A considerable number of varieties of rabbits live on the earth, but among them there is one species that deserves, in our opinion, special attention - it is a blue ram.
Breed history
The blue ram appeared in France around 1850 as a result of the crossing of the English lop-eared and Flemish giant. In record time, the breed also conquered neighboring countries - Germany, Belgium, Holland. The blue ram has gained incredible popularity.
After the war in 1870-1871 between Prussia and France, the Germans began to breed rabbits of this breed on their own, adopting the experience of their breeding from the French. In Germany, such rabbits were known as Patagonian rams or Andalusian. German breeders improved the breed, and later it came to Holland. If at the beginning of its appearance the French blue sheep was considered some kind of exotic, then after a while the representatives of the breed settled on all continents.
Breed description
The French ram rabbit (blue) has one distinctive feature - it is hanging ears. In addition, representatives of this breed grow quickly enough, and therefore legally occupy the first place in size and weight among lop-eared rabbits. Females reach a weight of more than five kilograms, and males, on the contrary, have more modest parameters - 4.5 kilograms.
Rabbits have characteristic protruding frontal bones on a fairly wide muzzle with plump large cheeks. The paws of animals are strong, and the body is elongated, with a deep chest and a wide back. The hanging ears of a rabbit reach 45 centimeters in length. However, the blue sheep is known not only for its ears, but also very thick and incredibly soft to the touch wool. It is thanks to the presence of such characteristics that the animal has become incredibly widespread on all continents.
Initially, the rabbits were agouti, but now there are a variety of colors: white, black, chinchilla, blue, all kinds of shades of gray. But the most common is motley color.
Breeding Features
Rabbit French ram (blue) is a very unpretentious creature in breeding, which is bred mainly due to good and high-quality meat. For comfortable living, animals need a spacious cage or aviary, inside which there should be no foreign objects that could injure their delicate ears. Also, for rabbits, it is worth buying drinking bowls and feeders adapted specifically for such a breed (long ears should not fall into them).
Animals grow incredibly fast, for example, already nine months after birth, females are able to breed. Cubs are born in the womb of mothers 30-32 days. The first litter of the rabbit appears before she reaches the age of one year. At one time, the female is able to give offspring, consisting of twelve rabbits.
An interesting fact is that animals have anatomical absurdities, in a year the rabbits' pelvic bones are connected in such a way that in the future during childbirth she can not do without outside help. And at the age of three, females are not allowed to males at all, since the anatomical features make subsequent births very dangerous for their life.
Feeding and care
The breed of blue ram (photo is given in the article) by life expectancy refers to the champions. Such animals are able to live for more than seven years. Their greatest activity is observed precisely at night and lasts until the very morning. In the afternoon, the rabbits are very lethargic and just fall asleep.
It is worth noting that the large size of animals uniquely leaves an imprint on their entire lifestyle. They are reluctant enough and do not move much. But with all this, they have an excellent appetite, so the owners need to make sure that the pets do not overeat. Otherwise, animals may become obese.
Hay and dry food must be given in certain proportions. In order for the rabbits to have no health problems, it is recommended to remove any fresh vegetables and fruits from their diet, since they provoke the development of diarrhea.
For such large pets, it is worthwhile to buy heavy metal bowls, as they easily turn over ordinary dishes and even nibble. The drinker should look like a bottle; water from it should not flow into the cage.
Types of sheep
In the world there are a variety of types of sheep: English, French, German, Dutch, dwarf, Meissen, fleecy, plush (velveteen), fleecy. Each of them has its own distinctive features. So, for example, the English ram is quite different from other species. He has perhaps the longest ears - 60-70 centimeters, which even impede his movement. A representative of this breed is even inscribed in the Guinness Book of Records, as the owner of the longest ears - 79 centimeters.
But the Dutch rabbits are very miniature in size, while their weight is not more than 1.7 kilograms. The Netherlands are considered their homeland. In the West, they are very popular because of their playful and friendly nature. Such animals are very quickly tamed and with great pleasure play with the kids. They are bred exclusively as decorative creatures.
Meisinsky sheep received as a result of crossing the French and English species. It has more modest parameters, unlike ancestors. At home, animals are on the verge of extinction, therefore they are protected by law.
A dwarf ram is a very small creature weighing 1.2-2 kilograms. Such rabbits are incredibly playful and fun, easily trained. But at the same time they have a proud character.
These are these cute creatures - dwarf rams. For some, they are cute pets that look like a plush toy, and for some, they are a source of tasty and juicy meat.