Rabbit breeds very conditionally divided into meat, meat-skin and skin. In fact, meat of any breed is successfully consumed by humans, and skins, one way or another, are used in the fur industry.
But the acceleration of the pace of life also affects the rabbit breeds. If earlier, late-ripening large breeds of rabbits, leading their genus from the Flanders rabbit, were considered meat, today preference is given to a fast turnover and fast-growing rabbits of broiler breeds are actively replacing the former giants, despite their low weight.
The breeds of meat-type rabbits can be divided into large and early maturing. This division will be even more accurate than division by direction.
Large rabbits or giants
In fact, they all descend from the Flanders rabbit, the origin of which has not yet been clarified.
These breeds include:
- Flanders rabbit;
- German rizen;
- English giant;
- French giant;
- gray giant;
- white giant.
The last two breeds were bred in the USSR, when it turned out that the Flanders rabbit could not withstand Russian climatic conditions. Gray and white giants were bred with the blood of local outbred rabbits, well adapted to the weather adversities of Russia.
Opinions about the skins of these giants are controversial. You can find claims that they have high-quality thick fur, or you can stumble upon a review that the fur is of average quality and these are meat breeds of rabbits that have no value in the fur industry.
General characteristics of large breeds of rabbits
These breeds are very similar to each other, to the point that the German giant was bred without the addition of foreign blood at all, exclusively by selection from the Flemish rabbit. In this regard, many rabbit breeders do not recognize the Riesen as a separate breed and consider the Flanders rabbit, although the Flanders rabbit that got to Germany weighed only 5 kg, and the weight of the Riesen starts from 6. At the same time, the Germans, having worked well on their part of the Flanders rabbit population and giving him the name "rizen", are to die for because it is a new breed.
Most likely they are right. Such cases in animal husbandry have happened more than once, it is just that they usually do not focus on this.
Slaughter meat yield from these breeds is 60%, and the live weight of rabbits starts from 5 kg. Individuals with a lower weight are subject to culling from the breeding herd for meat. Usually giants weigh 6-7 kg, but the weight of 8 kg is not exceptional for them. There are rabbits weighing 10-12 kg, but 25 kg is a hoax.
In the photo, the Flanders rabbits are real 8 kg in weight. And according to the owner, these are really large specimens of the Flanders breed.
All rabbits of giant meat breeds have a well-developed croup with powerful hind legs, since it is there that the main muscle mass is concentrated, a long body from 60 to 75 cm.The head is wide and large, but proportional to the body. Developed cheeks are clearly visible. The shape of the ears in rabbits can vary. If the German rizena has ears from 13 to 20 cm long, widening upward, then the modern flandra the length of the ears is at least 19 cm, and the word "burdocks" is best suited to describe them.
Minus giants - late ripeness. They are sent to the slaughter not earlier than 6 months, and they can be allowed into breeding only from 8-9.Broiler breeds are usually slaughtered for meat at 4 months of age.
Features of the content of giants
Due to their heavy weight, giants cannot live in cages with mesh floors. Their paws are poorly protected by wool, and their heavy weight contributes to the appearance of pododermatitis. Therefore, it is recommended to keep giants in outdoor enclosures.
The size of such an aviary is also larger than usual. rabbit cages... The area required for one giant is 1x1.1 m, and for a rabbit with a brood, the area of the enclosure must be increased by 1.5 times.
When raising young animals for meat in sheds, the owners of farms have to invent devices that will protect the paws of rabbits from scuffs. The cages in sheds, in addition to a larger area than usual, must also have a height of at least 60 cm.
For giants, Mikhailov's or Tsvetkov's cages with their floor of wooden planks would be good, but these cages take up a lot of space and for an amateur rabbit breeder can be complicated and too expensive.
Diet of giants
To build muscle, giants need a diet rich in protein and carbohydrates. Moreover, they have a greater need for carbohydrates. Replacement chicks do not need intensive feeding, so they should have hay rich in calcium and phosphorus as the basis of their diet. In a beef herd, the main part of the diet is concentrates, that is, grain.
Someone prefers to give whole grain, someone ready-made feed. The richest in carbohydrates are barley and corn.
It is better to provide 24/7 access to hay for rabbits. The richest in calcium is alfalfa hay.
It is undesirable to give clover, as it contains a large amount of sugars. This hay can ferment even when eaten dry.
Breeding giants
Since all giants are late-ripening breeds, they are allowed to breed no earlier than 8 months. It is better to breed animals intended for a breeding herd from 10 months.
Bunnies bring 10-12 young rabbits on average. When keeping giants in open-air cages, a thick layer of hay should be laid on the floor, as they will build a nest in it.
The ideal bedding option for giant rabbits for outdoor maintenance is mixed bedding: sawdust at the bottom, straw or hay on top of the sawdust.
When choosing giants, in Russian conditions, the answer to the breeder's question "which breed of rabbits is better to take for breeding" will be "gray or white giant". European breeds can be larger, but they are much more demanding in terms of keeping conditions and do not tolerate cold well.
But if there is a warmed rabbitry (all breeds can easily withstand temperatures up to 0 °), then you can get more exotic flanders or German rizenos.
But today, giants are more exotic and sympathetic to a lover of large animals than rabbits intended for obtaining meat. Early maturing broiler breeds took the first place in meat and, partially, skin production.
Broiler rabbit breeds
The best meat breeds of rabbits today are New Zealand and california.
New Zealand breed
Like Californians, New Zealand rabbits originated in California.
New Zealand are divided into three types:
- white;
- red;
- the black.
They differ not only in color, but also in weight. The origin of these breeds is unknown. More precisely, the origin of the first variety is unknown: the red rabbit. In fact, they were bred in California, but it was not possible to establish whether it was a local variety of a wild rabbit or the ancestors of the red NZK were indeed brought from New Zealand.Although where in New Zealand or California come from local varieties, if there is only one species of wild rabbit, and this is the European rabbit, spread to other continents thanks to man.
The first red NZKs were of the rather dull red-yellow color that is characteristic of wild rabbits, and were small in size. Through painstaking work and the infusion of the blood of a silver rabbit and flandra succeeded in increasing the size of the original New Zealander and improving the color of his fur.
New Zealand white was obtained from red by a simple selection of albinos. But at the same time, the weight of white is about 0.5 kg more than the weight of red.
If red weighs 4-4.7 kg, then white is gaining from 4.5 to 5 kg. The largest variety is the Black New Zealander. It weighs from 5 kg. This is a new variety that is not recognized in all countries.
A distinctive feature of the black New Zealander is his fur, a brown tint in which and the presence of white hairs is a reason for culling the animal.
California breed
It was bred in California by crossing three breeds and is a "relative" of the New Zealand white. Today it is almost an established breed, to which only New Zealand white is allowed to be added to refresh the blood.
Rabbits reach the slaughter weight by 4 months, and they can be mated from 6 months, although the rabbits reach sexual maturity already at 3 and before that time it is necessary to have time to plant males and females, since from an early rabbit she will not get high-quality offspring.
A classic example. On one site, these rabbits, with a completely different mask shape, different ear markings, white paws, dark eyes and markings on the back, are listed as Californian. These are not Californians, these are butterflies. California rabbits have another interesting feature: sometimes rabbits are born with a dark bloom on the body. Some rabbit breeders are afraid of this color and try to discard the rabbits. In fact, such a suit for newborns is a signal of a high-quality adult suit in the future. It is definitely not necessary to cull these rabbits, it is more profitable to leave them to the tribe.
You can see how a rabbit with a dark bloom on the skin can look in the video.
Californian rabbits with a gray coating - marriage or standard?
General features of broiler breeds
Broiler rabbit breeds are mainly intended for breeding for meat, their skins are a by-product. But even if the plans are only to get meat, these breeds of rabbits are best bred in cages in a stationary rabbitry with a controlled microclimate. Then they will grow as planned by the breeders, otherwise complaints may begin about too little weight or high mortality of the rabbits.
Subject to the rules, the survival rate in rabbits is very high, and cases of the uterus eating offspring most often occur because of the thirst experienced by the rabbit after the birth.
Broiler rabbit diet
With the rapid growth of animals, they need constant access to feed. In industrial production, rabbits are usually fed complete pellets and hay. For normal growth and life, rabbits do not need anything else. Such a diet also helps to avoid a common misfortune of Russian rabbits - bloating. Since succulent foods tend to ferment in the intestines, gases swell the walls of the stomach and intestines. The work of the intestinal tract stops and as a result of the continued accumulation of gas in the intestines, the rabbit dies.
Time often goes by the clock and the veterinarian simply does not have time to help the animal.And since bloating is one of the symptoms of coccidiosis, it often makes no sense to figure out why the rabbit is swollen, it is easier to kill it.
Burgundy rabbit
Another interesting breed of rabbits, standing somewhat apart from other meat breeds. It is similar to New Zealand Red as it was developed from two related broiler breeds, the California Red and New Zealand Red.
The Burgundian differs from the red NZK in a more graceful head, light edging of the eyes and heaviness. The weight of a Burgundian can reach 6 kg.
Opinions differ on the quality of meat and skin. Some believe that the meat is better in the Californian, others that the Burgundian has tasty and juicy meat. Likewise with fur. Someone is convinced that the fur is not of very good quality and is only suitable for artisanal use. According to another version, the Burgundian fur is very thick and durable.
While rabbit breeders argue, Western fashion designers sew stylish and fashionable clothes and accessories from burgundy rabbit skins.
Features of the burgundy rabbit
Like the parent breeds, the Burgundian is well adapted to being kept in cages, but quite picky about food. Succulent feed must be present in his diet, including root crops and fresh grass.
The disadvantage of the Burgundy rabbit in comparison with the parental breeds is its relative late maturity. But this is precisely relative. Burgundians are recommended to be slaughtered at 6 months, since by this age they grow fully and their further maintenance begins to bring losses.
Another nuance, because of which this breed is not suitable for everyone - Burgundy rabbits are so adorable while small that it is easy to get attached to them.
The choice of breed of rabbits for breeding will depend entirely on the plans of the breeder and his sympathies. For industrial breeding for meat, of course, broilers. And best of all, Californian.
For the surprise of others and for obtaining large skins for fur products - giant breeds of rabbits.
A burgundy rabbit is good for combining these two directions.
