Few amateur rabbit breeders know about the Hikol rabbit breed, because it was created a quarter of a century ago. But during this time, the animals managed to become popular in Europe and other countries as suitable for professional industrial breeding. Their characteristics are suitable specifically for this production method. They are fast-ripening meat breeds with low-fat dietary meat, suitable for baby food.
Origin
These rabbits were bred in France; representatives of the Californian and New Zealand white breeds were used as the basis.For this purpose, genetic work was carried out, that is, the ancestors of the line received artificially introduced genes taken from other manufacturers to improve characteristics.
Description and characteristics
There is no standard for skin color. It can be white, grayish, cream or colorpoint, that is, with ears and nose of a darker shade.
These are large animals with a powerful build, a wide, solid rear, strong paws, a drooping belly and a light head.
The ears are short, wide, spoon-shaped, the nose is long, the eyes are red with a light edge, widely spaced. Raised for meat by large agricultural producers.
Advantages of the breed
Hikol rabbits hold the record for the fastest rate of weight gain. At 3-4 months, the animal’s weight reaches 3.5-4.5 kilograms, which classifies the breed as a broiler. Another significant plus is that Hikol meat contains less fat than other breeds. This makes rabbits especially beneficial for obtaining dietary meat for feeding children with digestive problems and those suffering from metabolic disorders.
Rabbit meat has a high taste, does not overload the stomach, is easily digested and quickly absorbed. The animal's bones weigh less than other breeds, so the net meat yield is higher.
Content
Rabbits are kept in cages that must be cleaned and disinfected regularly. Animals cannot tolerate dampness and drafts, so they must be provided with the following conditions:
- Providing ventilation.
- Automatic microclimate control system (humidity and temperature levels).
- Daylight hours.
- Dispensing feed strictly according to the feeding schedule.
- Use of purified drinking water.
- Availability of timely veterinary examination and implementation of necessary procedures.
- Regular disinfection, disinsection and deratization.
Providing good living conditions for rabbits will bring high returns due to excellent meat yield. For large breeding farms and industrial breeding enterprises, keeping Hikol rabbits brings significant returns and stable profits.
Diet
It is not profitable to raise Hikol rabbits on small farms or household plots, because for intensive weight gain they must eat special granulated feed. These products have a balanced formula, which makes it possible to gain weight in a few months.
When using traditional feeding, the main qualities of the breed are lost - early maturity and speed of reaching slaughter weight.
However, rabbits of this breed have a strong digestive tract, capable of digesting standard feed for these animals. Their diet includes the following products:
- Grass.
- Hay.
- Wheat.
- Barley.
- Corn.
- Sunflower.
- Boiled and fresh vegetables.
Like other rabbits, it is important for the Hicol breed to have a continuous supply of clean drinking water. This ensures health and appetite, stable weight gain. A healthy animal is able to gain 45-50 grams of mass per day. Nipple drinking systems are suitable for water supply.
Features of reproduction
These rabbits are suitable for breeding only in large farms, because, due to the origin of the breed, natural reproduction leads to distortion of characteristics. These are hybrids, so artificial insemination will have to be used for brood.This is the only way to preserve the breed characteristics and purity of the blood.
And this is an expensive process, inaccessible to most farmers or amateur rabbit breeders.
Diseases and vaccinations
Hikol rabbits have healthy digestion and endurance. But rabbits, without exception, are susceptible to infectious diseases, which can wipe out a significant number of animals in a matter of days and even hours. Therefore, these animals are given preventive and routine vaccinations against myxomatosis and hemorrhagic viral disease. Vaccinations can be combined or given separately.
Purchased rabbits are also vaccinated against salmonellosis, listeriosis, rabies and pasteurellosis. If a single-component vaccine is used, the interval between injections should be two weeks.
Selection and purchase of Hikol rabbits
Since the breed is distinguished by a number of specific features, in particular in terms of reproduction, rabbits can only be purchased from specialized farms and only if the buyer is aware of the difficulties of future breeding. Hikol rabbits are purchased by specialized farms with industrial production volumes. They purchase young animals from companies that engage in such complex breeding.
Rabbits must have appropriate passports confirming their origin and health. Externally, the inspection is the same as when purchasing other rabbits:
- Clean, tangle-free wool.
- Clear eyes.
- No discharge.
- Cheerful behavior.
- Stable appetite.
In the Russian Federation, the specialized center “HYCOLE” is engaged in breeding purebred rabbits.Here you can purchase breeding animals with a tattoo on the ear, guaranteeing the purity of the breed and belonging to different breeding lines to avoid closely related origins. This broiler-type breed gives a rapid increase in dietary meat, but is not suitable for household use and is suitable for mass, industrial breeding.
