Rabbit farming

INTRODUCTION/PRESENTATION OF THE THEME

More than 20 years ago, high-profit rabbit farming basically consisted of the sale of puppies to laboratories that produced vaccines.
against foot-and-mouth disease. With new techniques for producing these vaccines, this type of rabbit production has declined significantly, but nowadays there are others.
purposes for rabbits, including a large consumer market for rabbit meat, which represents an amount of fifty to one hundred
times greater than the slaughter and storage capacity of producers. Therefore, it reveals rabbit farming as a great economic potential.
The rabbit is an animal species raised for various purposes and uses. In laboratories, they are still used as subjects to determine efficacy.
the side effects of medications. In the United States, for example, more than 800,000 are used annually in laboratory work.
Rabbits are also very useful for obtaining fur intended for the production of felts and fine fabrics. Good quality skins also
are used in the manufacture of clothing parts.
The meat for human consumption is the noblest purpose of rabbit farming. Thanks to its quality, it has a very high nutritional value for the
man
Like some characteristics of rabbits, we have a wide variation in the colors of the eyes and fur. Also, the weight can vary greatly depending on
of the breed. At birth, the small ones weigh between 40 to 45g; the medium ones, between 60 to 64g and the giants, between 75 to 80g. When adults, they can reach
more than 5Kg, depending on the breed, with females weighing from 300 to 500g more than males. Another characteristic is that up to the twentieth
On the first day, the puppies remain in the nest, only feeding on mother’s milk. And contrary to what many think, rabbits need
a lot of water. In fact, much of the water consumed daily is eliminated through urine, which has a yellowish, opaque color and is very
dense.
Race defines a set of individuals of the same species or genetic variability with common origin and characteristics; and that, in the same
Conditions transmit the same characteristics to their descendants. Among rabbits, there are a large number of breeds and also varieties.
among them. Rabbit breeds are classified according to color, fur size, size, and economic function:
As for the color of the coat:
Uniform white: New Zealand white, Flemish giant white, Bouscat giant, Spanish giant, Angora.
White with dark spots scattered: butterfly
White with dark ends: California and Himalaya.
Blue: Vienna blue and Beveren blue.
- Black uniform: Alaska, Black Hotot, Black Flemish Giant.
Mixed black: black and fire.
Black with white spots: Dutch.
- Reddish: Burgundy lion or Burgundy fuvo, Spanish giant, New Zealand red, and Havana.
Silver: champagne-silver and silver-champagne.
Diffuse: chinchilla.
Striped: Japanese.
Gray: giant-of-flanders-gray.
As for the size of the hair:
Short hair (less than 1.3cm)
Short hair (longer than 1.5 cm but shorter than 2.5 cm)
Normal hair (2.5 cm)
Medium-length hair (more than 2.5 cm and less than 7 cm)
Long hair (over 7cm)
Regarding the possession:
Giant (adult over 5 Kg)
Medium (adult weight over 3kg, but below 5kg)
Small (adult weight of 2.5 to 3 kg)
Dwarf (adult weight below 2.5Kg)
As for the economic function:
Meat-producing breeds
Skin-producing breeds
Fur-producing breeds
Process/formulation
describe and inform handling procedures
The first step for the rabbit breeder is to plan their production, outlining all production stages in sequential order.
practical and correct.
It is necessary to define the production objective. When the aim is meat production, the animals are slaughtered at the age of 60 to 90 days. If the
The main purpose is to obtain skin, the animals must be slaughtered at 180 days of age. For fur production, the animals remain in the herd.
up to 4 years old.
The selected males for reproduction can live from 3 to 4 years, while the females should be used for a maximum of 10 to 12.
births. Although all breeds produce meat, only the giant and medium-sized ones meet the economic requirements, as they reach a weight of 1.8 to
2.0 kg at the age of 70 to 75 days. From an economic point of view, it is of great importance for the rabbit breeder, meat producer, to achieve these goals.
Postponement of slaughter results in a reduction of profit margin due to the increase in input costs.
Through market research, the rabbit farmer must reach a conclusion about the production planning in relation to:
Determine the production interval, that is, whether it should be delivered monthly, biweekly, or weekly to better meet the demand.
consumer
Establish the number of animals that will be slaughtered or marketed per production interval;
Calculate the number of cages, nests, feeders, and waterers needed;
Hurry up the feed consumption by production interval;
Calculate the feed conversion of the herd and the production cost;
Outline the evolution of the herd.
In addition to the pre-established indices from the market study, some zootechnical data are essential for the calculations.
mentioned:
- Idade de abate ( relacionada ao peso ) : 1,8 a 2 Kg em 60 dias; 2,3 a 2,5 Kg em 75 dias e 2,8 a 3 Kg em 90 dias;
Prolificacy (number of live piglets born per litter): eight;
Productivity (number of weaned and marketed piglets per litter): seven
six
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- Número total de partos por matriz : dez;
30 days
30 days
Number of coverings per breeder per day: up to three;
Coverage period: maximum of 3 days;
Age of acquisition of breeding stocks and breeders: depends on market availability;
Age of onset in reproduction: 4 months;
Cages to use: it is interesting for the breeder to standardize the cages regarding the dimensions, as this will facilitate assembly, distribution, and management.

RAW MATERIAL
(qualify and quantify)
Although it is a typical herbivore, the rabbit also consumes cereal grains as a source of nutrients. The breeders and the matrices, due to being
but older animals can receive forages ad libitum and feed in a controlled manner, without affecting their reproductive performance. As for the
fattening animals should be given forage only to meet their fiber needs, and feed ad libitum. In this way, they grew.
quickly, reaching the ideal weight for slaughter at an early age, as is desirable.
Many breeders agree that pelleted feed (granulated) is the best option, as it is preferred by the animals, presenting
less waste and a higher food conversion.
To complement the fiber needs of rabbits, here is a list of the best and most suitable forage plants for their diet.
rabbits:
Rami
Perennial soybean
Guandu
Alfalfa
In addition to these specified forage plants, other plants and crop residues can be used such as: elephant grass and its varieties, Guatemala grass,
cultural residues, such as bean straw, rice straw, and vegetable scraps.

INFRASTRUCTURE
installations, equipment, machinery
The success of creation depends on four factors:
Availability of good quality water;
Need for isolation and tranquility - rabbits are gentle animals, but they get stressed with too much noise. Therefore, they need a
quiet environment for satisfactory development;
Easily accessible location;
Proximity to the consumer center and the sources of input.
Rabbit breeds can be created in different types of infrastructure. They can be outdoors, in open shelters, and in partially covered shelters.
closed or totally, like the warehouses. The choice of the best installation mainly depends on the environmental conditions (temperature, humidity,
) and the number of animals that are intended to be produced.
Other important equipment in rabbit farming are:
Tattooist: used for identifying animals at weaning time;
Injection syringes: used in the administration of vaccines, antibiotics, etc.;
Scale: important for monitoring the development of the piglets and weighing feed;
- Sprayer: necessary for the application of disinfectants and scabicides;
Flame throwers: used in cleaning and in sanitary control;
Cleaning materials: such as brooms, brushes, etc.;
Files: very important for storing and protecting the zootechnical control records of the herd.

ECONOMIC/COMMERCIAL/MANAGERIAL ASPECTS
For rabbit farming to become the profitable activity that the rural producer dreams of, it is necessary to keep one's feet on the ground. This small
The producer, before immersing himself in the culture itself, must plan it with great care. Thus, he must conduct a true research of
market, collecting information from various sources to know, for example, how many animals the region near your property will consume and not
to err by excess or lack when acquiring your matrices. Once this market research is done, it is necessary to rationally analyze the project that will
implement and the financial conditions for the initial investment.
It is also necessary to take into account the facilities and advantages that rabbit breeding provides:
It does not require excessive care for the animals, which allows one person to manage a breeding of up to 300 breeding females;
The required work is not exhausting or heavy, and can be carried out by women or children;
Creation does not require a lot of space, and significant productions can be achieved in small areas;
Exploration can be open-pit or in shelters, which can be open or closed;
- Despite everything, it is an economic activity that does not require much capital, as the facilities are not complex and the species in question is very
prolific and early, allowing a large breeding stock to be achieved with few matrices;
Another additional advantage is the production of high-quality manure, thanks to its composition of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that make it more
more valuable than the manure of other animals.

LEGAL ASPECTS
Nothing in particular to be noted.
OBSERVATIONS
As already mentioned, it is of utmost importance that the zootechnical control of the herd is carried out. This control can be done through records, and aims to achieve
four basic objectives:
Show the situation of the farm, allowing the monitoring of all variables such as: the ratio between coverings and failures of a matrix, relationship
between failures in coverage and breeders used, control of the number of weaning per birth of a sow, control to ensure that there are no
overutilization or underutilization of breeders, etc.
Help in problem-solving, enabling the detection of existing failures in the coverings and incorrect use of reproducers;
Assist in management practices, serving as a reminder of what needs to be done, and when;
Assist in the improvement of the herd, allowing the identification of the best animals for breeding, and enabling a careful selection.
based on the quality of the parents.
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Rabbits

Phylogenetic classification: the rabbit is a mammal of the order Lagomorpha, genus Oryctolagus and belonging to the species Oryctolagus cuniculus.
The rabbit is an animal that has a very short reproductive cycle, being able to mate again 4 days after giving birth. However, this birth should not be
used, as it will cause deficiencies to the fetuses that are being generated, as well as to the puppies that are being breastfed concurrently.
We can re-breed the breeders only after weaning the puppies, which should not happen before the litter has fully completed.
less than 50 days old. The rabbit's gestation lasts approximately 30 days, and it can give birth to an average of 8 kittens (rabbit offspring until weaning)
by birth. These characteristics are responsible for the rabbit's reputation as an extremely prolific animal. Another fact that draws great attention
for this species, its great growth capacity is reaching the weight for slaughter in approximately 70 days.
The meat of this animal has a high nutritional value when compared to that of other species exploited zootecnicamente. Rabbit meat
it has a high protein content and a low fat content.

% protein % fat
Coelho 20:8 10.2
chicken 20.0 11.0
boy 16.3 28.0
pig 11.9 45.0
A.P.C.C - Rabbit Farming Course
The rabbit has another great advantage; this animal can be exploited through the sale of its skin, paws, brain, manure, as well as being able to be
marketed as a pet.
Mating
We must place each adult female in a breeding cage, from which she only leaves to go to the male's cage to mate. The animals, both males and
females will be ready for breeding at 6 months, on average.
Natural mating
This is where we take the female very carefully and bring her to the male's cage. He will immediately seek her out, mounting her. We must check if there was
mating, what we notice when the male, after a series of back-and-forth movements, jumps forward and generally falls to one of the
sides. Just one cover is enough, but there is no inconvenience in doing one right after the first. We immediately remove the female and take her to
your cage. Five days later, we should repeat the mating, proceeding the same way as the first time.
Confined breeding
This method should not be used in commercial breeding, as it does not allow for monitoring of zootechnical indices.
Several females are placed in the male's cage for a day, and pregnancy can be identified after 15 days through palpation.
Artificial insemination
Since the rabbit's ovulation occurs 10 to 12 hours after copulation, using this system, bucks should be used to jump on the females.
stimulating them to ovulate. A hormone injection can be administered intravenously, 75 U.I. of human chorionic gonadotropin.
For sperm collection, an artificial vagina or electroejaculation is used. This method, which is ideal for medium and large breeding operations, facilitates management.
reproductive from gestation to dealing with the litter. It allows for the identification of specialized high-breed breeders for the purposes to which it is intended.
destines procreation. It practically eliminates sexually transmitted diseases.
Gestation - childbirth
It is advised to palpate after 15 days of breeding to ensure pregnancy. 27 days after the first mating, we place a nest inside.
from the cage, so that the female can have her puppies there. It can be a simple box of 50x30cm, preferably with a lid. Its front part
It must be open, having only a railing of 15cm high to prevent the chicks from being able to get out of it in the first few days. The nest must have a
layer of straw or dry grass cut into pieces of 10cm to 15cm at most, to prevent the bunnies from getting underneath it and not
they can go out to feed, dying of hunger.
The birth occurs 27 to 32 days after mating. On the eve or the day of the birth, the rabbit pulls the hair from its chest and belly to keep the young warm.
puppies and discovering the teats. When we notice that the nest is covered by a layer of fur and the rabbit is calm, it is a sign that the birth has already
it is over. Normally, it occurs at night; Therefore, the next morning, with hands washed only with water (no soap,
soap or disinfectant) and carefully, we moved the fur aside and underneath it we found the naked, closed-eyed puppies, all together.
We must count them, remove any dead, weak ones, or leave only 8 pups with the female, because she has 10 teats, and the 2 pectorals, in general,
They give little milk. The excess should be given to other rabbits that have smaller litters and of the same age, or else, sacrificed.
The wretches
At 4 days old, they already have fur and at 12 days they open their eyes; by 15 to 20 days they leave the nest and start eating the same food as the mother rabbit. The nest
must be removed at most when they reach 20 days. The rabbits are good breeders and, therefore, we should not interfere, except when the pups
they start to "cry" inside the nest, which means they are hungry, that the rabbit has no milk, has little milk, or perhaps because she abandoned the
nest. The fact that we do not see the rabbit nursing its young does not mean that it does not do so, as the nursing occurs at dusk and in the early morning.
Weaning
It must be done within 45 days, with the offspring separated from the mother. They are then separated by sex, marked, and placed in batches of 6 in each cage.
The females can remain until the breeding season, while the males must be separated, individually, at 4 months, because they start
fighting and their fights can end in death or in the castration of some by others. In order for the males to stay together, after this
at the age, we should neuter them
Ready for Breeding
Male and female rabbits will be ready for reproduction from 5 months of age (New Zealand White breed), remembering that
they should be separated soon after mating to avoid fights.
Natural mating
For this mating method, the female must be taken to the male's cage. Upon noticing the presence of the female, the male will promptly attempt to perform the
covering. One must always check if mating has occurred, which can be done by observing a characteristic movement of the rabbit after the
We mount, which is the one to fall to the side. After the cover, we immediately remove the female and take her to her cage.
Artificial insemination (AI)
This technique has been widely used in Europe as a technology to increase the efficiency of the rabbit industry. However, in our
In the country, AI in rabbits is still not used, even though its advantages are known.
The main advantages of using this technique are: the reduction in the number of males required in the herd, the monitoring of semen quality, the
possibility of scheduling reproductive management practices for fixed days of the week, in addition to controlling sexually transmitted diseases.
For artificial insemination to take place, the semen must first be collected using an artificial vagina specific to the species. After
this or the semen must be evaluated by a veterinarian for quality, and if it meets the minimum quality parameters, the next step will be
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or to calculate the number of doses, in order to carry out the dilution. Having the diluted semen on hand, one can inseminate the rabbits using equipment
suitable for the species.
Gestation (pregnancy) - childbirth
For the diagnosis of pregnancy, it is recommended to palpate the animal's belly after 15 days of mating. If the pregnancy is not confirmed, the female is empty.
It can be put back to mate. If the female is pregnant, a nest should be placed inside the cage 27 days after the mating.
for the female to have her offspring there. This can be a simple box of 50 cm x 30 cm and, preferably, with a lid. Its front part
It must be open, having only a parapet of 15cm in height to prevent the chicks from being able to leave it in the first days of life. The nest must
to have a layer of straw or dry grass cut into pieces no longer than 10cm to 15cm, to prevent the bunnies from getting underneath it and
they cannot go out to feed, dying of hunger.
The birth occurs 29 to 32 days after mating. The female exhibits a very characteristic behavior the day before or on the day of the
a birth that involves pulling the hair from the chest and belly to warm the puppies and reveal the nipples. When we observe that the nest is covered
by a layer of fur and the rabbit is calm is a sign that the birth is over. It usually occurs at night. Thus, the next day by
In the morning, with hands washed only with water (no soap, detergent, or disinfectant), and with care, we move the hair away and underneath it.
we found the naked puppies with their eyes closed, all together. We must count them, remove the dead ones, trying to leave only 8 with the female
laparos, because she has 10 teats, and the 2 mammary glands, in general, produce little milk. The excess should be passed to other rabbits that have
puppies in smaller quantities and that are of the same age, remembering to be careful about the possibility of rejection by the adoptive mother. A
Rejection is avoided by mixing the introduced chicks within the nest with those of the original brood.
The lapdogs
At 4 days old, they already have fur and by 12 days, their eyes open. At 15 to 20 days, they leave the nest and start eating the same food as the mother.
the nest should be removed, at most, when they reach 20 days of age. The rabbits are good mothers and therefore we should not interfere, except when
the rabbits begin to "cry" inside the nest, which means they are hungry, due to the fact that the rabbit: has no milk, has little milk,
or then, why did you leave the nest. The fact that we don't see the rabbit nursing her young ones doesn't mean she doesn't do it, because most of the
Masturbation occurs at dusk and during the early morning.
Weaning
Although there are indications that the puppies can be weaned from 21 days of life, as this is the time when they already ingest a large amount of food.
amount of food, we should opt for weaning at 50 days of age to have healthier litters.
Management
The best is the use of galvanized wire cages, specially for rabbits.
These cages can measure 80x60x45cm or 60x60x45cm in height and should be hung or placed in small sheds or lean-tos.
sided screened sheds, allowing for good ventilation (but blocking winds that are harmful), preventing the entry of stray animals
creation, at a height of 80cm from the ground. We can cement the floor or not, but leave a soil trench of 30/40cm deep under the cages.
so that it remains permeable to water. Debris that must be removed periodically will fall in it and can be used as manure.
for plants or as substrate for the production of humus and earthworms. Inside this trench, we can put a layer of crushed stone, a
layer of charcoal, and on top a layer of washed sand.
Water should be provided freely through automatic drinkers or bowl-type drinkers, while the feed should be provided in a manner
controlled, using semi-automatic feeders or bowl-type feeders.
Positioning of the cages
- Individual: placed on a single plane (floor), facilitates inspection, can be fixed to the walls, on the other hand, space is not well utilized.
vertical of the warehouse.
Battery System: installed on several stacked floors, making use of vertical space. It should not have more than three floors, with the
cages must have sloped collectors for animal waste.
California system: the cages are installed in tiers, with one on top of the other, at different levels.
Note. Currently, the only model used is the individual one, where all the cages are on the same level. This facilitates cleaning and reduces the
incidence of diseases among animals, in addition to facilitating labor.
Temperature and Humidity
For the well-being of the animals, it would be good for the internal temperature of the barn to remain stable, without sudden variations; to achieve this, one can do
use of thermal insulators, such as Styrofoam, vermiculite, etc. A ventilation system, whether natural or forced, can help maintain
ideal temperature, through exhaust fans, ventilators or air injectors, always maintaining a low noise level, as noise stresses the animals.
The humidity should be high, but the temperature should not. The ideal would be a temperature between 18 and 22 ºC and humidity of 70%.
Care
According to Segui 1989, since the rabbit is an animal of high prolificacy and has a low cost per animal, it is not worthwhile the cost of
treatment, with the risk of contamination of the remaining herd, in the case of certain diseases occurring. Therefore, all animals that
Animals showing symptoms of diseases should be removed from the shed, and if there is no improvement, they should be euthanized.
The best way to keep animals free from diseases is to provide good hygiene conditions inside the barns. Being the main
management for cleaning and disinfection of cages (feeders, drinkers, and nests) done with the help of a flamethrower and disinfectants.
For the disinfection of the sheds, especially the floor, quicklime (slaking), bleach, iodine, etc. In the entrances of rabbit farms, one does not ...
You can forget about the footbath, which can be made of lime or some type of disinfectant, preventing the entry of any pathogenic agent to the
interior of creation.
Races
Although there are many breeds, they are separated according to the purpose of breeding: meat, skin, wool, or pets.
Characteristics of the main breeds:
New Zealand
American breed, weighing 4.5kg for males and 5kg for females, although they can exceed these weights. There are white and red varieties.
They are very gentle rabbits, with a beautiful and thick uniform white or red coat, depending on the variety. The white variety has
red or pink eyes. It is considered one of the best mixed breeds for meat and skin, being the most raised globally, including in
Brazil.
Skills and qualities
It is a relatively recent introduction breed, which tends to thrive continuously, due to its excellent breeding qualities. It is
prolific, precocious, rustic, with excellent carcass and medium quality skins, very useful. The females are gentle and good breeders (the whites
they are better than the red ones). The laparos reach 1.8-2.0 kg at 8-10 weeks, when they can be slaughtered for consumption.
California
Weight of 4kg for males and 4.5kg for females. It has a harmonious overall appearance and a great coat of ice-white fur, soft, silky and
brilliant. They have dark extremities (snout, ears, paws, and tail) (the darker, the better, with black being the ideal color). It is considered
one of the best breeds, bred all over the world.
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Skills and qualities
The Californian is gaining more and more reputation as an excellent dual-purpose rabbit: great white fur, ideal for meat cutting.
fine, early, good breeding qualities, whether in pure state or for industrial crossings, particularly with the New Zealand White.
In Brazil, although recently introduced, the number of breeders has been increasing progressively, as is the case in other countries.
Chinchilla
Breed originating from France, of medium size, weighing on average 4.0 kg for males and 4.5 kg for females. The fur consists of three colors: gray base,
white middle and black tip, which gives the impression of a lighter or darker gray set.
Skills and qualities
The chinchilla rabbit has been gaining space in rabbit farming for showing good suitability for meat and fur production, in addition to responding very
good at industrial crossings, mainly with the New Zealand White breed, producing early rabbits.
Blue Vienna Rabbit
Originating from Austria, the Vienna Blue rabbit is one of the most popular medium-sized breeds, likely because it satisfactorily meets the
dual purpose requirements: meat and skin. It was obtained by J. K. Schultz in 1893 (in Vienna), supposedly as a result of crossings
giant black and yellow rabbits. It is well known in Brazil.
Description
Weight of 3.5 to 5.5 Kg in adults, or an average of 4.5 Kg. The primitive type, of giant size, has been abandoned.
Fur of dark blue color, evenly distributed on the upper part of the body, revealing itself towards the extremities and belly, which is light.
Brown, black, and light shades are undesirable, as well as the presence of white hairs. The hairs are of uniform length and smooth.
soft and bright - even in the womb.
Skills and other qualities
This is one of the most rustic and easy-to-breed breeds, suitable for both meat production, with good carcass, and for fur production.
that, although it does not imitate that of any other prolific animal, is very beautiful for making clothing. For this purpose, it is necessary to dedicate
great attention to selection avoiding the reproduction of animals with serious coat defects, especially the presence of "rust", very common.
The excess light, lack of cleaning of the cages, and age contribute to the worsening of this defect.
Coelho Rex or Cartorrex
The Rex breed (king of rabbits) was created in 1919 in France by Caillon, separating a pair of rabbits that were born with 'rat fur' and
making them reproduce. It was a recessive mutation, by which the goat or coarse hairs would atrophy, becoming confused in the midst of the
hair or anafaia (undercoat). These also became denser, taking a direction perpendicular to the skin, which gave it a velvety appearance.
It was later improved by Abbot Gillet and Professor Kohler.
It was recognized as a breed starting in 1924, and at first, it was considered to be a very weak and difficult to breed rabbit. The first rabbits were
beaver color, where the name Castor-Rex derived from.
Later, it was crossed with numerous breeds and Rex rabbits of all possible colors were obtained. The most valued are Dark Castor Rex,
Brown or Havana castorrex
Rex, Topo Rex, Lilac Rex, White Rex, etc. After these crossings to obtain the varieties, it was found that these rabbits were not that
difficult to create.
This was probably true in the first specimens of the breed, due to inbreeding, but vigor has been restored in the crossbreeding with
other races.
Today it is considered one of the best breeds of rabbit for dual purposes, producing the finest skins and very fine meat.
Description
Weight of 3 to 4 Kg, reaches adulthood at 5 months.
Very fine fur, with apparently complete absence of goat hair, with a woolly-velvety appearance, similar to that of prepared otter, however
thinner and shorter. The shorter the hair, the better (1st with 1.3 mm), allowing up to 1.6 mm in length in the middle of the back. When the
the hairs are longer, the skins have little value. The hair is dense and lies in the direction it is given, with a lot of shine.
The color of the "Castor-Rex" ranges from dark red to dark mahogany, generally preferring the darker shades that resemble beaver color.
the color is centrifugal and lightens towards the belly, which is white or very light gray. The thighs are sometimes a little grayish.
The 'Havana-Rex' comes from the crossing with female Havanas, has beaver color, but in a uniform way. The entire skin can be used.
There should be no white hairs.
The "Otter-Rex" has a gray fur background with reddish reflections. The belly has a gray stripe.
The 'Chinchila-Rex' has the color of the Chinchila, sometimes with a brownish tone and the belly has a white stripe.
The "Blue-Rex", derived from the Blue of Beveren and Vienna, has very light gray fur at the base, velvety and shiny.

The 'Negro-Rex', originating from black breeds, has very shiny fur.
The "Branco-Rex", uniform white, were obtained by crossing with Vienna White, Bouscat, and Vendéa. The whole skin can be used.
The "Arminho-Rex", derived from Polish, provides small pelts, but with very fine, silky, and shiny hair.
There are still numerous less common, but equally valuable varieties, such as the "Rosa-Rex", the "Gris-Perle", the "Cor-de-fogo", and the "Laranja".
a 'Sable', a 'Marten' etc.
Skills and other qualities
The skins of the Rex, when uniform and of defined colors, have great value, for this reason they should constitute the main objective of breeding.
of the selection. Nevertheless, since the size of the skin also adds value, one should avoid degeneration in weight. Its meat is not inferior to that of
other rabbits - excellent in some varieties - and, although worth less than the skin, Rex should be considered mixed: for skin and meat,
like the Chinchilla.
Initially, Castorrex was considered a weak and sickly rabbit; however, thanks to selection and well-conducted breeding, it is currently one of the
easiest breeds to raise, believed to be more resistant to certain diseases, such as coccidiosis, than other breeds.
Coelho Angorá
It is common to refer to this breed as originating from Angora, Asian Turkey, where it is said to have been bred for a long time. It is not known exactly when and
where the mutation that originated the Angora rabbit took place, however its name must have originated only from the resemblance to the breed of goats from
Angora.
It stands out from other breeds of the species for being the most important producer of wool. However, it is considered to have triple utility: wool, meat, and
football
There are three varieties distinguished by size: the small one, with the primitive breed being white, but the most valued varieties today are the
pure black, dark blue, havana, and Siberian (white with typical Russian patterns).
The long and silky hair, which is intended for spinning, is obtained by the depilation of live animals. The animals are combed every 15 days (starting when
it is a month to a month and a half old, usually at weaning), with a stiff bristle brush or coarse comb. The harvesting of fur is done by
start, when they are 'ripe' (they release) what can happen as early as the eighth week. The first harvests are lower and the product should not
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to be mixed with that of the elderly animals. The second harvest is done 60 days after the first, the third, seventy, the fourth with an interval of 80 days.
from then on, every three months. The rabbits do not become completely bald, as they keep their short fur.
Description
Weighs 1.5 to 4 kg depending on the variety, and reaches adulthood at 6 months.
The hair should be as long as possible (from 12 to 18 cm), fine, smooth, silky, dense, soft to the touch, not allowing any portion of the skin to be seen.
Color according to varieties, uniform, except in the Siberian. The fur must not be less than 8 cm for judging. The fur must not be
entangled, dirty, thin, thick, woolly, stained, spotted, and the characteristic tufts should not be lacking. The primitive color of the breed is white, being common
the varieties described in the introduction.
Skills and other qualities
Although the main objective of creating the Angora rabbit is the production of fur, it is considered mixed because it is used for its excellent
meat and for the production of hides.
The production of hair in the first year reaches 200g and in the following years 300g per head, with exceptional specimens that can produce
600g.
The start follows a special technique. First, a comb is used to smooth, then, holding the skin with the left hand, the hairs are pulled.
longer hairs, perpendicularly or according to the inclination of the hairs (depending on the area), leaving those on the head, tail, and paws and the more
shorts of the body. The depilated animals are then gathered in small groups with abundant bedding to keep warm. The fur is stored in
boxes, without compression, to avoid their entanglement.
Angora rabbits are rustic, very gentle and sociable, enjoying being groomed. The does are prolific, giving birth to 7 to 8 kits.
by birth, which are born naked and with very large heads. Between the 4th and 8th days, depending on the heat, the hair is born which grows quickly. The
The first shedding occurs at 3 months, but it is advisable to groom from weaning.
To maintain the excellent characteristics of their fur, they should be kept in dark, warm cages and without drafts. There are breeders who
They primarily breed for meat, without worrying much about caring for the fur, while others allocate the hides for tanning, sacrificing them.
animals after the winter molt. These skins are intended for making shelters.
Whoever wants to create this breed in our country must first ensure the placement of its products at a profitable price.
Giant Flemish Rabbit
Despite the differing opinions, it is likely that its origin took place in Belgium, due to the selection of the domesticated wild rabbit. It does not
Do you know the history of the formation of this breed, which demonstrates its antiquity.
The name Giant comes from its extraordinary bulk, when compared to the size of rabbits of other breeds, with some females reaching
despite almost 10 Kg.
When young, it provides reasonably good meat and large skin, although the hairs are not as dense as in other breeds.
It is raised in all countries that are large-scale rabbit breeders. In Brazil, it is one of the most known breeds by both amateurs and
professionals.
Description
Weight when adults, from 6 to 8 Kg. Animals weighing less than 5 Kg at one year or of exaggerated weights should be eliminated. Length of 80 to
100 cm, 90 on average, taken from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail. The female is larger.
The hair is fine, smooth, of variable length depending on the variety, preferably dense and short. There are two typical colors in the breed, the hare gray and the
gray of the wild rabbit (brownish), both with a white belly, lower part of the tail, and feet. Many varieties were formed later.
through crossing with other breeds: Black with pink eyes, Blue-silver, Blue-brindle, White-brindle, White with dark eyes and with pink eyes.
No black or white bars are allowed on the feet and mios in the colored varieties, however, they do not constitute defects due to the widespread whites in those.
regions.
In judging, disqualifications include long and woolly hair and white markings on the snout and forehead of colored varieties, in which the color must be
well defined
Skills and other qualities
It is considered one of the best meat breeds and one of the most popular in Brazil. The meat of adult animals is inferior, soft, and very
fatty, as the animals must be slaughtered before they are a year old. The meat of the young, however, is prized.
It gives large skins, uniformly coated, very suitable for tanning. For pelts, preference is given to the white varieties as they take on
the best colors in dyeing.

Although a large breed is slow to mature and not one of the hardiest, it should be raised in spacious cages (80x80 cm).
Rabbits are not very prolific, giving birth to 4 to 7 young per litter. They raise poorly, which is why only 3 to 4 young should be left or
simply 02, when it comes to the first offspring. They should be bred at 06 months, but males should only breed from one year of age.
The laparos are delicate, very sensitive to humidity and wind; mothers resent breastfeeding, which should not be prolonged.
Giant rabbits suffer more from excessive heat than those of smaller breeds, so they should be well protected. It is a breed.
indicated for small-scale breeding, for amateurs, and in industrial breeding, used only in compensation crossings.
Food
Rabbits are herbivores and, therefore, feed on vegetables such as forages (grasses and legumes) which can be: rami, perennial soybean.
alfalfa,... and other vegetables such as guava and banana tree leaves. In addition to greens, we should also provide them with a balanced feed, eating the
green and the feed in a balanced way.
They have a well-developed cecum that plays an important role in food utilization. In the cecum, proliferation occurs.
bacterial (similar to what occurs in the rumen), and at night the rabbit feeds on this product (cecotrophy).
The energy contained in the bodies of animals is important for biological functions such as growth, reproduction, lactation...
Feeders
They should be easy to clean, made of rust-resistant materials; with folded edges inward to prevent food from spreading;
positioned in such a way as not to contaminate food with waste; of a size that does not allow the animal to enter; it must be practical,
allowing handling from outside the cage and if possible automated.
Water fountains
Typically, the bowl type or the "nipple" type (automatic) are used, as they prevent animals from bathing or contaminating the water.
The Abbot
The animal should be slaughtered at approximately 70 days. It is advisable to leave the rabbit fasting for 12 hours before slaughter. The most recommended method for this...
The end is at the concussion. For this, one must hold the rabbit by its hind legs, upside down, and, with a stick, give a strong blow to the
Never, causing instant death. For this, only experienced people can do it.
Pele
To skin the rabbit, we suspend it by its legs, head down, and cut off its head, which allows for good bleeding, improving the
aspect and quality of the meat. With a sharp knife, we make a cut in the skin, encircling the hind legs, between the foot and the leg. Then,
Marcelo Duarte 6
starting at this cut and on the inner part of the legs, we make a cut up to the anal region, surrounding the ano-genital organs.
thing is done on the other leg). Next, with the fingers, we start peeling the skin, which comes off whole, from the head, like a sweater. When it reaches the legs
For the front parts, we make a circular cut, completely detaching the skin, which comes out closed, in the shape of a glove or bag.
As soon as it is removed, the skin should be placed in a stretcher in the shade to dry, or in freezers for preservation until it is tanned.
of great quality and highly sought after for making beautiful jackets or for industrial use. Many furs perfectly imitate the skin of
other animals like chinchilla, ermine, marten, etc. The most valued ones are those with solid colors and in lots.
Evisceration
To clean the rabbit, by removing its entrails, we make a cut along the midline, going from the neck to the anus. With the chest and abdomen opened,
we remove all the entrails leaving the carcass clean, which should be washed in cold water and placed in the refrigerator or cooling chamber. It is
I need to be careful not to puncture the intestines, stomach, or gallbladder so that there is no harm to the quality of the carcass. The viscera
edibles are: heart, kidneys, lungs, and intestines.
Most used cuts
The rabbit can be prepared whole or in pieces. In this case, it can be divided into 9 parts: front legs, hind legs, thighs, and loin.
divided into 3 parts.
Cecotrophy
During the night, rabbits have the habit of ingesting cecotropes directly from the anus. This practice allows them to absorb nutrients that were not
digested in the stomach, stemming from the fermentation of food in the cecum.
Phylogenetic Classification
Phylogenetic classification: the rabbit is a mammal of the order Lagomorpha, genus Oryctolagus and belongs to the species Oryctolagus cuniculus.
The rabbit is an animal that has a very short reproductive cycle and can mate again 4 days after giving birth. However, this birth should not be
used, as it will cause deficiencies in the fetuses that are being generated, as well as in the puppies that are being nursed simultaneously.
We can re-breed the breeders only after weaning the pups, which should not happen before the litter has fully completed fur.
less than 50 days old. The gestation of the rabbit lasts approximately 30 days, and on average, it can give birth to 8 kits (rabbit offspring until weaning)
by childbirth. These characteristics are responsible for the reputation of the rabbit as an extremely prolific animal. Another fact that draws great attention
For this species, it is its great growth capacity, reaching the weight for slaughter in approximately 70 days.
The meat of this animal has a high nutritional value compared to that of other species used in animal husbandry. Rabbit meat
it has a high protein content and a low fat content.

7 thousand rabbits listen to the radio to relieve stress

Music and voices help in the development of animals
In addition to its vast auditorium, Rádio Ansiães, a local broadcaster from Carrazeda de Ansiães, can boast more than seven thousand loyal listeners.
They are rabbits, it's true, but they listen to the Station, 24 hours a day, from the moment they are born until the fateful moment when they head to the slaughterhouse.
The story refers to the rabbit farming established five years ago in Riodades, a parish in the municipality of São João da Pesqueira. The owner, Mário
Osório explained that telephony essentially contributes "to relieve the stress of animals," but it also prevents them from being startled by noise.
external sounds from cars, people, other animals, and even from the weather. "Since they are used to the sound of the radio, the noises of the
"The street does not disturb them, keeping them calm," he said. But there is more. The fact that the rabbits listen to music and, almost always, the same voices,
They help in development. 'They sleep less and eat more, growing faster,' he explained.
Rabbit farming has basically been dedicated to the production of the so-called "meat rabbit" for consumption. Each year, many are sent from the farm for slaughter.
around 25 thousand animals. But, starting this year, it will also produce its own breeding females. Until now, they were purchased from a
national company, but according to the owner, the order did not always provide the best quality. These will be obtained by
insemination of purebred white rabbits, which Osório called "GPs".
All the progenitors are white in color and of considerable size. A breed that is more productive and has better quality milk for lactation.
The does are, however, fertilized with black rabbit semen, which leads to some offspring having other colors, such as the
gray and brown, and whose meat seems to be of better quality.
Reproductive process
After 10 days have passed since the birth of a litter, the "mother rabbits" are induced into heat through the injection of a hormone. Two
Days later, a specialized company carries out artificial insemination. After a month, they give birth to between 12 and 16 offspring and the cycle repeats.
Each doe only nurses 10 young, regardless of how many she gave birth to. If the number exceeds, the remaining ones are placed with
progenitors that have produced less.
Risk activity
The hygiene of animals is very important in rabbit farming, followed by care with vaccination, which is performed every six months, against
diseases such as Myxomatosis. On the other hand, the price of rabbit meat experiences quite a few variations throughout the year. According to the
rabbit breeder, the only good thing is that 'its sale to the slaughterhouse is always guaranteed.'
Mário Osório complains about some representatives of products for rabbits, such as medicines, which, he said, appear only with the
the intention to sell without giving any guarantees. 'When this goes wrong, we are the ones who assume the responsibilities. It's not them. Neither
We don't even have insurance for this type of activity,
In the farm, only the family works. The owner, the wife, and the children. They perform tasks that, they say, 'are a pleasure to do,' although it is
very tiring. There are no weekends, holidays, or vacations. We have to be here every day,
Rabbit droppings are used as fertilizer for 12 hectares of land, which the family owns near the rabbit farming, but also sells externally.
There's a lot of demand 'but I almost give it away for free. It doesn't yield much,' he says.
Mário Osório regrets that the sector is not very united and hopes that in the future, one can pursue, for example, cooperativism as a way of
we will be better prepared to face the adversities related to activity.

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