Characteristics of Butterfly rabbits
There are many different breeds of rabbits today. Each species is unique and has its own unique color. Rabbits of the Butterfly breed quickly gained popularity due to the color of their fur.
Description of the rabbit breed Butterfly
The unusual colors of the dwarf Butterfly rabbit are very different from those inherent in other breeds. This species has piqued the interest of many people. The breed got its name because of the unusual patterns on the sides.
Description
The characteristic of Butterfly rabbits says that their fluff is always invariably white. It is believed that the permanent white color has something to do with where this breed came from. Butterfly rabbits came to us from England, from the north of the country. In order to somehow hide from predators and be invisible in the snow, nature endowed them with such a coloring. Black dots are a threat, advice to the enemy not to approach.
Today there are many subspecies of Butterfly rabbits:
- French Butterflies;
- German Butterflies;
- butterflies from Czechoslovakia;
- laughter French;
- Rhine Variegated.
To get such an unusual breed, breeders had to cross the DNA of several species, such as Flanders, the Giant, the blue Vienna Giant. They decided to improve this breed only in terms of production characteristics. Now the Butterfly rabbit breed is the best in productivity and meat qualities.
Previously, the weight of the eared was not even 3 kg, but after long and hard work, experts were able to achieve that one fluffy reached a weight of 5 kg. Today this is considered the minimum for rabbits of this species.
Rabbit appearance
Black patterns are found on the sides of the body. On the head and sides, the patterns are almost the same, but on the back there is a long black stripe 2 cm wide. Black color can also be observed around the eyes and on the ears.
Eared nails have no color, they are always transparent. If the claws of the animal are yellowish or cloudy, the pet is either sick, or lacks calcium.
There is a very simple and interesting pattern on the face of the animal: there are 2 black spots on the right and left sides. One such arrangement of spots on the face resembles the constellation Cassiopeia. Others, on the contrary, see a butterfly that spreads its wings to go on a heavenly flight.
Rabbits A butterfly with spots can be seen in the photo not only with a black pattern. Experts say that rabbits exist not only with black spots, but also with blue, yellow, gray ones. This variety of colors is due to the fact that the Butterflies were crossed with the Flanders breed, which by its nature has many different colors in its collection.
Positive features
Representatives of this species produce good skins and soft tasty meat. The fur has a very elastic structure, it looks shiny and soft. The coat is short and smooth. The spots on the skin of the animal give the animal a special elegance and sophistication. Any products made from fur of representatives of this breed are in demand and quickly disperse.
Adults grow large and have strong bones. The head is small in size, it is easy to determine the gender by it. In the female, the head is slightly elongated, while in the male it is more rounded and larger in size.
The constitution of the animal is very good, the body is powerful and strong, muscular. On average, the body length can reach 60 cm. The chest is deep and wide, its volume is 49 cm. The paws of the animal are strong, due to them the eared paws are able to pick up speed up to 80 km / h and jump above one meter.
The weight of an adult varies from 3 kg to 5 kg. Males are by nature larger than females.
Decorative rabbits of the Butterfly breed, with proper care and a competently folded diet, live for more than 5 years.
Culling
If it is decided to introduce this species for participation in exhibitions, it is necessary to select and grow the ideal specimen of the representative of the breed. External characteristics that are considered a gross violation of the breed standard:
- the border, which is located around the eyes, connects with the patterns of the nose, ears and muzzle;
- if the female does not have dark circles near the nipples;
- this species should have dark eyes, if the pet has light eyes, then it is not a pure breed;
- legs and belly should be crystal white, if there are spots, this specimen will not be suitable for exhibitions.
Description and characteristics of rabbits Butterfly with a photo are frequent guests on livestock sites, which is not surprising, because this variety is very popular.
The Butterfly rabbit breed needs proper feeding in order to gain weight evenly and correctly. The dwarf breed can be kept and bred at home.
Pet rules
How long a rabbit will live and how healthy it will be depends on what conditions the farmer has created for him.
Keeping these pets doesn't take a lot of effort. Some veterinarians argue that the Butterfly rabbit does not need a lot of space, but sometimes you need to let him go for a walk around the house or street. If you walk with him on the street, you need to get constant vaccinations so that he does not catch an infection.
There is also an opposite point of view, according to which the Butterfly rabbit needs a lot of space, even in a cage: this is a very active type of rabbit, and even being in an enclosed space, it must jump and run.
Neither opinion has been scientifically confirmed. In one thing, the breeders agree: aviaries do not pose any danger to the health of the animal. Pets will feel great on the balcony, aviary, cage or paddock.
Rules for the care of Butterfly rabbits
The cage should be located where there are no drafts: the animal catches cold easily. Very often, such a disease develops into pneumonia, and the chances that the pet will survive are only 35%.
If pets live in an open space in the household, this greatly affects their coat: it becomes denser, thicker and warmer, but loses its brightness.
Most rabbit breeders combine 2 types of maintenance: for the autumn and winter periods they will mix the eared ones in a closed aviary, and for the spring and summer - in an open area. Such changes have a positive effect on the health and immunity of the pet.
On the Internet, it is easy to find a video about Butterfly rabbits, how to properly keep and feed them. Breeding and keeping rabbits of the Butterfly breed will not be difficult, the main thing is good nutrition with vitamins.
Food
Rabbit Butterfly is absolutely not a whimsical animal in terms of nutrition. It is enough just to keep it in small suburban areas. You can give twigs of fruit trees, vegetables or herbs. In this case, it is necessary to clearly choose the feeding time. If you feed the animals for several days at 9 am and 6 pm, then this should continue further, otherwise the kids may refuse to eat, since they missed their standard meal. Hay before feeding must be carefully inspected to prevent the ingress of poisonous grasses.
This species is very fond of fresh herbs: tansy, alfalfa, clover, dandelions, parsley, dill and unripe corn. It is also very useful for the growth and development of animals to give boiled potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, beets. It is advisable to combine the tops with other products.
Also, the pet should have compound feed (dry food) in its diet. It contains healthy vitamins for adults. Future mothers need to be fed only high-quality products.
This breed is prone to obesity: if the animal weighs more than 7 kg, it must be put on a diet: give more vegetables, hay, but less dry food.
The main rules of feeding:
- the fluffy should always have access to drinking water, especially if dry food is present in the diet;
- you need to feed the Butterfly 2 times a day, no less: only with proper nutrition is it possible to get excellent skins and meat;
- do not forget to give your pet vitamins daily;
- rabbits must constantly gnaw, bite or chew something - there must always be apples, carrots, absolutely any solid food in the cage;
- it is strictly forbidden to give bad food or leftovers from the table to animals;
- the pet should not be overfeeded: this can have a bad effect on the meat and on the breeding of future offspring.
Breeding the species
Breeding this breed is not difficult, the main thing is to follow all the rules. Females are very fertile, they can give birth to 8 to 12 babies. Mothers take great care of the offspring. Feeding moms need ample nourishment.
Farmers are engaged in breeding these pets, as the breed is very productive and famous for its excellent qualities. The Butterfly breed is perfect for those who appreciate beauty and sophistication. Excellent meat performance, fast growth and easy breeding at home are the main characteristics of the species. A representative of this species lives for more than 5 years.