In addition to the usual chickens, cows and pigs, households include other animals, including rabbits. The latter are bred for several purposes, mainly for slaughtering meat and obtaining skins. The most popular breeds are those that include the possibility of breeding for both of these purposes. One of them is the gray giants.

Breeding history

Breeding took place in the USSR and took almost 30 years. The process was started in 1927 in Ukraine in the Poltava region. The breed was bred and officially registered only in 1952.

Did you know? In the breeding of gray giants, the genetic material of Belgian flanders, which interbreed with local animals, was used.

Description and features of the breed

The most characteristic of giants is gray coat color. Another common question is how much an adult weighs: about 6 kilograms.

Appearance

In addition to gray hair, rabbits are distinguished by V-shaped ears.

Color	Gray, medium density
Torso	Long wide
Head	Large, oval
Eyes	Dark
Ears	V-shaped, straight
Mustache	Thin, long
Neck	Fleshy
Paws	Long, straight
Tail	Short
Claws	Large, strong

Advantages and disadvantages

• Giants have a large number of advantages:
• • high milk production and fertility;
  • strong immunity;
  • unpretentious in food;
  • high adaptability;
  • independent of climate;
  • skins reach a size of 3 m².

• At the same time, they have several disadvantages:
• • high feed costs;
  • low quality skins;
  • low meat yield relative to other breeds;
  • in rabbits, limb defects are found.

Maintenance and care

It is important to create conditions for animals in which they will be comfortable.

Did you know? The meat of the gray giants is dietary.

Cell selection and arrangement

Since the breed is sufficiently large, the content of a large number of individuals in one cell is extremely undesirable. The size of the cage for one rabbit should be 80x90x70 centimeters, a mother queen size of 60x35x30 centimeters is attached to one of the cells. Drinking bowls and feeders are recommended to be placed on the door.

The floor is covered with tin to protect against rats and sprinkled with hay on top. The cell itself is positioned so that any drafts are excluded and the sun's rays are not direct. Humidity should be minimal to prevent the occurrence of parasites.

Care and hygiene

Equally important is maintaining a clean cell. Cell cleaning is done at least once a week, preferably two. Disinfection is carried out at least every 3 months with a soldering iron or chlorine 10% solution.

Important! When living in the same cage, rabbits can be aggressive towards each other and even neutered.

Vaccination

Since the giants have good health, they only need a one-time vaccination in the first one and a half months of life. In fact, the decision on the need for vaccination remains with the owner of the animal, since they are in good health and vaccines are not required to maintain cleanliness in the cage.

Feeding rules

Attention should be paid to feeding rabbits. They need a fairly diverse diet and at least three meals a day. Body features require a clear feeding schedule and always adhere to it - otherwise digestion problems are possible. If you need to make changes, this process occurs gradually, over several days.

What can I feed

Compound feed should be included in the diet of animals, as they contain all the substances necessary for rabbits, including mineral additives. The food must be diluted with water to prevent the stomach from stopping. Hay and plant tops also go to food. Food should include these foods:

• oats and barley;
• roots;
• Beans
• cabbage;
• silage and hay.

In general, rabbits are very unpretentious in food and the only requirement for food is cleanliness and freshness.

Important! In summer and winter, the diet of gray giants is different - in the summer they need more greenery.

Than not

Nevertheless, rabbits should not be given:

• stale fruits and vegetables;
• dry food without water;
• wheat and derivatives.

How to drink

The main requirement for drinking is round-the-clock access to fresh, clean water. Water should change daily.

Features of breeding young animals

Breeding gray giants requires careful selection not only of the female and the male, but also with which breed to mate them. When mating individuals belonging to the same litter, degeneration of the breed occurs, and therefore it is necessary to attract rabbits “from the side”.

The maturity of rabbits occurs at 4 months, but the most favorable period for mating is 6 months. Food is removed from the male’s cage, after which after a while the female sits down for mating. After mating, the rabbit is removed from the cage, and the food returns. Pregnancy lasts 30 days.

Help the female in caring for rabbits is not required, as she is able to independently give birth to them and feed them milk. Moreover, gray giants, unlike some other breeds, do not eat their offspring. On average, the female carries 8 rabbits, but their number can reach 14.

Important! Young females should be mated with adult males and vice versa - young males with adult females. The gray giant is one of the most common breeds in the post-Soviet territory. The reason for this is the good quality of productivity and dietary meat, which the rabbits of this breed have established themselves. Although their skins are inferior to other breeds in quality, they can still be a decoration for you.