Hikol rabbit breed: description and characteristics, content rules

A few amateur rabbit breeders know about the Hikol rabbit breed, because it was created a quarter of a century ago. But during this time, the animals managed to become popular in Europe and other countries as suitable for professional industrial breeding. Their characteristics are suitable for this production method. They belong to the meat early maturing breeds with low-fat dietary meat suitable for baby food.

Origin

These rabbits were bred in France, California and New Zealand white breeds were used as the basis.For this, genetic work was carried out, that is, the ancestors of the line received artificially introduced genes taken from other manufacturers to improve their characteristics.

Description and characteristics

There is no skin color standard. It can be white, greyish, cream or colorpointed, that is, with a darker shade of ears and nose.

These are large animals with a powerful physique, a wide solid backside, strong paws, a pendulous belly and a light head.

The ears are short, wide, spoon-shaped, the nose is long, the eyes are red with a light edging, widely spaced. Raised for meat by large agricultural producers.

Breed virtues

Hikol rabbits are record holders for the speed of weight gain. At 3-4 months, the weight of the animal reaches 3.5-4.5 kilograms, which refers the breed to the broiler direction. Another significant plus is that hickol meat contains less fat than other breeds.This makes rabbits particularly advantageous for obtaining dietary meat to feed children, patients with digestive problems and suffering from metabolic disorders.

Rabbit meat has high palatability, does not overload the stomach, is easily digested and quickly absorbed. The bones of the animal weigh less than other breeds, so the net yield of meat is higher.

Contents

Contain rabbits in cages that need to be cleaned and disinfected regularly. Animals do not tolerate dampness and drafts, so they need to provide the following conditions:

1. Providing ventilation.
2. Automatic climate control system (humidity and temperature).
3. Daylight regime.
4. Distribution of feed strictly according to the feeding schedule.
5. Use of purified drinking water.
6. Having a timely veterinary examination and carrying out the necessary procedures.
7. Regular disinfection, disinsection and deratization.

Providing good living conditions for rabbits will bring high returns through excellent meat yield. For large breeding farms and industrial rearing enterprises, keeping hickol rabbits brings significant returns and stable profits.

Diet

It is unprofitable to breed hickol rabbits in small farms or household plots, because for intensive weight gain they must eat special granulated feed. These products have a balanced formula that allows you to gain weight in a few months.

When using traditional feeding, the main qualities of the breed are lost - precocity and the speed of reaching slaughter weight.

However, the rabbits of this breed have a strong alimentary tract, capable of digesting standard food for these animals. Their meals include the following foods:

1. Grass.
2. Hay.
3. Wheat.
4. Barley.
5. Corn.
6. Sunflower.
7. Boiled and fresh vegetables.

As with other rabbits, it is important for the Hikol breed to ensure an uninterrupted supply of clean drinking water. This provides he alth and appetite, stable weight gain. A he althy animal is able to gain 45-50 grams of weight per day. Nipple drinking systems are suitable for water supply.

Features of reproduction

These rabbits are suitable for breeding only in large farms, because, due to the origin of the breed, natural reproduction leads to a distortion of the characters.These are hybrids, so artificial insemination will have to be used for brood. This is the only way to preserve the characteristics of the breed and the purity of the blood.

And this is an expensive process that is beyond the reach of most farmers or amateur rabbit breeders.

Diseases and vaccinations

Hikol rabbits have he althy digestion and stamina. But rabbits, without exception, are susceptible to infectious diseases, which can “mow down” a significant livestock in a matter of days and even hours. Therefore, these animals are given prophylactic and routine vaccinations against myxomatosis and hemorrhagic viral disease. Vaccinations can be combined or given separately.

Purchased rabbits are also vaccinated against salmonellosis, listeriosis, rabies and pasteurellosis. If a single-component vaccine is used, the interval between injections should be two weeks.

Choosing and buying Hikol rabbits

Since the breed has a number of specific features, in particular, in terms of reproduction, rabbits can be bought only in specialized farms and only if the buyer is aware of the difficulties of the upcoming breeding. Hikol rabbits are bought by specialized farms with industrial production volumes. They buy young animals from companies that are engaged in such complex breeding.

Rabbits must have the appropriate passports, confirming the origin and he alth. Externally, the inspection is the same as when buying other rabbits:

1. Clean, tangle-free wool.
2. Clear eyes.
3. No discharge.
4. Cheerful behavior.
5. Stable appetite.

In the Russian Federation, purebred rabbits are bred by the specialized center "HYCOLE".Here you can buy breeding animals with a tattoo on the ear, which guarantees the purity of the breed and belonging to different breeding lines for the absence of closely related origin. This breed of broiler type gives a rapid increase in dietary meat, but is not suitable for the household, suitable for mass, industrial breeding.

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