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miss_thenorth
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Reged: 10/17/07
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Posts: 37
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Loc: SW Ontario, Canada
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flemish giants?
10/17/07 02:39 PM
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Hi All, I found this site the other day and found it very informative! So of course, I joined, since I have so many questions.
First a little background... My family and I have just moved to the country, and although we only have three acres, we plan to use every inch of it. So far the majority of it is pasture land for our two horses. We also have 6 laying hens, and plan to get a pig and meat chickens in the spring. A garden is also a must have for this spring.
But right now my main concern is rabbitry. We plan on raising rabbits for meat, and are considering Flemish giants. Is anyone familiar with this breed? If so, housing them needs to be a little different since they are a giant breed--is this correct?
We plan on getting one buck and two does. I know that each one needs to be in a separate cage (buck and two does =three cages. Do the babies need a separate cage, or do they stay with the moms until butchering time. Also, can they stay in the barn close to the chickens (disease)? Because of their size, what type of floor would be best--so they dont hurt their feet, but so the poop falls out? How long do you breed them, and do I need to worry about genetics if i replace the breeders with their offspring.
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Bird
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Reged: 09/12/02
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Posts: 1694
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Loc: Corinth, TX, USA
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I don't know much about the Flemish Giants. All the ones I've seen were being raised for show and pets; not meat. I recall one breeder telling me why they weren't a good breed for meat (his opinion), but I've forgotten what it was. He only raised a few of them to sell to the kids for shows. His primary breed was the New Zealand Whites, which is what I raised. They're pretty big, fast growing, and good meat. And they can be kept in more or less standard sized rabbit cages. With the Flemish Giants, you may have a problem finding cages unless you built your own.
When I first started, I bought a buck and 2 does and one of my brothers and I built a hutch with 4 compartments. But it wasn't long before I started buying cages from Tractor Supply Co. (pretty easy assembly), suspended them, and had vinyl chutes under them to channel the waste into buckets to be used as fertilizer in my vegetable garden. I pretty quickly was up to 15 cages; 2 bucks, 6 to 8 does for breeding, and the other cages for litters that had been weaned, but were not ready to sell or slaughter.
You probably can leave the litter with their mother until they're ready to slaughter, but it really isn't a good idea. She needs the rest between litters and you want the litter on full feed while the breeding stock, except does with a litter, have to have their feed restricted. If you feed them all they want, they'll get fat and will not breed.
I found that Tractor Supply Company had a couple of good books on raising rabbits, and I also joined the American Rabbit Breeders Association (http://www.arba.net/) which has a lot of valuable information, as well as a pretty good magazine.
Good Luck with the farm.
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egon
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Reged: 09/12/02
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Loc: Nova Scotia,Canada
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Welcome. 
Be careful with the pig idea. They can become pets rather quickly. They are also very adept at finding their way out of their enclosures.
Egon
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miss_thenorth
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Loc: SW Ontario, Canada
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Re: flemish giants?
[re: egon]
10/21/07 04:06 PM
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Thanks for the reponses. As far as the pig is concerned,-- my kids are very well aware that our pig will eventually be dinner. We all understand that some animals are here to be enjoyed while they are alive, but they are fated for our dinner table.
As for the rabbits, I may be persuaded to go to the New Zealands, but we'll see... Basically, what I need to know is... how many cages will I need for the kits once they are separated from their mom. If I have a buck, two does plus kits--how many cages will I need. I don't want the kits crowded, since one of the main reasons we are providing our own food is to provide quality of life for the animals while they are with us.--that is, get away from the factory farming.
I have the opportunity to get a few flemish giants in November, so i need to get something in place before then.
Then the next projects will be a pig pen and chicken coop for the meat chickens that we hope to get in the spring. Thanks again for your help!
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Bird
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Loc: Corinth, TX, USA
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If you have a buck and two does, you need at least 5 cages; one for each of those and one for each doe's litter at weaning time. A couple of extra cages would be a very good idea, but not absolutely necessary.
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miss_thenorth
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Posts: 37
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Loc: SW Ontario, Canada
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Re: flemish giants?
[re: Bird]
10/21/07 08:21 PM
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Thanks Bird!!
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Goldchaser
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Reged: 10/26/07
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Posts: 26
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Loc: NE Colorado
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Re: flemish giants?
[re: egon]
10/27/07 01:30 PM
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In reply to:
Be careful with the pig idea. They can become pets rather quickly. They are also very adept at finding their way out of their enclosures.
The pig pen in our barn has a sliding door. Not an easy one to slide either. Had a young sow that learned to open it so she could go for walks. As soon as she saw someone, she would run back into the pen and act like nothing had happened. Of course the door would still be wide open. Had to end it though one day when she decided to take a walk in the road. Almost got hit by my neighbor. So put a locking latch on the door. Didnt stop her from trying to open it again though.
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kellenw
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Reged: 10/09/07
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Posts: 60
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Loc: NW Missouri
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Flemish giants tend to be slow growers. I would suggest New Zealands or Californians instead.
While Flemish Giants do get quite large, you'll end up feeding them a lot more food and it'll take longer to get them to slaughter size.
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I raised New Zealand and/or Californian and a cross of the two. New Zealands can reach market fryer weight by 8 weeks of age. Crossing the New Zealand with the Californian produces a vigorous hybrid offspring with a finer bone and a well muscled body.
The Flemish Giants are a gentle easy breed, but they do take a long time to reach fryer weight.
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miss_thenorth
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Reged: 10/17/07
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Posts: 37
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Loc: SW Ontario, Canada
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Thanks for the posts. I have decided to go with New Zealands, but haven't got them yet, as I am looking to find used cages. Not having much luck--so I might have to buy new ones.
I have decided to get two does and one buck for starters. and take it from there.
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kellenw
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Reged: 10/09/07
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Posts: 60
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Loc: NW Missouri
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miss thenorth,
Glad to see you changed your mind on the breed.
With regard to the cage, you might consider building your own. It's not terribly difficult and can be done on the cheap. There are several plans available online. Try a search on google.
Rabbit is a great tasting, healthy and very affordable source of quality meat... not to mention very easy. I think you'll be very happy with the results.
Good luck!
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miss_thenorth
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Reged: 10/17/07
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Posts: 37
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Loc: SW Ontario, Canada
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Re: flemish giants?
[re: kellenw]
12/07/07 11:05 AM
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Thanks! I might have to build some, as I m not having much luck findign used ones, and refuse to pay ~$100 for a new one. X 5. I'm still not sure of placement for my rabbits. I still want to put them in the barn, but am a little hesitant b/c they will be in close proximity to the (6) chickens. I keep the barn very clean--do I need to be concerned?
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