What breed of rabbits is better to breed in the country, diseases and diet of animals
In suburban areas, residents of megacities are increasingly growing vegetables and fruits, and then harvesting organic products. But few people know that breeding rabbits in the country can become an additional source of income or provide a family with tasty, dietary meat. Even older people can take care of fluffy animals. And you can keep animals both all year round and only one season.
Conditions of detention
Experienced farmers recommend using cage batteries in several tiers to keep rabbits in the country. This design takes up little space, and the plots do not always have a large area. The open area of the rabbit house should face east. The southern direction is not suitable due to the intense sun, which is harmful to animals.
The basic principles of a farm for eared:
- The cage usually contains a blank part and a walking area that ends with a mesh door.
- The first tier is not located on the ground, but 30 centimeters higher.
- The distance between floors is half a meter.
- The length of the pen for rabbits is made 70-centimeter, adult females are given a meter.
Each animal is allocated a separate section with a feeder and drinker. Keeping rabbits in a common herd leads to uncontrolled mating, including closely related relationships. This method negatively affects the productivity of the offspring.
Which breed to choose
Depending on the purpose of breeding, rabbit breeds are divided into 3 main groups:
- Raising animals for fluff and skins.
- Meat direction.
- Universal look.
Brief description of popular breeds:
| Breed name | Average weight, kg | Number of rabbits in one litter |
| Meat species | ||
| White New Zealand | 4,5 | 12 |
| French rams | 12 | 9 |
| Flanders | 10-11 | 10 |
| Universal | ||
| Soviet chinchillas | 6 | 8-9 |
| Butterflies | 5 | 8 |
| Downy | ||
| White downy | 4 | 7 |
| Angora | 3 | 5-7 |
Rabbits with valuable fur require a lot of attention. The wool is combed out every day and clipped after a few months. Such animals are thermophilic and do not tolerate wet weather. Large eared animals gain up to 10 kilograms of weight, and sometimes more. But the mass gain is slow. Rabbits are not suitable for seasonal breeding.
The most convenient breed for breeding rabbits in the country is considered a universal breed. At 3 months of age, the body weight of animals reaches 4 kilograms. Fur is also in demand.
What and how to feed?
It is widely believed among novice rabbit breeders that the animals feed exclusively on pasture. But succulent grass and vegetables make up only a fifth of an animal's diet. Universal ratio of products:
- Oats and wheat make up a third of the daily requirement.
- Another 30% is devoted to barley and corn.
- Up to 15% is occupied by meal and cake and the same amount - by bran.
- Bone or fish meal is added in an amount of 3%.
- Salt is enough 1% of the daily limit.
- Premixes are calculated based on the standards.
Rabbits don't like some of the ingredients on the list. Therefore, the components are ground and mixed thoroughly. To prevent dry dust from clogging the airways, the feed is moistened and given to the animals in the form of small balls. In winter, pumpkin or boiled potatoes are added to food.
If the rabbits have not eaten a portion of the feed within an hour, the leftovers are removed. Sour foods lead to digestive upset in animals. They feed the animals at the beginning and end of the day. The rest of the time they give juicy grass.
Seasonality
For the summer, rabbits are caged in a quiet place so that the animals do not experience discomfort. It is best to place a mini-farm near a barn or other outbuildings. The wall will protect pets from drafts. If the wind blows through the cages, rabbits can get sick.
In winter, animals are left in the country if the owners permanently live outside the city. It is necessary to feed the pets 2 times a day and regularly clean the pens. In frosts, the animals are kept in a heated room with good ventilation. They also take care of the lighting. Rabbits, accustomed to semi-darkness, can go blind from the bright sun in spring.
How to breed rabbits in the country
At 5 months of age, the animals are ready to reproduce the genus. Pregnancy in females lasts 1 month. Fertility depends on the breed. When breeding rabbits in the country, the end of winter is considered the best time to start. In this case, it will be possible to raise pets over the summer. From one litter, animals are purchased for fattening during 1 season.
In this case, the rabbits are housed in individual cages and are not allowed to mate.
With year-round breeding, animals are bought in different places in order to avoid closely related relationships and prevent the degeneration of offspring. It is recommended to choose males of the meat direction in order to get hardy and large rabbits. Each time they acquire a new producer, they turn to a different farmer.
Prevention and treatment of diseases
Rabbits are unpretentious animals, but to keep the livestock healthy, the cages are regularly cleaned and food debris is removed. Stale food or water will cause food poisoning. Poorly peeled vegetables or frozen grass will cause bloating. Drafts and dampness will lead to pneumonia. Regardless of the cause of the disease, sick rabbits are isolated from the rest of the livestock.
Special collars will help to protect pets from fleas, from ticks and other bloodsucking - regular disinfection of premises. Rabbits are also susceptible to various infections. Some diseases lead to the death of animals and are dangerous to humans. Only timely vaccination will save you from myxomatosis or pasteurellosis of eared pets.
Veterinary examinations are helpful. After the acquisition, new animals are advised to be kept in quarantine for a month, separately from the general herd. An unprepared person who does not have special skills can also cope with breeding rabbits in the country. It is important to follow feeding guidelines, keep it clean and provide pets with a comfortable environment.
