Rabbit breed White Giant
Many people keep the snow-white rabbit White Giant as a source of snow-white skin and very tender meat, but a considerable number of people give birth to this eared animal as a pet in an apartment.
In fact, this type of furry is more suitable for farming than for home decoration. But if you raise a little albino rabbit from childhood, he will become a favorite of the whole family. These eared rodents are distinguished by their peaceful nature and can take pride in their external attractiveness.
Rabbit White Giant
About White Giants
The White Giant rabbit breed was bred by German and Belgian breeders in the 20s of the last century, taking as a genetic basis a large meat representative of rodents of the variety of the Belgian giant. The Belgians had some shortcomings, in the process of eliminating which the White Giant rabbits appeared.
But do not think that this is a natural mutation of the normal type of furry. In fact, this type of rodent can rightfully claim the title of a unique breed. Appearance, the level of quick adaptation and the excellent qualities of their products (fur, meat) make this breed the best choice for farming.
The White Giant is also called the giant albino for his snow-white fur.
In the process of crossing, gray chinchilla rabbits and Gray Giants were taken, careful selection was made among the resulting offspring and the animals were provided with the most useful diet for their growth and development.
As a result, at the genetic level, in the White Giants breed, chinchillas have secured high-quality fur, and the Gray Giants have large sizes. This is how the White Giant rabbit was born.
Rabbits of the White and Gray Giant breed have established themselves, thanks to their calm temperament, good looks and unpretentious nature. The white giant rabbit in the photo looks like a plush decorative toy.
Exterior standard
The description of the White Giant rabbits is already included in the very name of the breed. In the color of the fur of these representatives there are no impurities of other colors, it is exclusively white, while the woolen cover is quite dense, thick, smooth and pleasant to the touch.
The characteristic of the standard of appearance of these eared rodents includes the main breed characteristics:
- animals have a strong stocky constitution,
- the body is slightly elongated in length, reaching up to 0.6 m, with a deep chest in girth up to 38 cm, rounded croup, straight and wide dorsal region,
- wide set straight legs,
- the length of the ears, straight and wide, rounded at the ends of the ears - not less than a quarter of the measured length of the body,
- the color of the eye iris is red, without inclusions and impurities, only European and English White Giants have blue eyes.
Despite the fact that most of the representatives of white giants are wide-chested, there are rabbits with a smaller constitution, they weigh less, however, narrow-bodied animals are not culled, because they also have pronouncedly developed muscles.
Females develop a double chin with age, which indicates their full development and good nutrition.
The growth of rabbits of the White Giant breed occurs throughout almost the entire period of their life, and the weight of the animals also changes. At the age of 2 months, the rabbits weigh up to 2 kg, by 3 months they gain 3 kg, at 4 months their weight - up to 4 kg.
Depending on the gained body weight, all white giants are divided into 3 main breed classes:
- elite, where giants with a weight of about 5.8 kg fall,
- the first, which includes representatives who have gained weight up to 5.3 kg,
- the second, which includes rabbits, whose weight is up to 4.8 kg.
In the description, in the photo and video, White Giants are similar in appearance to their related colored Flanders, only inferior to this breed of rabbits in size, but they are distinguished by the greatest accuracy.
The habits of the White Giants and their nutrition
The White Giant breed has its own behavioral characteristics. So, many of the white rabbits are capable of falling into a stupor: freezing in one position, fixing their gaze at one point and swinging slightly from side to side. For inexperienced breeders, this becomes a real surprise, many attribute this feature of the breed to a psychological disorder in the animal, but in reality this does not have any culling defects and does not affect either the health of the animal itself or the offspring it produces.
Peace-loving rabbits of the White Giant breed are quite sociable in communicating with humans, therefore their owners often call them intellectuals.
As food for White giants, ready-made feeds can be given priority, but, as practice shows, the most profitable option for feeding large rabbits will be natural food prepared by yourself. Given that the breed is unpretentious in nutrition and has an excellent appetite, the feeding diet can include:
- fresh grass (tops are also suitable),
- vegetable crops (carrots, corn cobs, salads, pumpkin and different varieties of cabbage),
- dried hay,
- corn.
Some owners have adapted to prepare vinaigrettes for the White Giants, the ingredients of which are vegetable and fruit waste. They are boiled for 2 hours, cooled and given to the animals in the form of a salad, without liquid.
Dandelions are a real treat for the white giant.
In the summer season, natural pastures become a feeding ground for the White Giants. In the spring, it is recommended to add vitamin supplements to the White diet in order to avoid vitamin deficiency. In order to support the normal functioning of the digestive system of rabbits throughout the year, they will benefit from tough food, which many people choose crackers for.
The subtleties of cell breeding and content
Cage requirements
Among the advantages of cage breeding and keeping White Giants in a farm, their thick fur is distinguished, which saves animals from hypothermia in cold seasons. For this reason, many farmers do not insulate their cages for keeping rabbits; it is only worth ensuring that there are no drafts, which are so afraid of pets of any age.
A spacious breeding cage is selected that does not hinder the movement of animals.
Due to the large weight of the White Giants breed, corns and dermatitis of various etiologies on the paws are often noted, therefore it is recommended to cover the floor in the cage with smooth material, best of all with wood.
The most suitable place for the location of cells when breeding and keeping giants will be a shady place where the sun's rays do not fall.
How much do the representatives of the described breed cost?
White Giants are sold for breeding at an average price. Flandra costs the same amount - from 2,500 rubles.The price of young animals in some regions starts from 1000 rubles.
The rules for keeping the breed as decorative at home (apartment) conditions are similar to keeping on a private farm and also requires living cages, shelves and feeders, which are suitable for ordinary bowls. Of course, decorative pets need proper care, including timely cleaning and vaccination.
Providing mother liquors
One of the advantages of the Giant breed, which is noted by the reviews of farmers, is the preservation of its offspring in most cases by the rabbit, because the offspring are not removed from it quickly, but kept until the babies reach the age of 2 months. It is worth considering the peculiarity of the White Giant breed, the female rabbit requires comfort and a feeling of full protection for herself and for the baby. To this end, the female of the White Giant will need a queen cell. White Giants are inherent in aggression only if in the first three days after the offspring a person tries to look or touch the offspring.
Okrol usually numbers up to 7-9 young rabbits.
For a large rabbit, a mother house for rabbits should be built at least 0.35-0.4 m in height, 0.6 m in length and from 0.3 m in width. They do it a week - 10 days before the date of the okrol. It is also worth remembering that the mother plant is not just a device in a cage. It must meet certain characteristics: convenience, safety, warmth, coziness.