Breeding rabbits is an entertaining and profitable activity. Animal breeding has been practiced for centuries. Large animals with valuable fur are especially popular among rabbit breeders. The French Ram is a breed of rabbit with floppy ears, known since the 19th century. Rabbits of this breed have many advantages and are valued by farmers for their large size, high-quality fur, good disposition, ease of care and cute appearance.
History of the breed
Selection work to develop the breed began in 1850.The inspiration for the new species came from defective rabbits with drooping ears (pinna mutation). A certain Condeniere crossed English rams (a breed of rabbit) and Rouen giant rabbits.
As a result of their work, the breeders managed to consolidate the desired properties, obtain animals with drooping long ears, a large body, and soft, durable skin. The rabbits had a friendly disposition, grew quickly, and reproduced regularly.
Thanks to their obvious advantages, the animals quickly spread throughout Europe and served as the basis for selection of many lop-eared rabbit breeds in Germany, Holland. The French ram received official recognition in 1922.
Characteristics and standard, features
The appearance of a French ram, according to breed standards, has the following characteristics:
- weight – 4-7 kilograms, large individuals reach 10 kilograms, males are somewhat smaller than females;
- body – elongated, 60-70 centimeters;
- fur color – different is allowed, including a combination (2-3 colors);
- the fur structure is delicate and silky, with a pronounced dense undercoat;
- the shape of the head resembles that of a lamb - with a pronounced frontal bone and shortened fur, the cheeks are plump and heavy;
- the famous ears grow to 20-40 centimeters, fall several centimeters below the rabbit’s chin, width - 10-15 centimeters;
- the hind legs are powerful and elongated, the front legs are traditionally short;
- The croup is wide and round in shape.
Information: the ears of baby rabbits fall off at the age of one and a half to two months; at birth, lop ears are invisible.
Breeders value rams for their non-conflict nature and phlegmatic nature. Defects in the auricle make rabbits deaf, so they react little to noise, do not shake from extraneous sounds, and do not fuss for no reason.
To avoid problems with reproduction in this breed, you need to monitor the diet, since the French ram is prone to obesity, and this reduces the already low fertility. Rabbits of this breed become attached to their owners, love affection, and appreciate human care and company.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of the breed include:
- rapid weight gain, which characterizes the breed as highly productive; at the age of three months the rabbit can be slaughtered;
- high-quality fur of various colors;
- friendly disposition, non-aggressive character;
- They eat any food - they do not require special diets.
Animals are loved for their funny appearance, pleasant to the touch skin that you just want to pet.
The breed has many disadvantages:
- frequent illnesses due to low immunity;
- low fertility compared to other breeds, which is caused by decreased sexual function due to high weight;
- increased area for maintenance;
- special insulation of premises.
French sheep suffer from gluttony (especially babies), and due to overeating and endocrine problems, they reproduce even worse.
Types of breed
After the appearance of the French ram, active selection of lop-eared rabbits began. Several breeds of sheep have been developed:
- English. A short-haired type of rabbit with dense fur and elongated ears that prevent the animal from walking, lying on the ground.
- Meissen. Weight – 3-5 kilograms, very pubescent ears. Cultivated in Germany, the number of representatives of the breed is constantly decreasing, the species is on the verge of extinction.
- Dwarf. A group of decorative species with hanging ears, beautiful fur, and a calm character. Weight – 1.5-2 kilograms.
- Dutch. Small animals (1.2-1.8 kilograms) are bred as ornamental animals.
- German. Meat breed of rabbit weighing up to 9 kilograms.
The Corduroy Fold breed is in its infancy; standards are still being formed.
How to properly maintain and care for
For a comfortable life, a ram will need a larger cage than for ordinary rabbits. A large animal must have room to move freely. The following cage sizes are recommended:
- 100x90 centimeters, height – 70-80 centimeters;
- for pregnant females – 120x90 centimeters, height – 80 centimeters.
If possible, it is better to keep animals in enclosures. Females and males are kept separately, housing up to 3 individuals together. It is better not to use cages made of mesh materials, as animals are prone to pododermatitis.
Content recommendations:
- The floor of the cage is made smooth (boards), with a slight slope.
- Rabbit houses are placed in corners protected from drafts and direct sun.
- The floor is lined with hay or sawdust.
- Maintain a temperature of 18-23 °, humidity - 50-75%. Sheep are heat-loving animals; in winter they install heaters, not allowing the air to drop below 10°.
- Feeders and drinkers made of metal or other material that cannot be chewed are attached to the cage (to the wall). It is better to raise them above the floor so that your ears do not get dirty or wet.
The cages are regularly cleaned, the bedding is changed, and old food and feces are removed. Once every few months, disinfection is carried out, thoroughly soaked in bleach, left for several hours, then washed.
What to feed a French sheep
A French sheep can chew all the time while it is not sleeping. Feed must be dosed, given 3 times a day, with portions calculated. This breed quickly builds up fat at the expense of muscle mass.
The diet includes:
- summer - grass dried for several hours (burdock, dandelion, clover, nettle);
- hay – without signs of rot, dry, from various grasses;
- cereals – mainly oats and wheat;
- vegetables – carrots, beets, cucumbers;
- fruits (apples, pears);
- melons;
- in winter - compound feed.
Tomatoes, legumes, and rhubarb should be excluded from the diet. In winter, hay and feed are supplemented with vegetables so that the sheep can crunch on juicy fruits. Tree branches and crackers help satisfy the thirst for chewing.
The completeness of the winter diet is supported by vitamin complexes with micro- and macroelements. If there are no vegetables and fruits, you can add them to the food premixes for rabbits. Chalk and salt are given in small quantities. Give the rabbits warm water; it is convenient to use nipple drinkers.
Breeding Features
Females reach sexual maturity at 9 months, males at 5-6 months. The best representatives of the breed are selected for mating, trying to exclude close relationships. Rabbits must be healthy, meet standards, and not be overweight.
The female is provided with a spacious cage and increased nutrition during pregnancy and feeding. Gestation lasts about a month, 5-8 rabbits are born (rarely 10-12).
Female rams are famous for their developed maternal instinct, they take care of their babies, do not eat, and patiently feed everyone. The first litter is planned until the female is one year old; at 3 years of age, mating is stopped due to possible complications.
The life expectancy of representatives of the breed reaches 10 years. At 3-4 months, sheep are slaughtered on rabbit farms; the meat is famous for its taste and dietary qualities, tender and juicy. The yield of meat products is up to 60% of the weight of the rabbit.
Diseases and prevention
The French ram does not have strong immunity. The most common health problems in rabbits of this breed include:
- gastrointestinal diseases;
- infections;
- diseases of the soft parts of the paws - calluses, ulcers (pododermatitis);
- colds;
- ear injuries due to improperly organized space.
Vaccinations (including against myxomatosis) carried out within the recommended time frame help to avoid many infections. Timely replacement of bedding and maintaining warmth and humidity in the premises will protect rabbits from infections and colds. The floor of the cage is made of smooth materials (fleecy or mesh materials are not used) to prevent pododermatitis.
Important: rabbits begin to be vaccinated at the age of one and a half months, this ensures full growth and development of the young, weight gain, and maintains productivity.
Where can I buy young rabbits of this breed?
Domestic rabbit breeders consider the high cost to be a disadvantage of the breed. The price of purebred young animals of European selection reaches several thousand rubles. You can buy a baby rabbit from ordinary manufacturers for 500-1000 rubles.
When purchasing, you need to focus on the reputation of the farm, check genealogical data, compliance with breed standards, and availability of vaccinations. Purebred animals must have documents of origin.
Note that it is more profitable to breed other breeds of rabbits that are more productive than French sheep.
Rabbits are raised for their meat and skins, and many keep the animals as pets. The French ram has a friendly character, making it an excellent companion. Having mastered the rules of care and maintenance, you can breed the breed for commercial purposes and to obtain tasty homemade meat.
