Chinchilla rabbit: breed description, maintenance, breeding

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

The chinchilla rabbit is one of the best, most valuable and modern breeds. It got its name due to the unusual fluffy wool, which is similar in quality to the fur of wild chinchillas. This article will discuss these amazing eared. The topics of breeding, proper maintenance, feeding and characteristics of the breed will be touched upon.

History and origin of the breed

This amazing eared subspecies was bred in France. The chinchilla rabbit turned out thanks to the ermine and Baverenovsky breed. At the beginning of the last century, active experiments and selection crosses were carried out. Only in 1913, the bred breed was presented at a French exhibition. The public liked the animals so much that all the specimens were sold out in a few hours. The breed was brought to other countries. Within a couple of years, the subspecies became widespread throughout the world. Individuals began to cross in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany. Thanks to the continuation of breeding, animals began to cross with giant subspecies. The breed was brought to the USSR in the early 60s. So that the animals could adapt to the climatic conditions of the country, they were crossed with a white giant. Thus, the Soviet chinchilla turned out.

Description of animals

After crossing with giants, instead of the usual 2 kg, the animals began to weigh more than 4 kg. To date, livestock breeders breed both large individuals and miniature ones. The chinchilla rabbit has a large powerful head, elongated vertical ears. Because of this, his body seems shortened and graceful. The body length is 42-52 cm. Large livestock have well-developed muscles. Thanks to this, animals have a strong skeleton. They have strong paws, a straight spine, smoothly turning into a rounded croup. The girth of the chest is 28-38 cm. Females may have a fat fold that turns into a dewlap. The colors of chinchillas differ only in the saturation of the color scheme. Both dark individuals and light ones are bred. The main color of animals is exclusively silver-blue. Wool practically does not differ from the fur of wild chinchillas. In its structure, the hairline is thick, fluffy, has no bald patches. Fur is very elastic. Grows all over the rabbit's body. Around the eyeball and on the belly, the coat is the lightest. At the tips of the ears, the fur has a darker shade. The main characteristic feature is the different shade of the eyes. Eyes can be brown, gray or blue.

Chinchilla breeding

Females of this breed have average fertility rates. For one round, the female can bear no more than 6-7 babies. But such rabbits have high milk production. Able to feed all their young. The female secretes 185-205 g of breast milk per day. Thanks tothis offspring quickly gaining weight, getting stronger and growing. Mortality among babies of this breed is very low. Before birth, the female may start behaving strangely. Usually rabbits get wild and start tearing out their fluff. Thus, the Soviet chinchilla equips its home. Thanks to the mother's down, the rabbits do not freeze and will not be able to die from hypothermia. Therefore, if the female does not perform such a procedure on her own, the rabbit breeder will have to tear the fluff out of her. Immediately after the detection of pregnancy, it is necessary to put an additional container. It is important that the boxes are not too high. The recommended container material is wood. When using plastic, chemicals can be released into the air that adversely affect the he alth of the female and her offspring. At the age of 120 days, the young are considered fully mature and can already produce their offspring.

Content Features

Pits, aviaries, cages with a mesh floor may contain Soviet chinchilla. Content can take place both outdoors and at home. It is worth considering that rabbits, just like people, are prone to various diseases and colds. Therefore, they must be kept outdoors in warm, calm weather. In winter, breeding in special heated sheds is allowed. The optimum temperature can vary from 15 to 21°C. Do not allow a sharp increase and decrease in temperature. This negatively affects the he alth of individuals. When kept in a dry place, it is necessary to installventilation. Optimal lighting - 2 W per 1 sq. m. Do not allow direct sunlight. Keeping in rooms without windows leads to infertility and reduced immunity. It is impossible to allow neighborhood with rodents - rats, moles, field mice. Such animals are carriers of various diseases.

Proper diet

Chinchilla rabbit does not require a specific diet. Animals are satisfied with simple granulated feed, silage and bran. Individuals need fresh green grass, branches of fruit and deciduous trees. Medicinal herbs can be given in small amounts. Every day, rabbits should receive vitamins, trace elements from fresh vegetables and fruits. Animals especially love fresh carrots. But cabbage, lettuce, beets should be given in small portions. Otherwise, the animals will have diarrhea. Also, do not forget about fresh drinking water. Individuals should have constant access to drinking bowls. When thirsty, rabbits can become aggressive and feral.

Breed virtues

• The main advantage that a chinchilla has is content on a mesh field. The paws are positioned so that the mesh does not cut into the pads. Therefore, it is allowed to use a metal mesh with small cells - 16x18 cm.
• This breed is unpretentious. Does not require special care, feeding and special maintenance. Great for inexperienced rabbit breeders.
• Kids have increased survivability. The female has a highmilkiness. Can feed all her offspring.
• Food costs pay off very quickly. Individuals belong to the meat-skin subspecies. They have delicious dietary meat intended for baby food. As well as thick chic fur, similar to the pile of wild chinchillas.
• Animals have a calm, kind disposition. They quickly become attached to a person. May be kept as pets.