German Giant Rabbit
It sounds incredible; it sounds as though it couldn’t be true; but tales of a 22 pound German Giant Rabbit are indeed the real deal.
Most rabbit breeds range between 3 pounds for dwarfs on up to 12 pounds for a typical meat rabbit. But 22 pounds? The German Giant Rabbit typically ranges in weight around 12-15 pounds in the United States, however, there are confirmed reports of this breed reaching such weights as the 22 pound chunk.
Known primarily as a meat rabbit, this accounts for the amazing size of the German Giant rabbit. While the actual name of the breed is a Flemish Giant, for the past couple of years a rabbit owner in Germany has gained a great deal of publicity over his 22 pound rabbit dubbed the German Giant.
This breed of rabbit requires a more detailed care than other rabbit breeds. For one thing, because of its size, it will need a larger rabbit hutch or pen than others. The German Giant rabbit does extremely well in outdoor conditions, which is handy since its size might make it difficult as an indoor rabbit. Their rabbit hutch should be sheltered so that they do not receive direct sun, harsh winds and rain. The Giant does not like to be overly warm; if conditions outside reach around 90°, it would be humane to place bottles of very cold or ice water in their cage to offer the rabbits a cooling off space.
The type of habitat supplied for a German Giant rabbit should be sturdy enough to handle its massive weight. While most outdoor rabbits do well on wire floors, the weight of the Giant causes sores to develop on their feet pressing against the wire. Many breeders and owners use solid wooden floors in their Giant hutches, covering the wood with straw or shavings to provide a softer touch. This requires the owner to change the covering frequently, however, to avoid the rabbits standing in their own waste.
The diet of the German Giant rabbit is much the same as most other rabbits. A commercial pellet food with good protein content, along with fresh hay daily will be the mainstays of their diet. Treats can certainly be offered, but should be kept to a minimum to avoid an overweight Giant. When offering treats, the German Giant rabbit enjoys fruits such as apples or oranges, and vegetables such as carrots, beet and other greens. Never give lettuce to rabbits, including the Giant; it plays havoc on their digestive system.
The German Giant Rabbit doesn’t start life out as a giant; it just attains a larger size rapidly. They are adorable little kits, and just keep getting cuter as they grow to their enormous size. German Giant rabbits are a difficult breed to obtain due to the large demand for them, but if you are lucky enough to have one, you know that the Giant brings huge rewards in love and affection.