AGB 211: Livestock and Poultry Breeding (2+1)

BREEDS OF RABBIT

India does not have indigenous rabbit breeds (Oryctolagus cuniculus), and the Hispid hare (Caprolagus hispidus) is the nearest related species. There are three major types of Indian hare. The black napped hare (Lepus nigricollis nigricollis) is found in most parts of the country, major concentration being in Southern India. The other variety of Indian hare is rufous-tailed hare (Lepus nigricollis ruficaudatus). Their distribution ranges from Himalayas to river Godavari. The desert hare (Lepus nigricollis dayanus) is found in Western desert zone of India. Rabbits have been imported from other countries and reared under various agro-climatic regions. The various rabbit breeds available in India are New Zealand White, Soviet Chinchilla, Grey Giant, and White Giant for meat and fur, and Russian, British and German Angora for hair.

Newzealand White

• This breed was evolved in England. Fur is white and skin is albino. The eye colour is red due to the absence of melanin pigment. Adult weight is 4.5 to 5 kg. Meat and furskin are the main products. New Zealand rabbits are available in three colours white , red , and black . Although, cross breeding can result in many different combinations of these three basic pigmentations. There are efforts with certificates of development on a blue and broken variety. The Red has bright golden red fur with a slightly harsher fat. One of the larger breed of rabbit, it can weigh anywhere from 9 to 12 lb (3-5kg). New Zealands are a breed that can be used for meat, pelts, show, and laboratory uses. Some adult New Zealands does can be more aggressive than males although not all females are aggressive. The aggressiveness is caused from not being pregnant. The New Zealand rabbit is a commercial breed.

Soviet Chinchilla

• This breed was evolved in erstwhile USSR. Adults weigh 4.5 to 5 kg. Though this breed is reared for meat its fur is a fancy in fur crafts.

Grey Giant

• This breed is also a native of erstwhile USSR. Adults weigh 4.5 to 5 kg. Due to the resemblance of its fur with that of hare, it is often mistaken as hare. It is also reared for meat and fur skin.

White Giant

• White Giant also originated in the erstwhile Soviet Union. It is almost similar in appearance to Newzealand White. Colour of the fur is white while that of the eyes and skin is red. The length of hind limbs as well as body size is larger than that of New Zealand White.

Angora

• Angora is a very ancient breed of small rabbit weighing around 3 kilograms. It is a wool type rabbit with white fur. Annual wool yield recorded is between 300-1000g in 3 to 4 clippings.

The Himalayan

• The Himalayan is an old breed long-known in Asian countries in the region of the Himalayan Mountains . It is more widely distributed throughout the world than any other rabbit breed, and has been known by more names, such as the Chinese, Russian, Egyptian, and the Black Nose. They are known for their gentle temperament, and make great pets for a first-time rabbit owner — or anyone who wants a rabbit that is content to sit in their lap sometimes. Like a Himalayan cat , the Himalayan rabbit is white with dark points on the nose, ears, tail and feet. The Himalayan is born white but gets the spots as it grows. The breed also has a slender, cat like body. The original variety had Black points, but later breeders created the Blue, Chocolate, and Lilac varieties. They are born all white, but their markings come in as they age. Delicately built, they always have pink or blue eyes. The Himalayan is the only breed classified as cylindrical — long bodied like a cylinder or tube. When shown, the judge judges this breed posed in a "stretched out" position.