RAISING FLEMISH
GIANTS, HOW TO GET STARTED
SUGGESTIONS BY ROBERT BOMIA
For those of you that are thinking about raising
Flemish Giants, we encourage you to join our
wonderful organization and get started. To help
you get going in the right direction, allow me to
share some good advice that will help you save a lot
of time and effort.
First, I
want to share the, “Object of our Federation”. “The
object of this Federation shall be to promote and
improve the breeding of Flemish Giant Rabbits; to
disseminate information to the members; and to
encourage the exhibition in all varieties of the
Flemish Giant Rabbits”.
As with
any good endeavor, it is important for the beginner
to understand what they are looking for prior to
purchasing their first Flemish Giants. Many
potential good breeders are lost early because they
failed to plan prior to jumping into raising Flemish
Giant Rabbits. Below are listed some ideas that may
help you get started in the right direction.
Join the
National Flemish Federation, and the American Rabbit
Breeders Assoc. prior to purchasing any Flemish
Giants. Both will afford you with valuable
information that will help you get moving in the
right direction. You will receive our Guidebook,
and quarterly newsletters that will give you
information on how to properly raise Flemish Giants,
from building cages to breeding the rabbits.
Inside
our guidebook you will find the “Standard of
Perfection”, and it is good to read this and
understand it. The Standard of Perfection is
written as the guide that all Flemish Breeders use
to make the “Perfect Flemish Giant”. Obviously,
breeding is (and should be) an ongoing improvement
of the rabbits, and no one rabbit has ever been
perfect. When you purchase your first rabbits, you
should want them as close to this standard as
possible.
Visit
rabbit breeders, and gain information from them
prior to purchasing your first Flemish Giants. Let
them set up the rabbits and show you what you are
looking for, to the Standard of Perfection. This in
turn gives you more information to understand what
you need to start with. Visit the breeders at their
home when possible, and be sure to attend some major
shows. This hands on opportunity will give you
better insight to what you are looking for, and to
get the best possible start. The more breeders you
are able to visit, the more good information you
will gain.
To
answer all the questions that a beginning breeder
would have to know could be written in volumes.
However, I would suggest that each new breeder buy
this book and read it prior to starting their first
rabbit endeavors. “Care of the Domestic Rabbit, by
Dr. Chris Hayhow. To get this book you can write
to:
Dr. Chris Hayhow, 30705 West 84th
Circle, Desoto, Kansas 66018
The last
thing that I would suggest prior to buying your
first Flemish Giants would be to set up proper
housing for them. Good housing should include, good
shade, free from predators, fresh air, and as low
humidity as possible.
Start
small with perhaps a buck and two does from a
selected breeder. You than will be on your way to a
very wonderful experience with the Greatest Rabbits
ever, The Flemish Giants. Remember that everyday
is a learning experience, and we all learn everyday,
no matter how long we continue to raise these
Wonderful Flemish Giant Rabbits. Most breeders will
be more than happy to help you with any questions
you may have, and are very friendly.
Welcome to
our wonderful Organization.
Robert Bomia,
President
