Rabbit rizen: breed description and characteristics, colors and content

Riesen rabbit is characterized by large body dimensions and developed muscle mass. Animals provide not only high-quality dietary meat, but also fur of several expensive colors. The breed is popular, willingly bred by farmers for sale, but also cute, non-aggressive and friendly rabbits make wonderful pets.

History of the breed

The first representatives of the breed appeared in the county of Flanders (now part of the Belgian territory) in the 16th century. The rabbits had short thick fur of a dark gray color, a muscular body, and strong paws.The ancestors of the breed weighed about 6 kg, their original name is the Belgian giants.

In the 19th century, representatives of the breed were brought to Germany, where they began to actively breed, carry out selection work to improve breed characteristics. Improved rabbits (more meaty, gaining weight faster) were introduced in the middle of the 20th century as German giants.

Today, rizen rabbits are grown for meat and fur in many European countries. But the existence of the German variety as a separate breed is still in question. Some experts believe that Risen is not a breed, but only an offshoot of the Belgian giants.

Description and characteristics of rizen rabbits

External characteristics according to the breed standard German Risen:

• torso elongated 75 cm;
• large head with fleshy cheeks;
• ears stand straight, reach 20 cm in length, auricles are thick;
• eyes typical of rabbit shape, brown iris;
• chest is voluminous, chest girth is 40 cm;
• hind legs are strong, large, well-muscled;
• forelegs are strong, set wide apart to support the weight of a heavy animal;
• wool is thick, short, hairs do not exceed 4 cm in length.

Riesen rabbits are included in the category of skin-meat breeds. An adult rabbit reaches 10 kg of weight, but some individuals weigh 12-14 kg. The meat is high quality, juicy and tender. The color of representatives of the Risen breed was originally agouti, that is, typical for wild rodents - sable gray and red. Furriers do not like this color of wool, although the skin of these rabbits is strong and of high quality. Therefore, for a long time, rabbits were not bred for fur. Today, thanks to selective work, there are rabbits of different colors.

Blue and black individuals are common. There are also white, silver, sand, red rabbits.

Some breeders call rizen gold in their pet ads. Such a name should not mislead buyers: it does not mean at all that animals differ from other representatives of the breed in higher productivity or other features. This is just an indication of the red color.

Rizen rabbit has a calm, friendly, complaisant character, so he is kept not only for profit, but also as a pet. The behavioral feature of rizen rabbits is the absence of fearfulness. Therefore, representatives of the breed get along with other non-aggressive animals.

Main advantages and disadvantages

Pros of the German breed:

• compliance and friendliness;
• attractive appearance;
• high quality dietary meat;
• valuable fur;
• high offspring;
• maternal instinct in rabbits.

Riesen rabbits have disadvantages:

• prolonged growth;
• slowness, slowness;
• significant feeding costs;
• susceptibility to obesity;
• the need for a large space for resettlement;
• prone to disease, weak immune system;
• capriciousness in leaving.

Subtleties of maintenance and care of the breed

For rizen rabbits, it is necessary to create the best conditions for keeping. Animals should not be left unattended. The cages must be spacious so that the animals can move freely. The optimal size of the dwelling for an individual is 100 × 70 cm and a height of 50 cm.

Rizen rabbits are also kept in an aviary. But it should be located on the south or southeast side of the site, be sure to have a ventilation system. The floor of the enclosure or cage is lined with hay or sawdust. Moreover, the replacement of bedding material should be regular.

Cages are regularly cleaned, while the floor, ceiling, and walls are disinfected with cleaning agents. During cleaning, the litter is completely changed, accumulated food residues and feces are removed. Also, do not forget about the regular washing of feeders and drinkers. If these recommendations are not followed, then rabbits will catch a deadly infection.

Since the pets of the rizen are large, it is uncomfortable for them to constantly sit in a cage. Therefore, rabbits are released for a walk every few days. Rodent walk on a safe, fenced lawn, where there is no garbage, poisonous plants do not grow.

Feeding rabbits

Give food to rizen rabbits 2 times a day. Spring-summer diet should be balanced and vitamin. They feed pets with fresh grass, root crops, twigs. In the winter months, the menu is simplified, based on hay and animal feed. Vitamin and mineral supplements should be included in the diet periodically to strengthen the body and maintain immunity. You can buy drugs in pet stores and veterinary clinics. Rodents drink a lot, so clean water must be available at all times. They change it once a day.

Breeding rules

Breeding Riesen rabbits is not an easy task. There is a high probability of genetic problems in offspring if the rules of mating are not followed. Although rabbits reach sexual maturity by 3-4 months, the first mating is carried out after the animals reach 8 months of age. For mating, the best individuals are chosen, strong and active.

Male and female are left alone for half an hour. It is advisable to remove the feeder so that the food does not distract the animals.After mating, you need to wait half a month, then palpate the female's abdomen to find out if she is pregnant. If fertilization has happened, then the rabbit is moved to a separate cage. Throughout pregnancy, the female is carefully looked after.

Preparing for childbirth, the rabbit begins to build a nest. Then the owner puts a convenient box in the cage where the litter will be. The rabbit does not need to be helped in childbirth. Riesen rabbits give birth to 8-12 cubs. The maternal instinct in representatives of the Risen breed is developed. Rabbits protect rabbits, take care of them. During the lactation period, the female is richly fed, treated with steamed potatoes to stimulate milk production.

Diseases and vaccinations

Rizen rabbits tend to get sick, because their immunity cannot be called strong. Therefore, animal care must be meticulous. When buying animals, you need to pay attention to obvious signs of pathologies:

• obese or skinny;
• disproportionate physique;
• watery swollen eyes;
• fur with bald spots and tangles;
• bumps and nodes on the body;
• dirty ears;
• Inappropriate, aggressive or fearful behavior.

Representatives of the Giant breed get sick:

• diabetes;
• obese;
• visual pathologies;
• dermatological diseases;
• rickets;
• myxomatosis;
• viral hemorrhagic disease;
• coccidiosis;
• stomatitis caused by infection;
• tympany;
• spirochetes;
• psoroptosis;
• nematodes.

Vaccinate rabbits against myxomatosis and hemorrhagic disease. The procedure is carried out by the farmer himself. Or call the veterinarian. If animals live in an aviary or pit, they are additionally vaccinated against rabies.

Vaccination starts when the rabbits reach the age of 1.5 months. Vaccines put complex or separate. The complex preparation includes antibodies of both infections. From myxomatosis, the vaccine is given in the spring, since insects spread the infection. And from hemorrhagic disease they put the vaccine at any time of the year.

Vaccination is allowed for individuals who have undergone anthelmintic treatment at least 10 days ago. Before the injection, the animals are examined, the temperature is checked. If it is above 39.5 °C, then the vaccination is canceled, as the rabbit is sick.

Where to buy and how much it costs

Young individuals for fattening are bought in large breeding farms.And purebred males and females for breeding - in the nurseries of reputable breeders. The breeder provides the buyer with the pedigrees of the pets for sale, as well as documents with information about the age, weight and vaccinations of the animals.

The cost of young rizen individuals for fattening is 400-500 rubles per unit of live weight. For a breeding individual, you will have to pay at least 2,500 rubles. It is better to buy baby rabbits that have reached the age of 4-5 months. At this age, the animals have already been vaccinated, less shy, not subject to stress.

Recommended