In nature, there are many breeds, but man still makes his own adjustments. First of all, this is observed in farming - breeders are constantly in search of the most productive breeds of chickens, cows and other livestock. Rabbits were no exception, and one of the results of work on them was the emergence of the breed Soviet Chinchilla.

Breeding history

Breeding began in 1927, when several chinchilla rabbits were introduced into the territory of the RSFSR. On the territory of the Anisovsky fur farm, breeders from Saratov and Novosibirsk crossed the newly arrived animals with the White Giants. The result was the official removal in 1963 of the Soviet chinchilla.

Did you know? Rabbits can get rabies and infect humans.

Description and features of the breed

The breed stands out among others in large sizes. The body has the right proportions and an easily recognizable appearance.

Appearance

Gray color is the main distinguishing feature.

Color	Gray
Torso	Elongated, rounded
Head	Small
Eyes	Brown
Ears	Standard
Mustache	Black
Neck	Short
Paws	Direct and powerful
Tail	Small with a black rim
Claws	Large, strong

Meat-and-skin rabbits also include such breeds as a butterfly, a gray giant, a chinchilla, a white giant.

Advantages and disadvantages

The breed has both its advantages and disadvantages.

• The first include:
• fur of excellent quality, which has a high cost relative to the fur of other breeds;
• unpretentiousness in food and conditions;
• large carcass - up to 5 kilograms.

• The disadvantages are:
• low offspring in comparison with other breeds;
• low meat yield.

Maintenance and care

To maintain the comfort and health of rabbits, it is necessary to provide them with acceptable living conditions.

Cell selection and arrangement

The cage should have dimensions of 35 x 40 x 65 cm. It should be positioned in such a way as to prevent animals from being in direct sunlight. The temperature should vary from 5 to 25 degrees above zero. Drafts are unacceptable, as is dampness.

The litter should consist of hay, and a layer of tin should be laid under it to protect it from rodents. The drinker and feeder are located along the wall, not in the corner.

Important! To maintain the Soviet chinchilla, both standard cells and sheds can be used.

Care and hygiene

In the cage, once every two days, waste is cleaned and litter is changed. Once every 2-3 months, the cells are disinfected with chlorine solution or by burning.

Vaccinations

Soviet chinchillas tend to suffer from myxomatosis and viral hemorrhagic disease. To protect animals at the age of 1.5 months, the first vaccination is carried out, and at 4.5 months - re-vaccination.

Feeding rules

Proper feeding is a direct path to rapid and high-quality livestock growth. In this matter, it is worth adhering to several rules to ensure the normal development of a furry pet. Young rabbits up to 2 months old need to eat 6 times a day, adults - 3 meals in the summer and 2 - in the winter.

Animals need a large amount of water, especially when feeding with dry feed. Some types of food, in particular fruits, should be given in small quantities and limited at the first sign of animal rejection.

Important! It is extremely important to draw up a nutritional scheme and adhere to it invariably. Any changes to the diet should be made gradually.

What can I feed

The basis of rabbit food is hay.

In addition to it, the list of acceptable foods includes:

• combined feed;
• fruits and berries (apples, pears, cherries, bananas);
• herbal flour and branches;
• corn, barley and oat mixes.

In winter, fruits and mineral supplements are added to the food, so that it is easier for eared pets to endure the winter and not weaken.

Than not

Unacceptable for use:

• meat and fish dishes;
• exotic fruits and berries (pineapple, papaya, mango);
• leftovers from the table;
• sweets;
• potato and bean crops.

How to drink

Proper drinking provides uninterrupted access to water. It should be fresh and change every day. In winter, the water should be at room temperature. It is important to monitor the cleanliness of the drinking bowl to prevent the occurrence of parasites in the water.

Features of breeding young animals

Sexual maturity in gray chinchillas occurs at the age of six months. For one kindling, eight rabbits appear, in a year no more than five rounds are possible. To ensure the purity of the breed, it is necessary to carry out crosses only within the breed and not to mate animals that have had family ties in the last three generations.

During mating, the male is left in the cage for some time without food, after which the female is planted for mating. After the completion of the process, the animals are bred. One of the animals is always younger, the second is older.

Pregnancy lasts up to 30 days. The first one and a half months after birth, the rabbits remain with their mother, then are placed in separate cages. After another half a month the animals are housed in different cells on the basis of gender. Special care for the female with the young is not required, since the rabbits have a maternal instinct.

Did you know? Soviet chinchillas have a rare blue eye color.

Soviet chinchillas are one of the most popular breeds in the post-Soviet space. High productivity indicators brought the breed popularity among breeders and farmers, and beautiful fur made it a popular pet.