Black fire rabbits attract attention primarily for their unusual color. But before you start breeding this breed or choose such a baby as a pet, you should get acquainted in detail with all the characteristics and characteristics of these animals.
Breed description
There are several types of fire rabbits. The first bred is black fire.
History reference
The breed appeared in Great Britain in 1880 by crossing wild rabbits with Dutch ones. They were first presented at the exhibition of rabbits in 1888. Initially, individuals of this breed was characterized by aggressiveness. To get rid of this, they were crossed with the Belgian giant rabbit breed.
Did you know? In 2003, black-fire won in the nomination "Best in Show" at the exhibition of the American Association of Breeders.
External features and color
The body type at the black-fiery arched, bending begins at the base of the neck and, smoothly passing over the shoulders, ends at the hips. This type of build they have thanks to the genes of wild rabbits. The body is lean, well balanced and compact. The main feature is coat color. The chest, chin, underbelly, the area around the eyes, nostrils, on the inside of the ears and tail have a bright orange, fiery color. The weight of individuals of this species is small: females grow up to 2.8 kg, males - up to 3.5 kg.
Productive qualities
Despite the compact size of individuals of this breed, they are also kept for commercial purposes. The productive qualities of black fire are:
- Weight: The average weight of an adult individual is up to 3.4 kg.
- Killer exit: 55%
- Around: 5-7 baby rabbits.
- Lifespan: 8-10 years.
Read more about such rabbit meat and skin breeds like: Viennese blue, Auber, Rex, Golden Risen, Poltava silver and Belgian giant.
Advantages and disadvantages
Black fire rock has both positive and negative sides in the content.
Pros:
- calm temper;
- juicy meat, like a game;
- not prone to obesity;
- disease resistant.
Minuses:
- very active;
- need large cages or walking;
- small slaughter out.
Did you know? Rabbits of black-fiery breed have glossy dense fur, which is practically not polluted.
Maintenance and care
Regardless of the purpose for which the rabbit will be kept, it is necessary to become familiar with the peculiarities of caring for it.
Selection and arrangement of cells
This breed is very active and needs a lot of space. This point should be considered when choosing a cell:
- if the animals are kept indoors, the cage may be completely out of the net;
- in the cells of the females it is necessary to equip the closed mother liquor;
- in the case of content in open space, the cage should be made as closed as possible, leaving the grid only in front;
- if you keep this species as an ornamental animal, the cages sold in pet shops are quite suitable.
Conditions of detention
Technology content rabbits depends on their intended purpose. Pets should be kept in cages. Animals that are bred for meat or for wool, can be kept both in aviaries and in cages. In any case, they should be protected from drafts and direct sunlight. The optimum temperature for the content is + 8 ... +22 ° C. It is also advisable to track the humidity indicators, for this breed they should be in the range of 60-70%. With a significant increase or decrease rabbits start to hurt.
Important! With a closed type of content should provide a good ventilation system.
Care rules
In the care, this breed does not differ from the rest of its fellows. Cell cleaning is preferably carried out twice a day: in the morning and in the evening. During the cleaning, they change the litter, remove the food remains, replace the water with fresh. For breeders, it is important to disinfect cells and equipment twice a year, this is done in order to reduce the incidence of young. At the same time, not only the cages and inventory are treated, but also the whole room where the rabbits are kept. For processing, you can use whiteness, a solution of soda ash, an alcoholic solution of iodine, or another veterinary pharmacy tool designed for this purpose. During treatment, all exposed areas of the body and the respiratory tract should be protected from contact with a disinfectant. After treatment, it is necessary to dry all surfaces, preferably in the sun.
Vaccination
The most dangerous viral diseases for rabbits are myxomatosis and hemorrhagic disease. In the case of the disease, the mortality rate is 70-100%. For prevention it is necessary to produce vaccination. Rabbits should also be vaccinated against pasteurellosis, salmonellosis and listeriosis. The first vaccine should be given to a rabbit at the age of one and a half months, but the weight of the animal must be taken into account.
Important! The live weight of the rabbit to be vaccinated should be at least 500 g.During the epidemic period, 30-day-old rabbits are allowed to be vaccinated. They are vaccinated twice a year. Each vaccine has its own revaccination schedule, and should be followed. If you keep fiery black rabbits as pets, it is recommended to vaccinate them against rabies. A mark about this vaccination must be present when crossing the border or participating in the exhibition.
Rules of feeding and watering
In order to get the maximum weight gain and high-quality fur, the rabbits should be provided with a balanced diet.
What can
Whether to give fresh hay, you should decide for yourself - at the breeders, opinions on this matter differ. If rabbits are kept for industrial purposes, it will be more rational to keep them in feed, since it is as balanced as possible and includes all the necessary vitamin supplements. At such a feed, rabbits quickly gain weight, and their fur has an attractive appearance. As a top dressing, you can use crackers, raw beets and carrots, pumpkin, zucchini, corn. Hay and grain can also be used as feed. Hay should be 70% of the diet. In this case, it is periodically necessary to give vitamin and mineral supplements. The most optimal is to add them to the water. Most of all in vitamins there is a need in the winter.
What can not feed
It is recommended not to use such products in the diet:
- eggplants;
- raw potatoes;
- radish;
- fruits, except apples and pears;
- celandine;
- dope
- milk products.
Learn all about feeding rabbits.
How to water
Depending on the time of year, rabbits need different amounts of water. Also, the rate of fluid intake is increased for rabbits after caul. The best solution would be to equip the cage with an uninterrupted water supply system. So animals can independently control the amount of fluid consumed.
Important! Water should always be fresh. Contaminated or stagnant water can kill rabbits.
Rearing
Black-fiery rabbits reach sexual maturity at the age of five months. For mating, the female and the male should be placed in one cage for several days. If everything goes well, then in a month we can expect okrol. The female should be deposited in a special cage in which the mother liquor will be equipped. After the rabbits appear, they should not be touched by hands, the cleaning in the cage should be carried out carefully. Being nervous, the young rabbit can throw cubs.
During pregnancy and lactation, it is necessary to provide the female with a balanced diet and ensure that she receives enough liquid, at least 2 liters per day. Baby rabbits are recommended to be taken away from the mother at the age of 3 months, but it is also allowed in a month and a half. Fiery black rock will not leave anyone indifferent. Due to their unique colors and delicious juicy meat, they occupy an honorable place among breeders. And their friendliness and cheerfulness make them wonderful companions and pets.