A Complete Guide to Rabbit Breeds: Common Varieties and Their Characteristics
There are many rabbit breeds. Classified by usable value, they are divided into meat rabbits, Rex rabbits (fur rabbits), Angora rabbits (wool rabbits), laboratory rabbits and ornamental rabbits; classified by body size, they are divided into large rabbits, medium rabbits, small rabbits and dwarf rabbits. Those that can be raised in daily life include the New Zealand White rabbit, Belgian rabbit, Checkered Giant rabbit, California rabbit, Japanese White rabbit (Japanese Large-Eared White rabbit), Lop rabbit, Harbin Large White rabbit, Chinese White rabbit, Rex rabbit, hare and so on.
Which breed of meat rabbit is good?
1. New Zealand rabbit
The New Zealand rabbit is one of the rabbit breeds that has been introduced into China for the longest time, and what people usually call the white rabbit refers to it. The New Zealand rabbit itself is a breed with very strong reproductive capacity, and under normal circumstances it can produce nearly 30 young per year. At present, the breeding technology for New Zealand rabbits in China is in a very well-developed state, and there are specific solutions for disasters and diseases and the like. In addition, its meat is also a top-grade among rabbits, with extremely high economic benefits.
2. Harbin White rabbit
The Harbin White rabbit can be considered a meat rabbit breed with relatively low feed requirements, and it is a hybrid rabbit independently researched and developed in China. It is also one of the few rabbits that can adapt to the environment of most regions of China. Due to its thick fur, it is currently widely distributed in Northeast China. This is also a fast-growing rabbit with a high meat yield; a single adult rabbit weighs around 10 jin. It is not a picky eater in daily feeding, making it a meat rabbit with wide use for both fur and meat.
3. Large-Eared Yellow rabbit
The Large-Eared Yellow rabbit is also a rabbit breed raised in relatively large numbers in northern China, with broad economic value. Due to the particularity of its coat color, its fur value is often greater than its meat value. Its own stable heredity ensures the purity of the breed, and since it is also a large rabbit breed, an adult can generally reach more than 9 jin. Its feed conversion rate is high, making it an outstanding one among meat rabbit breeds. Its breeding method is simple, and its growth rate is also quite good. It can be considered a preferred meat rabbit with small investment and large returns.
4. Saibei rabbit
Saibei rabbit farming is relatively concentrated in Northeast and Southeast China, and it is one of the rabbit breeds that have only been widely promoted in recent years. Its lean meat content is extremely high, accounting for more than half of its total body weight. It is relatively quiet in daily life, and the proportion of losses in cages is much lower than that of others. Its physique can only be considered medium, with adult rabbits around 5 jin. In feeding, it has high requirements for feed and low requirements for forage, and the survival rate of young is as high as over 96%. It is a typical representative of meat rabbits.
The above is the relevant introduction to rabbit breeds. I hope it is helpful to everyone.