Californian rabbits: breeding, description and features of the content

Private and industrial rabbit breeding is a very profitable livestock industry. You can get a variety of products with minimal labor and the use of affordable, cheap feed. Success largely depends on the choice of animals for breeding. The "California" breed of rabbits is one of the most popular in the world. Such eared pussies are bred in the USA, European countries, central Russia, Tatarstan, Ukraine.

Breeding history

A resident of California (USA) - breeder George West - in the 20s of the last century set himself the task of raising a breed of rabbits with exceptional fur quality. As a basis, he took two breeds of chinchilla and Himalayan. He crossed the received first generation with the New Zealand white breed. Further breeding was carried out in itself among individuals of the desired type. The painstaking work bore fruit, though with a large bias towards the meat sector.

As a result, Californian rabbits took the best qualities from their first parents:

• New Zealand white "awarded" a large and strong physique;
• Himalayans - with magnificent wool and luxurious color;
• chinchilla provided excellent meat qualities.

Despite the good productive qualities, hybrids were not very popular. Only in 1928 a group of the same type of animals was recognized as a breed and officially got its name in honor of the state, where it was bred.

Finally, by the end of the thirties of the twentieth century, American rabbit breeders drew attention to unpretentious animals with good indicators of meat productivity. From the USA, they were first brought to Europe, and then from England and Hungary (in the 70s) to the post-Soviet space.

Russian experts were wary of the breed bred in a fairly warm climate compared to the middle zone of the Russian Federation. But their fears were quickly dispelled. "Californians" perfectly adapted to new conditions, gave numerous and healthy offspring, quickly gained high slaughter weight. Today, animals can be found on a private compound and in large animal husbandry.

Description

Californian rabbit description:

• Head. Light, small, slightly hunchbacked, tightly set on a short neck. Ears are erect, short, not more than 11 cm, well pubescent, with rounded tips. The eyes are pink or red.
• Torso. It has a cylindrical shape with a noticeable extension in the back. The chest is well developed deep and wide, there are no undercoats. The body has a harmonious structure, medium length, muscular, the back is especially developed. The back is short, even wide. The croup is round, wide with well-developed muscles. The tail is short. The backbone is light and very durable.
• Limbs. Short, powerful, have a thickening along the entire length of the paws. The claws are black or brown. There is hair on the pads.
• Wool. Long up to 3 cm, thick, shiny, silky, elastic.

Color features

The breed standard of the California rabbit clearly defines its color. In purebred animals, fur is pure white. Contrasting black, less often brown, spots are located on the muzzle, ears, limbs (on the front - on the tips, on the back - to the wrists) and tail. Marks should be sharply defined and clearly expressed. The color tone determines the gene:

• black (Ks);
• Havana (H.).

The appearance of spots of any other shade of red, striped and others indicates violation of breeding clean. The appearance of spots on other parts of the body on the sides or around the eyes is not allowed. The shape of the spot on the muzzle is round, in contrast to the “butterfly” breed, they have a nasal spot similar to the open wings of an insect.

Newborn babies do not have spots, they appear on 30-45 days. This is typical for "summer" kids. In winter, rabbits can be born already with the appropriate breed color. This is due to the specifics of the "work" of the tyrosinan enzyme. At low temperatures, it starts faster, at high - it can “slow down”. Winter and autumn babies acquire a distinctive color faster. Today there are two varieties of Californian rabbits:

• Moscow, the threshold of tyrosinan irritation is slightly higher than 0 ⁰ , spots form later and their color is less saturated;
• Saxon, the threshold of tyrosinan irritation is an average of +21 ⁰ , rabbits stain almost immediately after birth.

The color of animals is important for breeding purebred rabbits, for obtaining only meat products this is not so significant.

Productivity Characteristic

The attractiveness of breeding this breed is in economic benefit. Economic characteristics of rabbits of the Californian breed:

• live weight on average 4.5-5.2 kg (up to 6 kg), females are larger;
• ready for slaughter at the age of 150 days;
• incidence index 60-64% (maximum for meat breeds);
• meat yield - up to 60%, with up to 85% pure meat and 2.5% fat;
• fertility - the female on average brings 7-8 rabbits, not rarely 10 (maximum - 16);
• the weight of newborn rabbits is 45-50 grams;
• precocious, at the age of 3 months they gain up to 2.8 kg of live weight;
• dietary meat has a delicate taste;
• skins of good quality, universal white are in demand in the fur industry.

Animals intensively gain weight in the first 5-7 months of life. The best term for slaughter is considered the age of 150 days. After this period, daily growth is significantly reduced, and the consumption of feed units per 1 kg of production increases.

The age standard for weight gain of a California rabbit is presented in the table:

At the age of 8 months, the lowest permissible weight cannot be less than 3.5 kg. High early maturity reduces specific feed consumption for live weight gain, making breeding of rabbits of this particular breed cost-effective.

Content

A distinctive feature of animals is their excellent adaptability to life in various climatic zones. Californian rabbits are described below. Spacious cells are considered the best conditions for life. The height is made so that animals can freely stand up to their full height on their hind legs. Additionally, houses, feeders and drinking bowls are installed. A good option is a height of 60 cm, a length of 140-150 cm, a width of 60 cm. With a group content, the area norm for one head is:

• on a solid wooden floor: for commercial young animals - 0.3 m ² ; for repair young animals - 0.2 m ² ;

• on a rack or net floor: for commercial young animals - 0.17 m ² ; for repair young animals - 0.1 m ² .

If the cells are placed outdoors, then only in a quiet place, protected from drafts and direct sunlight. It is more convenient and practical to use indoor premises; it is easier to maintain an appropriate microclimate in them. A combined option is also possible: in the winter indoors, in the warm season - outdoors.

An important indicator is air humidity. Dampness adversely affects the condition of the coat and provokes colds. Typically, rooms are equipped with hoods. With its help, it is easier to maintain optimal humidity - 60% -70%. Higher, as well as lower indicators (less than 50%) affect the well-being of animals. Daylight hours are 8-18 hours. The intensity is within 40 lx, when grown for fattening it can be reduced to 5-10 lx.

To save space, stationary cells are placed in 2-3 tiers. Sawdust is poured onto the pallets as a litter; cat-like wood filler and other materials that absorb moisture and retain odor are quite suitable. The most hygienic mesh for floors with a mesh of 16 mm by 48 mm. Cleanliness and freshness of air is determined by the concentration of harmful substances:

• hydrogen sulfide not more than 0.015 g per liter of air;
• ammonia not more than 0.01 g per liter of air.

Air temperature 12 ⁰ -18 ⁰ above zero. Animals tolerate fluctuations within ± 5 ⁰ C. without problems. Extreme temperatures of -30 ⁰ or +30 ⁰ can be sustained by adults for just a few days, exceeding these indicators threatens animal death.

Feeding

Californian rabbits pay a fine feed. The main thing is to feed the rabbits correctly from the first days after weaning. First of all, this is the frequency of feeding. After weaning, babies need to be fed 5 times a day (first 25-30 days). Gradually, this amount is reduced, bringing to 2 - or 3-time. It is important to ensure free and constant access to water. In summer heat, moisture consumption doubles, in winter it is advisable to heat it.

The diet consists of the following types of feed:

• Juicy: carrots, cabbage, pumpkin, zucchini. Some rabbit farmers practice the addition of silage, this can be done, but only on condition that the product is of good quality. In summer, the basis of the diet is fresh grass, seeded or natural herbs.
• Rude. In addition to traditional hay and straw, rabbits are happy to eat young branches of deciduous trees. Depending on the natural zone, they can be different: maple, ash, birch, linden, aspen, willow, ash.
• Concerts. These include legumes: peas, soy; cereals: barley, oats; Pancake week: corn. A perfect complement are bran, cake, meal. Often use feeds specially designed for fattening.
• Mineral fertilizing. Meat and bone meal or fish meal are excellent suppliers of calcium and phosphorus. Additional vitamins are added to the diet as needed.
  

The growth rate and weight gain of young animals is very high. If other meat breeds begin to fatten intensively a month before slaughter, then the Californians are ready to gain weight after weaning. Protein-rich, high-calorie feeds help you build muscle faster.

When fattening for slaughter, it is important to provide access to feed almost around the clock. Young animals should eat as much as they fit in his stomach. We must not forget that rabbits intended for the tribe should not be so fed. Excess weight negatively affects the reproductive functions of both males and females. Balanced, in all respects, nutrition affects the appearance of animals and their activity. Smooth coat, shiny eyes, mobility indicate proper and sufficient feeding.

A sharp change in diet or the introduction of a large amount of new feed is not recommended. This can trigger an allergic reaction and an upset gastrointestinal tract. It is strictly forbidden to give rabbits "human" food. Be sure to keep feeders and drinkers clean. Sour food and rotten water do not contribute to gaining weight gain.

Breeding

The rabbit of the Californian breed in the content and in the breeding does not cause much trouble. There are a few simple rules to follow:

• provide livestock with spacious enclosures or cells in accordance with veterinary standards;
• monitor the condition of the coat of animals;
• regularly inspect rabbits with a veterinarian to timely identify sick individuals and carry out the necessary veterinary treatments;
• create a reliable feed base.

Proper maintenance and balanced nutrition allows intensive use of rabbits for 5 years.

Mating animals is possible at the age of 5 months. Rapid breeding of Californian rabbits is facilitated by the good fertility of rabbits. From one female per year, you can get 35-45 babies. Mothers are very caring, there are frequent cases when they take and feed strangers rabbits. High milk yield allows children to quickly gain weight.

Animals that are not left on the tribe are killed at the age of 5-6 months, since further feeding is unprofitable. Depending on the breeding system, several methods are used for weaning rabbits and, accordingly, raising them:

• Early. With compacted okroli, rabbits are weaned for 28 days. This is due to the fact that the female is laid on the 2nd day after birth. Before the next round, she has just a couple of days to rest.
• Average. Semi-densified okroli allow increasing the suction period up to 40 days. The female is laid on 10-12 day of lactation.
• Late. When growing rabbits for meat with the "broiler" method, they are taken away at the age of 2 months. Rabbits are almost immediately slaughtered for meat.

In females, lactation lasts 12 weeks. Early weaning is due to the following factors:

• babies begin to actively eat concentrated and vegetable feeds at the age of 20 days;
• by the 24th day, the need for rabbits in milk is halved;
• by the 35th day, milk occupies only 5% -8% in the diet of young animals.

When the rabbits are deposited and the group is formed, they try to put individuals of the same litter in the cage. If this option is not possible, then it would be better to put the mixed composition into a cell that is alien to all litters. They will fight less.

Selection

Purebred breeding of rabbits of the Californian breed requires careful selection of pairs. In mating, only sexually mature individuals of both sexes are allowed. They pay attention not only to compliance with pedigree requirements, but also to the state of health, the quality of the coat, general appearance, physical activity, and the backbone. Breeding animals with slight deviations from the breed standard can be allowed for selection:

• not perfectly harmonious body structure;
• slightly elongated neck or head;
• ears with a length of 11.5 to 13 cm;
• thin, weak limbs;
• the color of the nasal mask is not clearly pronounced;
• slight yellowing of the fur;
• slight deviations in the color of the eyes and nails in relation to the standard.

The price of Californian rabbits depends on the age and breed of the animal. Monthly young animals can be purchased for $ 2/115 rubles. (for one individual), bred (up to 2 months) - for $ 5/288 rubles .. Pedigree adult individuals from $ 25/1440 rubles. For breeding purposes, it is better to buy animals in breeding farms.

Animals with the following defects are not allowed for breeding:

• live weight less than 3.5 kg and more than 5.5 kg;
• ears hanging, their length exceeds 13.5 cm;
• nose mask reaches eye level;
• manifestation of dark spots in the "wrong" place;
• dark spots are brown or light in black, and in the Havana breed are light or reddish.
  

When preparing their breeding pets for the exhibition, animal owners should be prepared for the fact that the above disadvantages can lead to culling of animals.

Care

Keeping Californian rabbits requires appropriate animal care:

• Leather and wool. Once a week, rabbits are examined for redness, scabs, acne, pustules on the skin. The hair is combed, the tassels are cut with special groomer scissors.
• Eyes. Daily inspection reveals dry secretions, they are removed with a clean cloth dampened in warm water. Irritation is treated with plant drops.
• The ears. Healthy ears are clean ears. If necessary, they are washed. To do this, soak a cotton swab with a weak solution of boric acid and treat the ears. Apply a special lotion.
• Vaccinations. Routine vaccination will help to avoid mass diseases and death of animals.

Advantages and disadvantages of the breed

Judging by the reviews, rabbits of the Californian breed are an excellent "material" for breeding, both at home and in small farms. Rabbit breeders consider their main advantages:

• high precocity;
• high payment of feed;
• calm nature and non-bullying;
• undemanding to the conditions of detention;
• quick adaptation to new climatic zones;
• white color of fur (universal and most demanded).
  

Very conditional flaws include:

• The number of rabbits in the litter is on average up to 8. On the other hand, with a larger number of babies, human intervention is required, it distributes the cubs between the females for normal feeding. Otherwise, the mortality rate of young animals increases.
• Low maximum weight. "Californians" compensate for this doubtful disadvantage with the low cost of fattening, compared with their 8-pound counterparts