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Rabbit breeds and their productive performance

Rabbit meat is considered one of the richest meats in protein (22-25%), in addition to its ease of digestion due to its low fat content (5-6%) and low cholesterol (25 mg / 100 grams). The rabbit is also characterized by its high efficiency in meat production compared to other animals. Therefore, relying on rabbits as one of the sources of animal protein is dictated by local conditions, in addition to the fact that the production of rabbits is commensurate with all levels of production, whether large or small, and therefore it is an investment field for everyone, especially young graduates and girls in the countryside.

Rabbit

There are a number of rabbit breeds that reach more than 40 breeds and are raised for different purposes (meat - fur - wool - exhibitions).

present an overview of some famous foreign and local strains and their productive performance

Breeds of meat and fur rabbits

New Zealand White

This species originated in the United States of America and then spread in most countries of the world. The color of the fur is white. The average weight of the male is 4-5 kg and the average weight of the female is 4.5-5.5 kg. It is characterized by the quality of meat and the speed of growth. Calm nature with high fertility. 50 rabbits per year - the weight of the product at the age of two months is 1.8 kg. Also, its females are distinguished by their high illiteracy ability (production and care of the young). recommended to be raised by beginners and experince-limited .

California:

It grew up in the United States of America, its color is white, except for the nose, ears, and tail, so it is either black, dark brown, or dark gray. The weight of the adult male is 4.5-5 kg and the adult female is 5-5.5 kg. It has high fertility. The female gives 84 rabbits per year, and the weight of the product is 1.8 kg. At the age of two months, it is widespread in most parts of the world. This type arose from mixing three types of rabbits, namely the Himalayan, the Chinchilla, and the New Zealand White.

Bouscat

One of the large-sized species originated in France - the color is white, the color of the eyes is red-pink, the ears are long, the head is large, and it is one of the strains that were introduced in Egypt a long time ago and has the ability to adapt. The average weight of adult rabbits is 5-6.8 kg, and the average number of young in the abdomen is 6-7 young and raised. For the purposes of meat and fur production is also used

This species is mixed with small and medium-sized species to increase its ability to produce meat.

Giant Flander:

There are about eight strains, including the gray, white and mountainous, and it is one of the large-sized strains. The average weight of the adult male is 5-7 kg and the adult female is 6 kg. Meat and fur are also used in mixing programs with other species to improve their productive qualities.

Flemish Giant:

This species originated in England, gray in color - and the weight of the adult rabbit is 4.5-9 kg, and the average number of litters in the abdomen is 7-8 individuals. The growth rate is not high, and it is raised for the purpose of hobby and exhibitions.

Chinchilla:

It originated in France - the gray color - and it is one of the species that has been accepted by breeders in Egypt. The average weight of the rabbit is 2.5-3.1 kg, and the average number of litters in the abdomen is 5-7 individuals. It is usually raised for fur production.

(Secondly): The strains of hair production:

Angora:

This type of Angora originated with multiple colors, but the most important and widespread is the white color. It is raised for the purpose of producing wool, and the wool covers the face, ears, and legs in abundance, as the rabbit produces 0.8-1 kg of wool per year, and the mother produces five stomachs per year, and the average number of caliphs in the abdomen is 4 young. Angora wool is mixed with sheep’s wool or nylon threads, and expensive fabrics are made from this mixture. The price. There are several types of Angora are English, French, German and Chinese.

(Third) ornamental and exhibition strains:

Including the English, the Baboons, the Himalayas, and the Loeb.

Fourth: Local Species:

As for the local species, there are the following subspecies

Red Baladi:

It was developed in the research stations of the Animal Production Research Institute more than 50 years ago, and it is the result of mixing municipal rabbits with Flanders gray and then selection for the red color. The average weight of an adult rabbit is 4 kg, and the average number of litters in the abdomen is 7 young. It is characterized by its tolerance of local environmental conditions and is highly resistant to diseases.

Black Baladi:

It was also bred at the stations of the Animal Production Research Institute, and it is the result of mixing Flanders gray with the baladi species, then selecting for the black color, which is similar in its characteristics to the red baladi, except that the color of the rabbit is dark black.

mountainous rabbit:

This species is found in the desert regions of Egypt, especially North Sinai and the northern coast. The gray color predominates in this species. The weight of the rabbit is 3.5-4.5 kg. The number of litters at birth is 8-12 individuals, but it reaches 4-5 at weaning as a result of its poor milk productivity, which is acclimatized to Harsh desert conditions and this type is still under research and study to improve its production efficiency.