk, and from 3 weeks they start eating the dam's feed
Weaning and fattening (5-12 weeks)	0٫7-2٫5 كجم	16-17	14-16	80-150 g depending on age. Growth is 30-40 g daily, and sold at 2-2.5 kg
Dry doe (maintenance)	3٫5-5 كجم	13-15	15-17	120-150 g + hay
Pregnant doe	3٫5-5 كجم	15-16	14-16	150-180 g, increase in the last week
Lactating doe	3٫5-5 كجم	17-18	13-15	Ad libitum, about 300-400 g
Breeding buck	4-5 كجم	15	15-17	150 g + hay

Concentrate mixtures (parts per 100 kg)

Mixture	Minerals	Salt	Limestone	Molasses	Soybean meal 44%	Bran	Barley	Alfalfa hay	Approx. protein
Lactating does	0٫5	0٫5	1	3	15	25	20	35	17-18%
Fattening	0٫2	0٫3	1	2٫5	9	22	25	40	16%

Vaccine and care calendar, from birth to sale

Age / timing	Action
Day of birth	Check the nest box, remove the dead, and fostering kits between does is possible
18-21 days	Kits leave the nest box and start eating
28-35 days	Weaning, and prevention of coccidiosis according to the vet
4-6 weeks	Pasteurella first dose, and a booster after two weeks
5-6 weeks	Viral Hemorrhagic Disease (VHD) and Myxomatosis where present
10-12 weeks	Selling fattening rabbits after making sure the withdrawal period has ended
Every 4-6 months (does and bucks)	Viral Hemorrhagic Disease and Pasteurella
Before first mating	Check for mange in the ears and face, and ensure vaccinations are up to date
Weekly	Cleaning and disinfecting cages, and removing manure from underneath

Common diseases

Disease	Signs	What to do	Prevention
Viral Hemorrhagic Disease (VHD)	Sudden death of large rabbits, sometimes bleeding from the nose	No treatment, isolate, vet, vaccinate the rest, report	Vaccination, prevent visitors, disinfection
Coccidiosis	Diarrhea, bloating, stunted growth, especially after weaning	Vet	Clean wire cages, preventative medication in feed according to vet
Pasteurellosis (Snuffles)	Sneezing, nasal discharge, abscesses, pneumonia	Isolate and vet	Good ventilation, vaccination
Mange	Crusts in the ears and on the face, itching	Isolate and vet	Regular checks, isolate new arrivals
Post-weaning diarrhea and bloat	Mucoid diarrhea, bloated abdomen, death of young ones	Vet	Sufficient fiber, gradual change in feed, no wet greens
Heat stress	Panting, red ears, prostration	Immediate cooling and vet	Ventilation, shade, cold water
Mastitis	Hot and swollen teats, kits are not growing	Vet	Clean nest box