Giant rabbits are very popular breeds of animals. Breeders love them because of their unpretentiousness, obtaining a large amount of meat and quality skins, and also as decorative pets. Some individuals are able to gain weight of more than 10 kg. About 200 breeds of rabbits have been bred in the world, which differ in useful characteristics (weight, color, precociousness, meatiness, fur quality).
Almost 60 breeds of rabbits are popular in our country. Of them, about a dozen breeds belonging to the giants are known, but no more than seven are common on the territory of the country. Rabbits with large sizes are conditionally divided into “giants” and “giants”. The breeds of gray and white giants are called giants. Giants are Soviet chinchillas, Belgian Flanders, butterflies, giant angoras, German sheep.
The main differences of giant rabbits from others: large weight, large build, high vitality, rapid reproduction.
What breeds can be classified as giants
- The gray giant is a productive breed of rabbits, which was obtained as a result of crossing purebred rabbits and Belgian Flanders. As a result, animals resistant to temperature changes, diseases and care were bred. These rabbits are bred as a source of a large amount of high-quality meat and excellent skins.
- The white giant is the most common breed. Albino rabbits are the basis of breeding. The breed was improved with individuals of the gray giant and the Soviet chinchilla. This type of rabbits is popular due to a large increase in weight, a soft fur coat, and a calm character.
- Soviet chinchilla is one of the favorite breeds for skin and meat production. The breed was bred in France. The name was given because of the significant similarity between rabbit and chinchilla fur. Most of our fur products are sewn from the skins of these representatives of the breed.
- The Belgian Flanders is an ancient breed imported from the Belgian district of Flanders. These rabbits are raised all over the world for the purpose of obtaining meat and skins. Due to the friendliness of animals, they are kept as pets in a house or apartment.
- Butterfly is a very unusual breed of rabbit. She became famous after mating British butterfly rabbits with Flanders, Soviet chinchillas and white giants. It is used for decorative purposes due to its unusual color. Rabbits are grown as a source of meat and rare-looking skins.
- Giant Angoras are rabbits that were bred only for industrial breeding in Turkey. This breed of rabbits is in great demand by producers of wool for yarn. Representatives of the breed are grown for decorative purposes because of their beautiful and long fur. Angora wool is made from it – a fabric with a unique soft pile.
- The German ram is a breed that got its name from the special shape of the head, similar to a lamb’s head. German breeders crossed rabbits of the English ram breed with Flemish rabbits, and then with French ram. The restrained character and great fleshiness make the breed simply a favorite when choosing rabbit farms.
Keeping giant rabbits
In order to breed giants and giants, it is necessary to create optimal conditions for their growth, development, proper care and feeding. Prematurity, condition of fur, fertility, and health of animals depend on correct maintenance.
Wooden enclosures and cages are the most common and convenient housing for animals. The dimensions of cages for giant rabbits should be suitable for their large dimensions (width – from 75 cm, height – from 55 cm, and length – from 170 cm).
The rabbit hutch (cage) should allow the animal to stand on its hind legs and move freely around it. You should not make a mesh bottom, as the mesh can injure short legs. It is better to make the floor from boards.
For females, it is worth providing a place for roosting. The dimensions of the queen (mother nest) for large breeds of rabbits should also be large.
Cleaning of animals should be done at least 1-2 times a week. Dampness and dirt lead to diseases in animals.
Cages should be disinfected with a solution of chlorine or slaked lime at least twice a year. Rabbits are very sensitive to overheating and drafts. Therefore, when choosing a place for cages, this nuance should be taken into account. Cages should be placed outside in a shaded place or in the basement. In winter, the housing of the animals should be well insulated.
What to feed giant rabbits
In food, giant rabbits are undemanding. Therefore, it is quite easy for them to choose food at home. To feed rabbits, feeders with drinkers should be installed in the cages. Drinkers must be constantly filled with fresh, heated water. The feeder is filled according to time, or as feed is eaten.
Food for all types of rabbits is grass (in winter – hay), as well as feed with a high protein content. In addition, animals need minerals and vitamins. A complete diet should consist of grass, fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes. It is preferable to allocate a separate feeder for each individual type of feed.
Giant rabbits grow more slowly than their ordinary relatives. Therefore, the amount of feed should be twice as much, so that feeding is sufficient.
Breeding methods
When breeding a pure breed of rabbits, a female and a male should be selected taking into account their compatibility of family lines – linear crossing. The most effective breeding is the mating of grandsons and great-grandsons, nephews and nieces. Another method of breeding rabbits is interlineal crossing (hybridization).
Individuals of highly productive lines are crossed to obtain certain economic characteristics. Both methods of breeding are closely related and are often used by rabbit breeders.
Giant rabbits are distinguished by early maturation, high fertility, and a short gestation period. Puberty occurs in 4-4.5 months. But if we talk about the age at which animals should be mated, then for females it is advisable to do it no earlier than 5 months, after reaching a weight of at least 3.5 kg. Males begin to mate no earlier than 6-8 months.
Sexual drive in a rabbit lasts 3-5 days. She runs around the cage, does not eat, pinches the fluff, her genitals are swollen and red.
The gestation period (pregnancy) in rabbits lasts from 28 to 34 days.
It was noticed that the duration of pregnancy of rabbits depends on the number of rabbits in the litter. If there are few cubs, intrauterine development lasts longer, when there are more rabbits, pregnancy proceeds faster.
Rabbits of giant breeds have poor maternal qualities. They forget to make a nest, they may not feed the rabbits. Increased attention from the breeder is required during the breeding season. A person must control the brood chamber, build the nest independently and put the female rabbits to feed.
The rabbit stops feeding babies after 40-45 days. Then the young are transferred to an individual cage. The female can be mated again. Pregnant females can feed their cubs at the same time.
Common diseases in giant rabbits
Giant rabbits suffer from the same diseases as other species of this family of animals, which we have already written about in another article. Frequent causes of rabbit diseases can be fungi, viruses, parasites, as well as improper diet, maintenance and care.
You can read about rabbit diseases at the link .
It is important to prevent animal diseases, to constantly engage in their prevention. When the first signs of illness appear in rabbits, a veterinarian is called. Diseases are non-contagious and contagious.
Do not forget that the treatment of rabbits should be handled by a qualified specialist. Self-medication is not allowed. At the first symptoms of the disease, you should immediately call a veterinarian. Untimely assistance to animals can result in irreparable consequences.
Advantages and disadvantages of giant rabbits
Giant rabbits have their positive and negative sides. When breeding animals, they should be taken into account.
Advantages:
- large size and large mass;
- increased resistance to temperature changes, diseases;
- obtaining more meat after slaughter;
- unpretentious character;
- they look very beautiful.
Disadvantages:
- the need for a large area;
- increased food needs;
- separate cages for protection.
Selection and purchase
When choosing rabbits for breeding, you should understand that giant rabbits are very popular among breeders. It is economically beneficial. Due to rapid growth, such animals quickly go to slaughter, give a large yield of meat products. At the same time, some varieties are rare, so they are often used for decorative purposes. These factors significantly increase the average cost of one individual.
When choosing an animal for decorative purposes, it is better to go to a specialized nursery, where you can look at the parents of the animal and get great care recommendations.
If it is necessary to purchase young giant rabbits for breeding, then it is better to do it on specialized rabbit farms. In the kennel or on the farm, the condition of the animals will be immediately visible. If the rabbit is in good condition, it will eat well and actively run around the enclosure. The animal’s fur should be thick, without bald spots and lumps, and the eyes should be clear and shiny.
Once a humorist said: “Rabbits are not only valuable fur, but also 3-4 kg of dietary meat.” Without exaggeration, he was right. Especially if we talk about giant rabbits. These beautiful creatures with intelligent eyes and long ears are increasingly gaining our attention, becoming not only a source of skin and meat, but also favorites of many families.