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

The appearance of Angora rabbits pleases the eye. They resemble a fluffy cloud and seem like a toy. These animals can be used not only to obtain the finest valuable fluff, but also as docile pets. The breed consists of several varieties that differ in appearance and size, body weight. Miniature dwarf angoras weigh a kilogram or one and a half, large representatives of the varieties reach 6 kilograms.

Origin of the species

For the first time, Angora rabbits, as representatives of a downy breed, were bred in Turkey, which was then the Ottoman Empire.They came to Europe in the twenties of the 18th century along with sailors from France. This country established political and economic contacts with the Turkish sultans. Along with loads of fabrics, jewelry, carpets and spices, unusual seafarers, the progenitors of the modern breed, also arrived at the court of the French kings.

The name of the breed comes from the distorted toponym Ankara - a city in Turkey. The same name was given to the breed of white cats, distinguished by fluffiness and light, voluminous fur (Turkish Angora).

Becoming popular, Angora rabbits began to multiply rapidly and interbreed with other, local and imported breeds. As a result of such many years and centuries of selection, various varieties have been obtained, including the pygmy angora rabbit, which has become a favorite among representatives of high society.

Now animals of this breed are used both as pets and as productive animals, sources of valuable fine down.

Description and characteristics of the Angora rabbit

The main color option for Angora breeds is pure white. But the standard includes other colors:

1. Grey.
2. Beige.
3. Blue.
4. Black.

Long-haired individuals look like a downy ball with ears and shiny red eyes (in white varieties). They have a round or oval compact body, long light hair, reaching a length of 25 centimeters. The density of the coat is significant - up to 90-92%. The ears are shortened, the eyes are large.

The average weight reaches 2.5-4 kilograms, representatives of large varieties can weigh 5-6 kg. Young growth grows extremely fast, reaching 2 kilograms of weight by the age of seven months. Life expectancy with proper care and good nutrition, on average, reaches 7 years.

Breed types

Over decades of breeding, the following breeds have been bred:

1. Dwarf decorative rabbit. Used as a family pet. Differs in miniature size, good-natured, complaisant disposition, friendliness towards people and other pets. A variety is the angora fold - a lop-eared breed.
2. Atlas, or satin - a large, up to 5 kg, rabbit, which does not give a lot of fluff, but its quality is on top. Down is durable and highly soft.
3. English rabbit, weighing up to 3 kilograms, without long down only on the nose. For a year, up to 450 grams of fluff are obtained from it.
4. White downy rabbit weighs up to 4 kg, gives up to 500 grams of down per year. Virtually devoid of awns.
5. French rabbit has a mass of up to 4.5 kg, it gains up to 550 grams of fluff in 12 months.
6. Giant - a breed with an individual weight of up to 6 kg, characterized by the presence of tassels on the ears. Annual productivity - 1.2 kilograms.
7. German breed - an animal weighing up to 3.5 kilograms, which can be cut every two and a half months. The most productive, producing 1.5 kilograms of fluff annually.

Choose a variety according to its purpose: to obtain fluff or as a home resident.

Conditions and care

The houses of Angora rabbits are kept in cages, in the yards - in spacious enclosures. They need to be kept clean and tidy, as their light, fluffy coat is easily tangled and tangled into tangles that are difficult to comb. Such a procedure is necessary in any case, but stray hair can become a source of skin irritation, parasites start in it.

Animals are afraid of drafts and sudden changes in temperature, sensitive to changes in humidity, too bright sunlight. It is necessary to ensure safety by hiding electrical wires, documents, shoes and anything they can chew on.Angora rabbits do not have a gag reflex, so they can swallow their down. This is dangerous and can lead to the death of the animal. The condition of the pet's coat must be closely monitored.

When breeding for fluff, pets are kept in cages one by one. This is due to the fact that they are territorial animals, and will literally defend their territory to the death. In addition, it is much easier to keep valuable down in perfect condition.

What to feed a rabbit

The purpose of breeding Angora rabbits is to obtain high-quality fluff, so when feeding you need to monitor the quality of food and its saturation with nutrients and vitamins. To do this, food is enriched with green grass and vegetables in the warm season, and in winter - with hay. Do not give herbs with spinous spikelets such as feather grass, which can get stuck in the esophagus or injure the mouth, as well as white cabbage, because it causes fermentation in the intestines.

Food that has not been eaten immediately must be disposed of, because decaying waste leads to diseases. Also, rabbits should always have clean, fresh water.

Breeding

Angora-type rabbits enter puberty late, so the female is allowed to mate only after reaching one year. The duration of pregnancy and the number of rabbits in the litter is standard - up to 8 individuals. During the bearing of offspring and subsequent feeding, the females are provided with silence, a calm environment and are protected from temperature changes and high humidity.

Diseases and methods of dealing with them

Rabbits of all breeds have higher nutritional and environmental requirements, but Angora rabbits are especially picky. Their he alth needs to be closely monitored, because they can get sick due to poor hygiene, drafts and humidity.

Angora rabbits can suffer from the following diseases:

1. Cold diseases - pneumonia, acute respiratory infections, arising from non-compliance with the conditions of detention. Wool should not be allowed to get wet, because it is dense and thick, dries for a long time, leading to hypothermia. The same applies to drafts.
2. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract caused by stale food, water, or an abundance of succulent food that contribute to flatulence.
3. Infections of various origins (conjunctivitis, rhinitis, dermatitis, and so on). Infections are caused by staphylococci and other pathogens.
4. Invasions - coccidiosis, fascioliasis, scabies and other diseases caused by parasites. Rabbit fascioliasis is incurable.

At the slightest sign of illness, the rabbit must be taken to the veterinarian. These creatures are very fragile and sensitive, their diseases develop rapidly. If you don't hurry, you might lose a friend.

Interesting facts

At the beginning of the 21st century, China became the leader in the industrial breeding of Angora rabbits. The largest amount of angora down in the world is produced here for valuable woolen fabric. But in Europe, rabbits of this breed are also popular, although not on the same scale as in the Middle Kingdom. They are bred in Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and France. Most of all here are dwarf rabbits - cheerful and beautiful favorites of the whole family.

Tips for choosing a rabbit

When buying an animal, regardless of the purpose (for breeding, fluff or as a pet), first of all, you should pay attention to the appearance and behavior of the rabbit. He should have clear eyes, a clean nose and ears, no tangled, no greasy fur. The animal must be friendly, cheerful, active enough.

It is undesirable to buy a baby rabbit younger than 2-2.5 months, since only at this age does he become independent from his mother and can eat on his own.

Buying animals from unknown sellers is dangerous. It is better to focus on nurseries, experienced breeders, representatives of professional forums. Breeding Angora rabbits must have documents confirming the purity of the blood. Following the rules, you can get an adorable house friend, cheerful, playful, with a good character, who will live 6-8 years, delighting the owners.

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