Maintenance and cultivation of rabbits. Proper housing for rabbits. In winter

What kind of ideas for organizing your own business can not be found in our time in print and on the Internet! Those who have at least a modest summer cottage (not to mention a spacious rural house with a garden plot) are issued in the form of recommendations a breakthrough of ideas - from growing oyster mushrooms in the basement to organizing an ostrich farm.

Among those who are thinking about starting their own business, the rabbit breeding business is becoming increasingly popular. But you should know that in order for your business to turn out to be truly profitable, a clear understanding of the specifics of such an industry is required. In this article, we will talk about what features the cultivation of these fluffy animals includes, whether it is profitable to breed rabbits or not.

Benefits of rabbit meat

On the shelves of supermarkets and grocery stores, there are mainly three types of meat. We are talking about pork, beef and lamb. Meanwhile, rabbit meat has a number of advantages regarding quality, taste and benefits for the human body. That is, this market niche can still be considered relatively free.

The assimilation of rabbit meat by the human body is better and more productive compared to beef or pork. This indicator - the percentage of digestibility - in this case reaches 90% against the usual 60% in other types of meat. And thanks to the reduced fat content, rabbit meat is a wonderful dietary product.

Thus, if you have an excellent, tasty and healthy food product in stock, combined with low competition in this segment, you can confidently predict the high profitability of the chosen business. That is, the answer to the question of whether it is profitable to breed rabbits is definitely positive.

Characteristic signs of business

What are the features inherent in domestic rabbit breeding? The main one is the high ability of these animals to reproduce. The bearing of cubs by the female lasts 30 days, and almost immediately after childbirth, repeated fertilization is possible. The productivity of an adult rabbit during the year is about 200 cubs. In terms of a useful product, this is about 500 kilograms of rabbit meat.

They are bred for different purposes. Breeds of rabbits for breeding for meat are a gray or white giant, as well as a ram. In order to obtain fluffy fur, they choose rex, butterfly, white downy. In addition, it is possible to breed decorative rabbits. There are also generic options. For example, Soviet chinchillas or gray giants are rabbit breeds for breeding for meat and obtaining skins at the same time.

In the breeding process, good care and proper nutrition are very important. The more comfortable the living conditions are, the more high-quality the mating will be and, as a result, the health of the little rabbits. You can increase the number of matings by minimizing the number of stress factors. And without a quality balanced diet, talking about the health of animals is meaningless.

Pros and cons of a rabbit farm

What are the advantages of this business compared to other livestock options? Its main advantages are high profitability, short payback period, minimal competition and stable demand. The combination of these factors looks very attractive, but at the same time, some negative aspects should be taken into account.

So, for the quality maintenance of these clean little animals in cages, regular (that is, daily) cleaning is required. Otherwise, the entire livestock may be susceptible to disease. Shy animals grow well and breed only in a calm, favorable atmosphere without even minimal stress.

Rabbits need constant monitoring. In the absence of food and even water, the rabbit is able to eat her own offspring. Breeding rabbits at home for beginners may seem troublesome and difficult at first.

Getting down to business

How to start breeding rabbits? In what form is business possible in this area? There are two such varieties: either in the form of individual entrepreneurship, or with the organization of a farming peasant economy. The first option is especially popular among those who start from scratch. Its main advantage is a reduction in the tax base and a simplified accounting scheme. Having decided to organize a farm, you can count on receiving subsidies from the state.

But in any form of activity, success depends in no small way on a well-thought-out business plan.

Rabbit breeding as a business: where to start?

Before you start creating your own rabbit farm, as in any type of business, you should analyze the potential market, paying attention to a number of important characteristics. We are talking about the saturation of the market, the presence of a potential buyer in the vicinity, the degree of intensity of competitive activity and the solution of transport issues.

Having clarified the situation for yourself, you can proceed to the next step - choosing a land plot. Its area should be at least 15 acres, and your future rabbit breeding farm should be located away from housing.

Having bought or rented a plot, you can start arranging your planned business. Initial financial investments can be quite significant, but due to the short payback period and high profitability of this type of activity, this is not a problem.

Is it profitable to breed rabbits compared to, say, chinchillas or nutrias? The capacity of your business can be increased many times due to the high reproductive qualities of the little animals, and this is a considerable additional advantage. In general, the breeding of any domestic animals, like other types of agricultural business, is very, very in demand these days.

What should be in your area

The next step of the businessman-rabbit breeder will be to compile a list of buildings, the presence of which is mandatory on the site. Each of them should be placed on the plan of the site allocated for the future company. What about such buildings?

• Shedy. This is the name of the premises where the rabbits have to live and breed. Such "industrial" rabbit cages are made of wood with windows covered with welded mesh. The more comfortable the rabbits will be in sheds, the better the breeding process will be, and the less fear for the health of the pets will be experienced by the owner. The minimum number of sheds is from 3 pieces.
• Shop for feed. This is a kind of warehouse where rabbit food can be stored for the next few months. If you do not spare money and equip the feed shop with a granulator, as well as a grain crusher, the costs will quickly pay off.

• The slaughterhouse must include a fully equipped butcher shop and a spacious refrigerator. Due to the high hygiene requirements, the materials for its construction are metal-plastic and tiles.
• In a separate shed, you should keep tools, equipment and necessary building materials.

Not far from the site, a spacious manure pit should be dug. With regular replenishment, it is possible to sell manure as fertilizer to neighboring farmers.

What are rabbits for?

When starting to breed livestock, decide on the tasks of growing, from here already plan methods for breeding rabbits. What is your goal - skins, meat or both at once? Having understood this issue, choose the desired breed. Let's say your choice is gray giant rabbits. Breeding, growing and caring for them requires certain knowledge.

For beginners, it would be most reasonable to acquire one of the purebred breeds belonging to the locals. They tend to be affordable, easy to purchase, and can be consulted with other breeders.

Then start writing a business plan outlining your upcoming expenses and income. In addition, you should take care of registering your own business.

What is better for the future rabbit breeder - to buy a plot or to rent it? It depends not only on the size of the initial investment, but also on the long-term goals of the future businessman. If you decide to take up this profitable business seriously, it is better to purchase a plot of land. When the lease is due, the monthly costs of covering it must be provided for in the business plan.

About rules and regulations

When breeding rabbits, a number of sanitary requirements must be met that exist to prevent diseases in the rabbit environment. In this regard, there are certain rules according to which rooms for rabbit livestock are designed, up to the slope of the roof and the installation of floors.

Other requirements relate to the location of buildings within the site. The slaughterhouse must be at least 50-60 m away from the rabbit cages. Sick rabbits should be placed in quarantine, 100 meters away from the sheds. The manure storage also needs to be moved outside the farm - no closer than 100 meters. All distances are given in the direction of the prevailing winds.

What and how to feed rabbits

In nutrition, these animals are quite whimsical compared to other types of farm animals. Their daily diet requires a mandatory combination of different types of feed - green (herbs, cereals, legumes), juicy, such as vegetables or root crops, coarse and ensiled, as well as concentrated, consisting of bran, grain or compound feed.

To calculate the need for the amount of feed, we proceed from the fact that gaining a weight of 4 kilograms by one animal requires about a dozen kilos of hay and 15 kg of feed. Other elements serve as additives to the diet at different times of the year. In the warm season (spring and summer), be sure to feed the rabbits with green and roughage, in autumn and winter, do not neglect ensiled and juicy ones.

Breeding rabbits at home for beginners can be accompanied by a number of surprises. It is very important to control the freshness and balance of the feed supplied. It should not have the slightest trace of rot or mold. Too dry food is also not welcome - animals are able to choke on it.

About rabbit housing

Do not forget that these animals are rodents, that is, the cages must be constructed from high-quality and durable material.

Compared to poultry or nutria, rabbits are more prone to comfort. The temperature range suitable for their normal life is from 2 to 30 degrees, but the quality conditions for growth and reproduction involve maintaining them in the range from 13 to 26 degrees.

There are several well-known methods by which the habitats of these animals are equipped. Raising rabbits in earthen pits with carefully reinforced floors and walls is the easiest of all. This method is one of the most cost-effective, but is used exclusively for meat breeds.

What are cells

Most often, breeding rabbits in aviaries is chosen. The most popular methods for the household include the so-called cellular. The material for the construction of cages is wooden boards combined with a metal mesh. Rabbits and offspring are housed separately from male rabbits.

The shed method already mentioned above is a system of several tiers of cells. The main advantage of this option is compact placement, which is important in a small area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe site.

It is also possible to keep according to the so-called Mikhailov system, which is a small farm of three or four cells. Each of the mini-farms is equipped with ventilation, a manure collector, and, of course, drinkers and feeders. This method is most effective for high-quality growth and reproduction. But it also requires the highest financial costs.

Where to sell?

Let's talk now about the sale of the resulting products. Its directions should be considered, starting from the volumes of the future economy. If they are small (about 500 rabbits annually), the meat can be sold for sale or sold independently, subjected to a sanitary and epidemic check.

For larger farms, you will need to obtain some additional documents. We are talking about a certificate for a farm, the same phytosanitary one and a GOST-R declaration. If you complete all of the above, simultaneously with trading in the market, you will get the opportunity to sell meat to a network of supermarkets and grocery stores.

Indicative business plan for rabbit breeding

Let's draw up and analyze an approximate business plan for arranging a small farm for one hundred livestock units. What are the costs?

The process of building rabbit cages will cost about 50,000 rubles, add about 30,000 more rubles to buy a hundred heads of young animals. (the exact amount depends on the breed), from 70,000 to 150,000 rubles. to be spent on food. Add another 20,000 rubles. for veterinarian services, utility costs and other trifles. Total: the expenditure part of the business plan may contain a figure from 170,000 to 250,000 rubles.

Now about income

Meat from 100 rabbits will be about 200 kilograms. At a wholesale price of 200 rubles. per kilo and retail - 400 rubles. it is possible to sell all products for an amount of about 400,000 rubles. For the proceeds of skins - an additional 250 to 300 thousand rubles, let's take an average of 280,000. Total: the level of expected income is about 600-800 thousand rubles.

Even within the framework of the small farm given as an example, during the first year it is possible to receive about half a million rubles as a profit. In the future, this figure will increase even more, since it will no longer be necessary to spend money on the construction of new cells. As a result, the figure for the profitability of such a business lies in the range from 60% to 80%.

Things to Remember

Of course, the above business plan for breeding rabbits is very conditional. The figures can vary significantly, which is associated with the breed and the number of purchased specimens, as well as the amount of initial investment. Much also depends on the region where the business is planned.

Among other things, this plan does not include rental costs (if any). Such spending can also vary greatly both by region and by area. Equipment depreciation should also be taken into account. But in general, the above calculation gives a general idea of ​​the profitability of the business in question.

Conclusion: such an occupation in terms of money is quite profitable and attractive. And yet, despite the confident "yes!" in response to the question of whether it is profitable to breed rabbits, they should be dealt with only by those who are not afraid of the specifics of this business and the difficulties associated with it in the form, for example, of the need to slaughter fluffy pets.

Rabbits do not take up much space in the household yard, and if desired, they can be bred in the country or in the garage. Subject to the content standards, their number is rapidly increasing, which allows you to turn a hobby into a profitable business. For rabbit breeding to be successful, a number of simple rules should be followed.

Options for keeping rabbits

Before you start breeding rabbits, equip the place. The method of keeping furry animals depends on this:

• cellular;
• pit;
• free.

Each method of farming has certain advantages.

Cell content

Breeding rabbits using the cellular method of keeping is the most profitable. Rabbits require a certain amount of feed per day. It is extremely difficult to control how much each animal ate when kept in the wild. The cell method avoids infection of the entire livestock during diseases. An attentive owner will quickly detect a sick rabbit, and its minimal contact with other individuals will prevent the rapid spread of infections.

To place a large number of cells in a small area allows the shed method of keeping, which is an improved cellular method. It involves the arrangement of cells in several tiers, which are fastened together. Cages, or sheds, are installed both outdoors and indoors. No construction equipment is required to build sheds. A standard set of tools that is in every home will come in handy.

Breeding rabbits in the pit method is the least popular. This is the most ancient way. They used it due to the fact that it was not easy to get materials for building cells. With a large number of heads in the barnyard, a lot of cages are required. They dug a hole in the ground and settled furry animals there. The depth of the pit was no more than 150 cm. 4 m² were allocated for 8 rabbits.

Of the advantages of pit content, it is worth noting the minimum cost of arranging a rabbitry and keeping pets, close to natural conditions. When kept in a pit, animals dig holes on their own, in which they feel comfortable in the most severe frosts. The disadvantages include the following:

• lack of complete control over food intake by each individual;
• the rapid development of diseases transmitted by airborne droplets.

The free content of rabbits involves the arrangement of an aviary. This method is good because you do not have to build a rabbitry. The disadvantage is the lack of control over food intake and the rapid spread of diseases, the inability to keep animals in the cold season. With a free content, the rabbits should be given a lot of space, which is possible only in the village. In the conditions of the city, there is not always enough space on the plot.

Arrangement of a rabbitry

Breeding rabbits at home for novice rabbit breeders is best done with a cellular content.

Location selection

If there is already an outbuilding on the territory, then inside it should be allocated a place for new residents. If the rabbitry is being built from scratch, then they choose a place that is on a hill and is not very windy.

With summer content, it is not necessary to install cages indoors. A canopy is made over them, which will protect from the weather and close them from the wind. If the cells are made mobile, then in the summer they are installed on the street, and in the winter they are transferred to the room. If it is not possible to build a rabbitry, a garage, a balcony or any other room that is pre-insulated is suitable for wintering.

Arrangement of cells

To equip houses for fluffy pets, they use improvised means or purchase building material in specialized stores. It is better to build cages from plywood or sheets of fiberboard, chipboard. One side of the makeshift house should be made of fine-grained metal mesh. The optimal dimensions of the cage are 120 × 60 cm, the height is 40 cm. The numbers depend on the size of the pets. There are giant breeds that require much more space. They learn about the breed standards from the breeder when buying rabbits.

With a lack of space, the cells are arranged in 2 or 3 rows. Higher structures are difficult to care for. Pet houses are installed at a distance of 60 cm from the ground.

Breeding rabbits involves their mating and the birth of rabbits. Houses for females should contain a mother liquor. It is installed in a cage separately. The dimensions of the cage for the rabbit must exceed the above standards. A drinking bowl and a feeder are installed and fixed in each cage. Otherwise, pets will turn them over, which will complicate care.

Breeding rabbits at home does not take much time. Pets need to provide a balanced diet and cleanliness.

diet

The diet of rabbits consists of food of plant origin. Only those herbs that contain toxic substances are excluded from the diet. Plants should be free of dew or rainwater. Wet green food causes problems with the gastrointestinal tract and leads to the death of rabbits. The most suitable green fodder are alfalfa, couch grass, burdock leaves, young nettle, thistle, corn leaves, peas, colza, sainfoin. Green food is given to pets in crushed form.

The diet of rabbits should be enriched with vitamins and minerals. To do this, some fruits and vegetables are included in it, meat and bone meal and cereals are given. From vegetables, it is better to give preference to fodder varieties of beets, potatoes, earthen pears (Jerusalem artichoke), carrots, cabbage and pumpkin. Sugar beet is given in minimal quantities, having previously been crushed and mixed with bran.

Of the grain crops, preference is given to oats, wheat grains, barley, corn and peas. Also in the diet include bran and cake, salt and chalk, yeast. Mineral supplements, milk and whey are given in small amounts.

The winter diet consists of hay harvested in the summer, grass flour, dry twigs and leaves of fruit horticultural crops.

During the year, the rabbit eats 200 kg of green fodder and concentrates, 150 kg of hay, 11 kg of mineral supplements. Rabbits will need a little less food. This is an average figure, which depends on the size of the animal. Partially green fodder or hay is replaced with granular mixtures, which are sold in specialized stores. They are balanced and include vitamin and mineral supplements.

Sanitary and hygienic standards

During the breeding of rabbits in cages, cleanliness is required. Pet care includes not only the timely replacement of bedding, but also the daily cleaning of drinkers and feeders. The water in the drinker should always be clean, and the food in the feeders should always be fresh. Rabbits have a sensitive digestive system, and dirty water or sour food is often the cause of their death.

Once a season, it is desirable to disinfect all cells.

Pet breeding

Breeding and raising rabbits at home is simplified by the fact that the animals mate all year round and produce a large offspring. It is allowed to start breeding pets at the age of 5-6 months, which is attributed to their features. Males and females are already sexually mature by this age. Another feature of rabbits is that in females, the hunting period is 6 days, and the rest period is from 7 to 9 days.

The mating is carried out in the cage of the male or on neutral territory. After the end of the mating, the rabbit is placed in her cage. To make sure that the mating went well, the rabbit is re-planted to the rabbit after a week. A pregnant animal will not let a rabbit in.

In order for the rabbit to have enough strength to bear and give birth to viable rabbits, 10-14 days before the date of mating, protein feed, mineral-vitamin complexes are introduced into her diet. Active animals that are the best representatives of the breed are allowed to mate.

The female rabbits bear about 30 days. Deviations of 3-4 days are allowed. The behavior of the rabbit helps to determine the date of birth, which, 3-4 days before the offspring is born, becomes restless and begins to equip the nest. In a mother liquor installed and lined with straw, she puts fluff, which she tears from her stomach. If the female is not engaged in arranging the nest, a person who has to pick fluff from the rabbit and lay a nest for them should take care of this. Childbirth most often occurs at night. In the birth process, rabbits interfere only as a last resort. It is undesirable to touch the offspring with your hands. The rabbit, smelling a foreign smell, will refuse offspring.

After giving birth, a person needs to identify dead rabbits and remove them from the cage. The rabbit takes care of the young. She comes to the mother liquor to feed her offspring.

In winter, fewer rabbits are born than in summer. If, during the birth, the rabbit gave birth to more than 10 rabbits, it is better to plant some of them with another nursing female, which does not have such a large offspring.

Breed selection

When choosing rabbits for breeding at home, it is worth taking into account that there are breeds of various orientations, each of which has pros and cons, individual characteristics. There are meat and downy breeds. The former in large quantities give tasty meat, the latter are valued for the high quality of wool. They are slaughtered for the skins. There are also hybrid breeds that are optimal for beginner rabbit breeders or people who have not decided on the reason for breeding animals.

Breeding meat breeds differs little from breeding fur breeds. Caring for meat hybrids involves enhanced nutrition during the development of rabbits. Fur hybrids do not need enhanced nutrition. It is worth noting that fur species are ready for slaughter by 6 months. Meat breeds gain maximum weight 2-3 months later.

It is profitable to breed breeds that are disease resistant. But with gross violations of the conditions of detention, the disease affects any breed.

Business

To calculate the profitability of breeding rabbits by any method, you need to draw up a project. It includes the cost of building buildings, if the content is made in a barn, the cost of feed, the cost of vaccines against diseases, the price of rabbits, the cost of equipment for arranging a rabbitry. When drawing up a plan, all the subtleties of the technology of keeping at home are taken into account. If it is planned to grow on an industrial scale, then take into account the presence of a market for meat and skins. 2 plans are presented in the form of a comparative table. The first plan should include the cost of raising pets only in the summer, and the second should include the cost of keeping the pets in the winter. This will help to evaluate the profit received with any method of maintenance.

When calculating profits, they take into account the fact that it will be possible to earn not only on the sale of meat or skins, but also on the sale of rabbits. The maximum benefit will come from breeding breeds that are most valued on the market (chinchilla, German ram, white and gray giant, New Zealand red rabbit (NZK), etc.). It is worth reading about the news in the field of selection. Scientists are constantly working on breeding new highly productive breeds. Breeding such rabbits is no more difficult than animals of ordinary breeds.

Conclusion

With the right approach, breeding rabbits for beginners is always profitable. Diseases in animals in most cases appear due to mistakes made by farmers while raising pets. In general, rabbits are unpretentious and suitable for keeping on the street. Before breeding fluffy animals, they arrange a place for them in the household yard. The secret to running a successful farm lies only in maintaining standards and ensuring good nutrition.

Breeding rabbits at home will not lose its popularity. First, it is a profitable business. Secondly, these animals provide not only valuable fur, but also meat and manure, which is used as fertilizer. Thirdly, do not forget about the rate of reproduction: one female can give birth to 26 cubs per year.

Path choice

A huge individual with a lot of meat and a pleasant skin.

First choose a breed. Today there are about 200 breeds. Popular: chinchilla, gray and white giant, butterfly, Viennese blue. Breeds are divided into three main types:

1. Skinny
2. Meat
3. Meat-skin

For rabbit breeding, they buy healthy, distinguished by clean eyes, a strong body and a shiny coat. It is undesirable to acquire those who have signs:

• crooked paws
• Protruding hips
• Extended head
• Loose or ruffled hair
• Obesity or malnutrition

Biological features

Rabbits are rodents that live in burrows in colonies and eat plant foods. Sexual maturity occurs at 3-4 months. The pregnancy lasts for a month. After birth, after 3-5 days the female is ready to breed again. 4 months after birth, it already weighs 3-3.5 kg - a weight that is 60 times higher than the initial one.

Adult animals shed seasonally. The first time - in the spring (April, March), the second time - in the fall (October, September). They have their thickest coat in November. In young animals, molting goes on during the transitional age. Breeders tend to slaughter when the coat change is over.

Advice from a professional

They have a developed sense of smell, but their eyesight is poor. Therefore, it is dangerous to plant not her offspring in a cage with a rabbit. Having identified a stranger by smell, he will simply destroy him. The sense of smell also influences the choice of food. It is also difficult to get accustomed to new varieties of food.

Before birth, rabbits in nature dig holes in dark places. Therefore, in the house at the maternity ward, install a blank door, and place the floor grate lower than that of the bright ward.

The condition of newborns is an indicator of the rabbit's milkiness. If the young growth lies calmly, it has a clean and smooth skin, and the body is round, then milk production is high. This indicator is influenced by the quality of the feed, season, weather, etc. It is important to remember that an obese rabbit is not able to give birth.

Growth and development at home

The baby is born with closed eyes. They open in the second week of life. After 7 days, the body of the newborn is covered with a light fluff 0.5 cm long. And by 20 days, the formation of the hairline is completed. Then he switches to self-catering.

According to statistics

The change of teeth begins 3 weeks after birth. By 25 days it ends. A rabbit is born with a weight of 60 grams, and after a few days the initial weight doubles. A month later, the pet weighs 10 times more than before.

Such intensive development is due to the high concentration of nutrients in milk:

• 2% sugar
• 15% protein
• 0.64% calcium
• 20% fat
• 0.44% phosphorus

A man breeds giant rabbits in a hot climate

During the lactation period, the body produces 50-20 grams of milk. By the 30th day of feeding, its excretion stops.

By the 5th month of life, the animal weighs 2.2-3.5 kg. By that time, he has already reached puberty. By the end of the first year, bone formation is completed.

By the 18th day of life, milk teeth are replaced. Then the cubs begin to reach for the mash, delicate green leaves. By the age of one month, the change of teeth is completed.

After 15 days, the animals are ripe for adult food. By that time, she stops feeding milk, and the young are transplanted.

They have a weak spine, consisting of 46 vertebrae. The paws are also fragile. As a result of fright or careless movement, young animals can damage the spine. Animals live an average of 8 years, but by the age of 4 it is necessary to stop using them for the purpose of breeding at home.

Adults and young are kept in separate cages. For the first, a drinking bowl, feeding and nesting compartments are equipped in the dwelling. Periodically, the "house" needs to be cleaned.

If you breed rabbits outside, you can harden them. They become less susceptible to various diseases. But do not keep animals outside in winter.

Rabbits are mating

Since the pets mature quickly, they are immediately separated into separate cages. The sex of the animal is preliminarily determined: skin is pulled around the genitals. If a triangle with a cut is visible, then the female, and if the tube, then the male.

Minimum age for mating: 4 months. Previously not recommended, because it can harm the health of animals and offspring. Reproduction occurs all year round, there are no restrictions. True, year-round mating is recommended for pets that are healthy.

Experienced rabbit breeders follow the following birthing schedule (when breeding at home):

1. Occurs from January 15 to February 1. Since pregnancy lasts 28-31 days, females are mated from December 15 to January 1, and young animals are planted from March 1 to March 15.
2. Scheduled for April 1-15. Mating: from 1 to 15 March, jigging - from 15 to 30 May.
3. Falls on June 1-15. May 1st to May 15th. Jigging from 15 to 30 July.

The male should be used as often as possible for mating. Long breaks will lead to health problems. As a rule, 1 male is assigned to 8 females.

Professional advice

Before mating, check if the female is in heat. It is expressed in an increase and pinkness of the genital loop. She is restless, plucks the fluff on her chest, collects bedding, scatters food. The hunt lasts several days.

The first mating of a young female should be with an older male. If she is “experienced,” then they sit down with a less adult. Before mating, breeders cull animals with flaws.

After 5 days, control mating is performed. If she was fertilized last time, then she will not let the male near her. Final check after 16 days. The animal's abdomen is palpated. If she is pregnant, then an embryo two or three centimeters long is felt at hand.

Preparing for the birth

approximate birth calendar

A few days before giving birth, she lays out a nest. To do this, he plucks the fluff on his stomach. But not all rabbits do this, so the breeders themselves line the bottom with cotton wool or fluff.

The presence of water in the dwelling is obligatory, since mothers, not finding how to satisfy their thirst, destroy their offspring. After the birth, the female is taken out to examine the cubs: the weak, stillborn are removed.

If the litter turned out to be too large and the owners see that they can’t feed, then the “extra” rabbits are transferred to another cage. Previously, the future "mother" of the cubs is removed from the cage. The nest is cleaned, and the young are sprayed with an infusion of odorous grass: yarrow, wormwood, etc. Then the female will not accept her offspring.

Cages for young animals

Young animals are kept in clean and bright cages, convenient for cleaning (excrement does not linger) and for operation. The residence has two sections:

1. For walking
2. A shelter entered through a hole. The floor is mesh.

In both of them, a feeder (in the shape of a triangle), a drinking bowl and a manger are placed.

Learn more from the article - at home.

mother liquors

mother liquor. Inside view.

During the period of rearing young animals and kindling, a mother liquor with dimensions of 50X30X27 cm and a manhole 18X18 cm is placed in the dwelling. It is easily removed, which is doubly convenient for examining rabbits. Another advantage: the temperature inside is kept constant. Follow the general requirements:

• Make the mother liquor spacious so that the babies are not injured by the female during her movements.
• It should be cleaned quickly so as not to stress the mother once again (1 time in 3-4 days).
• The mother liquor should have two compartments. In what is intended for rabbits, you should make a solid bottom, and for a rabbit - trellised so that the excrement falls down into the troughs.

Feeding

Food should be enough (constant access to food is desirable). And dry food must be diluted with water. When dosing (3-4 times) a strict regimen is necessary, otherwise an uneven schedule will lead to problems in the digestive system of rabbits. Serve food not only of vegetable, but also of animal origin.

About that at home.

slaughter

This is what the carcass looks like

Stop fattening and kill at the age of 4 months. Before this, make sure that the pet has finished molting. The fur on the rump and sides is inflated and they look at the color of the skin: if it is white, then they are slaughtered. 12 hours before slaughter, do not drink or feed.

Help posts

To facilitate breeding work, rabbit breeders keep records. Previously, a sign is hung on each cage, which indicates the results of weighing, rounding (in rabbits), mating, and productivity. The same information is entered in a notebook.

Before breeding rabbits at home, prepare a place for them, calculate the costs associated with breeding (especially the cost of feed). In a year, one rabbit and her offspring require 412 kg of green grass, 107 kg of hay, 330 kg of concentrates, 120 kg of potatoes, food waste, root crops.

Growing rabbits in household plots is aimed not only at obtaining skins, but also meat, which has a high taste and is considered dietary. Raising rabbits for meat has certain differences in comparison with breeding fur animals.

Fattening rabbits for meat

The amount of meat obtained depends on many factors: the conditions of detention, the time of rounding and the quality of feeding. Therefore, when choosing a breed for breeding, one should take into account the requirements for feed, maintenance and take into account the labor costs for caring for animals.

The best option for raising rabbits for meat at home is the following: th:

• The best females are kept in separate cages and, upon reaching the age of five months, they happen;
• After birth, the females are kept together with the cubs for some time, and then sent for slaughter;
• The offspring are fed up to three months, after which they are also sold.

A drawing and a photo of cages intended for keeping meat breeds are shown in Figure 1. A one-time mating of young females allows you to get a numerous and high-quality offspring, while reducing feed consumption. However, in this case, the backyard farm should have a sufficient number of cages for keeping females and young animals.

Figure 1. Drawing and photo of cages for keeping rabbits

Given enough quality food, young females can be seen twice in their first year of life. This reduces the required number of cells and allows you to grow numerous and productive young. From the video you will learn how to properly assemble a cage for individual breeding of rabbits.

The diet of rabbits for fattening for meat

Juicy and tender meat is a special dietary product that can be obtained by observing proper and balanced feeding. Nutrition should include a large amount of organic and mineral substances, which will accelerate the growth and natural maturation of individuals.

Fattening rabbits for meat is carried out according to the following diet y (Figure 2):

• Complete proteins- Animal and vegetable origin. They are found in legumes, fresh herbs, fish and meat and bone meal.
• Carbohydrates- cereals, legumes, root crops. The body of animals perfectly absorbs carbohydrates obtained from carrots, potatoes, clover, alfalfa, turnip.
• Compound feed used to diversify the diet and increase the muscle mass of animals.

Figure 2. Example of a fattening ration for meat

The diet of medium and large breeds should be varied and contain mineral and vitamin supplements. Legume-cereal mixtures provide the body of animals with the necessary vitamins, minerals, proteins. Vegetable and gardening waste is used as green fodder: potato and carrot tops, cabbage leaves and stalks, apples, strawberry leaves, etc.

Note: Juicy feeds from root crops, melons and silage contain a lot of carbohydrates and vitamins. Zucchini, pumpkin, fodder watermelon and potatoes are also suitable, which can be given raw, but better boiled - with compound feed, cake, meal.

Silage is the most valuable feed, replenishing the lack of vitamins in winter and early spring. For silage, corn, sunflower, quinoa, cabbage leaves, tops of carrots and peas, herbs are used.

Sources of fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals are roughage such as hay, certain types of straw, branch feed. Legume-grass hay is the most valuable for young animals and females during pregnancy and lactation. Dried hay is processed into grass meal and mixed into soft food.

They also use oat / millet and pea / lentil straw for feed, other types - for bedding. Useful substances and vitamins contain branch feeds, such as: willow, willow, aspen, acacia, linden, etc.

Growing technology

Rabbits are bred on special farms. Growing these animals for meat is very profitable, as they are characterized by precocity, and their meat is tender, white and is in high demand among consumers.

Breeding on a farm requires the purchase of special cages for their maintenance. Modern cages are equipped with light, heating, ventilation, automatic feeding, watering, and manure removal. Such conditions keep the animals healthy, which makes it possible to quickly recoup production.

Note: You can breed livestock at home. To do this, buy or build cages, placing them in a clean, dry room. They are well cared for, given complete feed and vaccinated against myxomatosis on time. In order for animals to grind their teeth, branches and tree bark are placed in cages. It also requires a constant supply of clean water.

At the age of 4-6 months, individuals are allowed to mate. The duration of estrus in the female is 3-5 days every 8-9 days. After giving birth, estrus resumes for 1-2 days. For a year, you can get 4-5 litters from adult females and 1-2 from young ones. For 8 females, one male is left. For intensive growth, females are crossed with males of other breeds. For one offspring, the female brings from 6 to 18 cubs. Slaughter for meat begins at the age of 3-4 months.

Growing methods

When raising rabbits for meat at home, two methods are used: purebred mating and their crossing.

Purebred breeding is to enhance the good qualities in the offspring of this breed, so only the best representatives of the breed are mated. When selecting a female and a male, their compatibility and compatibility of family lines are taken into account.

Note: A line is a productive and numerous group of animals with one common male ancestor. A family group that shares a common ancestor with a female is called a family. Lines are an important link in animal husbandry, which makes it possible to obtain individuals that will pass on the necessary useful traits to generations.

The most effective pairing of this method is the mating of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces. Incorrect mating can produce unnecessary and even harmful genes.

When interline crossing, representatives of the best lines are crossed to obtain and consolidate the necessary qualities. On farms, industrial crossing is used - representatives of different breeds are mated.

What meat breeds

All rabbits intended for slaughter for meat must comply with GOST. All animals are divided into groups:

• First: It is customary to subdivide it into the first and second subcategories. In animals of this group, the muscles are well developed, the dorsal vertebrae are weakly palpable and practically do not protrude, the hips are well developed and rounded. Fat deposits are well felt on the withers, abdomen and groin.
• Second: in animals, the muscles are slightly less developed, and the spinous processes of the dorsal vertebrae protrude slightly. Representatives of the second group have tightened hips, a slightly flat bottom, and body fat may be absent.
• Third: this group includes animals with poor muscle development and protruding vertebrae. They are considered skinny, and are not suitable for breeding for meat. Figure 3 shows the main defects that make animals unsuitable for slaughter for meat.

Figure 3. Possible external defects of individuals

The coat should not be dirty, tangled or actively shedding. Females should not be in the last stage of pregnancy.

Broiler rabbits belong to the first category, and their fatness must meet the following requirements:

• Solid and well developed musculature, thighs and rump;
• The spinous processes of the dorsal vertebrae are palpable;
• Small fat deposits can be felt at the withers.

Individuals intended for slaughter for meat can be transported by any type of vehicle, but in accordance with the existing rules for transporting animals and poultry in containers, boxes, metal or wooden cages.

Meat breeds of rabbits that are suitable for breeding include(picture 4):

1. New Zealand White: the weight reaches 6 kg, and for one round the female brings 7-12 cubs. Their soles are lowered, so the breed can be grown on mesh floors.
2. New Zealand Red: females are much larger than males, and after birth, the cubs quickly gain the weight needed for slaughter.
3. Gray giant: the weight of adults is 5-6 kilograms. The female brings 7-8 cubs, which are distinguished by their precocity, rapid growth and good weight. Medium quality meat. You can also get large skins.
4. California breed characterized by rapid growth and weight. For a year, the female brings 30-35 rabbits. The skin is of high quality, with thick and dense wool, the meat is distinguished by high palatability.
5. European Silver: animals of this breed are picky, have a calm character, require a minimum of food, and tolerate severe frosts. The skin is thick and soft.
6. Poltava silver- a breed that allows you to get juicy and tasty meat. The fur is fluffy and is valued for its coloration. Animals tolerate frost well.

Figure 4. Popular meat breeds: 1 - New Zealand white, 2 - New Zealand red, 3 - gray giant, 4 - Californian, 5 - European silver, 6 - Poltava silver

Maintenance at home (rooms, temperature, care)

In the garden, rabbits are better kept outdoors than indoors. The place where the cells will be located should be dry, on a hill with minimal sunlight (Figure 5).

Note: Cells are best made of wood, placing them in two tiers. Internal corners must be beaten with iron strips. The ceiling and walls of the cages must be wooden. The floors are double: the upper part is a grate, the lower part is a tray to remove dirt.

During the cold period, animals should be kept in warm rooms with heating and protection from drafts.

High quality food is used for feeding. The diet should contain green fodder, vegetables and lots of hay. Iodine or potassium permanganate should be dripped into drinking water to protect animals from coccidiosis. For female rabbits, apple cider vinegar is added to drink to increase fertility. Animals must have constant access to water and food. Feeding utensils should be constantly washed and disinfected regularly.

Figure 5. Conditions for keeping rabbits for meat

In a city apartment, you can also breed rabbits for meat, provided that they are not frightened by pets or children. Cages should be with two compartments: a place for walking and a mesh floor with a pallet. The nesting compartment for females is fenced off. It is necessary to feed animals with compound feed, as well as greens, vegetables and fruits. In the summer they are kept on the balcony, and in the winter they are transferred indoors.

Profitability of raising rabbits for meat

First you need to determine for what purpose you start rabbits. If you are just starting to breed them, then it is more profitable to take well-known local breeds.

The profitability of raising rabbits is determined by several factors(picture 6):

1. You need to acquire healthy moving individuals, with a well-fed, downed body, clean eyes and shiny fur. Unsuitable are animals with an elongated head, drooping ears, sagging back and belly, balding pile.
2. In advance, you need to take care of the premises for the livestock. For keeping outdoors, cages with two compartments are equipped. Feeders and drinkers are fixed inside.
3. Indoors in winter, cages with a double ceiling and dense walls are insulated. Cages can be made from different materials, but they should not be drafty. It is important to ensure a constant supply of fresh air and optimal daylight.
4. The cells are arranged in several tiers with a passage between them and moderate lighting. When growing rabbits for meat, the light intensity is reduced for the fattening period.

Then choose the maintenance method that will suit your conditions. If there is not enough space on the site, but there is a basement or cellar, then you can keep animals in a pit method.

Rabbit meat is a fast-digesting, high-quality product that contains a lot of protein. It is recommended for children, athletes, women during pregnancy and lactation.

Figure 6. Calculation of the profitability of breeding rabbits

When raising rabbits for meat, meat breeds will bring profit, with rapid growth, weight gain, good product quality, as well as representatives of the meat and skin direction of productivity.

All carcasses must comply with approved GOSTs and quality standards. After slaughter, carcasses are cleaned of all internal organs except the kidneys. The head is separated along the first cervical vertebra, the hind limbs along the hock joint, and the front limbs along the carpal joint (Figure 7).

Carcasses of rabbits are usually divided as follows:

• Cooled down - the temperature is not more than 25 degrees;
• Chilled - from 0 to 4 degrees;
• Ice cream - no more than 8 degrees below zero.

To implement the implementation of rabbit meat, it should be frozen or cooled. It is not allowed to sell carcasses to retail chains if there are such defects:

• bone fractures;
• Fat on the back takes up more than a third of the total length of the carcass;
• Stripping from bruises or bruises;
• Carcasses that have been frozen more than once, after which the color has changed (became flesh-colored).

During the marking, each carcass is stamped on the outside of the drumstick: carcasses of the first category are stamped with a round stamp, carcasses of the second category are stamped with a square stamp, and broiler carcasses are branded with an oval stamp. If the carcass does not meet the requirements, a triangular stamp is placed on the back. From the video you will learn the basic recommendations for fattening rabbits for further sale for meat.

Business plan "crole farm"

To benefit from rabbit breeding, a business plan is drawn up, which considers the main aspects of rabbit breeding. The farmer needs to become an individual entrepreneur, since such a form of ownership reduces taxes and facilitates bookkeeping.

Figure 7. Cutting a rabbit carcass

The profitability of raising rabbits for meat is average, since this product is not considered the most popular on the market. Fattening animals for meat as a business involves several preparatory steps.

First of all, you need to choose a land plot. A profitable option would be a plot with a minimum rent. The next step is to buy cells. By building them yourself, you can save your money. The third step is to purchase rabbits. And also take a worker who will take care of the animals.

The organization of marketing must be thought out before the organization of the economy. Clients can be meat markets, supermarkets, individuals. Skins can be sold to fur ateliers and private fashion designers.

For additional income, many people choose an area such as rabbit breeding. This is not so surprising, because the rabbit business is a very affordable and simple type of subsidiary farm that does not require a large investment of material resources. In addition, breeding pets does not take much time and effort.

How to breed rabbits

The choice of breed and the purpose of rearing play an important role in the early stages of the rabbit breeding process, so it is necessary to start from this step. There are three main areas into which all possible breeds can be divided: meat, meat-skin and downy. Profit and resources can be obtained only if healthy, thoroughbred young animals are bred. You can check the "quality" of adults according to the following criteria:

• fatness;
• condition of the trunk, pile, eyes;
• mobility;
• color;

The selected copy for breeding must have all the necessary characteristics that are inherent in the breed of interest. In no case do not buy sick, malnourished or obese animals: with their help it will not be possible to breed healthy offspring and get high-quality rabbit meat. Pay attention to the shape of the ears, paws and head, check the condition of the pile, otherwise breeding rabbits at home will not bring you profit.

Breeding rabbits as a business

It is very profitable to raise individuals as the main source of income, but you will have to spend a lot of time on preliminary calculations, preparation and purchase. Hints:

1. First you need to build a rabbit farm or purchase ready-made systems.
2. You can find a ready-made business plan with accurate calculations of cost, profitability, expenses and attached photos, technical diagrams.
3. Rabbit breeding as a business requires structuring available resources, foresight and a willingness to constantly learn, change the process, taking into account mistakes.
4. For breeding for the first time, choose only meat breeds, they will provide you with a decent level of income.

Rabbits for myself

Ornamental breeds can be grown for your own needs, because small animals grow quickly and are the most prolific creatures among the rest of the fauna. During the year, one rabbit gives an average of six births - brings about 25 young animals. Breeding rabbits for yourself is a profitable activity that regularly provides healthy dietary meat, fur and skins. Slaughter is carried out several times a year, the average weight of one animal is 4 kg.

Individuals should be kept in comfort, providing all the necessary conditions. This:

• cages for maintenance;
• auxiliary inventory;
• drinker;
• feeder;
• nesting department.

Breeds of rabbits for breeding

Rabbit meat is known for its beneficial properties, it is recommended to be consumed at any age. You can raise rabbits in a subsidiary plot, a village or a farm. According to the purpose of cultivation, a special category of individuals is selected. They make a good profit from the sale and marketing of carcasses, so they buy meat breeds of rabbits for home breeding, there are a large number of them:

• Poltava silver.
• new zealand white;
• European silver;
• new zealand red;
• flandre;
• Californian;
• silver;
• rizen;
• white giant;
• Soviet chinchilla;
• french sheep;
• gray giant.

How to start breeding rabbits

Such activities will bring results only if the rules of content are strictly observed and there are no errors. The beginning of rabbit breeding includes several stages, the first of which is the acquisition of young animals. The rabbit must be completely healthy, it is recommended to buy females at farm shows, where there is a lower probability of running into “defective” goods (genetically or with latent hemorrhagic diseases). Rabbits should be at least two to three months old.

Examine the rabbits for imperfections. Pedigree animals must fully comply with the specified standards for external parameters. Further, it is necessary to provide the animals with everything necessary, for which enclosures, cages are built in advance, holes are dug, and so on. The choice of how to keep rabbits lies entirely on the shoulders of the entrepreneur, the decision must be carefully considered. Choosing the optimal diet for individuals is the next stage of productive breeding, so it is necessary to ensure that the diet is balanced and varied.

Traditionally keeping rabbits in a limited space. However, rabbit breeders around the world have a division: free breeding and cage breeding. Each type has its pros and cons. The choice of content method directly depends on the available resources. For example, the cage method is more suitable for people who breed a small number of rabbits in a limited area. It can be a yard, cottage, garage, barn or even a balcony.

Free maintenance can only be afforded by large landowners, for whom this activity is the main type of income. Rabbit breeding at home implies maximum care for animals, they are protected from all kinds of diseases. Giving preference to the cellular content, it is possible not only to control the well-being of females, their selection and crossing, but also to regulate other important activities - veterinary, feeding.

Breeding rabbits in a pit

One of the oldest ways of free breeding is keeping rabbits in a pit. Now this method is rarely used due to the large number of inconveniences, however, some people adhere to this natural method of breeding. The main advantage of the method is its simplicity and the almost complete absence of the need to use additional devices.

Rabbits in cages

Keeping breeding rabbits in cages can be dangerous for their health, because purebred individuals need room for movement. To provide them with this opportunity, many people build special enclosures. The size of the fence depends on the number of young, but experts advise keeping the male separately to control the breeding process. Breeding rabbits in aviaries is considered a more economical option, because much less materials are required to build a structure.

Using modern methods of keeping animals, you can achieve excellent results, because raising rabbits in cages is not the only way. When building special walking areas, there is no need to keep individuals locked up around the clock. It is only necessary to release them in time to prevent diseases or obesity. The cellular content of rabbits includes many advantages, the most important of which is the condition of the meat. The more tender it is, the more willingly it is purchased on the market.

rabbit farm

For particularly large agricultural structures, an entire rabbit farm may be needed. Keeping and breeding individuals on sheds should be automated and not require frequent human intervention. Modern technologies help to reach a stable income with minimal investment, but for a start, experts recommend purchasing an already patented system. It will minimize the risks at the initial stages, because animals grown on mini-farms are practically not susceptible to the development of diseases.

How to care for rabbits

Breeding rabbits is not at all difficult. It is more important to know how to properly care for them. Regular care of rabbits is the key to success, so you should always follow the rules:

• Individuals should always be provided with sufficient fresh food and clean water for active growth.
• The aviary or cage must be kept clean.
• Do not ignore the vaccination of rabbits, because due to the lack of vaccinations, animals can start to get sick, which for a large accumulation of them is fraught with the rapid transmission of viral and other pathogens.

How to feed rabbits at home

A properly formulated diet for animals helps to quickly get good meat, so this task should be approached with special responsibility. The norms of feeding rabbits in winter and summer differ, because each season is rich in healthy products. In the spring, for successful breeding of rabbits, they are fed with green grass, which is alternated with other ingredients. Giving one nettle or wormwood all the time is not very reasonable, so the optimal diet for animals should include:

• vegetables;
• cereal crops;
• branches.

What can you feed a decorative rabbit

Decorative breeds require more thorough care than industrial ones. Feeding decorative rabbits at home must necessarily include components such as hay, dry food, greens and root crops. Animal nutrition should be not only varied, but also balanced. Some vegetables, such as potatoes, are best excluded from their diet due to possible intestinal problems. But crackers are very useful for ornamental breeds: they sometimes replace morning or evening feeding.

What to feed rabbits for meat

Some specialists are faced with the problem of fattening animals, because sometimes even with good breeding, they subsequently refuse food. The best solution is to stick to a phased feeding regimen that will help the animals gain weight quickly. Feeding rabbits for meat implies compliance with a special diet:

1. The preparatory stage consists of the transfer of individuals to grain, feed or bran.
2. At the second stage, high-calorie porridge and mash become the main component of nutrition.
3. The stage of enhanced feeding includes the addition of chicory, cumin or dill.

Reproduction of rabbits at home

Planning mating when breeding rabbits will allow you to get offspring throughout the year. It is better to use several individuals at once due to the different degree of milk production in females. With a lack of milk in one of her cubs, you can transplant to another. Before mating, you need to delve into the features of rabbit breeding in order to prevent missteps when breeding. It is not recommended to cross animals that are related: the possible negative impact on the offspring is taken into account.

The main rule is the correct podsidka - the rabbit is launched into the cage to the male during the hunt, but not vice versa. This is due to the fact that the male, once in a new territory, will be busy developing it, so the process of mating for the sake of breeding may be delayed. The duration of the hunt for females is 3-5 days, the break can last from 8 to 9 days. One or two matings are enough to fertilize the female, after which the rabbit is again placed in a separate cage or aviary. The gestation period is 30 days, during which the animal needs special care.

Video: Rabbit breeding for beginners