Burgundy rabbit: description of the breed and characteristics, rules of keeping

The fiery red color of the Burgundy rabbit immediately attracts attention. This distinguishes representatives of this breed from other rabbits, since they do not have specific features in terms of constitution and body weight. Burgundy rabbits are promising for breeding, as they are distinguished by their fertility and unpretentiousness to the conditions of detention. The only thing that owners will need to learn by experience is the wishes of pets in the choice of feed.

History of the breed

These beautiful rabbits are bred in France, in the province of Burgundy, from whose name they got their name. The breed is young, up to a hundred years old. Compared to others, this is a "childish" age. Obtained by crossing two other breeds - Californian and New Zealand red rabbits.

Both maternal sources of material for hybridization belong to the meat direction, therefore Burgundy rabbits are also bred to obtain dietary tender meat without coarse fibers. But their rich red pelts don't go to waste either, even though animals aren't bred for them.

These rabbits came to the countries of the former Soviet Union and the Russian Federation in particular relatively recently, in the 80s-90s of the last century, therefore they are rare. Animals are bred on a sufficient scale in a dozen farms around the country.

Description of the Burgundy rabbit

The only expressive feature that distinguishes Burgundians from representatives of other breeds is the extremely rich, intense color of the coat. At the same time, the coat is of a warm red tone, evenly colored, without spots and tan marks, rich, expressive color. According to this principle, the Burgundy rabbit can be easily distinguished from any other red brother.

The following features are included in the detailed description:

1. Elongated body proportions.
2. "Athletic", downed physique.
3. Big ass.
4. Ears of medium length.
5. Brown eyes.
6. Average body weight - from 3.5 to 5 kilograms (males weigh more, females less).
7. High fertility. There can be up to 12 rabbits in a round. For a meat breed, this is an important indicator of productivity.
8. Unpretentiousness to living conditions.
9. Food picky, to which an attentive owner quickly adapts.

These beautiful rabbits are beneficial for home and industrial breeding.

Advantages and disadvantages

The following qualities are among the undoubted advantages of this breed:

1. Unpretentiousness. Burgundy rabbits do not cause any particular problems, they can live indoors and outdoors, in cages.
2. Prolific for high meat yields.
3. Precocity. Animals quickly enter puberty.
4. Resistance of young animals to intestinal diseases.
5. Quick weight gain. Rabbits at 7-8 months reach their maximum weight and are ready for slaughter.
6. Excellent taste characteristics of meat, making this breed the most sought after among all meat rabbits.
7. Despite the fact that Burgundy rabbits are not used for breeding for fur, their skin is valued because of its extraordinary color. Their fur is not the thickest and most dense, so expensive products cannot be sewn from it, but because of the color it is used with pleasure to create designer models.

The disadvantages include pickiness in food, but this can be overcome if the owner takes care to offer animals different types of food. This way he will know what is best for Burgundy rabbits.

Care and maintenance of the animal

The optimal content for rabbits of the Burgundy breed is cages with a mesh bottom and bedding made of straw and / or hay. In the warm season, animals can be released into enclosures, but always with a canopy from the strong sun. Eating wet grass should not be allowed, as this will lead to swelling and can kill animals

Rabbits should be protected from drafts, dampness, hypothermia and stale air. Because of this, they can get sick and die, although they tolerate a short-term drop in temperature without problems. Cleanliness is also important. All food residues and waste products must be carefully removed regularly, the old litter is changed to fresh and clean straw or hay.

1-2 times a week, the cells are disinfected, and the rabbits themselves are given a pale pink solution of potassium permanganate for preventive purposes.

A male and two or three females are kept in one cage. In this case, you need to monitor the level of aggression. If the animals fight, it means that the cage is overcrowded, and at least one, the most aggressive female, needs to be resettled in another cage.

What to feed a rabbit?

Burgundy rabbits are meat breeds, so they need to be fed plentifully and balanced. Overfeeding grains is not recommended, as this will coarsen the meat, but adding grains and especially legumes is necessary for successful weight gain.

Animals are fed juicy food: raw or boiled root crops, dried grass, in winter - hay, cereals (wheat, barley, oats), necessarily alfalfa, peas, soybeans and other legumes.Burgundy rabbits should have clean drinking water available at all times.

How to breed?

Burgundy rabbits quickly gain weight with proper and fairly plentiful feeding. At the same time, they reach their maximum weight by the age of 7 or 8 months. After that, they no longer grow, so further maintenance becomes unprofitable. From the grown rabbits, future producers are chosen, the rest are sold or slaughtered. If, in addition to meat, there is a desire to get skins, it is better to score in winter - then the fur is the most dense, strong and shiny.

Features of breeding

Like California rabbits, Burgundians enter puberty at five months of age for females and six months for males. Pregnancy lasts up to a month, the offspring is large - 9-12 rabbits, depending on the age of the female. Within one or two weeks after birth, the female is ready for a new mating.In this case, the rabbits are separated from her a week before the next birth.

Burgundy rabbits are good mothers. They are dairy and can even accept rabbits of other breeds left without a nurse.

As with rabbits of other breeds, pregnant Burgundian females are moved to a cage with a queen cell, the male is also removed, as he will unnerve the female and can kill offspring. A rabbit, in a nervous environment, especially a primipara, can bite her rabbits, so she needs to provide peace, comfort, warmth and a balanced diet.

How to choose a rabbit and how much does it cost?

Burgundy rabbits are rare in Russia, they are often given as Californians, so you need to buy only branded animals with a pedigree, from trusted and responsible producers.

Rabbits and juveniles should be strong, he althy and vigorous.They have clean eyes and ears, no discharge, strong and smooth skin without bald spots and damage, strong bones and excellent appetite. Beginning rabbit breeders will definitely need to consult a veterinarian.

When the rules of breeding, care and feeding are followed, Burgundy rabbits multiply rapidly and actively gain weight, bringing a substantial profit to the owner.

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