Rabbit Butterfly: breed description and characteristics, content rules

It's hard to find a cuter and more charming animal than a butterfly rabbit. Intricate coloration, good temper and funny, long ears will not leave anyone indifferent. Unusual animals are equally sympathetic to both adults and children. Eared beauties can become a source of meat and beautiful fur, as well as wonderful companions in a city apartment.

History of Appearance

England is the birthplace of big-eared dandies. Back in the 19th century, local breeders created a breed of miniature rabbits. The weight of each of them rarely exceeded 2 kg. Each dwarf animal could boast of the original color of the skin.The arrangement of the spots miraculously resembled the contours of a butterfly. The animal fell in love with people as a funny curiosity.

Years later, the fashion for tiny pets has passed. Rational experts have thought about breeding a new variety of the Butterfly breed suitable for use as a source of fur and meat.

By crossing miniature rabbits with representatives of large breeds (white giant, Flanders, Viennese blue), breeders managed to achieve impressive results. The updated breed of rabbits is famous for the beauty of the fur and the ability to quickly gain weight.

Description and characteristics of the rabbit

Despite some differences between individuals, the main features of the breed remain.

Appearance

Belonging to the butterfly family they say:

1. Symmetrical spots decorating the muzzle and sides of the animal's body.
2. A jagged, wide band that runs along a rabbit's spine.
3. Straight, massive paws and a strong torso.
4. The lower part of the tail is lighter than the main suit.
5. The males have a medium-sized, rounded head. Females have an oblong skull shape.
6. The body of the animal is folded harmoniously, its length reaches 45-50 cm.
7. Chest is wide.
8. On average, the weight of a rabbit ranges from 4 to 5 kg.

The soft, silky structure of the fur and the rare unpretentiousness complete the list of the animal's virtues.

Color

Inexperienced owners mistakenly believe that the spots decorating a pet's coat are only black. This is not true. Purebred individuals can boast of brown and even blue coloration. Moreover, the brightness of the marks depends on the size of the animal. The modest dimensions of the pets are offset by a catchy, bright color.

The strip running along the spine and symmetrical side spots located on the body of the animal form the silhouette of a fluttering butterfly.

Productivity

Butterfly rabbits are famous for the quality of their meat. From one individual, 4-5 kg of a delicate and dietary product are easily obtained. Given the fertility of females (with each offspring, the owners receive 7-8 rabbits), the benefits of raising animals are undeniable.

Butterflies are traditionally considered the best suppliers of quality fur. Due to the unusual coloring and even, silky structure of the pile, rabbit fur products are in high demand.

Use

Animals are used as a source of meat and valuable fur. Due to their charming appearance and meek disposition, rabbits are often started as a pet. Butterfly enjoys the sympathy of adults and children.

Signs of a purebred breed

Over the years, rabbits have been so often crossed uncontrollably with representatives of different breeds that the original appearance has undergone significant changes. Fortunately, responsible breeders are vigilant in maintaining the purity of the breed. Several signs serve as proof of belonging to the butterfly family:

1. The nose of the animal is decorated with a spot that has distinct contours of a butterfly.
2. Dark colored ears.
3. The eye area is much darker than the main color of the animal. However, the borders of the pattern should not merge with the spots located on the cheeks and nose of the pet.
4. Female nipples are surrounded by a dark halo.

Pros and cons

Representatives of the butterfly breed are sympathetic and popular with livestock breeders.This is not surprising, because breeding unusual rabbits is low-cost and profitable. However, before you plunge into the pool of entrepreneurship, you need to consider all the positive and negative qualities of the breed.

Butterflies are extremely unpretentious animals. They do not require a large amount of food and easily adapt to any living conditions. Pets calmly endure moving to a new place, they are transported without problems even over long distances. Due to the small size of the eared handsome man, they are often kept in a city apartment. The butterfly easily gets along with people as a family pet. The decorative color and unusual structure of the fur turn the rabbit into an expensive commodity, and if the rules for keeping the butterflies are observed, they can uninterruptedly provide the owners with dietary meat.

The disadvantages of the breed include excessive compactness of individual individuals.

Rabbit varieties

Under the common name, there are several varieties of the breed.

1. Dwarf butterfly. These babies are meant to be kept at home. Charming appearance, coupled with a complaisant, kind character allows the pet to become a full member of the family. The weight of the crumbs rarely reaches 2.5 kg. The well-fed body of an animal looks like a neat cylinder. The effect is achieved due to the same volume of the shoulders and hips of the animal. Well-fed hind legs and a round head give the rabbit a funny look. In good conditions, pets live from 5 to 7 years.
2. Rhine rabbit. A popular variety of butterflies has long won the sympathy of farmers. The shades of the animal's coat range from white to golden and black. The imperturbable, complaisant disposition of the pet came to the heart of many specialists. During the period of maturity, the Rhine handsome reaches a mass of at least 3 kg. Females grow much larger than males.Rounded, strong paws and silky, delicate fur do not leave anyone indifferent, and the gentle look of brown eyes completes the portrait of an eared pet.
3. Motley giant. A giant among representatives of a spectacular breed. Due to its large size, it can hardly be imagined as a pet. The animal feels good in a large farm. The giant is a natural source of meat and magnificent fur. The weight of a rabbit reaches 7-9 kg, and its body grows up to 60 cm. A wide chest, an elongated back give the animal an impressive appearance. Rabbits can boast of elegant coloring. The giant's white coat is decorated with black and blue patterns.
4. Czech butterfly. An amazingly spectacular animal. The animal is not gigantic. Its weight rarely exceeds 4 kg. The main advantage of a rabbit is its golden, shiny coat. The area of the chest and abdomen has no markings, but the lower part of the small tail is painted in elegant white. Small ears, an elongated head shape and strong paws give the pet a neat appearance.
5. English butterfly. A graceful creature with a fighting character. A cheerful, assertive disposition makes the rabbit an indispensable participant in numerous children's games. The pet needs space for physical activity. The weight of an individual can vary from 2 to 4.5 kg. Thick fur, straight ears and an oblong head shape distinguish the English rabbit from representatives of other varieties. Among the exquisite animals, you can find individuals with lilac, tortoiseshell, blue or chocolate coloring. In good conditions, rabbits live from 9 to 13 years.

Subtleties of maintenance and care

Due to their rare simplicity, butterflies can be kept in the garage, on the balcony or in any barn. But still, the best results are achieved by observing the rules for caring for animals. Farmers keep pets in paddocks and spacious cages. The size of the apartments for an adult animal is 1 m by 50 cm.Cells are cleaned regularly. Otherwise, the animal risks getting poisoned by ammonia fumes. From time to time, pets are let out for a walk in a special paddock.

In winter, rabbits are moved indoors. At this time, the animal is provided with additional vitamin and mineral supplements. In order for the rabbit to grind down its teeth, solid particles of food are placed in the cage. Butterflies quickly build up mass. After 5 months, the weight of the animal reaches 4 kg.

What to feed a rabbit

Feed the animals in the morning and evening. A drinking bowl with clean water is placed in the cage. The pet's daily diet consists of 20% corn kernels, 10% sunflower seeds, 10% millet, 15% whole wheat and 40% barley. Fresh grass and vegetables are added to the grain feed. In winter, pets are pampered with hay, at the rate of 2 kg of dry grass per animal.

As a treat, rabbits are given shoots of fruit trees. Sprigs of apple, pear or cherry will benefit. To avoid upsetting the digestive tract, it is forbidden to give animals quinoa or celandine.

Nuances of reproduction

For reproduction, it is better to cross representatives of the same breed. After reaching 6-7 months, the female is ready for procreation. During this period, the rabbit fussily prepares the bedding and lays out her own fluff in the corners of the cage. For mating, the female is placed in a cage with the male. After the procedure is completed, the rabbit is immediately transplanted into her own cage. Pregnancy in long-eared animals lasts about a month. During childbirth, the female rabbit is provided with plenty of drinking water, otherwise the female will eat the cubs.

At the age of 20 days, the rabbits begin to give small portions of food. After 45 days, small pets are transferred to the food of adult animals.

Frequent diseases

Scourge of butterfly rabbits - necrotic hepatitis and myxomatosis. The virus can cause serious damage to livestock. Timely vaccination helps to avoid serious troubles. Rabbits are vaccinated 6 weeks after birth.At the age of 1 year, animals are given a comprehensive vaccination.

How much is a butterfly rabbit

An animal without a pedigree and accompanying documents can be purchased for a symbolic amount of 500 to 1000 rubles. When it comes to buying rabbits for breeding, the cost of a pet increases to 4,000 rubles.

Recommended