Rabbits are not only valuable fur, but also several kilograms of tasty, dietary and healthy meat. Today, rabbit breeding is practiced all over the world. In total there are about 60 species of animals, however, only a few of them can boast of impressive size and great weight. These are the so-called giant rabbits. What is their feature, and how to grow them properly at home, let's figure it out.

The largest breeds of rabbits

Breeders all over the world annually work to grow an improved breed of rabbits, representatives of which would be distinguished by large size, great weight, good immunity and resistance to ailments, while maintaining the excellent taste of meat and the value of fur. Long-term breeding work has led to the appearance of giant rabbits in the world, the varieties of which are many, but only five of them are the largest.

Learn how to build a rabbitry with your own hands.

Flanders

The size palm belongs to the Belgian rabbit - flanders. He is the representative of the largest rabbit breed. The weight of an adult animal is 12 kg, and the length of its ears can reach 18 cm. In addition, the Belgian giant is characterized by a massive and awkward trunk 70-75 cm in length, chest width up to 40 cm, large head and large expressive eyes. The female flanders has fertility and milkiness. For one litter, it can lead to an average of 9 rabbits, however, in some cases the number of cubs can be 16.

Despite the fact that the Belgian giants are demanding on living conditions and diet, they are popular among livestock breeders due to the excellent taste parameters of meat and dense, silky fur, whose wide color scheme makes it possible to use skins to simulate the hairline of a beaver, kangaroo, raccoon. In addition, the flanders have a calm, balanced disposition, in rare cases, show aggression.

Rizen

Riesen, or its other name is the German giant - the second largest rabbit after flanders. It was bred by German breeders in 1937. Representatives of this breed are distinguished by a beautiful bluish-gray color, dense thick short fur, as well as delicate, delicious gourmet meat.

Important! Tribal adult rizen should have a body length of at least 65 cm and a body weight of at least 6 kg.

The body of the animal has a length of about 70 cm, and its weight is 6-10 kg. He has a large head with large cheeks, graceful, oblong ears with a length of 13 to 20 cm, a developed muscular structure, a massive body, and strong limbs widely spaced.

The standard color of this breed is “hare gray”. In the course of breeding, animals with blue and black color were bred. Also found are rizen red color. Rabbits are characterized by a calm, peaceful nature, which makes it possible to grow them in households.

Gray giants

Another leader in the ranking of popular giants is the gray giant, which was introduced to Russia at the beginning of the last century. The genetic basis of the gray giants was flanders and ordinary rabbits. Representatives of the breed are distinguished by a strong physique, a powerful skeleton. Adults weigh about 7 kg, while at the age of three months rabbits gain about 3 kg. Gray giants have a broad back, a powerful chest up to 39 cm wide, a long body up to 65-75 cm.

Important! Since rabbits of this breed are distinguished by good health, resistance to illnesses and cold climatic conditions, they are suitable for breeding in frosty regions of Russia, in particular Siberia.

Despite its name “gray”, the color of the animals can be: dark gray, white, asphalt gray and black. The meat of gray giants does not have unique taste properties, therefore, they are often contained to produce valuable, dense and radiant fur.

Soviet chinchilla

Soviet chinchilla gained demand among livestock breeders due to its high-quality fur. Adult individuals have a strong physique of the Mesosomal type, a well-developed skeletal system, a slender body, a small neat head with erect ears of medium length. The mass of an individual is approximately 6 kg, the body length is 60–65 cm, and the chest volume is up to 40 cm.

Read more about the Soviet Chinchilla rabbit.

Chinchilla has a soft, fluffy fur, the color of which on the back and sides is silver-blue, and on the other parts - white with a small dark edge. The advantage of the representatives of this breed is their unpretentiousness in cultivation and good resistance to harsh climate conditions. Females are highly fertile and have a well-developed maternal instinct. On average, chinchilla leads 8-10 rabbits from one breeze.

White giant

The result of the selection of Russian scientists. First, the breed was bred in the last century by Belgian and German breeders, by crossing ordinary rabbits and albino flanders. However, due to low immunity and poor adaptation, they could not take root in the harsh domestic climate. As a result, it was possible to breed a new breed thanks to the crossing of rabbits with gray giants, chinchillas and Belgian giants.

Learn all about the white giant rabbit breed.

White giants are classified as meat-and-sand types. They are distinguished by a delicate and fragile physique, a narrow straight back, a convex chest with a volume of 37–38 cm, a small body up to 65 cm in length, a small neat head with erect ears. Females are considered prolific, and in one breeze they can lead up to 10 rabbits. A feature of white giants is their white color, without color splashes.

Rex

It features a spectacular appearance, friendly disposition and truly "royal" fur. The breed was brought into the Russian Federation from Germany in the middle of the last century. Rex have a unique distinguishing feature - a short, slightly bent up, mustache. Rabbits have a large, elongated body, a neat head, ears up to 13 cm long, bent at the tips, fragile short limbs and a short, vertically protruding tail.

Did you know? Rabbits negatively perceive that they are picked up. Under natural conditions, animals associate tearing off the ground with the attack of a predator, therefore it is necessary to bend to the animal so that it feels confidence.

The mass of adult rabbits reaches 5 kg, and, already at the age of three months, the weight of rabbits is 3 kg. Rex is valued for its excellent fur, which, due to its softness and short pile, gives the coat lightness, tenderness and silkiness. Rabbit meat is soft, juicy, delicious, devoid of fatty deposits.

The best representatives of large breeds

Recently breeding of rabbits of giant breeds has become a popular activity among breeders. Despite the fact that there are more than a dozen species of giants, a few more are in demand, in addition to the ones described above:

1. Viennese blue giant. This species belongs to the fur. The "creator" of the breed was the Viennese breeder Konstantin Schulz, who in 1895 managed to cross the Moravian blue-haired rabbits with flanders. In Russia, the rabbit was registered in the 60s of the last century. Distinctive features of the blue giants are a mesosomal physique, a slender, elongated torso, a small head with neat ears, and a strong skeleton. The weight of individuals is 4-4.5 kg, in some reaches 7.2 kg. Blue giants possess excellent immunity, resistance to diseases, easily adapt in difficult climatic conditions.
   

2. Giant butterfly. The breed is valuable to breeders for its quality skin. Its representatives are the smallest of the giants. Bred by English breeders in 1837. They are called so because they have a dark spot on their nose that is visually similar to the wings of a butterfly. Rabbits have a strong physique, weighing 4-5 kg, with an average head with small ears 13-15 cm in length, a wide, downed chest, and developed muscles. Color can be: black, gray, yellow and blue.
   

3. Rams. They have two distinctive features - ears hanging down, and a medium-sized head resembling a lamb. The first representatives of the breed appeared in France in 1850, after crossing a rabbit of the English breed with flanders. Later, animals came to the states of Europe and America. The rams are notable for their powerful constitution, large, well-built body, wide sternum and trunk up to 70 cm. The weight of an adult rabbit is over 6 kg. The color is varied: red, beige, gray, motley. Females of rams are fertile, with an average litter of 8-9 cubs. They are flexible in nature, adapt perfectly to environmental conditions.
   

4. Russian ermine. The breed is considered one of the most ancient. Her homeland is the Himalayas. The ermine was brought to the territory of Russia in 1928, then the breeders adapted the animals to the harsh Russian climate. Rabbits are distinguished by a downed, strong physique, a muscular body 50–55 cm long, a round head of small size, long ears, standing straight, wide sternum and short paws. The body weight of adults is 4 kg. The breed is of particular value due to its shiny, smooth and silky coat, as well as excellent taste qualities of meat. Ermine resilient, easily adapt to environmental conditions, resistant to disease.
   

Content Features

All large rabbit breeds have common characteristics, so the rules for caring for them are similar.

Did you know? The heaviest rabbit in the world was a representative named Ralph. His weight was more than 25 kg, and the body length was 130 cm. British Pauline Grant, who lives in Sussex, raised such a giant.

Requirements for placement and maintenance

Breeding rabbits of large breeds is not as difficult as it seems, at first glance, to beginner breeders. For this, animals should be properly equipped with housing.

The most optimal place for keeping rabbits are considered cells that must meet the requirements:

1. Sizes. Rabbits should not be crowded, otherwise they will start to hurt and lose weight. The minimum size of the dwelling per individual should be from 0.6 square meters. m, while the cells are recommended to be placed in the fresh air. Specialists advise to make floors from slats or nets with small cells, which will allow you to easily free up space from litter. It is better to use hay, sawdust or straw as bedding material, which should be regularly changed as it becomes soiled.
2. Temperature. Large rabbits perfectly adapt to environmental conditions, including low and high temperature parameters. Avoid overheating, otherwise the animals will begin to hurt. It is recommended that individuals of meat-and-skin breeds be kept in cages on the street, but it is better to choose meat indoors, for example, a clean and dry basement.
3. Conditions. Rabbits are clean animals, therefore the cells must always be kept clean, dry, without the presence of an unpleasant odor. Also, the nursery should be protected from drafts and exposure to direct sunlight.

Important! Giant rabbits must be kept alone, otherwise fights will begin that will lead to the death of animals.

Feeding rules

Diet and its quality affect the productive qualities and appearance of giant rabbits. Therefore, it is important to organize proper nutrition for rabbits:

• the use of greenery will saturate the body of giants with the necessary components, increase their immunity, improve the quality of meat and hair;
• in winter, the basis of the hare-shaped menu should be hay and combined feed;
• it is necessary to strictly control portions for animals, since they are prone to overeating;
• It is systematically recommended to enrich the diet with special mineral and vitamin supplements.

Mandatory components of the daily diet should be:

• greens - in the summer, hay - in the winter;
• cereals: oats, barley;
• root crops: potatoes, carrots, beets, squash;
• legumes;
• silage;
• branches for grinding teeth.

It is forbidden to feed:

• products from the person’s table;
• spoiled, stale products;
• rotten feed;
• wheat grains or any wheat food.

You will also be interested in learning how to feed rabbits in the winter at home.

Animal dwellings need to be equipped with feed and water tanks. Rabbits should also be provided with a constant source of water, which they can drink as needed.

Additional recommendations

Before deciding on the maintenance of giant rabbits, you should know that they need comfortable living conditions and proper care. After all, the biggest responsibility for the condition of the wards lies on the shoulders of the rabbit breeder.

When maintaining giants, you should adhere to several recommendations:

• it is imperative to keep the cell clean and dry, since accumulated dirt particles serve as a source of pathogenic microorganisms that adversely affect the health of animals;
• In addition to cleaning nurseries, it is necessary to regularly disinfect them using a concentrated solution of chlorine;
• To keep the rabbits healthy, it is recommended to make a special paddock for them, where they can walk in the fresh air;
• feed animals should be systematic, controlling the size of daily servings. In most cases, rabbits can eat everything located in their feeder, and this can cause them to be obese;
• when growing giants, it is necessary to pay attention to the health of their lower extremities, as often because of their large weight they begin to hurt. It is forbidden to allow the accumulation of droppings in the cells, since its particles adhere to the paws and cause ailments.

Did you know? In rabbits, sweat is secreted through the paws, so it is important to keep the limbs of the animals clean and to prevent contamination of the litter material. In addition, they do not tolerate overheating and can die from heat stroke.

Breeding large-sized rabbits in the household is an economically viable activity. Despite the fact that these animals are not demanding in food and easily get used to any climate conditions, they need comfortable living conditions, good nutrition and human care.