The Belgian giant is a giant rabbit (photo). Learn how to properly contain a rabbit breed Belgian giant

Surprisingly large representatives of the Belgian giant (flanders) breed, at first discouraged by their size, but with friendliness and calm very quickly set to themselves. In the US and other countries, giants often become favorites of the family, with them fun both adults and children play. But the main direction is the cultivation of rabbits of this breed on farm farmsteads, for the subsequent slaughter.

Breed of rabbits Belgian giant: roots

Specialists are actively arguing about the origin of these giant rabbits. There are different versions, one of which is that the huge representatives of the hares were descendants of the Patagonian rabbits. They brought their travelers from Holland (in the sixteenth or seventeenth century) from a distant and foreign Argentina. The flanders became known only after the beginning of trade cooperation with Argentina. This version is refuted, because Argentine rabbits weigh a little more than a kilogram, and the patogonians are all extinct, so it is impossible to confirm this hypothesis.

There is an opinion that the giants were brought from Flanders, in which the necessary selection took place, which lasted a lot of time. In North America, the breed was in the nineteenth century. Rabbit shows began to be organized in 1910, and six years later the National Selection Federation of the rabbit began its existence. All over the world, the Belgian giant - a rabbit is quite popular and actively divorced.

Constitution

Breeders carefully deduce various subspecies of giants to optimize their living and breeding under certain conditions. But the animals of all subspecies retain certain traits that unite them.

The breed of rabbits the Belgian giant is distinguished by the fact that animals have a large body weight. This is a very important indicator for this species. Weight should exceed six kilograms, sometimes there are individuals heavier than ten kilograms. Torso, as a rule, elongated, massive, somewhat curved. The body can be sixty-five centimeters long. The ears on the large head are in a vertical position and have a rather wide shape.

Ears

The Belgian giant (rabbit) has long and broad ears resembling mugs. The length of the ear can reach twenty-five centimeters. If at its measurement the value was less than twelve centimeters, then the individual is discarded. On the edge of the ear should go a black border.

Head

Belgian giant (rabbit) has a large, massive head, but it can not be called heavy. These rabbits have funny cheeks, which are also quite large.

Chest

Amusing many of the awkwardness of a rabbit is due to the width and depth of the chest. Parameters in the girth reach forty-five centimeters.

Wool

The Belgian giant is a rabbit that can have the following color: gray, dark gray, black, agouti (greyish-red), blue, white, silver, sand, opal, faun (orange-sandy). Wool is thick and dense. Can reach a length of 3.5 centimeters.

Giant skins are highly appreciated. They are not repainted and used in a natural way. Due to the high density of fur slightly casts gloss. With the help of this rabbit fur you can simulate an animal, a kangaroo or a seal. Food and grooming greatly affect the quality of the skin.

Okrohl

A distinctive feature of the females of the giant rabbit is the highest milky. The female is capable of giving birth to fifteen rabbits and rearing them. On average, eight children are born at a time. Already in the first month of life they reach a kilogram, and in the following months an average weight of seven kilograms is gained.

Females take care of their rabbits, restoration is quick, and after a short interval the animals are again ready for mating.

Choosing rabbits, breeders are guided by the age of the giving birth to the female. The best individuals come from a two- or three-year-old female, provided that they have consumed only her milk for a long time. It is recommended to buy rabbits older than two months - they are already strong enough, chronic diseases or defects to this age begin to manifest. Young animals must be vaccinated.

Character

The Belgian giant is a rabbit (photo presented) quite calm and smart. These animals are benevolent both with children and with all people in principle. The manifestation of aggression is extremely rare, rabbits get along well with other pets. Some breeders compare flanders with dogs and claim that they understand human speech. Nevertheless, if the family has children under the age of three, the acquisition of a giant as a pet is better to postpone. An animal with massive paws can severely injure a small child.

Belgian white flan

One of the subspecies is a white Belgian giant. This rabbit is the highest in record, it is recognized as the largest and largest among all the other hare representatives.

They brought out a rabbit in Belgium in the sixteenth century. Among the exhibition restrictions there are minimum weight parameters, it should not be less than 5.5 kg. It is impossible to establish the final weight, because the individuals are constantly added. White Belgian can reach seventy-two centimeters. He has very dense ears, which are also long, and quite fleshy, with strong limbs.

Rabbits Belgian giant: breeding

Breeding this breed is considered quite a profitable business. Profit guarantee - a significant amount of meat, obtained from one specimen, and a valuable skin.

There is a small difficulty, which is that rabbits very late are ready for sexual activity. The link is allowed only after reaching eight months. Breeders are forced to wait twice as long as other specialists who grow other breeds of rabbits. Animals of ordinary breed can be sent to the mating on the achievement of four months. Sometimes there are problems due to some rabbit diseases. Animals often have respiratory diseases, which must be treated. And a thick skin needs specialized care.

What else should be done to properly develop a white Belgian giant (rabbit)? How does the content affect its appearance? Only one such rabbit will need a cage one hundred and ten centimeters long. The width is about seventy centimeters. The height of the cell, as a rule, reaches fifty centimeters. If you need a cage for a female with rabbit, then the size will be even greater. It must be cleaned.

When building a cell, it is better to use natural natural materials. For walls a sheet of thick plywood, a grid or a board is suitable. Wooden beam can be used as a frame and support. The floor is lined with a rack or grid with cells. On the roof you can also use boards or plywood. If the house is located under the open sky, the roof is better to cover with available material for the roof.

Preliminary it is recommended to compile a detailed drawing of the rabbitry, and then proceed to its construction. It is necessary to take into account the number of pets, the size and their weight. The cell is better to lift above the ground to a height of about a meter, otherwise rabbits can suffer from rats, in addition, it will be much more convenient to clean such a cage.

Feeding

Is the white Belgian giant (rabbit) whimsical ? How to feed the animal? The feeding of flanders (Belgian giants) must occur according to certain, rather strict, rules, the violation of which leads to the failure of the digestive mechanisms (rabbits may even die). Experienced breeders contribute to the diet of giants the drug "Biomycin". It is a golden powder, bitter and odorless. It prevents the growth of E. coli, staphylococci and other pathogens.

Feeding is done twice a day. Hay is contraindicated in the case of flanks, so it is issued to them very rarely. Also in the diet must be present grain. One individual consumes thirty grams of cereals. Females during lactation need an increased dose of grain - about eighty grams per day. It is possible to feed into the food of the bunches. Mashrooms are a mixture of various vegetables, grated on a large grater. It is mixed with mixed fodder, slightly salted and given to animals.

An increasing number of farmers and amateurs, carefully weighing all the positive and negative qualities of this breed, begin to breed Belgian giants. This is not surprising, because despite some possible difficulties, as a result, get very high-quality, dietary and healthy meat, which can be included in the diet even very small children.