French sheep rabbits: reviews, breeding, care, breed features, feeding rules and description with photo

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

The owners of farmsteads in Russia most often breed, of course, rabbits with erect ears. But some farmers also keep a rather unusual and rare breed of such animals - French sheep. Animals of this species grow very large and are relatively unpretentious. Judging by the reviews, it is very profitable to keep French sheep rabbits in a farmstead.

History of the breed

As the name suggests, this breed was bred in France. For the first time, such animals began to be kept back in the 19th century. English lop-eared rabbits and German giants became the parent for the breed.

The main distinguishing feature of French rams are hanging ears. In nature, such animals do not occur. The result of the appearance of all lop-eared rabbits was once a common mutation. Some farmers liked the original appearance of such animals and decided to fix this feature. NowadaysThe most common variety of lop-eared rabbits is the French ram. These animals deserve the best reviews from farmers.

Rabbit French ram: breed description

The best results on a farm can be achieved, of course, by raising purebred animals. At the moment, the characteristics of the French ram are fixed as the standard for all lop-eared rabbits. The main features of this breed are:

• massive long body;
• wide back;
• deep chest;
• strong strong legs;
• thick and beautiful fur.

The ears of these rabbits can reach a length of 60-70 cm. Representatives of this breed can be bred on farms in the following colors:

• light straw;
• colorful;
• black;
• white;
• gray.

A photo of a French ram rabbit can be seen in the article. As you can see, these animals look really unusual and cute.

Is it profitable to keep

In terms of productivity, the characteristics of French sheep rabbits, judging by the feedback from farmers, are very good. This breed belongs, of course, to the meat group. These rabbits have earned good reviews from farmers, among other things, for their rapid weight gain. Body weight in adult rams can reach 4-8 kg. Some individuals even gain weight in 10 kg.

Also, the unconditional advantage of the French ram is, according to the owners of farmsteads, fertility. At one time, the female of this breed can bring up to 12 rabbits.

Character

So, above we have given a detailed description of the French sheep rabbits. But what is the nature of the representatives of this breed? Of course, French rams, like any other rabbits, have a rather active temperament. Animals are mobile, strong and hardy enough. The nature of these animals is consistent with their attractive, pretty appearance. As noted by many owners of farmsteads, representatives of this breed are usually very friendly and balanced. That is why such rabbits, despite their large size, are sometimes kept in apartments as pets.

Farmers about the French Sheep rabbit breed: reviews

Compliant nature is certainly considered by all owners to be the undoubted advantage of this variety. This feature of the breed, among other things, facilitates its care. For example, many owners of suburban areas contain queens of this breed along with young animals. In separate cages on farms specializing in growing French sheep, usually only pregnant females and breeding rabbits are seated.

This breed belongs to the meat direction of productivity. However, from these animals, among other things, you can get very large skins. For this, French sheep rabbits also deserve very good reviews from farmers.

Some disadvantage of representatives of this breed, the owners of farmsteads consider the rather high cost of young animals. The price of such purebred rabbits often reaches 5000 rubles. Such young animals can be purchased from ordinary sellers for 700-1000 rubles.

Another small drawback of the breed, farmers consider a weak gastrointestinal tract. The choice of food for French sheep should be approached with all responsibility. Rotten foods, moldy, sour, etc. should not be given to such rabbits.

Containment conditions

One of the features of French sheep is unpretentious care. These rabbits are large in size, and therefore experienced owners of farmsteads are advised to keep them in spacious enclosures. But if desired, the farm, of course, can be equipped with cages. It is also necessary to select such "dwellings" for sheep as large as possible.

Among other things, when buying cages, you need to pay attention to the design of their floor. French sheep should be kept exclusively on slatted floors. The fact is that representatives of this breed often get sick with pododermatitis, manifested by sores on the paws. Therefore, cages with such animals should be as clean as possible.

Morozov rabbits are French rams, reviews of which are positive on the Web and therefore, are practically not afraid. However, in winter, it is better to bring cages with them into an insulated barn. In the enclosure for animals, special shelters should be equipped. Sheep have enough earslong, and in extreme cold they can freeze to all sorts of metal structures.

How to feed

Quick weight gain is one of the absolute advantages of French Sheep rabbits. In the photo below you can see how big such animals can grow. However, representatives of this breed will gain weight well and quickly, of course, only if they are fed correctly.

The diet of French sheep is practically no different from the "menu" of rabbits of any other breeds. The only thing, as already mentioned, the owners of farmsteads engaged in breeding this variety of animals should be as careful as possible to ensure that they receive fresh and high-quality food.

Of course, among other things, the diet of French sheep should be quite varied. Rabbits of this breed should be fed all types of food intended for farm animals:

• rough;
• juicy;
• concentrated.

In winter, rabbits and rams must receive hay in large quantities, and in summer - grass. This type of food should be offered to animals at least twice a day. Grass for French sheep should be selected with care. For example, celandine and nightshade, including the tops of potatoes and tomatoes, should not be given to them in any case. This will most likely lead to an upset of the gastrointestinal tract of animals or even to their death.

From succulent feed for Frenchsheep, carrots are most suitable. It can be given to these rabbits in unlimited quantities. Also from this group of feeds, such animals are often offered cabbage, zucchini, fruits. But it is impossible to overfeed French sheep with such food. The same goes for beets. This root vegetable in small quantities is allowed to be given only to adult rabbits. Beetroot often causes stomach pains for little ones.

From concentrates, French rams, like any other rabbits, are mainly offered crushed barley. Bran from the same cereal is usually added to it. If desired, a little oats can be added to the barley for sheep. It is not recommended to give wheat to rabbits, including sheep. In addition to barley and oats, corn is considered a good concentrated food for such animals.

Since French sheep are fattened for meat, boiled potatoes can be offered from time to time to speed up weight gain. Small amounts of dry white bread are also given to rabbits.

Feeding schedule

Food for rabbits in aviaries or cages is usually placed three times a day. In the morning and evening, the animals are most often offered concentrates, and in the afternoon - root crops. Grass can be given to rabbits at each feeding. It is this diet that contributes to the rapid weight gain of animals.

Of course, rabbits in aviaries and cages, among other things, should always have clean, fresh drinking water. Check for its presence and, if necessary, change it at each feeding.

Reproduction

French sheep rabbits deserve good reviews from farmers, including for their fertility. It will not be difficult to increase the number of such animals in the economy. Representatives of this breed reproduce quite quickly. The mating of producers is carried out in a cage with a rabbit. The offspring of the female French ram is carried for quite a long time - 30-32 days. In most cases, 6-7 cubs are born to a female rabbit.

The female of this breed can, unfortunately, feed no more than 10 babies. If more of them are suddenly born, she herself will bite the “superfluous” ones or throw them out of the nest. To prevent this from happening, the owner of the farmstead should try to check the mother liquor immediately after the birth. If there are more than 10 cubs, 2-3 will have to be given to some other recently born female.

Apartment care

As already mentioned, French sheep are quite often kept as pets by city dwellers. In this case, caring for a rabbit should be the same as on a farm. But when keeping French sheep in an apartment, the owners usually additionally:

• comb out their pets from time to time;
• constantly check the condition of their long ears.

When keeping a French ram in an apartment, it should be handled as delicately as possible. The he alth and constitution of such animals are not as strong as those of the same cats and dogs. And therefore, it is not worth squeezing, pressing, or, for example, throwing a French ram off the bed onto the floor.in no case. In particular, the weak point in these rabbits, as in almost any other, is the nose. If the animal hits something hard with it, it may even die.