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

Decorative rabbits have long been popular pets. A special advantage of Rex rabbits is fur. The cover is so dense and elastic that it feels like velvet to the touch. In appearance, rabbits resemble plush toys, since the fur cover in animals is the same on the entire surface of the body. To keep your pet from causing trouble, you need to provide him with the right conditions.

History of the origin of the breed

France is considered the birthplace of the dwarf rabbit breed. In 1924, the Rex breed was officially recognized. Its appearance is not the result of complex or lengthy selection.Short-haired individuals arose due to an accidental internal mutation of the Belgian giant breed. Through the efforts of the breeder in the next generations of animals, a feature was fixed - short fur.

Description and characteristics of the Rex breed

Rex rabbits are most often kept as pets. However, due to the exceptional fur, the breed is also bred on farms.

Appearance and standard

Several main external features can be distinguished: the elongated body looks rounded, has a length of 40-55 cm, the ears are medium in size, located vertically, the circumference of the deep chest is 31-35 cm. Standard weight of individuals, according to age:

• at three months - 1.4 kg;
• at nine months - 2.5-3 kg;
• adult rabbits - 3-4.5 kg.

The head is small in size, the neck is wide, muscular appearance. Paws are short and strong. The modest tail fits snugly to the body.

Character

Rex rabbits have a friendly, calm nature. Ornamental pygmy rexes are most often kept as pets. At the first meeting, the animal may show shyness and alertness. Sometimes rabbits take a long time to get used to a new environment. If such babies are hand-fed, they quickly become attached to the owners. Rabbits are easy to litter train and can be trained to respond to a nickname.

Physiological characteristics

Rex rabbits have a proportional and harmonious physique. Distinctive features of individuals:

• males have a powerful, rounded head. Females are distinguished by an elongated muzzle;
• moustaches are usually absent or grow very short;
• medium sized erect ears grow 11-12 cm long. The tips are softly rounded;
• reminiscent of dense plush, smooth fur. Fur does not change direction when stroked;
• for one round the female is born 5-6 rabbits.

Deviations from breed standards are ears longer than 13 cm, sparse hair. Individuals weighing more than 5 kg are also subject to culling. Deviations include high fur (hairs grow longer than 2.5 cm).

Rabbit fur

It is animal fur that is of particular value (thick straight silky hairs no longer than 1.5-2 cm, growing vertically). Sometimes animals come across that have curly or wavy hairs growing on the tummy or back of the head.

According to the color palette of fur, the breed has about 30 subspecies, and there is no standard color. The most valuable are rabbits of a white shade and “under the chinchilla”. The demand for white animals is explained by the fact that the fur is easy to dye in the desired shade.

Economic characteristics

Eight-month-old animals are usually slaughtered and culled. Rabbits of this age can gain weight of 3-4 kg, but meat is considered a secondary product. Fur is the main value. Therefore, the slaughtering procedure is carried out in winter, when the fur acquires a special density and beautiful appearance.

Due to their dense coat, rabbits tolerate low temperatures well and are suitable for breeding in cold areas. Animals do not require special conditions of detention. For normal development, a temperature of 15-25 ° C is suitable. For the construction of enclosures, materials are used that the rabbits will not gnaw. The place of detention must be equipped with a protective canopy. Aviaries should be adapted for regular cleaning and wet cleaning. Animals are washed and brushed regularly.

Advantages and disadvantages

The demand and popularity of the breed are determined by the quality of the fur. Positive qualities are also considered: the economic benefits of breeding animals, unpretentiousness in food, friendly character, the ability to keep in low temperatures.

The disadvantage of the breed is low fertility. Before you get a rabbit at home, you need to familiarize yourself with the disadvantages of such content. Since these are rodents, it is important to remove all wires from the floor. Wallpaper, furniture can suffer, so kids are immediately offered special boards, twigs.

Subtleties of maintenance and care

For raising rabbits in households, cages are installed in several rows. Metal or metal-wood structures are suitable. Moreover, the floor must be necessarily even and solid. The mesh surface will injure the delicate paws of rabbits, leading to infections.

The stands are kept dry and clean. Cleaning and disinfection is carried out twice a week. The feeder should not be too deep, it is recommended to fix it on the wall. A good choice would be to install a vacuum drinker to prevent water from spilling into the crate.

Important! Domestic rabbits should actively run around the apartment or house every day for 2-3 hours.

Diet

The basis of nutrition should be complex mixtures containing minerals and vitamins in the right proportions. For the winter period, a diet is selected, consisting of 70% of feed, hay, twigs. The remaining 30% are solid vegetables. For feeding pets, dry food is the best choice (at the rate of 30-45 g per day per kilogram of animal weight). Fresh grass, vegetables and fruits add variety to the diet.

Advice! White cabbage, beets can provoke flatulence, so they are fed in small portions.

Breeding rules

To successfully breed rabbits, you need to gain experience and patience. For novice breeders, veterinarians recommend paying attention to several points. Females give birth at night or in the early hours of the morning and last 45-60 minutes.

It is important to ensure that the babies receive equal portions of mother's milk or that the rabbits are supplemented with artificial mixtures. So that the babies do not freeze, they equip a nest in the cage and install a lamp for heating.

Possible diseases and prevention

To prevent the development and spread of diseases, animals are regularly shown to the veterinarian. A common rodent disease is rhinitis (constant sneezing, nasal discharge). The veterinarian must choose the right treatment regimen. For preventive purposes, Rex rabbits are vaccinated against myxomatosis and hemorrhagic fever. Animals aged 2-3 months are vaccinated against rabies.

Choosing a Rex rabbit

As a rule, active individuals with dense shiny fur are purchased, aged from one and a half months. The main signs of a purebred animal are: a massive body, even distribution of fur and the absence of bald patches, fur shorter than 1.7-2 cm, bent or short whiskers, large hind legs covered with soft dense fur.

Perhaps not to find a person who would not be touched by the sight of plush Rex. Rabbits are not too capricious in nutrition and care. Thanks to their unusual appearance and docile nature, they are excellent companion animals.

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