Breeding lop-eared dwarf rabbits

Lop-eared rabbits, also known as rams, occupy a special place among decorative rabbits. Indeed, the hanging ears of these animals make them very similar to small lambs.

The first types of lop-eared rabbits were bred in the last century and very soon spread throughout Europe. And today, rams are very popular among rabbit lovers.

About the breed

A distinctive feature of these rabbits is their hanging ears, which can reach a length of 30 cm. Near the head, the ears are pressed closer and thicker than on top. It is worth noting that at the birth of lop-eared rabbits, their ears are erect, but after 1 month they gradually begin to sag, and by 3 months the ears are already completely hanging.

By physique, rams are more compact, with an almost square body. The paws of these rabbits are short and thick, the neck is very small. Lop-eared rabbits are also distinguished by a flattened muzzle, wide forehead and plump cheeks. These body features make them very funny and cute.

The coat of these rabbits is soft and has a thick undercoat, although the pile is not always of uniform length. There are many color options for animals. They can be either the same color (white, black, opal), or different shades of brown or even sable.

The optimal weight of rams is from 1,4 to 2 kg. Rabbits whose weight is not more than 3 kg are considered decorative.

But it is important to consider the fact that, although the lop-eared physique seems powerful, these furries are very delicate and require fragile handling. For example, if a rabbit fails to land off the owner’s hand, it may injure its paw or injure its spine.

These seemingly cute and funny animals have the same docile and friendly character. These creatures are very good-natured to people, loyal to their owner, active and playful, which makes them excellent friends for children and adults.

Lop-eared rabbit care

There is no big difference in caring for lop-eared rabbits from caring for other breeds of domestic rabbits. But lambs need more thorough care for their ears, they need to be examined periodically and kept clean. Owners of furry animals will have to brush them more often. It should be noted that lop-eared rabbits need more attention, because without it they can become more aggressive, start kicking and biting.

Before you buy a small rabbit, you need to buy a cage for him of such a size that the grown animal can lie freely in it. The cage should also fit a house and a tray. It is necessary to provide a place for a manger with hay and automatic drinking bowls that are attached to the rods.

To avoid injury to the paws of the animal, it is better not to choose a pallet with a grate. After that, you need to plan a place in the apartment for the rabbit cage. It is important to remember that furry animals need to be protected from direct sunlight (they can get heat stroke or suffer from overheating), drafts (there is a high risk of colds), and find a dry place for them, as they do not like high humidity.

About furry animals

Since rabbits are very careful with their hair and are extremely clean, they need to be bathed very rarely (for example, if they have diarrhea). You should also constantly clean their cage, clean the tray every day, as they won’t want to go to a dirty rabbit, but will make a toilet somewhere nearby. If you follow these simple rules, you will not smell the unpleasant smell that people sometimes complain about.

Sheep have another feature – this is their need for daily walks, which should last at least 2 hours. Before this, you need to free the area from things that the animal can damage or gnaw through. Walking your pet, pamper him with attention, play with him, do not leave him alone, take him in your arms, talk to him. This will allow the rabbit to quickly get used to you and begin to respond to the nickname.

The main dish for rabbits is hay, usually put in a manger. It is important to ensure that the rabbit always has enough water in the drinker. Also, folds are happy to eat oatmeal and grain mixtures. In the menu of rabbits who are 3 months old, you can still add some fruits: bananas, pears, apples.

We recommend adding apple, birch and willow branches to the diet of animals for grinding teeth. Rabbits like dandelion leaves and sprouted grains. Leaves and grass for your pets are best harvested in uncontaminated areas. Sometimes owners buy additional vitamin and mineral supplements for their pets, but here you need to know when to stop. Salt and mineral stones must also be placed in the animal’s cage.

As for the care of rabbits, it is necessary to cut their claws at least once every few months. To do this, use special tweezers so as not to damage the vessels, they are easy to see through the light.

5 Tips for Buying a Rabbit

To buy a healthy and thoroughbred lop-eared rabbit, you need to consider several factors:

When buying a healthy fold representative, it is important to remember the following points:

• It is best to buy a rabbit directly from a breeder rather than from a market or store;
• Do not buy too shy babies;
• Pay attention to the nose and eyes of the animal, it is important that they are free of secretions, and the rabbit’s tummy should be free of damage and lumps;
• The coat should be uniform without bald spots (do not buy an animal during molting);
• The genitals of the rabbit should be free of swelling and redness.
• If you have any questions regarding the gender of the rabbit, please consult the breeder in this case.