Pets are found in almost every home. The decorative rabbit is rapidly gaining popularity. These animals do not need walks outside, take up little space, and are very easy to care for.
However, before you get such a pet, you should find out how long the animal lives, what to feed it and how to properly maintain it. The average life expectancy of dwarf rabbits is 6-12 years.
INTERESTING! The diet of such animals consists of vegetables, grains, fruits, twigs, hay, and licks. They especially love watermelons, sweet apples, carrots, and cucumbers.
PS. Prices are indicated with a wide range and are approximate. Much depends on where to buy a rabbit, under what conditions, availability of documentation, vaccinations and other important points.
Hermelin red-eyed and blue-eyed
There are two varieties of hermelin: with red or blue eyes. The first appeared at the end of the 19th century. Blue-eyed hermelines were obtained at the beginning of the 20th century. Initially, a weight of 750 grams was considered ideal, but in such females fertility was noticeably reduced.
Characteristic:
- Weight: 1100-1350 g.
- Ear length: 3.5-7 cm, straight.
- Wool: medium.
- Color: white.
- Price: 4-10 t.r.
In 1992, Austria released a new standard in which the weight of animals was changed. Hermelines have a strong build. The body is cylindrical, the limbs are short. The coat must be white.
Colored dwarf
The breed was founded by the German breeder Hoffmann. By 1957, he had received a fairly large population of different colors: Marder, black, gray, Siamese, blue, etc. This breed is distributed throughout the world and is the most numerous.
Peculiarities:
- Weight: 1000-1500 g.
- Ears: 5.5 cm, straight.
- Coat type: medium.
- Any colour.
- How much does it cost: 3-7 tr.
The body of a colored dwarf has the shape of a cylinder. The front legs are short, the head is quite large, but short. The coat is shiny, medium length, thick. There should be no dewlap. Any color is allowed.
Colored dwarf Dutch
A breed that was obtained in the Netherlands. It was officially recognized in 1940. To obtain it, they used hermelins and local small rabbits. Such animals appeared in Russia in 2013.
Characteristic:
- Weight: 800-1300 g.
- Ear length: 5-7.5 cm, straight.
- Wool: medium.
- Color: any.
- Price: 2-7 t.r.
Small rabbits whose weight should not exceed 1300 grams. The head has a rounded shape. The muzzle is wide, the eyes are round and large. The ears are located close to each other. The limbs are short and adjacent to the body.
Rabbit breeding as a business: who should sell the product?
In fact, in our country, rabbit meat is still a delicacy: in small towns, in order to buy a rabbit for Christmas, you need to “stake out” it in some private store a month in advance. In ordinary supermarkets, “dietary, easily digestible meat” is almost never available. Therefore, with the right approach, there will be no problems with the sale of the product:
- the easiest way would be a direct agreement with the owners of private grocery stores and small restaurants: the demand for the product remains stable throughout the year. However, for any traditional holidays (May and New Year holidays, Easter, March 8, etc.) it is worth preparing a large batch of meat: on these days you will be able to sell almost any volume of quality product.
- You can also negotiate with sellers at the local market: even in a crowded meat department, exclusive goods are in high demand.
- Another proven sales channel is direct sales of goods to various organizations: employees of city clinics, kindergartens, local management companies, etc. They are happy to eat fresh homemade meat, especially if it is delivered directly to the workplace. Therefore, it is worth visiting such institutions in advance and setting a specific “trading” day, by which you can prepare the agreed batch of product, and your customers can calculate their budget.
In addition, it is periodically worth conducting “local” advertising campaigns through friends, employees and various message boards. On the eve of the holidays, you can also post regular advertisements on billboards near shops and bus stops.
Netherland dwarf rabbit
The ancestor of the breed is the red-eyed Hermelin. They have spread throughout the world. These rabbits were brought to Russia from Finland in 2014. There are two lines of the breed: English and American.
Peculiarities:
- Weight: 900-1150 g.
- Ears: 5-7.5 cm, straight.
- Coat type: medium.
- Any colour.
- Cost: 4-8 tr.
The ideal weight of an adult Netherland rabbit is 950 grams. The body is compact, the body has a rounded short format. The length of the ears varies from 5 to 7.5 cm. The breed standard includes 37 colors: solid, agouti, Siamese, tan, etc.
Polish rabbit or Dwarf hare
This dwarf rabbit is considered the smallest of all decorative breeds. Such animals came to Russia only in 2014. The most common Polish rabbits are in England and Scandinavian countries.
Characteristic:
- Weight: 500-1400 g.
- Ear length: 5-6 cm, straight.
- Wool: medium.
- Color: any.
- Price: 7-15 t.r.
Outwardly, these rabbits resemble a wild hare. The head is light and egg-shaped. The legs are long, thin, adjacent to the body. The coat is thick and about 2 cm long. Polish rabbits should not have dewlaps.
What determines the price of an animal?
Prices for animals vary depending on the breed, their purpose, age and weight, availability of documents, pedigree and vaccinations.
First of all, it is necessary to distinguish between animals for breeding for wool, meat, fluff - and decorative breeds. Here prices differ significantly. Also, the cost of animals on the market and in the nursery is also completely different. Purebred animals with documents are much more expensive. Exhibition copies are also expensive, from 4,000 rubles and above .
Rare breeds cost from 6,000 to 12,000 rubles .
One-month-old rabbits (for meat or breeding) cost less than adults of the same breed on average - 200-500 rubles . More adult individuals - from 500 to 1500 rubles . Pedigree adult animals can cost from 2,500 rubles .
Producers of Russian breeds cost an average of 500-1,500 rubles . European or American manufacturers are somewhat more expensive.
Dwarf rex
The first dwarf rexes appeared in France in 1919. They differ from other breeds in having very short hair. It is velvety and “plush” to the touch. Another feature is a short and curly mustache.
Peculiarities:
- Weight: 1000-1500 g.
- Ears: 3.5-7 cm, straight.
- Coat type: short.
- Any colour.
- Cost: 5-10 tr.
The Rex's body is stocky, compact, and slightly elongated. The length of the coat does not exceed 17-18 mm. It grows vertically and should not be curly or wavy. When stroking, the hairs return to their original position. The head is short, rounded, large. The eyes are large and expressive.
Satin dwarf
An American breed of rabbits with a special guard hair structure. It has a hollow shaft that reflects light well and gives the wool a unique shine. The first mutation occurred in 1934, after which these animals began to be purposefully bred.
Characteristic:
- Weight: 1500-2200 g.
- Ear length: 6-9 cm, straight.
- Wool: medium.
- Color: white, black, chocolate, red, chinchilla, Siamese, otter, opal.
- Price: 2-9 t.r.
A dwarf variety of satin rabbits was obtained not so long ago. Their body is slightly elongated, their back is rounded. The peculiarity of satin rabbits is their shining and iridescent fur, thanks to which it is impossible to confuse these animals with other breeds.
Breeder.
The best option from those presented, especially if it is a well-known breeder recommended to you by someone.
If not, then it is very easy to recognize a “low-quality” breeder. Such shots, by the way, are now very common. They make money from rabbits, ignoring the breeding rules established in the clubs.
How can you determine whether a breeder is worth trusting?
1. A good breeder should keep the animals clean.
You will immediately understand when you look at the condition of the animals. They should be cheerful and clean. The cell should have a lived-in, but not neglected appearance. There may be a smell in the room, but not repulsive, but barely noticeable (after all, several rabbits are no joke, and a baby, while learning to use the toilet, pees anywhere).
Unfortunately, this point cannot be determined if your breeder is located in another city.
2. A good breeder should answer all your questions.
All questions related to the parents of the rabbits, care, maintenance and feeding.
Request an advance copy of the pedigree. Even if the breeder is not a member of the club, he must provide documents. What if he knits rabbits in an unknown way? Also sick.
3. A good breeder should provide the baby rabbit with a supply of food for several days.
This is necessary for the safe transition of the baby to a new food.
4. A good breeder will help you with advice after selling the baby rabbit.
.
If, during a preliminary conversation, the breeder claims that the little rabbit will not grow up at all, that it can be fed with cabbage, and that a cage the size of a matchbox will be enough - do not believe it, this is a bad breeder. Get out of there.
Fox dwarf rabbit
These animals were bred in Germany. To obtain them, ordinary medium-sized fox rabbits were crossed with miniature Hermelines, and dwarf Angora rabbits were also used to lengthen their fur.
Peculiarities:
- Weight: 1110-1250 g.
- Ears: 4-6.5 cm, straight.
- Coat length: medium-long.
- Any colour.
- Cost: 3-7 tr.
The fur of fox rabbits is thick and quite long (from 3.5 to 5 cm). It feels very soft and silky to the touch. The body is cylindrical, strong, and well-knit. The legs are short, the head is round and large.
What can rabbits get sick with?
Rabbits are animals that are very vulnerable to infectious diseases. The most dangerous infections that can kill a rabbit in a matter of hours are myxomatosis and hemorrhagic disease . Veterinarians recommend that animals be vaccinated when they reach one month of age.
Rabbits are also susceptible to parasitic diseases . Psoroptosis caused by the scabies mite is common . The rabbit's ear begins to bother him; he scratches the affected area until scratches appear. However, this disease is quite easy to treat.
If a rabbit eats fresh green grass, it can become infected with cysticercosis . The disease is extremely rare, but deadly.
Rabbit owners rarely encounter helminthic infestations. Much more dangerous is ringworm , which rabbits pick up very quickly and infect everyone around them, including the people caring for them. If you see baldness in the fur or the appearance of light scales on the rabbit’s skin, you should contact a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Signs that your rabbit is sick:
- Decreased activity, loss of appetite;
- Thinness;
- Hair loss;
- Discharge from the mouth or nose;
- Unpleasant odor from the animal;
Lion-headed dwarf rabbit
These animals were the result of a genetic mutation and appeared from crossing the Belgian dwarf and Swiss fox breeds. Subsequently, breeders used Angora dwarfs to improve the quality of the wool of lion-headed rabbits.
Characteristic:
- Weight: 850-1500 g.
- Ear length: 4.5-6 cm, straight.
- Coat: medium, long on the head.
- Color: any.
- Price: 5-9 t.r.
The peculiarity of such rabbits is very long hair around the ears and on the cheeks, forming a characteristic “mane”. At the same time, the hairs on the body do not exceed 3-5 cm in length. These animals are very common; they can be found more often than others in apartments and houses.
Place where the pet was purchased
The cheapest rabbits are sold on the market. But here no one guarantees you that the animal is completely healthy. A low price may indicate that the animal has deviations from breed standards. In addition, unscrupulous sellers sell week-old meat rabbits under the guise of one-and-a-half-month-old dwarf animals.
Some breeders turn rabbit breeding into a low-grade business. The goal is to increase the number of pregnancies in females. We are not talking about any proper nutrition, care, or veterinary support. When purchasing a pet from someone else, you risk bringing a sick or non-viable animal into your home.
The highest price for decorative rabbits in the nursery. Here, producers carefully care for newborn animals, spend money on veterinary care, and monitor the progress of pregnancy and the psychological climate in the nursery. Crossing is carried out through careful selection of parents.
Rabbits from the club must have documents. Pedigree is a guarantee that you have purchased a purebred pet.
Naturally, breeding work, care and maintenance of rabbits is not cheap, which affects their final cost.
The price for individual specimens in nurseries reaches 25 thousand or more.
Where is the best place to buy baby rabbits?
Of course, buying a decorative rabbit from your own hands is much cheaper, but there is no guarantee that it will not grow larger than expected. If you want to get a small dwarf pet weighing 1-3 kg, then be sure to contact nurseries.
Dwarf Angora
The first dwarf angoras appeared in Russia in 1997. They were brought from Poland. Breeders began active work to improve the breed and received a large group of animals with the same pubescence and body weight.
Peculiarities:
- Weight: 900-2000 g.
- Ears: 5-7.5 cm, straight.
- Coat length: very long.
- Color: white (with blue or red eyes), Siamese, yellow, black, blue, Havana, etc.
- Cost: 5-15 tr.
Outwardly, the Angora rabbit resembles a fluffy cloud. The fur of these animals is long and grows vertically. The head is very well pubescent, so the animals have almost no nose or eyes visible. These animals require regular grooming.
How to keep a rabbit: tips for the owner
These animals are simple and unpretentious to care for. It is enough to allocate a spacious cage for the rabbit and clean it regularly : clean the feeder and change the water daily, change the bedding and clean the cage at least once a week.
It is important that the cage is reliably protected from drafts, moisture and direct sunlight.
Dwarf ram
Dutch breed of domestic dwarf rabbits. To obtain it, ordinary French large rams were used. These animals are distinguished by their flexible disposition. They are quite phlegmatic, rarely show aggression, and are easy to keep.
Characteristic:
- Weight: 1400-2000 g.
- Ear length: 24-28 cm, drooping.
- Wool: medium.
- Color: any.
- Price: 10-15 t.r.
Small rabbits with long floppy ears. The head is round with large eyes and a wide, slightly flattened forehead. Rams have a wide back, a rounded back, and a strong and well-built physique.
REFERENCE! These animals are prone to gaining excess weight, so food should be given to them in portions and in limited quantities.
Rabbit food
The diet should contain:
- Vegetables, root vegetables (fresh and boiled);
- Cereals and seeds (wheat, oats);
- Legumes;
- Hay;
- Fresh grass;
You can use special feed. It is recommended to feed animals in accordance with the regime: twice a day at the same time . Particular attention is paid to pregnant and lactating rabbits. They need enhanced nutrition: a wet mixture of boiled vegetables, cabbage, pumpkin and mixed feed is prepared for the rabbits.
Dwarf rex ram
To obtain these animals, such breeds of decorative rabbits as dwarf lop-eared rams and rexes were used. Breeding work began at the beginning of the 21st century. These animals appeared in Russia only in 2007. They were officially recognized in 2015.
Peculiarities:
- Weight: 1700-1900 g.
- Ears: 24-28 cm, hanging.
- Coat length: short, plush.
- Any colour.
- Cost: 7.5-20 t.r.
Quite rare and very beautiful animals. The body is of medium length, the head is rounded, slightly elongated. Fold-eared rex rams have round, expressive eyes and long ears. On the head there is a “crown” characteristic of the breed. The coat is short, velvety and plush to the touch.
Lion-headed dwarf ram
To obtain such animals with an unusual appearance, dwarf rams and lion-headed rabbits were used. The breed was officially recognized in 2007 in the UK. In Russia this happened in 2010.
Characteristic:
- Weight: 1600-2200 g.
- Ear length: 24-27 cm, drooping.
- Coat: medium, long on the head.
- Color: any.
- Price: 4.5-12 t.r.
The lion-headed ram has a dense, cylindrical body. The ears are long, hanging, rounded at the ends. The coat on the body is of medium length, but around the ears and on the cheeks it is noticeably longer (up to 15-18 cm).
Types and breeds of animals and how much do they cost?
- Animals for breeding (different breeds, Russian and foreign selection) - for breeding, for meat - cost from 200 to 1,500 rubles .
- Tribal - on average from 600 rubles to 2,000 .
- Decorative breeds (dwarf, fold-eared, short-haired, long-haired, red-eyed, Angora, colored and two-colored: from 1,000 to 12,000 rubles .
The most expensive breed is the dwarf Dutch . The price for this animal starts from 2,500 rubles and reaches 8,000 rubles , and for an animal with a pedigree it can be even higher.
Dwarf Dutch rabbit
Dutch lop-eared dwarf rabbit
The first representatives of the breed were obtained about 30 years ago. To breed them, breeders crossed Dutch rabbits and French fold rams. For several years, experts have been working to reduce the size of the breed.
Peculiarities:
- Weight: 1250-1700 g.
- Ears: 21-26 cm, hanging.
- Coat length: medium.
- Color: brown, gray, black, blue, marten, isabella, black otter, chinchilla.
- Cost: 3.5-8 tr.
The body of these animals is strong, the back is rounded. Skin without folds, dewlap is not allowed. The head is quite large and round in shape. The neck is short. The eyes of Netherland rabbits are large and expressive.
Mini lop
The breed was bred in Germany. These animals were obtained by crossing Dutch fold rams and dwarf chinchillas. The first mini-lops were white, but later other colors were obtained. The breed was officially recognized in 1980.
Characteristic:
- Weight: 1400-2700 g.
- Ear length: should be 2-3 cm below the jaw, drooping.
- Wool: medium.
- Color: any.
- Price: 8-17 t.r.
Mini lop has a strong body. The head is rounded and quite large. The neck is very short. The limbs are thick, not curved, and short. These rabbits are very good-natured, so even small children can communicate with them without any problems.
What affects the cost of a fluffy
To more accurately answer the question “How much does a pet mini-rabbit cost?”, you should first find out what factors influence this.
- Place of purchase (market, pet store, nursery, private person).
- Breed of the animal.
- Availability of pedigree.
- Conditions of care, maintenance, feeding.
- Breeding quality:
- show class is perfect as an exhibition sample;
- breeding involves breeding;
- pet is purchased to maintain a home.
Mini lop lionhead
These animals were obtained in England in the early 2000s, but they are not yet officially recognized. The best representatives of the lion-headed dwarf and mini lop breeds were used for breeding.
Peculiarities:
- Weight: 1500-1600 g.
- Ears: 21-25 cm, hanging.
- Coat length: medium, long in the head area (up to 7.5 cm).
- Any colour.
- Cost: 6-13 tr.
These animals are quite miniature. A characteristic feature of the breed is a very thick mane on the head, while the hair on the body is short (no more than 2 cm). The body is dense, strong, the back is rounded. Lion-headed mini-lops have a round head proportional to the body.
Sale of baby rabbits
Ten years ago, it was not easy for a private individual who was not the owner or representative of a nursery to find buyers for rabbits. Now the situation has changed radically. Roughly speaking, there would be a product (in this case, baby rabbits), and there would be a buyer. This is the case not only in Russia, but also in countries such as Belarus and Ukraine. It's all about the growth in the number of Internet users and the emergence of such platforms as Avito and Yula. At the same time, all other methods of selling rabbits also remain relevant.
How to sell a rabbit
1. Internet
Online platforms such as Avito, Yula, OLX are the tools that will help you find the required number of buyers for your rabbits. Posting advertisements for the sale of animals on Avito seems to cost a fee, but it’s worth it. Before submitting an ad, I recommend studying the prices of other sellers in your region on the selected online platform. Your prices should not be inflated, however, it is up to you.
In addition to online platforms, it makes sense to publish ads for free on much less visited ad sites. Based on my experience, I can say that sometimes there is a return on such publications.
Also, don’t forget to post ads for free in social networking groups and forums.
2. Press
Today, there are still newspapers and magazines about animals in which you can submit advertisements for the sale of young animals for free.
Read more: Announcements in the press.
3. Pet stores
Many pet stores buy baby rabbits for resale, but usually at a low price.
4. Selling near the metro
Advantages: Can be sold at higher prices.
Disadvantages: requires free time; may be fined by the police; additional stress and risk of illness for the rabbits.
Features: must be sold in good and warm weather.
5. Word of mouth
You can offer it through your friends. It's also a good idea to hand out business cards to customers, asking them to recommend you to someone they know.
6. Posting advertisements
Posting advertisements may not produce results. Now they pay much less attention than before.
Mini lop cashmere (long-haired)
The first long-haired rabbits were obtained by chance in a litter of standard dwarf rams. This happened in 1980 in England. It was these animals that became the founders of the Cashmere Mini Lop breed.
Characteristic:
- Weight: 1300-1600 g.
- Ear length: 20-24 cm, drooping.
- Coat: long (from 3.8 to 5-6 cm), shorter on the head.
- Color: any.
- Price: 7.5-13 t.r.
Cashmere mini lop has a dense, strong, but small body. The croup is rounded. The neck is very short, almost invisible. Both the forelimbs and hind limbs are thick and short. The peculiarity of the breed is its long, soft, but not plump, hair that is always straight.
Approximate prices
Animals for home breeding (usually small rabbits) cost 200-500 rubles on the market; depending on the breed, the price can reach up to 1,500 rubles .
A purebred animal for home keeping as a pet, purchased second-hand, can cost from 800 rubles to 3,500 rubles , depending on the rarity of the breed. But you can buy a “fake” animal (for example, it can be tinted to make it look like a purebred one) or a sick one.
The same animal, but with documents and vaccinations, will cost from 1,000 to 5,000 rubles , also depending on its rarity.
An animal taken from a nursery, with a pedigree, documents and vaccinated will cost from 3,000 to 7,000 rubles . Exhibition specimens will cost the buyer 4,000 - 7,000 rubles , the price varies depending on the breed, color, and pedigree. The rarest show-class breeds cost from 5,000 rubles and above .
Holland lop
This breed is the result of crossing Dutch dwarf rams and French lops (the weight of these rabbits reaches 4.5 kg). It was officially recognized in America in 1979.
Peculiarities:
- Weight: 1400-1800 g.
- Ears: 12 cm, drooping.
- Coat type: medium.
- Color: fawn, silver, chocolate, white, brown, red.
- Cost: 8-14 tr.
A distinctive feature of Holland Lop rabbits is their almond-shaped ears. Their average length is 12 cm. The body of rabbits is muscular, strong, and the back is rounded. The legs are short and thick, very strong.
Breeds of dwarf rabbits are numerous and varied. At home, they are kept both in cages and freely. They do not require complex care, and most of them have a good-natured and easy-going character.
What to look for when purchasing?
First, assess the health of your future pet. He should be active, jump and frolic in the cage, and be interested in surrounding events. Choose a rabbit with shiny fur, without bald spots or scabs, and with clean, clear eyes. It would be useful to look at the living conditions of the parents.
Inspect separately:
- Anus (there should be no traces of diarrhea, redness or odor);
- The shape of the back (a rounded or concave back indicates developmental defects);
- Ears, appreciate their symmetrical arrangement;
- Paws (the hind legs should be evenly lowered, the front ones without sores);
- Teeth (correct bite is when the upper teeth cover the lower teeth).
They buy baby rabbits at one and a half months of age. It is not recommended to purchase animals under 40 days old, as they may suddenly become ill and die.
Before purchasing, decide for what purpose you are purchasing the animal. If the little rabbit lives in the house as a member of the family, you can not pay attention to minor deviations from the standards: discrepancy in size, coat length, uneven color. These deficiencies do not affect the pet's health.
If you decide to start breeding rabbits, you should pay attention to breed-class animals. They may have slight discrepancies with the standards, but if properly crossed they will produce show-class purebred offspring.
Consider subsequent costs: how much castration costs and whether it is necessary to do it.
