Description and characteristics of rabbits of the Poltava silver breed, care for them

Rabbit breeders appreciate the breed called Poltava Silver for the density of its fur and the taste of meat. The breed shows high indicators of frost resistance, tolerates subzero temperatures without losses. The peculiarity of this species is the presence of a silvery fur. Rabbits Poltava Silver were the result of selection and took a leading position among other breeds.

The origin of the breed

Poltava Silver is a breed that appeared in the second half of the 20th century after the work of Soviet breeders. The ancestors of the breed were 2 types of animals:

1. Champagne Silver is a breed developed in France. The breed got its name from the province where individuals with silver fur were bred, Champagne. The disadvantage of this breed was the small size of males and females, as well as its inability to frost.
2. The Poltava rabbits from Ukraine did not have a beautiful silvery color, but showed frost resistance.

Since 1952 the breed has been officially registered in the Register. Until now, it is in demand from private breeders or small farms.

Description and characteristics of rabbits silver

A feature of the breed is the color of the fur. It has a silvery hue. Fur belongs to the rollback category. This is a type of fur that has quality characteristics. The fur is thick and elastic, so the rabbit fur coat always looks neat.

Breed characteristics:

• the weight of one rabbit reaches 7 kilograms, but usually it is 5-6 kilograms;
• proportionate build, strong bones;
• body length is 55 centimeters;
• one litter brings up to 9 individuals;
• the color of the claws is brown;
• ears are erect, in proportion to the body, not too long;
• the meat yield is about 60%.

Interesting! Rabbits are born with black fur. It turns silvery after 4 months of life.

Main pros and cons

The breed is in demand. The main advantage of Poltava silver rabbits is the quality of skins. On the market, silver skins are much more expensive than skins of other breeds.

Reference! Poltava silver rabbits are very balanced, do not show aggression towards each other.

Breed varieties

There are variations of silverware.Poltava silver is called Soviet silver. The rest of the varieties differ in the type of fur and some physical characteristics:

1. European silver or large light silver. A breed created on the basis of a breed from the Champagne province. The tone of the fur in individuals is light, liquidish, inelastic.
2. Hungarian blue. Unlike bss, Hungarian rabbits bred in Austria are dark. The silvery fur is visible on the back.

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Reference! The BSS breed is very popular in Europe.

How to properly maintain and care for animals

After purchasing young animals, it should be borne in mind that rabbits are characterized by a rapid onset of puberty. This means that after the acquisition of animals, it is necessary to keep in different cages and control the behavior of females.

To raise healthy animals, you must comply with the basic requirements for keeping. Animal cages should be high, that is, rise above ground level at a height of 80 centimeters to 1 meter. The cages are made of wood or plywood and equipped with gratings.

Content requirements:

1. Due to the structural features of the respiratory system, rabbits need constant ventilation.
2. Rabbits need natural sunlight.
3. At the bottom of the cage, a layer of straw is laid with a thickness of 7 to 10 centimeters.
4. The feeder and sippy cup is placed inside the cage so that the animal has free access to food and drink.

Rabbit diet

Special attention is paid to the nutrition of rabbits. Despite the fact that the Poltava Silver breed is unpretentious in food, individuals need to receive a varied food rich in vitamins. Hay makes 75% of the ration. Rabbits eat burdock, nettle, clover, thistle. Young branches of fruit and berry trees are suitable for eating. The branches are necessary for rabbits to sharpen their teeth.

Leafy green vegetables are added to the diet seasonally. The daily rate of leafy greens is 200 grams. Rabbits digest cabbage leaves, beet tops, carrots and salad mix well.

Summer menu:

• hay - 200 grams;
• meadow grass - up to 700 grams;
• vegetables - 150 grams;
• solid feed - 200 grams;
• concentrates - up to 200 grams.

Vitamin complexes are prescribed to rabbits as needed, when they are diagnosed with diseases.

Attention! Do not give rabbits potatoes, parsley, or mustard.

Breeding rules

Poltava Silver is a breed that reaches sexual maturity by 4-4.5 months. Features of the breeding process:

1. The male must be older than the females. Breeders recommend choosing a male over 6 months old.
2. For 10 females, one male is selected.
3. The male is not carried to the female.

Rules that allow you to get healthy offspring:

1. Individuals of the same breed are mated. Breeding offspring are considered when the blood of one breed does not mix with the blood of other breeds for 4 generations.
2. Do not mate animals if there are signs of diarrhea or other illnesses.
3. Mating is excluded at air temperatures above +22 degrees. During this period, males become sterile.

When selecting males and females for mating, they are guided by different characteristics. Plump individuals are selected from two okrols. Mating of one female with a male is usually repeated 2 times: first, the female is placed with the male for the first mating, then after 5 days, brought for the second mating. If the female is already pregnant by this time, then she will refuse to mate.

The rabbit's pregnancy lasts from 28 to 32 days. During this period, she needs additional nutrition, adding vitamins to the diet. 3 or 5 days before birth, the female begins to arrange a nest for the offspring. She makes a rookery from straw up to 6 centimeters high.

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Diseases and prevention from them

The most common diseases of the species are infectious diseases. In second place, according to statistics, are invasive diseases.

1. Coccidiosis. This is a disease that is provoked by the coccidia parasite. Up to 70% of animals die from this disease. Coccidiosis has 2 forms: hepatic and intestinal. The hepatic form lasts up to 50 days, with the intestinal form, the rabbit dies in 10 days.
2. Cysticercosis. The cestode larva attacks the liver. If no treatment measures are taken, then peritonitis begins. There is no cure for this disease.
3. Pasteurellosis. It affects livestock, birds or rodents can be carriers of the disease.
4. Myxomatosis. A dangerous disease characterized by the formation of neoplasms on the body of an animal. There is no cure, the sick rabbit is eliminated, and the livestock is quarantined.
5. Tularemia. The disease is carried by small rodents. Rabbits get sick with tularemia if the basic sanitary standards are not followed.
6. Listeriosis. Pregnant rabbits are susceptible to diseases. Listeriosis is acute, affecting livestock in a chain. There is no cure for listeriosis.
7. Pododermatitis. It is a disease characterized by the formation of wounds on the pads of the paws. Infection gets into open wounds. Pododermatitis is caused by keeping in unsanitary conditions.
8. Gastrointestinal disorders. Domestic rabbits are susceptible to disorders of the digestive tract. Animals react to dietary errors with constipation or diarrhea. The violation can be caused by the separation of young animals from the mother, the transition to solid feed.

Disease prevention is regular vaccination. Vaccinations begin at 1.5 months of age. After 6 months revaccination is done.

In addition to vaccinations, breeders recommend special events and adherence to the rules.

Information! It is necessary to observe the terms of vaccination, monitor the quality of the vaccine.

How to choose the right silver

Poltava Silver is a breed that is widespread in Russia. Breeders are advised to purchase animals from proven farms that specialize in breeding this breed. The fur of a young rabbit is thick and dense. If there are scratches or bald patches on the skin, it is true that the animal is unhealthy.

When examining silverware, it is recommended to pay attention to the color of the eyes. The eyes of animals of a breeding breed of brown shade. If the animal's eyes have a different shade, then this is a mixture of rocks. Silver women are happy to make contact with people, they are calm and balanced. Young animals do not bite and do not show aggression. Breeders recommend choosing individuals at the age of 3 or 4 months.