Chinchilla rabbits have iridescent silver-gray fur, making them similar to another rodent, the chinchilla, from which they get their name. Under this collective name, there are several varieties that have a number of differences in constitution and adaptability to the conditions of detention. This is due to the origin of chinchilla rabbits and their distribution in different countries - in Europe, the USA and the countries of the former USSR.
Origin and official registration
The basic breed was developed in France in the first decade of the twentieth century. Blue rabbit, wild rabbit and Russian ermine sires were selected for selection. The rabbits got their name from their specific chinchilla color - such fur was in fashion at that time. Rabbits quickly became popular and spread throughout European countries and overseas. They had the disadvantage of being capricious in growing and having low body weight and compact size.
To make improvements, breeders from the UK crossed chinchillas with a giant rabbit. This led to an increase in body weight from 2.5 to 4 kilograms. Nowadays, both types of chinchillas are found in breeding – large and small. In the USSR, they began breeding such rabbits by purchasing small representatives of chinchillas from America. But they were not adapted to the conditions of existence in the country, so they were subjected to selection.
There are many different breeds in the blood of the modern Russian chinchilla, but the most significant “infusion” comes from the white giants.
The Soviet chinchilla breed was officially registered in 1963 and since then has been actively bred in the countries of the former Soviet Union. Small rabbits of the French chinchilla breed are rare, being used more as pets than for industrial breeding.
Description and characteristics of the chinchilla breed
Soviet chinchilla rabbits have the following characteristic features:
- Large elongated body with a wide chest.
- The head is of medium dimensions.
- Straight ears of medium length.
- Silver-gray fur with a lighter tone on the belly, lower tail and paws.
- The edge of the tail and the edge of the ears are painted black.
- Dense, thick fur.
- Strong bones.
- Brown eyes.
The animals are perfectly adapted to living conditions, are unpretentious, and are suitable for breeding for skin and meat.
Advantages and disadvantages
Chinchilla rabbits have first-class characteristics for mass breeding. They are suitable not only for obtaining durable fluffy skin, but also produce up to 5, and the largest representatives up to 7, kilograms of tender dietary meat (net yield - 56-63%). At the same time, the skin has excellent technical characteristics and does not require dyeing, as it has an original and sought-after shade.
The advantages include undemanding living conditions and food choice. However, chinchilla rabbits grow quickly only in the first two months, then weight gain decreases. They also have low fertility. On average, up to 7 rabbits are born per litter.
Subtleties of keeping and caring for a rabbit
Thanks to the selection approach, Soviet chinchilla rabbits are distinguished by their unpretentiousness and ease of maintenance. They can be kept outside even in winter, as rabbits have warm, thick fur. But the calorie content of food needs to be increased by a third.
The requirements for conditions and care for representatives of the breed are standard:
- Constant cleanliness in the premises where rabbits are kept.
- Frequent replacement of hay or straw.
- Clean water in drinking bowls.
- Protection from wind and excessive humidity.
- Protection from strong solar radiation, especially in the hot season.
- Balanced diet.
- Regular feeding.
- Lack of stress and irritants, especially during pregnancy, birth and feeding of offspring.
Compliance with the rules will help you get a strong and healthy livestock and a stable profit.
Diet for the breed
Chinchilla rabbits have no special complaints about food. The food contains the following components:
- Grass (fresh or hay).
- Corn.
- Combined feeds.
- Root vegetables and vegetables, fresh and boiled. Potatoes are given to rabbits exclusively boiled.
- Dairy waste.
- Vitamins and minerals.
The teeth of these animals are constantly growing, so they need roughage to wear down. You can give not only root vegetables, but also branches with leaves.
Breeding at home
After a month's pregnancy, chinchilla rabbits give birth to 7-8 young rabbits, which are provided with milk in large quantities. In the first 60 days, baby rabbits grow quickly, gaining weight up to 1.8-2 kilograms. Then weight gain slows down, so animals are sent for slaughter at the age of 4-5 months. Since cultivation is carried out for the skin, it is better to do this before winter, when the fur is especially thick and dense.
If a winter birth is expected, the pregnant female should be placed in a barn, ensuring she is free from drafts and warm. Adult animals are resistant to cold, but young animals are born naked, and the female is not always in the nest, so appropriate conditions must be created to preserve the offspring.
A pregnant and lactating rabbit should not be disturbed; due to stress, she can chew on the offspring, especially during the first birth. The birth occurs on its own, no human assistance is required. You just need to check the nest for dead rabbits. A pregnant and lactating female is fed more than other rabbits, increasing not just the volume of food, but also its calorie content. Rabbits quickly become independent, switching to standard food.
Vaccination and diseases
Despite the fact that the chinchilla is considered a stable and unpretentious breed, all rabbits must be vaccinated against two main diseases:
- Myxomatosis.
- Viral hemorrhagic disease.
Animals are vaccinated from the age of one and a half months according to the following scheme:
- The first vaccination is at 1.5 months when the baby rabbit reaches a weight of 500 grams.
- Repeated vaccination at 4.5 months.
- Revaccination every 9 months.
Such actions can protect the population from mass extinction.
Myxomatosis is a viral disease that occurs in an acute form. When it occurs, there is damage to the conjunctiva with abundant purulent discharge, and the formation of tumors on the head and genitals. The disease is spread by fleas and mosquitoes, that is, it spreads through the blood. The outbreak of the disease occurs during the warm season. The incubation period lasts 14 days, after which the disease enters the acute stage and the infected animal dies.
VVHD (rabbit viral hemorrhagic disease) affects internal organs and manifests itself as pinpoint hemorrhages. It develops rapidly, and within a couple of days the sick rabbit dies. The incubation period is hidden and lasts 5-6 days.
It is imperative to vaccinate rabbits; this saves their lives and prevents the development of an epidemic that could destroy the entire livestock on the farm. Pets also need to be vaccinated.
How to choose the right rabbit?
When choosing a rabbit, you need to pay attention not only to compliance with the breed, but also to its health status. The animal must have clean, clear eyes and no discharge from the ears or genitals. The skin should be smooth, shiny, the hair should not be disheveled or come out in clumps.
A healthy animal is cheerful and cheerful, does not get scared of people and does not hide in a corner, regularly eats and drinks water. You need to choose chinchillas for brood from a trusted seller, preferably branded ones with passports.In this case, you can count on getting healthy offspring and successful reproduction and prosperity of the farm.
