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Rabbit breeding in Ukraine is one of the promising sectors of small and medium-sized farming, as rabbits grow quickly and have valuable meat and fur. But they are not just fluffy creatures, they are also a responsibility.
To avoid treatment costs and keep your rabbits healthy, it's a good idea to go for breeds that are naturally more resistant to disease. This doesn't guarantee complete immunity, but it does significantly reduce the risks.
Which rabbit breeds are the most resistant?
The resistance of rabbits to disease depends on several factors: genetics, growth rate, adaptability to climate, and living conditions.
One of the most popular meat breeds is the Californian rabbit—it has a strong immune system, tolerates temperature changes well, and is less prone to digestive diseases.
The New Zealand White breed of American origin is known for its stable health. These rabbits adapt well to different climates and are less susceptible to myxomatosis and pasteurellosis.
Crossbreeds, or local rabbits, are formed by crossing several breeds, inheriting the best qualities of their parent lines. They are often more resilient than purebred animals because they have hybrid vigor.
Rex is a popular fur breed that is quite healthy. They have thick velvety fur and a calm disposition.
Silver is a highly adaptable breed. It adapts well to different climates, grows quickly, and is almost immune to widespread diseases with proper care.
What diseases do rabbits suffer from?
These delicate animals are prone to a number of diseases that spread rapidly on the farm. Infections transmitted by airborne droplets, insect bites, or contact with contaminated equipment are especially dangerous for them.
To avoid mass losses on the farm, it is important to recognize the symptoms in time and pay attention to prevention.
Skin diseases are the most common in rabbits. For example, scabies is a parasitic disease caused by mites. It manifests itself through itching, peeling of the skin, and baldness around the nose, ears, and paws. In the early stages, small nodules or crusts are noticeable. Dermatomycosis (lichen) is a fungal infection of the skin with symptoms in the form of round spots without hair and a white coating.
The eyes often suffer from conjunctivitis, an inflammation of the mucous membrane that manifests itself through tearing, redness, and sticking of the eyelids. There is also myxomatosis, one of the most dangerous viral diseases. In this case, swelling appears around the eyes, nose, ears, nodules on the head and body, and purulent discharge. Without vaccination, the mortality rate reaches 90-100%.
Respiratory diseases - rhinitis, bronchitis - are caused by hypothermia or infections.
Treating rabbits is difficult and expensive. Diseases develop very quickly in rabbits, and effective drugs are often limited in their use or leave residues in the meat. Therefore, prevention is the key to a successful farm.
A proper diet is the key to health
What can you feed rabbits? The basis of the diet is hay, which ensures healthy digestion. Rabbits can be given juicy foods such as carrots, beets (in moderation), cabbage leaves, pumpkin, zucchini, apples; mixed feed, willow, acacia, apple, pear, and birch branches; and grains.
What should you not feed rabbits? It is best to avoid raw potatoes, unripe vegetables, bread, cabbage heads, green beets, and legumes in large quantities. Clean water should always be available. Rabbits are very sensitive to dehydration, especially in hot weather.
What are the requirements for cages?
Before buying animals, you need to set up cages for them. The best ones are wooden with a mesh floor (for urine and manure drainage), under a canopy that will protect them from precipitation and drafts, not on damp ground.
Cages should be disinfected regularly—once every two weeks in summer and once in winter. The distance between cages should be at least 50 cm for ventilation.
The VADA company offers equipment for cleanliness and comfort in rabbitries, which will maintain a normal microclimate.
It is better to buy rabbits from specialized farms and breeding farms, at agricultural exhibitions, and from trusted private breeders.
What equipment will help keep rabbits healthy
Rabbit farms must actively remove ammonia and CO₂ that accumulate under the influence of excrement. Poorly adjusted ventilation leads to high concentrations of ammonia, which irritates the mucous membranes and causes respiratory diseases. At a minimum, there should be an exhaust ventilation system through shafts that provides extraction from the manure channels.
The ideal humidity for rabbits is 60-80%, as excessive humidity causes condensation, reduces thermal insulation, and increases the risk of fungal diseases. The optimal air speed is ≈0.3 m/s.
As a supplier of livestock equipment, VADA recommends installing automatic ventilation systems with temperature, humidity, and ammonia sensors that regulate air exchange without human intervention. It is also recommended to combine ventilation with heating and thermal insulation of the premises to optimize heating costs.
14/07/2025
