Rabbits are bred in order to obtain dietary meat and skins. Most often, breeds are chosen that combine excellent meat and fur characteristics. These representatives of the rabbit family include New Zealand rabbits.

Origin story

Rabbits of the New Zealand breed appeared in America in 1910, and not in New Zealand. Presumably, Belgian hares and silver (gray) rabbits were crossed to obtain a new breed. The result is a red rabbit of the New Zealand breed. They were distinguished by excellent characteristics that suited most rabbit breeders. After a while, albino rabbits began to appear in the litters. These representatives were soon bred into a separate breed - the New Zealand White Rabbit (NZB).

The breeders did not stop at the achieved result and crossed the New Zealanders with the Angora breed and chinchilla rabbits. In the late 60s of the twentieth century, New Zealand black rabbits were obtained.

New Zealand red

Description of the breed

Representatives of the New Zealand varieties differ in color: black representatives have a uniform black color, and albinos have yellow wool and red eyes. The New Zealand red rabbit has a reddish fiery hue with dark eyes.

Breed standards:

  • body length reaches 50 cm. It has a compact cylinder shape;
  • broad chest with well-developed muscles and lumbosacral region;
  • the rabbit's muzzle and neck are short;
  • the ears reach a length of 12 cm, the hair on them is shorter than on the whole body. The shape of the ears resembles a shoulder blade with a slight rounding at the end;
  • massive straight legs;
  • rabbits have short but thick fur, the length of which can reach 3 cm;
  • the average weight of an individual can be 5 kg.

Note! In NZK rabbits, the weight of females is greater than males. At slaughter, the yield of the meat product is 77.5%. Rabbit skin becomes a secondary product.

Rabbit selection

To choose a good individual, you need to know what a healthy and sick animal looks like.

Signs of a sick animal are: a wet face, lethargy, swelling of the eyelids, pus in the eyes and a dirty tail. It is better to refuse to purchase a rabbit with such symptoms.

Signs of a healthy animal:

  • the optimal age of the rabbit is three months. At this age, rabbit defects appear;
  • individuals move actively, have a well-fed appearance;
  • muzzle and ears - clean, there should be no crusts on the ears;
  • absence of any discharge from the eyes or nose;
  • there is no swelling on the eyelids, the rabbit's eyes are clear;
  • fur has elasticity and shine;
  • the genitals do not have deformities and rashes.

    New Zealand white

Rabbit breeding

Rabbits of the New Zealand breed have high productivity and early maturity. It is recommended to cover bunnies from the age of 4.5-5 months. The next fertilization after birth should be done in a period of 10-20 days, because the animal is prone to obesity.

Important: when planning the breeding of rabbits, attention should be paid to vaccinations that increase the immunity of the animal. This is necessary so that the rabbit is not weak and does not bring weakened offspring.

The rabbit bears offspring for 28–32 days. One litter can contain from 8 to 12 newborn rabbits. The baby's weight is 45 grams.

After birth, it is necessary to provide the female and newborns with constant care:

  1. After the birth of the babies, for several days they make sure that all the newborns are full and are next to the rabbit. The female feeds the rabbits twice a day - in the morning and in the evening.
  2. The diet of a lactating female should be balanced and contain all the necessary vitamins and useful elements - this improves the fat content and nutritional value of milk. Also, grass is added to the diet that increases lactation (parsley, dill, elecampane), and in winter, fresh hay, salt, chalk, meat and bone meal and fish oil.
  3. The amount of food in the cage is increased when the babies grow up and begin to feed on their own.

Females have a well-developed maternal instinct, so they are able to feed at least 8 children. The milk production of rabbits is high, the milk is fatty, which contributes to the rapid weight gain of babies. On average, rabbits gain 15 grams per day for the first three weeks of life, 41 grams for the second three weeks, and 33.2 grams for the rest of the time. Due to this daily weight gain, two-month-old babies weigh almost 2-2.2 kg, and by the age of three months - 3.3 kg.

New Zealand black

Features of the content of New Zealanders

Proper maintenance of New Zealander rabbits is the key to getting good representatives of the breed.

Living conditions and care

For rabbits, it is better to build a capital enclosed space. The optimum temperature for keeping is 15-18 degrees. If animals are kept outdoors, their performance may be reduced. Hot weather at a temperature of +25 degrees will be critical for New Zealanders. They may not tolerate heatstroke. High temperatures reduce the ability of males to reproduce. Outdoor cages should be protected from direct sunlight. Cell size is determined based on the large size of individuals. For females, a maternity ward should be equipped. The breed has pubescence on its paws, which makes it possible to establish a mesh floor to the cages. Proper care will protect rabbits from many diseases.

When caring for rabbits, their fear of bright light, loud noises and sudden movements is taken into account. The constant influence of these factors can lead to a depressive state of animals or their disease.

Rabbit cages

The coat also needs maintenance, despite the fact that it is short and tough. It is smoothed or combed with brushes or combs. When a matted mat appears, it is removed with a koltunorez. If the eared one gets dirty in dirt, it can be washed. But it is necessary to protect it from getting under the draft. Draft is dangerous not only for animals with wet hair, but also with dry ones.

Feeding

New Zealand rabbits are quite whimsical in food. Feeding is carried out twice a day.

The rabbit's diet includes:

  • complete pelleted feed;
  • hay;
  • clean root vegetables (carrots, beets, boiled potatoes);
  • grain (wheat, oats, barley and corn);
  • branch feed (aspen or willow branches).

Important: it is not recommended to exceed the daily allowance when feeding animals in order to prevent overfeeding and obesity.

It is not advisable for a New Zealander to eat salad leaves, so as not to cause diarrhea. Indigestion leads to dehydration and death of the rabbit. It is also not recommended to add cabbage, tomato leaves and parsnips to food. Don't forget about drinking - rabbits need a constant supply of fresh, clean water.

A competent approach to the construction of feeders simplifies the entire process of feeding animals. For compound feed, bunker feeders are used - they are convenient to use and allow you not to worry about the availability of feed for several days. A nipple drinker can be installed to provide rabbits with a constant supply of clean water. These drinkers cannot be turned over.

Diseases and vaccinations

To protect animals from certain diseases, they are vaccinated.

Most often, rabbits suffer from myxomatosis, viral hemorrhagic disease, coccidosis, rhinitis and infectious stomatitis.

Rabbit vaccination

The disease of myxomatosis manifests itself in the form of tumors in the head, paws, and genitals. Infection occurs from mosquitoes, rodents or sick individuals. When a disease is detected, sick individuals and individuals who have suspicions of myxomatosis, they are allowed to slaughter, and the cells are thoroughly disinfected.

The manifestation of viral hemorrhagic disease is found in adult rabbits. It is manifested by a decrease in appetite, depression and inactivity of individuals, throwing the head back and the occurrence of seizures. Sick individuals must be burned, the cells must be disinfected.

Coccidosis occurs in young animals from 1.5 months of age. Symptoms: weakness, yellow tint of mucous membranes, diarrhea. With coccidosis, they turn to the veterinarian, sick individuals are separated from the rest. As a preventive measure, the content of bran and beans in the diet of rabbits is reduced, and cleaning of cages and feeders is increased.

Rhinitis is characterized by sneezing, purulent nasal discharge, and fever. Sick isolated individuals are treated with penicillin or furacilin, which are instilled into the nose.

Rabbit diseases

Also, young individuals suffer from infectious stomatitis, which is manifested by ulcers on the mucous area, increased salivation and a wet face. For treatment, streptocide is used, the powder of which must be poured into the rabbit's mouth. Ulcers are treated with copper sulfate.

The first vaccination is given at the age of 28 days. It is carried out for Myxomatosis disease. At the age of 45 days, they are vaccinated against viral hemorrhagic disease. Vaccination is repeated after 3 months, then every six months.

Important: when purchasing vaccines in special pharmacies, you should pay attention to the terms and conditions of storage of medicines. If the storage conditions are violated, medicines lose their medicinal properties or become dangerous for rabbits.

Breed benefits

Many rabbit breeders note the excellent qualities of the New Zealand breed, and individuals with a white color are especially good.

Benefits:

  • rabbits have a good fertility rate. With each round, you can get 8-10 babies. Each female is able to feed all babies due to her good milkiness;
  • mating females begin at four months of age. More than 30 rabbits can be obtained from one okrol per year;
  • New Zealanders have a calm disposition;
  • rabbits can be kept on the mesh floor as there is a lot of hair on their paws.

New Zealand rabbits are good for high quality meat and hides. The breed is chosen by both experienced and novice rabbit breeders. More than 30 young rabbits can be obtained per year. Thanks to such a high level of productivity, the cost of keeping rabbits pays off in a short time.