Contents
Bred in the Soviet Union, the breed of rabbits “gray giant” is a very close relative of the largest breed – the Flemish Risen. No one knows where the Flemish rabbit came from in Belgium. But it was the first large rabbit in those days. Actually, today no one would call the old Flanders rabbit large. The weight of the original Belgian giant barely reached 5 kg. But if you remember that the weight of the ancestor of all breeds – a wild rabbit, is about one and a half kilograms, then it turns out that the flanders really were gigantic at that time.
In the photo there is a wild rabbit of a red color, in a cage below it is a medium-sized black rabbit weighing 2 – 2,5 kg.
Immediately after the war, a Belgian Risen was brought to the Petrovsky fur farm in the Poltava region, most likely for breeding for meat, since the skin of the flandre is not of very good quality. But the Belgian giant is a rabbit, little adapted to the conditions of even Ukrainian frosts. In addition, the Soviet government needed not only meat, but also the skin. The Flanders rabbit was crossed with local outbreds to get animals that are more resistant to frost. Further, the breeding of the breed went by the method of breeding hybrids in itself with the selection of individuals desirable in terms of type and characteristics. The selection result was registered as a breed in 1952.
On the video is a sensible comparative analysis of the breeds of the Flanders Risen and gray giants.
Breed description
The “grey giant” rabbit turned out to be smaller than the Flanders giant, having inherited rather large dimensions from the Belgian breed, exceeding the size of the local Ukrainian rabbits. The gray giant also inherited a large frame and considerable weight from the flandre. Local rabbits have added vitality, weather resistance and fertility to the Gray Giant breed.
The colors of rabbits “gray giant” can be:
- white;
- the black;
- dark grey;
- agouti, which gives either zoned gray or zoned red – the so-called hare colors.
This is an option that has only a romantic name. In fact, the colors of this branch of the gray giant can be from light red to dark red with a light yellow undercoat.
Standard for gray giant rabbits
General appearance: large bony animal with a massive long body. A large, rustic head, more elongated in the front than that of the flandre. The ears are V-shaped, rather large, fleshy. The ends are somewhat rounded. Less “loddy” than the Belgian giant. The chest in girth is at least 37 cm. The length of the body is from 55 cm. The back is wide, straight. The croup is wide, rounded. Paws are powerful, with a wide set, straight.
In the manufacture of fur products, the skins are stretched, obtaining a more even shape and, in the case of expensive fur, material savings.
The average weight of a rabbit is 5 kg, a rabbit is 6 kg. The weight of rabbits of this breed can range from 4 to 7 kg.
Breed defects
The exterior defects of the gray giant are no different from the defects of other breeds of rabbits:
- signs of rickets: spread on the front legs, narrow humpbacked back;
- close hocks on the hind legs;
- clubfoot;
- narrow and small chest;
- underweight.
The weight of a tribal giant at 2 months should be 1,5 kg; in 3 – 2 kg; in 4 – 2,6 kg. When fattening for slaughter with high-protein feed, the weight of the young animals must exceed the indicated figures.
Rabbits with conformation defects should not be bred.
Keeping rabbits “gray giant”
Rabbits “gray giant” are kept according to the same rules as their more heat-loving relatives. The only difference is that rabbits can live outside in winter. For Europeans, a room protected from the cold is required. The rest of the rules are the same.
For large rabbits, keeping on a mesh floor is undesirable. Although often giants are also kept in sheds, they try to equip them with a smoother floor than for broiler light breeds. Due to too much weight, the wire of the mesh floor digs into the paws and damages the skin. As a result of damage, pododermatitis occurs, the so-called corns, which is an open gate for infection to enter the rabbit’s body. The floors in the cage are best made smooth or from flat slats. A good option is to keep giants in ground enclosures.
The giant needs a larger cage than normal rabbits. If possible, it is necessary to provide giants with cages 1,5 times larger than for ordinary rabbits. This is especially important when breeding rabbits and keeping a uterus with rabbits in an aviary.
For bedding in queen cells and cages with smooth floors, it is better to use hay or straw. Depending on what is cheaper in specific regions. But we must remember that roughage is the basis of the rabbit diet. In other words, the animals will eat the bedding material. For this reason, rotten hay residues should not be used as bedding.
Theoretically, sawdust can also be used, but the disadvantage of this material is that it is easy to tear it apart and scatter it around. As a result, the rabbit will be on the bare floor. Although the absorption of sawdust is better than that of hay or straw. Mixed types of bedding are often used, laying sawdust down, and hay on top.
Features of feeding giants
Giants are less picky about food than their ancestors, Flemish rabbits. Flanders need a relatively large amount of concentrates to replenish the energy of a large body. Giants do not need as much grain feed, but they are provided with high-quality nutritious hay. The best types of hay are:
- timothy;
- cocksfoot;
- alfalfa.
Alfalfa contains a large percentage of protein and carotene. It is not very suitable for animals in the dormant period, but very good for rabbits during the lactation period.
In winter, in addition to hay, rabbits can be given tree branches and fir paws. Twigs are not very good for food, as they are too roughage that can clog the intestines. But the rabbit grinds its teeth very well about them, avoiding the disease with dacryocystitis.
As concentrates, animals are given:
- barley;
- oats;
- wheat;
- ground corn;
- ready-made pellets for rabbits.
The last option is the best. Such granules will not swell in the stomach and will not clog the intestines. But animals should always have water in drinkers.
In addition to coarse and concentrated feed, succulent feed is included in the diet of rabbits. But contrary to the opinion that “the more the better” succulent feed should be given carefully. In fact, rabbits can live on the same hay and complete pellets.
The popular carrot myth is nothing more than a myth. Carrots are given to rabbits very carefully because of the large amount of sugars. It can start fermenting in the animal’s stomach. They also try not to give fresh cabbage leaves. They are also too juicy and prone to fermentation. At the same time, kohlrabi leaves can be fed without fear.
To fresh grass accustom very gradually. If this is not possible, give only after drying in the shade. Dewy and wet grass after rain is not given at all. Although there are extreme people who assure that it’s okay. But it’s not their rabbits that will die.
In winter, you can give high-quality silage. This silo smells like sauerkraut. If the silage has an unpleasant sour or putrid smell, it should not be given.
Breeding giants
Giants are late maturing rabbits and should be bred after 8 months.
Giant rabbits are distinguished by good fertility, inherited from Ukrainian ancestors. Usually they bring 7 – 8 rabbits per litter. More rabbits are not really good for rearing, as the female rabbit may not have enough milk. At birth, the giant rabbit weighs 81 g. The growth dynamics of this breed is quite high. By 10 months, the giant should already weigh about 5 kg.
Before birth, the rabbit makes a nest in the mother liquor, pulling out fluff from herself. The appearance of fluff is a sign of an imminent okrol. Many advise not to disturb the rabbit for a week after birth. But if the giants live on the street and their queen cells are heated, then a situation may turn out, as in the video.
Inspection on the 3rd day after okrola we remove the dead offspring
In the video, however, there are not giants, but Californians, and the girl along the way solves the problem of what to do with too much litter, but the essence of this does not change.
If possible, do not leave more than 8 rabbits under the rabbit.
Reviews of the owners of the breed of rabbits “gray giant”
Conclusion
The Gray Giant is a good breed for beginners who want to try their hand at rabbit farming, but do not want to invest too much in the initial arrangement of the rabbitry. A gray giant can even be satisfied with keeping in a common room, but in this case, during a fight between rabbits, the skins will almost certainly suffer.