· Breeds
Breed and description of rabbits available in India
No. |
Breeds |
Description |
1. |
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 furcrafts. |
2. |
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 furskin. |
3. |
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. |
4. |
White Giant |
White Giant also originated in the erstwhile Soviet Union. It is almost similar in appearence 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. |
5. |
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. |
6. |
Cross-breds |
The crosses between the above mentioned breeds and local types have been produced. They are found to be highly adaptive to Kerala conditions. The adult weighs 4 to 4.5 kg and breeds all through the year. Colour of fur is not uniform. |
(Source: Kerala Agricultural University)