Flemish Giant Fast Facts
Most recent common origin- Flanders.
Found in most parts of Europe and the US.
As Pets and 4H:
Flemish Giants are one of the oldest breeds of rabbits to be domestically
raised and have two nicknames they go by- the gentle giant and the universal breed. Their laidback docile dispositions
are the reason for the gentle giant nickname and they make excellent house and yard pets.
Are litter box trainable and agility training is a great idea for these generally
lazy bunnies.
Also known as the universal breed because historically Flemish Giants
were raised for meat, fur, then show, then pet.
Almost rare in the United States today compared to the population rates
of other breeds of domestically raised rabbits.
The highest populations of Flemish Giants in the United States are found in the midwest
and mid east states. There are fewer breeders on the West Coast and in the South.
Ideal for 4 H projects as they are easy to handle and breeding is not
complicated and have few health issues compared to the other breeds.
Most Flemish Giant breeders restrict their litters to two or three per
year as opposed to the commercial meat breeders 5-6 litters/year.
A Flemish Giant doe can have up to 17 kits in a litter. Most average between 6-10.
A fifty lb sack of pelleted feed can feed one Giant for three months.
Flemish Giants are raised in roomier quarters with smaller populations
and most FG breeders are truly hands on with their rabbits in order to protect that "gentle giant" disposition.
As meat improvement:
These days, American originated breeds such as the Californian have
pretty much replaced Flemish Giants in the commercial meat industry as they have been bred for a higher meat to bone
ratio then Flemish Giants. Nevertheless, Flemish Giants at their 18-24 lb size remain one of the most popular meat rabbits
still today in Europe.
Most popular meat rabbit in Belgium for centuries.
Very popular still today in Europe for both meat and fur.
Ideal for small backyard family or heritage homestead meat
production.
Are "foundational" rabbits for many of the larger and meat breed rabbits
raised today.
For show:
There are seven lovely varieties of Flemish recognised by the American
Rabbit Breeders Assoc for show purposes: sandy, fawn, white, black, steel gray, light gray and blue.
