Rabbit breeding in Russia is gaining momentum. Many farmers breed them for their skins and meat. To know which individual to choose, you need to understand the breeds and have information about the full characteristics. Each animal has certain qualities. Some are purchased only for multiplication, others are considered universal. Before purchasing, you should study the most popular and best types of rabbits for home use.

Popular types of rabbits

It is not always possible to determine which individual is the best. Some people like medium-sized animals that quickly gain sufficient weight. Other farmers prefer large skinned meats, but they gain slaughter weight relatively slowly.

Here is a description of the most commonly bred breeds:

• The gray giant is dark gray in color, weighs approximately 5-7 kg, meat yield is 55-58%, rabbits in the litter are up to 8-11.
• The white giant has an exceptionally snowy coat color, weight – 5-8 kg, meat yield – 55-56%, baby rabbits – 7-10.
• Soviet chinchilla - silver-gray or dark gray color, weight - 4.5-8 kg, slaughter yield - 55-59%, 5-8 cubs.
• New Zealand - white wool, weight 4-6.5 kg, meat yield - 54-59%, rabbits 9-11 pieces.
• Californian - snow-white rabbit, black ears, muzzle, paws, average weight - 4.5-6 kg, slaughter yield - 56-61%, cubs - 9-12 pieces.
• Belgian giant (Flanders) - white, black, light beige, fiery red color, weight - 6-12 kg, slaughter weight - 53-56%, rabbits in the litter 5-9.
• Viennese blue - silver-blue or dove-blue color, average weight - 3.5-4 kg, the largest individuals up to 7 kg, slaughter weight - 55-59%, cubs - 6-9.

Many other rabbits are bred at home, but meat and skin rabbits are ideal for a beginning farmer. You should not chase “imported” breeds; it is better to prefer those bred in central Russia or Ukraine - they are viable, more easily adapt to almost any environment, and produce a lot of meat.

The largest

The largest rabbits are classified as meat-skin rabbits. They do not grow too quickly, gain weight, and they require relatively a lot of food. These breeds are highly valued by farmers due to their good yield of meat products and skins of the highest and average quality.

It is easy for novice livestock breeders to work with these species, although the slaughter yield is incomparable with meat breeds, and the quality of fur is incomparable with any skin breeds. Meat-skinned animals are unpretentious, which means they get sick and die much less often than others, which is advantageous compared to demanding species.

Flanders or Belgian giant

With the help of Flanders, many meat and meat-skin breeds were bred. The individual is classified as universal. The absolute record holder for body size and weight - some individuals grow up to 12 kg, and on average an adult animal is 8-9. Such a rabbit has a very powerful, massive body, a relatively large head, and is monochromatic in color - black, creamy white, beige, sunny red. All cubs in a litter may be of different colors.

But this type has some disadvantages. Flanders grows for a long time, reaching adult weight in 8.5-9 months. Early slaughter does not make sense, because the mass is still too small. The animal is very capricious about its living conditions - it needs perfect cleanliness and a lot of space, food of the highest quality, otherwise the animals die.

Gray giant

Large rabbit of the meat-skin breed. It was developed in Ukraine in the middle of the last century. The animal is suitable for breeding by beginners; it adapts well to difficult conditions and does not require any special care. The female of this species weighs 4.5-5.5 kg, males - 6-6.5 kg, some individuals grow over 7.5.

The skin of the gray giant is of average quality, but very large in area, which is also valued by breeders. The meat score is slightly worse than other varieties. The animals reproduce very quickly and take excellent care of their young.

Outwardly, it is very similar to the gray giant in body size and fur color. It often grows larger, has more mass, and has a slaughter yield, so it is recommended for beginners. By 4 months, the average weight of the animal is 3.5-4 kg, it is already suitable for slaughter. The yield of this rabbit reaches 59%, which is considered a good indicator. The meat is tender, the skin and fur are also at their best.

The longer the animal lives, the greater the meat yield. This animal requires the freshest and highest quality food, otherwise the rabbits, especially the very young ones, will get sick and die.

White giant

The breed was developed by mating the Belgian with others, but only purebred albinos were used, which made it possible to obtain a perfectly snow-white variety with red eyes. All purebred representatives of giants do not have any admixtures of other colors - individuals are discarded and not allowed to reproduce.

The quality of the fur and skins is comparable to the Soviet chinchilla, the meat is also excellent, which allows livestock farmers to make a good profit from the sale of skins and carcasses.

The breed is not recommended for breeding by beginners, as it has various disadvantages. The White Giant's fertility is low, as is its early maturity, the quality of the meat is excellent, but the growth rate is low. It makes sense to slaughter an animal at least 7.5-8.5 months. Litters are rarely numerous, and the health of the cubs leaves much to be desired - this species is susceptible to a variety of diseases.

Meat breeds

Animal meat is very tasty, healthy and dietary. The average weight of rabbits can exceed 5 kg, which is why they are popular for fur and fluff. For farmers, this is an excellent source of profit - the product is sold quickly and at a good price.

It is important to choose a variety suitable for certain purposes - meat, meat skin, skin. More than 50 breeds of rabbits have been bred, each with its own characteristics. Common names are ram, giant, flanders.

Almost all rabbits are used for food purposes, except for decorative species. Special breeds are bred for profit from the sale of meat products.

When choosing rabbits to obtain the maximum amount of meat products, pay attention to the following:

• high quality of the product - it is tasty, healthy for everyone, but in certain varieties this product is the most delicate, which allows it to be sold at a high price;
• weight gain - the faster the animals gain their maximum, the less labor costs are spent on them and the sooner the product is sold and a profit is made;
• size of the animal - some species are very large, reaching a weight of more than 7 kg, from them they get a lot of meat and good skins;
• precocity – rabbits that breed quickly, produce offspring, and provide the breeder with significant profits;
• disease resistance - various infections, fungi can quickly destroy up to 80% of adults, up to 9-5% of young animals. Some varieties have stronger immunity - the likelihood of an epidemic among them is much lower;
• adaptability to the area - not all animals are able to survive and give abundant offspring if they are forced to live in a region with a climate different from where they were born.

Main types of animals

Classic varieties are not always large. They live with breeders for a very short time: those left for breeding - within 3.5 years, slaughtered for meat - 3-8 months. Their main advantage is a solid slaughter yield and early maturity.

These include:

• New Zealand white, red;
• European, Poltava silver;
• Californian species.

They have less weight than meat-skinned ones, but gain maximum weight by 3-6 months of their life, which makes their breeding profitable. The quality of the carcasses is also always at its best. The skins are suitable for sale, but the volume is low, the area is small, and you won’t be able to get a lot of money for them.

The California rabbit was bred from the New Zealand white rabbit and has many positive qualities, which is why it is often bred by professionals from Europe and America. He quickly gains weight up to 5 kg. The animal is ready for slaughter after 90-100 days, and is capable of breeding from 5-5.5 months. There are 8-10 cubs in one litter; due to its small size, the breed is kept in relatively cramped rabbitries. The growth rate of the California rabbit is amazing - at 8 weeks it weighs on average 2.5 kg.

Due to its light skeleton and excellent carcass properties, from 3 months of life, a rabbit has a slaughter yield comparable to an adult animal. The animal is unpretentious, resistant to many diseases, and the demand for rabbits of this species is very high.

New Zealand White - bred at the beginning of the last century from New Zealand Red. They are almost identical in constitution, fertility, and early maturity. The second variety is more whimsical and has bright red fur. White rabbits weigh 4.5-5.5 kg, grow quickly, gain weight, have delicious dietary meat, and high-quality white skin.

At 2.5-3 months it weighs around 3 kg, many are already slaughtered at this time. New Zealanders are prolific - there are at least 8 cubs in one litter. The breed easily adapts to any living conditions; even in cold areas they are bred in enclosures with mesh and lattice floors, which reduces cleaning time. The variety has good health and, if properly vaccinated, does not get sick at all.

Fur pets

These creatures are distinguished by fluffy skins, which, if properly processed, will become an excellent raw material for high-quality fur products. The black-brown is a large animal bred in Tatarstan by crossing the Viennese blue, Flanders, and chinchilla in the 50s of the 20th century. His fur is thick, with soft color transitions, vaguely reminiscent of the color of black and brown foxes.

This is a densely built rabbit, with an elongated body - 60-65 cm, a wide chest, a straight back, a pronounced dewlap, a large head, thick even paws, ears up to 19 cm, and brown eyes. An adult animal is 3.5-6.5 kg, at the age of 3 months - 2.5-3. The female rabbit brings 6-8 cubs weighing 80 g at a time.

Purebred individuals have a shiny black-brown, thick coat - the color is assessed in daylight. An animal less than 55 cm long, with uneven coloring, weighing up to 4 kg, crooked legs, gray hairs, and a humpbacked back is discarded. The black-brown rabbit is kept in the climate of the middle zone; it tolerates cold winters well.

Real purebred female rabbits are very fertile, take good care of their offspring, since those who do not have these qualities are not allowed to reproduce in the future. The animals require large closets with shelves where rabbits like to sleep - this will preserve good fur. There should always be water in the cage, green food in summer, juicy, rough food in winter, artificial vitamins and minerals. To prevent illness, chamomile tea is given twice a week.

Russian ermine

He is also African, Egyptian, Windsor, Himalayan - a medium-haired, small rabbit for meat and skin purposes, widely distributed. Bred by the British in the 19th century, brought to Russia 90 years ago, improved by Soviet breeding specialists. The color resembles an ermine - it is used as an imitation of ermine fur, the meat is used for preparing dietary dishes. The offspring are born white, after 2-3 weeks light pigmentation appears, and by 5-6 months they have a full ermine color.

The ears, tail, paws are black and brown, everything else is snow-white and shiny. The animal is unpretentious, quite hardy, any living conditions, climate, and simple food are suitable for it.

Females give birth to 8-10 babies, the offspring grow quickly, since the rabbits have a lot of milk. An adult creature has a dense, proportional body 50-53 cm long, a rounded head, high ears, a wide chest, a perfect back and croup, strong straight legs, a weight of 3.5-4 kg, thick fur with developed underfur.

For breeding, purebred animals are chosen, with strong, undeformed bones, normal muscles, neat skin, and no visible defects. Rounded, firm sides are a sign of excellent meat production. A female individual should have a dense belly, wide breasts, and 8 nipples.

The male usually has thicker fur than the female. An animal with a short physique, poor skin, weak muscles, and underdeveloped bones will not be able to produce much meat or good fur, and therefore is discarded. Russian stoats are kept in cages ranging from 65 cm in length, which are installed in blocks to save space. Nest boxes are made with a solid bottom. Feeders and drinkers are conveniently automatic. Drafts and direct sunlight are unacceptable.

In winter, the recommended temperature is +12-23 degrees, humidity is about 70%. Recommended foods include clover, alfalfa, sainfoin, various grains, sprouted grains, grass, fish, meat and bone meal, etc. To keep the skin well-groomed, the animals are washed with baby or zoological shampoo, and the fur is combed with special plastic brushes. Vaccinations and regular veterinary checkups are required.

Rex rabbit

Brought out in France in the 20s of the last century, brought to Russia from Germany. The animal's fur is thick, velor, similar to sheared mink. Rabbits come in more than 20 colors, and breeding them brings significant profits. The average weight of the animal is 3.5-4.5 kg, body length 45-55 cm, straight ears, narrow chest, females have a dewlap, small bones, a humpbacked ridge, thin and even legs. The length of the coat is 1.5-2 cm, on the back - at least 15-18 mm. Females give birth to 5-7 rabbits at a time, 3-5 litters per year.

At 30 days, the young weigh 0.68 kg, at 4 months – up to 2.5 kg. A healthy one has dense hair, the coat is smooth, not wavy, with the exception of the belly and head. The tail is clean, the nose is dry, the eyes are clear, the skeleton is well developed. Rex has a fast metabolism, requires a lot of air, it can easily withstand frosts of -18-20 degrees, but cannot tolerate overheating, dampness, drafts, or dust. It is recommended to keep it at a humidity of up to 60% and a temperature of +17-19 degrees.

The following types of cages are used: single - for males, young animals, queen cell - with a brood box. The breed should not be kept on mesh floors, as rexes are susceptible to pododermatitis - the fur on the paws disappears, ulcers appear, the covering is better made of plywood with a straw bedding. Hay and limp grass must be included in the diet; cubs are vaccinated against myxomatosis and hemorrhagic virus after reaching a weight of 0.5 kg, age 35-37 days, and worms are also poisoned.

Fluffy chinchilla

The medium-sized downy rabbit of the skin type was bred by the French by crossing Russian ermine, blue Bavernovsky, and wild species. The fur resembles the coloration of the chinchilla rodent. This rabbit appeared in England in 1915, then in Holland and Germany. In the first country, it was crossed with large breeds, which increased the weight from 2.5 kg to 4.5. Now farmers breed small, medium, and large chinchillas. The weight of the smallest ones is 2.5-3 kg, they have a short body and ears. Large ones weigh from 4.5 kg, the muscles are well developed.

The rabbit adapts well to the conditions of a temperate climate zone, is not picky about food, and is very prolific, which is why it is popular everywhere. 9-11 rabbits are born at a time, the females have a lot of milk, the offspring are strong and grow quickly. The animal can live in captivity for more than 9 years.

An adult chinchilla has a round, dense body, 50-60 cm, chest girth - 35-40 cm. The skeleton is strong, the muscles are strong, the back is straight, the head is elongated, and the ears are erect. The eyes are clear, blue-gray or brown. Females have a developed dewlap, a fold of fat on the neck. The average weight of a male is 3.5-5 kg. The fur is most often gray-bluish with transitions to pearl white, black and brown. In the area of ​​the belly and eyes the fur is light, on the ears it is dark.

A healthy animal is active, cheerful, and well-fed. The muscles are strong, especially in the pelvis, hips, ears, eyes are clean, paws are straight and fluffy. The coat should be shiny, free of bald spots, the back should be straight, but not sagging or hunchbacked. In summer, chinchillas are kept outdoors, in winter – indoors, at a temperature of +15-19 degrees. Do not allow drafts, excessive humidity, changes, or direct sunlight. During the cold season, additional lighting is necessary. The floor in the cages is made of cellular, in the nesting floors it is made of solid wood or plywood.

Food for young animals, adults, and pregnant females will be different. Be sure to use green leaves, root vegetables, hay, twigs, cereals, beans, and vitamin and mineral supplements. Regular veterinary inspections are mandatory - this will help avoid the spread of diseases that can destroy the entire livestock. To raise a chinchilla with luxurious fur, it must be combed three times a week with a wooden comb, massage brushes, and tangles must be cut out in a timely manner. It is not recommended to bathe the animal; zoo creams are used to clean the fur from dirt.

Risen or German giant

Known since the 16th century. In Russia it is sometimes called the Russian giant. Modern Risen weighs 12-14 kg, originally it was only 6. It produces good meat, excellent fur of various colors - gray, sand, black, blue, agouti. The animal is good-natured, intelligent, clumsy, and recognizes its owner. He has strong muscles, straight paws, ears 16-17 cm, body 65-75 cm, thick fur up to 4 cm.

Rabbits are born 10-12 in one litter, they grow slowly, can reproduce from 10 months, eat a lot, and often die from gluttony. They need spacious enclosures. Risen tolerates frost well, almost never gets sick, but the cage must be kept perfectly clean. This species requires serious expenses for breeding, since its care is painstaking and it requires a lot of space and food. The main diet is hay, mixed feed, grains, vegetables.

The grass is fresh, not rotten, without dew; young oak branches and leaves are recommended as preventive measures. A healthy animal is well-fed, moves well, and does not have much fat. His back, legs are straight, strong, his eyes and ears are clean, his coat is thick, without empty areas.

How long rabbits live depends on what species and breed they belong to and their conditions of detention. The nature of the animal’s diet and the animal’s susceptibility to seasonal diseases are also important. We can say that rabbits live on average about 5-6 years. With adequate care, proper selection of cages, organization of living space, careful attention and timely veterinary care, the lifespan of a pet increases to 9 years.

What determines the lifespan of rabbits?

There are a number of interrelated factors that affect how long these cute animals live. Among them are the following:

• heredity. One of the main factors influencing the life expectancy of a rabbit is its pedigree, i.e. genetic component. It is important that the breeding process is properly organized in the breeder’s estate or nursery. A responsible breeder separates pet families and monitors the purity of mating in order to obtain strong, viable offspring without developmental disabilities.
• immunity and breed diseases. The next important condition, the observance of which greatly depends on the quality and life of rabbits, is timely vaccination of animals and prevention of myxomatosis in combination with a viral hemorrhagic disease. Decorative rabbits are vaccinated with multifunctional vaccines. This is due to the fact that throughout their lives they are in direct contact with people. Vaccines protect animals from a range of diseases at once. Usually, one vaccine can protect pets from pasteurellosis, rabies, paraphyte and listeriosis.

• care and timely care. Despite preventive measures, rabbits still remain very sensitive to any pathologies and can die even from a mild infection. Therefore, timely initiation of treatment is the first step to increasing the life of your pet. In case of any deviation from normal behavior, lethargic or abnormal condition of the animal, acute or mild symptoms, you should immediately contact a veterinarian, try to get specialist advice by phone or online and take initial measures. This moment has a particularly strong impact on how many years decorative rabbits live.
• microclimate. The quality of existence of the animal is significantly influenced by climatic conditions. Central heating radiators, air conditioners set to heat, and microwave ovens have a detrimental effect on the health and well-being of rabbits. In a room, barn, or any other room where an animal’s cage or pen is located, it is necessary to install a thermometer and monitor the temperature. For species that live outdoors, it is important to avoid excessive exposure to direct sunlight and frost. It is advisable to consult with the breeder from whom the pet was purchased regarding its usual conditions and temperatures.
• freedom of movement. Sufficient personal space is another important factor in extending the life of animals. The animal must be provided with the opportunity not only to move freely around the space of the pen, enclosure or cage, this space must be bright and well-equipped, since these animals are oppressed by excessive restrictions on area and activity. Decorative rabbits can be let out for a walk under supervision around the apartment, or even better - in the open air.
• psychological condition. Another important point is communication. Rabbits need company, not only from their owners, but also from their own kind or other friendly pets. According to statistics, animals that have contact with other animals live much longer. If the owners do not have the financial or housing opportunity to get another animal, they should take care to establish communication between the rabbit and other friendly animals from time to time.

How many years do rabbits live: wild, domestic and decorative?

The wild rabbit, which lives in northern Africa, southern Europe, Australia and New Zealand, can live 10-12 years. However, in fact, such a life expectancy is found only in individuals living in Australia, where the animals have no natural enemies. In other regions, animals in the wild can live up to 3-4 years. The reason for this noticeable difference is the presence of predators in the middle climatic zone and southern latitudes, breed diseases and a regular decrease in numbers due to hunting and the possibility of unfavorable weather conditions. Thus, it is difficult to say for sure how many years rabbits live in such circumstances; this is determined by external circumstances.

Wild rabbit

An ordinary average pet, an inhabitant of a dacha or a plot of land near a private house or farmstead, the breed of which was obtained through selection from a wild European or Australian rabbit, lives up to 4-5 years. This figure stands out given the fact that in nurseries and villages representatives of the so-called meat breed of hare-like animals predominate, which are simply not kept for much longer. It is known that if such an animal is not slaughtered, a rabbit can live for 8 years. Neutered individuals live longer - up to 12 years.

On a note! Decorative rabbits are a special matter. Regarding their life spans, they vary greatly due to possible species, country of origin and breed.

So, how many years do decorative rabbits live at home? The oldest and most common - the lop-eared ram and rex - live about 7-8 years. They are unpretentious, well selected (bred in the first quarter of the twentieth century), and rarely suffer spontaneous injuries. But the animals of the colored dwarf rabbit breed are more delicate: they were finally formed by selection in 1945-1950. Short legs and body, combined with a cute asymmetry towards the weight of the back half of the body and a short neck, look very miniature, but increase the likelihood of injury, even if the rabbit lives in an apartment. They are also capable of living up to 7 years, but in practice their average lifespan is 4-5 years.

Rabbit lop-eared ram

How long do rabbits live depending on their habitat?

Domestic rabbits, even those living in a private home, have a much weaker immune system. However, human care, timely treatment and sufficient care allow the animals to live for 6-7 years. There are even record holders.

Interesting! On one of the English farms, the rabbit Flippy lived for 18 years.

However, do not forget that a standing-eared rabbit that lives in a country house or plot is usually intended for household needs. Such animals are most often released for meat at 3-4 years of age.

How long decorative rabbits live at home, when most of the time they live in a cage or a special enclosure, depends on a number of factors. Specific selection and restriction of movement reduce the average life expectancy. In standing-eared rabbits it reaches 7 years, in lop-eared breeds it is about 5 years. Dwarf species usually live 6 years.

Decorative rabbit in a cage

How to extend the life of a pet

So, if the owner wants his pet to live and please the whole family for as long as possible, he should adhere to some rules.

If the owners take care to comply with all the conditions listed above, you can count on the fact that the new friend will fully live out the term allotted to him.

Rabbits are bred all over the world, and these animals are raised not only for meat and skins, but also simply for beauty. There are about 60 breeds of rabbits in total, but in our country there are only 20.

This article will describe the main characteristics of the most productive breeds of rabbits that can be bred in household and agricultural farms.

Rabbit breeds with photos and names

A large number of rabbit breeds have no practical value, and only 15 of them, intended for slaughter for meat, as well as for the production of fur and fluff, have significant economic importance. They are divided into fur and downy ones, since there is no clear scientific classification of animals. Fur furs are divided according to their hair into short-haired and normal-haired, and according to the nature of the products obtained from them into meat-skin, skin and meat.

Breeds for home breeding

The following breeds are most often bred on homestead farms:

• White giant

Includes large-sized fur animals that are intended for the production of meat and skin products (Figure 1). The animals are strong and have the following external differences: an oblong body shape, a rounded croup, a deep chest, a light oblong head of medium size, wide and long ears, long widely spaced paws and a straight narrow back. Leptosomal type constitution.

Figure 1. White giant rabbits

Representatives of this species have pure white fur without any admixture of other shades, and for this reason their rearing would be appropriate for slaughter for their skins. The weight of animals can reach 5 kg, and the fertility of animals during calving can reach 8 cubs. It is the white giant breed that is considered one of the most common.

This is a new highly productive species grown for meat and skin products (Fig. 2). Individuals have a strong body of the mesosomal type and tolerate various climatic conditions well. The animals have the following differences: the body is slender and wide, the head is small, and the middle ears are erect.

On the back, sides and rump there is a silver-gray-blue tone of hair, but on the rest of the body they are almost pure white with a light darkish underfur.

Figure 2. Soviet chinchilla

Soviet chinchillas are unpretentious and hardy to a variety of living conditions. The resulting skins are quite large, and the fur is thick and uniform. Animals are characterized by fast growth and high-quality meat. Females have good maternal qualities. With the right feeding ration, they can nurse up to eight young at a time.

• Vienna blue

This fur-bearing species includes medium-sized meat-and-skin animals. They have the following characteristic features: a slender, slightly elongated body, strong bones, a small head and medium-length ears. Body type - mesosomal. The hair is thick, soft, and has good shine.

Figure 3. Viennese blue rabbits

The color of the hair can be bluish-blue (ranging from dark to light shades), and the underfur and spine are colored proportionally (Fig. 3). Females are distinguished by a high level of fertility, as well as good maternal qualities, and successfully breed and feed up to eight cubs at a time. Males have high vitality and are perfectly adapted to various climatic conditions.

• Gray giant

The animals are quite large and belong to the representatives of normal-haired fur rabbits. They have a long, large body, a wide chest with a small dewlap, a large, rough-shaped head with long ears, and short limbs relative to the body. Representatives of the species belong to the leptosomal body type (Figure 4).

Figure 4. Gray giant rabbits

Meat quality is at an average level. Animals can have hare-gray, black, dark gray and ferruginous gray colors. If they are slaughtered as adults, they produce large skins. However, in terms of hair density, they are inferior to the skins of the white giant, Soviet chinchilla, black-brown and Vienna blue. Females are characterized by good milk production and high fertility (on average, about 8 rabbits are born per litter).

Representatives of the species are adapted to temperate and mild climatic regions of our country.

• Silver

Representatives of this fur breed are of average size and belong to the representatives of the meat-skin direction of productivity. Individuals are distinguished by a wide and compact body, which widens towards the rump. Representatives of this type have the following characteristic differences: a small head, a deep chest, straight and short ears, a wide rounded croup, muscular and strong legs (Figure 5).

Figure 5. Silver rabbits

The hair is thick and has an unusual shade of old silver. The guide hairs are black, the awn is white, and the underfur is slate blue. At the tip of the muzzle, ears, limbs and tail the fur is darker, but when the animal reaches the age of 4 months, the entire fur becomes silver, and in young animals a month old the hair is black. Females have good fertility (up to eight cubs per litter). Animals can be raised for slaughter, as they grow quickly and the meat has good dietary qualities.

• Californian and New Zealand White

These are fur breeds that were obtained through the selection work of American scientists. They have a strong body of the eirisomal type, the body is compactly grouped and has a cylindrical shape, a deep and wide chest, and thick legs.

Figure 6. Rabbits of the Californian (1 and 2) and New Zealand (3-4) breeds

Representatives of these breeds have thick and elastic white hair (Figure 6). However, California rabbits have a dark tint on the tip of their face, ears and tail. The young grow quickly, and the females have high milk production. They are recommended to be used for producing broiler rabbits for meat production, when kept with the mother for up to 74 days.

• Black-brown

This is a large breed that is raised not only for fur, but also for quality meat. The animals are very resistant to climatic conditions and have the following characteristic properties: an elongated body shape, strong bones, a rounded head with long ears, a wide chest, long strong paws, thick and lush hair.

Figure 7. Black-brown breed of rabbits

Upon reaching 4 months of age, rabbits have a black hair color, and adults have a shade of black-brown foxes (Figure 7). The resulting skins are not dyed before sale. The fertility of females per litter is eight rabbits.

• White down

This is a very resilient domestic species, which has the following features: thin and strong bones, a cylindrical body, a medium head and a wide chest, and muscular legs of medium length. White downy rabbits do not have tufts on their ears (a characteristic feature of Angora downy rabbits).

Figure 8. White downy rabbits

Representatives of the white downy breed are white in color (Figure 8), but sometimes black and blue shades of fur can be observed. In one litter, the female gives birth to up to seven cubs.

You will learn about what breeds of rabbits there are from the video review.

Fur

Fur breeds include white and gray giant, Soviet chinchilla, silver, Vienna blue and black-brown. But since they were described above, let’s focus on other common fur breeds (Figure 9):

1. Veil-silver breed most often bred for fur and meat production. As a result of crossing, animals with high fertility and milk production, high meat qualities, and with thick, shiny hair were obtained. The breed is adapted to being outside in cages in winter and summer. Main external characteristics include a long, dense body, a broad chest, a rounded large head with long ears, and strong, straight legs. The fur is thick and dark gray on the belly. The silver color appears after the first moult, and a thick black veil covers them seven to eight months after birth, that is, after the second moult. Animals are distinguished by high fertility, good meat qualities and average early maturity. However, the offspring often contains individuals with atypical fur color.
2. Butterfly- white animals with dark spots located symmetrically on the sides and back. They were originally bred as decorative animals, so their weight did not exceed 3 kg. As a result of crossing, it was possible to improve their qualities. The main disadvantage: animals are prone to obesity. Obese females have low fertility, and fertilized and fledged females do not feed their offspring well.
3. Soviet Marder- short-haired rabbits with valuable soft velvety fur. They occupy one of the first places in terms of the beauty of the skin. The body is proportional, the head is small and round. The color of the fur is heterogeneous in different animals and in each individual in different parts of the body (the muzzle, ears, tail and paws are much darker). Females have average fertility, and the resulting skins can be used without dyeing. However, uneven color creates difficulties when sewing fur products and reduces the quality of the skin.

Figure 9. Fur breeds: 1 - veil-silver, 2 - butterfly, 3 - Soviet Marder, 4 - Russian ermine

Small species for skin purposes are represented by Russian ermines. These are hardy and unpretentious animals with a strong build, medium-sized head and erect ears. The color is white, and the ears, tail, paws and the end of the muzzle are black or brown. The weight of adults reaches 4 kg. Fertility is good (up to 8 individuals per litter), and the meat is valued for its tenderness. After slaughter, they obtain skins of different sizes that have no analogues in terms of fur quality. The main disadvantage is that when trying to increase body weight, the quality of the fur deteriorated.

Meat

Breeding meat rabbits is the most profitable direction. The animals grow actively, gain weight well, have good muscles and produce tasty meat.

The best meat breeds are also called broiler breeds. These include New Zealand white, New Zealand red, Californian and Burgundy (Figure 10).

The highest quality meat is produced by New Zealand white and red animals. They have the following distinctive features:

• Medium in length, cylindrical body;
• Wide and fleshy abdomen;
• The head is wide with a slight curvature from the eye to the nose;
• Ears rounded at the ends, erect, short;
• The legs are straight, strong, the hind limbs are more fleshy;
• The eyes are pink (in albino individuals);
• Thick, shiny, soft fur;
• The breed is early maturing;
• The animals are hardy and prolific;
• Adults are calm and docile;
• They tolerate temperature changes well;
• Life expectancy is on average 5-10 years;
• The diet requires special attention.

The most unpretentious of all meat types is Californian. . Such individuals do not have excess fat deposits, are quite fleshy, are distinguished by innate immunity and the ability to easily adapt. Their live weight is slightly less than that of the New Zealand ones, but they have superior growth rates and are distinguished by a strong build, thick white hair with dark spots on the muzzle, paws and tail. The animals are quite smart and friendly, and the live weight of adult individuals can reach 5 kg. Females are highly fertile, and the young quickly gain weight.

Figure 10. Representatives of meat types: 1 - New Zealand white, 2 - New Zealand red, 3 - Californian, 4 - Burgundy

The Burgundy is considered one of the best meat breeds. Its representatives reach sexual maturity already at 4 months of age. The body is muscular, covered with a skin of medium density light brown hair. Animal fur is not particularly valuable. Females are very fertile: a female can give birth to up to 12 cubs at a time. Animals grow quickly, have a strong body and good immunity.

Breeds of domestic rabbits

Breeds of domestic rabbits include animals weighing no more than 2 kg. Their main types with photographs and names are as follows (Figure 11):

1. American furry sheep refers to relatively young people. Adults of this breed have a live weight of 1.6 to 1.8 kg. Animals are smart and affectionate. A special feature is the increased level of fluffiness. Therefore, animals need careful coat care. The color can have about 20 options.
2. Representatives of the British Polish breed They have a significantly smaller size and body weight (about 1.1 kg) and are rightfully considered the smallest among their relatives. A feature is a temperamental disposition, so animals need specific upbringing. There are individuals of various colors, but white ones are the most common.
3. American Polish They are sociable and enjoy participating in children’s games, which is why illusionists love to work with them. Weight is 1.6 kg, color - black, gray and chocolate.
4. Dwarf Angora- These are small, neat animals weighing up to 1.5 kg, with fluffy hair. The animals have a calm, easy-going nature, get along well with other pets and people and do not require special care.
5. Netherland dwarf one of the smallest. Its weight slightly exceeds 1 kg. The breed has become widespread, but the animals have a unique character. That is why it is not suitable for keeping in a house where there are children.

Figure 11. Domestic breeds: 1 - American fluffy ram, 2 - British Polish, 3 - American Polish, 4 - dwarf Angora, 5 - Dutch dwarf

Downy breeds

The group of long-haired rabbits is commonly called downy rabbits. These include: Angora downy and white downy breeds (Figure 12).

Downy breeds are medium in size. So, the weight of Angoras is 3 kg, and white downy ones - 4 kg. The Angora downy dog ​​is characterized by a short body with a large head and short ears, with fluffy tufts at the end of them. The coat is thick, silky, of various colors, represented mainly by long downy hair.

Figure 12. Angora downy and white downy breeds (from right to left)

The white down coat is characterized by an exclusively white color. The animals have a strong build, a round head with short ears, often without tassels, and muscular limbs.

Breeds of decorative rabbits - photos and names

Breeds of decorative rabbits are dwarf animals, similar to domestic ones. Their distinctive feature is large eyes and short ears. Among the decorative ones there are: lion-headed breed, dwarf rex, dwarf ram, dwarf fox and hermelin.

Figure 13. Ornamental species: 1 - lion-headed, 2 - dwarf rex, 3 - dwarf ram, 4 - dwarf fox, 5 - hermelin

Breeds of decorative rabbits with photographs and names are given below(Figure 13):

1. A cross between short-haired and fluffy animals gave rise to the Lionhead breed. The animals got their name due to the resemblance of the head to a lion's mane. A thick mop of long hair covers the head and torso. The rest of the body is covered with short hair of various shades. The animals are small, their weight does not exceed 1.7 kg. They are easy to keep and care for.
2. Short-haired individuals whose skin color is similar to that of a beaver belong to the Dwarf Rex breed. The features of dwarfism appear much more clearly due to the short hairline. They have underdeveloped, crooked whiskers, which is a sign of the purebred breed. The eyes are large, close to each other. Body length 50 cm, total weight - 1.4 kg. The color is different.
3. Animals of the dwarf ram breed can be called giants among dwarfs, which does not prevent them from having a calm and docile character. The body is massive, 24-27 cm long and weighing 1.5 kg. The eyes are beautiful and big. The paws are of medium thickness, the small tail is pressed to the body. The skin is soft and silky. The color is varied. The peculiarity of this species is its hanging ears, similar to those of a lamb.
4. But the dwarf fox is rightfully considered the midget among dwarfs, because the mass of animals of this breed is only 1.3 kg. The animals have a changeable character, and their body seems to be covered with a hanging woolen cloak. The coat color can be either light tones (white, silver) or more saturated (Havana, black, blue, yellow).
5. Cute decorative white pets with blue eyes represent the Hermelin breed. Their weight is within 1.5 kg, and in their appearance they resemble Persian cats. Hermelines are stocky, tightly knit, with small, rounded, closely spaced ears, and the neck is invisible. The front legs are short, the claws are colorless. The coat is thick and shiny. The animal does not require special attention during maintenance and care.

You will learn more details about the popular species of these animals from the video.

Breeding rabbits is attractive due to the possibility of obtaining quick offspring, rapid weight gain and good quality fur skins. The breeds of rabbits existing today are conventionally divided into meat, fur or fur and decorative.

According to weight indicators, domestic rabbits can be:

• large, the weight of an adult male exceeds 6 kg;
• average, the weight of such animals is mainly in the range of 3 – 6 kg;
• small, these are animals weighing from 2 to 3 kg;
• dwarf, weighing from 1 to 2 kg.

Rabbits vary in length and quality of wool, color, growth rate and the number of rabbits in the litter. By studying the descriptions of rabbit breeds and photographs of the best representatives of their breeding characteristics, you can get an idea of ​​the available choice and find the best animals for your yard.

In homestead farming, meat breeds of rabbits are most often bred. Such animals quickly build muscle mass and, when slaughtered, have a good yield of dietary meat. Some animals stand out for their truly gigantic size.

Rabbit White Giant

Among the giant rabbits, the most famous breed comes from Germany and Belgium, where rabbit breeders, back in the century before last, managed to breed animals that stand out not only for their absolutely white dense fur, but also for their super-large size. The White Giant rabbit breed came to Russia long ago and over the past decades has been adapted to growing in conditions more severe than in Western Europe.

An adult individual gains a live weight of up to 7 kg, while the livestock is raised not only for meat, but also for high-quality skins.

After cutting the carcass, the rabbit breeder receives about 3–4 kg of dietary lean meat. This breed of rabbit breeds well in the backyard. Typically, litters contain up to 11 rabbits, which are ready to eat meat 2–4 months after birth.

If one breed of rabbits is ancient, but has not lost its relevance today, it is the Flanders or the Belgian Giant. Although the animals are distinguished by their heroic physique, and the breed itself is a meat breed, thanks to the friendly disposition of the animals, these giant rabbits are often kept in the house as a companion and pet.

The history of the Flanders rabbit shown in the photograph goes back more than four centuries. And it is impossible to name the exact ancestors of these animals. But over the past centuries, the work of unknown breeders from Flanders has not been lost or lost, but is actively used in Europe, the USA and Russia. In modern large farms and private farmsteads, several lines of Belgian giant rabbits are raised.

The “smallest” animals are animals that grow up to 6 kg, and truly gigantic representatives of the breed can weigh up to 10–12 kg.

Pedigree animals may have different colors, but the wool is always good, thick, with a pile up to 30 mm long.

Giant rabbits from Belgium were famous and bred throughout Europe, but at the end of the 19th century, breeders in Germany were able to talk about the appearance of their own giant rabbits. This is how the Rizen rabbit breed was created, which means “giant”.

These are the largest animals existing today. The weight of a male can reach 12 kg or more, and not only the meat is valued, but also the thick short fur of different colors. Pedigree animals have large ears, wide paws and a massive body. Due to their weight, Risen rabbits are quite clumsy, but good-natured and intelligent.

The Belgian Giant rabbits that appeared in the USSR after the war gave rise to new breed lines of domestic selection. The local stock was used to produce unpretentious, hardy and numerous offspring, and the overseas guest gave the rabbits their size and weight. As a result, another meat rabbit breed, the Gray Giant, was registered. This happened in 1952, and since then Russian rabbit breeders have been actively using the achievements of scientists.

Animals of this breed worthy of breeding have a massive, elongated body, strong paws and a large head. On average, an adult rabbit weighs from 4 to 7 kg.

The pile cannot be called thick, so this breed of rabbit is not used to obtain fur. The color is gray, darker on the back than on the belly.

Old time-tested breeds include California rabbits. Obtained in the southern United States at the beginning of the last century, they still show good results and are bred both on an industrial scale and in personal backyards. The fur-bearing meat breed of rabbits was developed from a complex crossbreeding of chinchillas, white rabbits from New Zealand and the Russian ermine breed. The new breed of rabbits stood out not only for their bright white color with contrasting spots on the ears, face, paws and tail, but also for their excellent weight gain, fertility and fatness. With a short body and harmonious bones, the average weight of a Californian breed rabbit reaches 4.5–5 kg.

The history of the New Zealand white rabbit breed goes back more than a hundred years. To obtain pure white meat animals, representatives of the White Giants and local albino animals were used. The breed, even with a relatively small weight of animals, growing up to only 4.5 kg, still retains its popularity today due to the high quality of lean meat, unpretentiousness, early development and a large number of rabbits in litters. The breed characteristics of the white New Zealand rabbit include: snow-white fur without the slightest hint of spots, perfect bite, wide paws and back, silver undercoat and red eyes.

In addition to the white New Zealand rabbits, there is a red variety that is also used for fur and meat. The weight of strong, well-fed animals up to half a meter in length does not exceed 4.5 kg, but the relatively low carcass weight is compensated by the high taste, fertility and endurance of the breed.

The peculiarity of this meat breed of rabbits is its bright unusual color, which can vary from brick-red to deep red.

Beautiful fur, hairy paws, compact build - all this makes it possible to raise New Zealand red rabbits outdoors even in rather harsh conditions.

Russian rabbit breeders have been familiar with the butterfly rabbit with its original coloring, which gave the breed its name, for more than two hundred years. It was in our country that the best results were achieved during breeding work. Today, rabbits weigh not three kilograms, but almost twice as much as when they arrived from Britain. In addition, they are better adapted to being kept in local conditions.

If you look at the animal’s face, you will notice a large dark spot, shaped like a moth with outstretched wings. The breed of rabbits shown in the photograph owes its name to this spot. Other spots, already of arbitrary shape, can be seen on the body, around the eye sockets and on the ears. There is also a dark stripe along the spine. The claws and tail are light. The spots on a butterfly rabbit can be of different shades from black to cream.

People owe the appearance of the ram rabbit breed to a spontaneous mutation, as a result of which the ears lost their usual vertical position and drooped, making the animals look like sheep. The change in appearance was noticed and consolidated by selection. And today, lop-eared rabbits are popular not only as agricultural meat animals, but also as pets.

The ancestors of modern breeds of rabbits with drooping ears were the English Fold. The first specimens of French sheep rabbits were demonstrated in the middle of the nineteenth century in France. Unusual large animals first spread as a curiosity in their homeland, and then migrated to neighboring countries. The breed was greatly influenced by German breeders, who, as a result of long selection, obtained truly productive, fast-growing farm animals. The average weight of an adult male exceeds five kilograms, and females are only slightly lighter.

In addition to a remarkable physique and excellent fatness, lop-eared rabbits demonstrate high quality fur, and the color palette is quite wide, which only increases interest in the sheep breed, and lop-eared rabbits can be seen in an increasing number of farms.

The only feature that should be known to the owners of such unusual animals is the negative impact of the mutation on the rabbits' bones. The same gene that causes the ears to droop also causes the cartilage tissue throughout the skeleton to harden and ossify. As a result, females after one year of age often cannot give birth, and adult animals may have problems with joints.

In addition to meat breeds of rabbits, animals with thick, long or short fur, bred for their fluff or skins, are popular. Angora rabbits are classified as down rabbits. The animals have thick, thin hair from 15 to 25 cm, and this record length is maintained almost throughout the body, so long tufts of hair are often found between the toes of the paws; there are also tassels on large rabbit ears. The color of rabbits can vary. Due to the abundance of honey, the animal seems large; in fact, the Angora rabbit rarely weighs more than 3.5 kg, which it reaches at seven months of age.

The first information about the unusual breed reached Europeans at the beginning of the eighteenth century. The homeland of long-haired animals is Turkey, from where strange rabbits came first to the Old World, and then to America. If initially the Angora rabbits shown in the photograph were a rare pet, today their fluff is widely used for the production of warm yarn, fabrics from it and ready-made clothing.

Another downy breed of rabbits was born in the USSR in the middle of the last century. Thanks to the crossing of the French Angora and local animals, the universal breed White Powder appeared. Rabbits of this breed are bred for meat and to obtain soft, silky fur.

Today, selection continues, and rabbit breeders have at their disposal not only white animals, but also blue, black, and smoky animals. The animals have become more hardy, adapted to growing outdoors, and their weight has increased to 4 kg. If earlier the long pile of Angora rabbits was very capricious and easily fell off, losing quality, then the fur of today's animals is much more elastic and practically does not change its appearance in any conditions of detention.

The ancient German breed of Rex rabbits is distinguished by its extremely thick short fur, giving the impression of plush or sheared high-quality sheepskin. In the USSR, the history of the breed began about a century ago. Rex rabbits, despite the ban from the German authorities, were secretly taken out of the country, were raised and gave birth to offspring in the USSR.

Famous for their soft, velvety fur, rabbits also produce excellent meat. An adult grows up to 4–5 kg. And with a fairly light, thin skeleton, the yield of lean dietary meat is significant.

The breed characteristics of Rex rabbits include a large, elongated body, small rounded ears, and short, downward-curved mustaches. Today, there are many solid and spotted colors that diversify the fur skins obtained from rabbits.

The breed of Chinchilla rabbits shown in the photo was named after a small animal with surprisingly soft fur of an original color. As a result of selection in domestic rabbits, it was possible to repeat the appearance of this fur, obtaining a dense silver-gray pile with a dark base, a light, almost white stripe in the middle of the hair or a black tip.

The Soviet chinchilla rabbit breed, obtained in the USSR in the last century, inherited valuable fur from its ancestors of French blood, but became heavier, unpretentious and fertile.

A female rabbit consistently brings up to 8 rabbits, while an adult animal weighs up to 5 kg. These are strong, large animals with good health and rapid weight gain.

In recent years, animals that differ from those bred for meat and fur, are smaller in size, friendlier and have a distinctly attractive appearance, are gaining popularity. That is why many animals have a touching “childish” appearance of the face and body structure inherent in a baby rabbit, which remains throughout their entire life.

Domestic rabbits are conventionally divided by coat length, size and color. Today in city apartments you can find both ordinary large animals, for example, the fold-eared Ram rabbit or a representative of the Angora breed, as well as miniature or even dwarf animals.

Dwarf rabbits came to our country from Belgium, and because of their unique mane they earned the name lion-headed. Elongated soft hair is present on the nape, crown, chest and cheeks, and sometimes on the hind legs, forming fluffy “pants”. The animals have a dense build, a weight not exceeding 1.7 kg and are perfectly suited for keeping indoors.

Dwarf Rex rabbits differ from their larger counterparts only in size and weight. The miniature animals are covered with short, soft fur, small curled mustaches and weigh no more than one and a half kilograms. At home, decorative rabbits are easily trained, intelligent and trainable. Dwarf Rex rabbits can be either solid or variegated.

The unusual appearance of dwarf rabbits of the ram breed has become the reason for their incredible popularity among pet lovers. The animals retain the original shape of the ears and strong bones, but at the same time they are much smaller than ordinary representatives of the French sheep breed. Cute lop-eared rabbits have a calm character, do not exceed 30 cm in length and weigh about 1.5 kg. Newborn rabbits have erect ears, but they begin to change shape only after a couple of weeks. Among the colors of the dwarf rabbit: chinchilla, white with blue or red eyes, blue, spotted.

Meat breeds of rabbits - video

This section describes the most popular meat rabbit breeds, you can go to a specific article by clicking on the name of the breed or photo. In the texts, we tried to outline all the features of meat breeds and the requirements for their breeding and keeping rabbits. In each article you will find photographs of rabbits.

The most profitable breeds for meat production

If you decide to start breeding rabbits, then first of all you need to decide which breeds are suitable for you. Please pay attention to the possibility of being kept in cages with mesh floors; not all rabbits can be comfortably kept in such cages. Also important is the fertility of the breed and the number of rabbits in the litter. You should know that some meat breeds of rabbits are valued not only for their good meat yield and early maturity, but also for their excellent fur, which can also make up part of the profit. Such breeds include, for example, the New Zealand red rabbit, the New Zealand white rabbit, the Viennese blue and the Soviet silver. But Californian rabbits are broilers in rabbit farming; they are considered the most suitable if the farm is aimed at making a profit only from meat.

Where to buy meat rabbits?

If you are in one of the following areas:

• Tula region;
• Moscow region;
• Ryazan Oblast;
• Oryol Region;
• Lipetsk region;
• Kaluga region.

If our offer does not suit you, you can look for meat rabbits on the Internet or visit rural markets and fairs, where such goods are found quite often. However, be careful, often unverified sellers abuse trust and pass off weak, non-compliant rabbits as pedigree, thoroughbred ones.

We wish you good luck in this wonderful business - rabbit breeding!