Checkered Giant
Encyclopedia
The Checkered Giant rabbit
is a breed of rabbit developed in Europe
.
In the UK the breed is known as Giant Papillon.
Checkered Giants are one of 47 breeds of domestic rabbits recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association. Mature Checkered Giant bucks should weigh at least 11 pounds (5 kg), and mature does 12 pounds (5.4 kg), but there is no specified maximum weight. The Checkered Giant is outweighed by the Giant Chinchilla and Flemish Giant.
The Checkered Giant is considered a show rabbit rather than a meat rabbit. The Checkered Giant is one of only 11 breeds with defined markings. Body type markings differ between European and American Checkered Giants, although they are considered the same breed.
pellets. Free choice hay
, such as timothy-grass
, should be unlimited and changed daily. Alfalfa hay should not be offered free choice to rabbits over 8 months of age because it is too rich in calcium
.
Many rabbits do very well in the home. They can be litter box trained and are quite fastidious groomers. Be aware that rabbits love to chew so make sure all wires are safely hidden or in protective plastic covers and understand that some of your furniture may be nibbled. If you choose to cage your rabbit, make sure the cage is at least 3 feet by 3 feet by 4 feet (0.9×0.9×1.2 m). If the cage has a wire bottom make certain you give the rabbit a plank or sea grass mats to stand on so his feet won’t get damaged from being on the wire all the time. Provide a hide box or shelter and plenty of straw for bedding.
Rabbit
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world...
is a breed of rabbit developed in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
In the UK the breed is known as Giant Papillon.
Checkered Giants are one of 47 breeds of domestic rabbits recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association. Mature Checkered Giant bucks should weigh at least 11 pounds (5 kg), and mature does 12 pounds (5.4 kg), but there is no specified maximum weight. The Checkered Giant is outweighed by the Giant Chinchilla and Flemish Giant.
The Checkered Giant is considered a show rabbit rather than a meat rabbit. The Checkered Giant is one of only 11 breeds with defined markings. Body type markings differ between European and American Checkered Giants, although they are considered the same breed.
Appearance
- Recognized Colors of The Checkered Giant rabbit varieties: Black, blue
- Showroom weights of the Checkered Giant rabbit
- Senior Bucks-8 months of age and over, min weight 11 lb (5 kg)
- Senior Does-8 months of age and over, min weight 12 lb (5.4 kg)
- Int Bucks and Does-6-8 months of age, min weight 9 lb (4.1 kg)
- Jr. Bucks & Does-under 6 months of age, 6 lb (2.7 kg) and over
- Pre-Jr. Bucks & Does-under 3 months of age, not less than 4 lb (1.8 kg) and not over 7 lb (3.2 kg). Each sex & variety (Black-Blue) judged separately.
Feed and housing
Commercial rabbit pellets are often recommended, though this is a disputed claim amongst rabbit rescue shelters and commercial breeders. Pellets are high in fat, which will render a fatter rabbit, but is not a healthy choice for longevity concerns. Feed 1/2 cup of pellets per 5 pounds of body weight (25 mL/kg) every day. Many breeders find it can be hard to keep weight on rabbits that are not offered free choice pellets. For rabbits under 8 months of age, feed unlimited plain alfalfaAlfalfa
Alfalfa is a flowering plant in the pea family Fabaceae cultivated as an important forage crop in the US, Canada, Argentina, France, Australia, the Middle East, South Africa, and many other countries. It is known as lucerne in the UK, France, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand, and known as...
pellets. Free choice hay
Hay
Hay is grass, legumes or other herbaceous plants that have been cut, dried, and stored for use as animal fodder, particularly for grazing livestock such as cattle, horses, goats, and sheep. Hay is also fed to pets such as rabbits and guinea pigs...
, such as timothy-grass
Timothy-grass
Timothy-grass , is an abundant perennial grass native to most of Europe except for the Mediterranean region. It grows to 50–150 cm tall, with leaves up to 45 cm long and 1 cm broad. The flowerhead is 7–15 cm long and 8–10 mm broad, with densely packed spikelets...
, should be unlimited and changed daily. Alfalfa hay should not be offered free choice to rabbits over 8 months of age because it is too rich in calcium
Calcium
Calcium is the chemical element with the symbol Ca and atomic number 20. It has an atomic mass of 40.078 amu. Calcium is a soft gray alkaline earth metal, and is the fifth-most-abundant element by mass in the Earth's crust...
.
Many rabbits do very well in the home. They can be litter box trained and are quite fastidious groomers. Be aware that rabbits love to chew so make sure all wires are safely hidden or in protective plastic covers and understand that some of your furniture may be nibbled. If you choose to cage your rabbit, make sure the cage is at least 3 feet by 3 feet by 4 feet (0.9×0.9×1.2 m). If the cage has a wire bottom make certain you give the rabbit a plank or sea grass mats to stand on so his feet won’t get damaged from being on the wire all the time. Provide a hide box or shelter and plenty of straw for bedding.