Chinchilla rabbit: breed description and characteristics, content rules

Chinchilla rabbits have silver-gray fur with iridescence, which makes them look like another rodent - the chinchilla, from which they get their name. Under this collective name, there are several varieties that have a number of differences in the constitution and adaptability to the conditions of detention. This is due to the origin of chinchilla rabbits and distribution in different countries - in Europe, the USA and the countries of the former USSR.

Origin and official registration

The base breed was bred in France in the first decade of the twentieth century. For breeding selected producers of blue, wild rabbit and Russian ermine.Rabbits got their name for a specific chinchilla color - such fur was then in vogue. Rabbits quickly became popular and spread to European countries, got across the ocean. They had a drawback - capriciousness in growing and low body weight, compact size.

To make improvements, breeders from the UK crossed chinchillas with a giant rabbit. This led to an increase in body weight from 2.5 to 4 kilograms. Now in breeding there are both types of chinchillas - large and small. In the USSR, breeding of such rabbits began with the purchase of small representatives of chinchillas in America. But they were not adapted to the conditions of existence in the country, so they underwent selection.

There are many different breeds in the blood of the modern Russian chinchilla, but the most significant "infusion" was received from white giants.

Officially, the Soviet Chinchilla breed was registered in 1963 and has since been actively bred in the countries of the former Soviet Union. Small rabbits of the French Chinchilla breed are rare, used more as pets than for industrial breeding.

Description and characteristics of the chinchilla breed

Soviet chinchilla rabbits have the following characteristics:

1. Large long body with a wide chest.
2. Medium head.
3. Straight medium length ears.
4. Silver gray fur color with lighter tone on belly, lower tail and paws.
5. The edge of the tail and the edge of the ears are painted black.
6. Dense, thick fur.
7. Strong bones.
8. Brown eyes.

Animals are perfectly adapted to the conditions of existence, they are unpretentious, suitable for breeding for skin and meat.

Advantages and disadvantages

Chinchilla rabbits have first-class characteristics for mass breeding.They are suitable not only for obtaining a strong fluffy skin, but also give up to 5, and the largest representatives up to 7 kilograms, of tender dietary meat (net yield - 56-63%). At the same time, the skin has excellent technical characteristics and does not need to be dyed, as it has an original and sought-after shade.

The advantages include undemanding living conditions and food choices. However, chinchilla rabbits grow rapidly only in the first two months, then weight gain is reduced. They also have low fertility. In okrol, on average, up to 7 rabbits are brought.

The subtleties of keeping and caring for a rabbit

Thanks to the breeding approach, Soviet chinchilla rabbits are distinguished by unpretentiousness and ease of maintenance. They can be kept outside even in winter, as rabbits have warm, thick fur. But the calorie content of food needs to be increased by a third.

Requirements for conditions and care for representatives of the breed are standard:

1. Constant cleanliness in the premises where rabbits are kept.
2. Frequent replacement of hay or straw.
3. Clean water in drinkers.
4. Protection from wind and excessive moisture.
5. Protection from strong solar radiation, especially during the hot season.
6. Balanced nutrition.
7. Regular feeding.
8. No stress and irritants, especially during pregnancy, birth and rearing.

Compliance with the rules will help you get a strong and he althy livestock, stable profits.

Breed diet

Chinchilla rabbits treat food without any special claims. The food contains the following ingredients:

1. Grass (fresh or hay).
2. Grain.
3. Combined feeds.
4. Root vegetables and fresh and boiled vegetables. Rabbits are given exclusively boiled potatoes.
5. Dairy waste.
6. Vitamins and minerals.

The teeth of these animals grow constantly, so they need roughage for grinding. You can give not only root crops, but also branches with leaves.

Home breeding

Chinchilla rabbits after a month of pregnancy bring 7-8 rabbits, which are provided with milk in large quantities. In the first 60 days, the rabbits grow rapidly, gaining weight up to 1.8-2 kilograms. Then the weight gain slows down, so the animals are sent for slaughter at the age of 4-5 months. Since cultivation is carried out on the skin, it is better to do this before winter, when the fur is especially thick and dense.

If winter birthing is expected, the pregnant female should be placed in a barn, ensuring that she is draft-free and warm. Adult animals are resistant to cold, but the young are born naked, and the female is not always in the nest, so you need to create the appropriate conditions to preserve the offspring.

A pregnant and lactating rabbit should not be disturbed, because of stress, she can gnaw offspring, especially during the first birth. Okrol passes independently, the help of a person is not required. It is only necessary to check the nest for dead rabbits. A pregnant and lactating female is fed more than other rabbits, increasing not only the volume of food, but also its calorie content. The rabbits quickly become independent, switching to standard food.

Vaccination and disease

Despite the fact that the chinchilla is considered a stable and undemanding breed, all rabbits need to be vaccinated against two main diseases:

1. Myxomatosis.
2. Viral hemorrhagic disease.

Vaccinate animals from the age of one and a half months according to the following scheme:

1. First vaccination at 1.5 months when the rabbit weighs 500 grams.
2. Re-vaccination at 4.5 months.
3. Revaccination every 9 months.

Such actions can protect livestock from mass extinction.

Myxomatosis is an acute viral disease. With it, there is a lesion of the conjunctiva with abundant purulent discharge, the formation of tumors on the head and genitals. Fleas and mosquitoes carry the disease, that is, it spreads through the blood. The outbreak of the disease occurs in the warm season. The incubation period lasts 14 days, after which the disease becomes acute, and the infected animal dies.

VGBK (viral hemorrhagic disease of rabbits) affects the internal organs and is manifested by petechial hemorrhages. It develops rapidly, in a couple of days the sick rabbit dies. The incubation period is hidden, lasts 5-6 days.

Vaccinate rabbits is a must, it saves their lives and prevents the development of an epidemic that can destroy the entire livestock on the farm. Pets should also be vaccinated.

How to choose the right rabbit?

When choosing a rabbit, you need to pay attention not only to the conformity of the breed, but also to the state of he alth. The animal must have clean, clear eyes, no discharge from the ears, genitals. The skin should be smooth, shiny, the coat should not be disheveled, not getting out in shreds.

A he althy animal is cheerful and cheerful, does not get scared of a person and does not hide in a corner, regularly eats and drinks water. You need to choose chinchillas for brood from a trusted seller, preferably branded and with passports.In this case, you can count on getting he althy offspring and successful reproduction, prosperity of the economy.

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