About Rabbits’ Belgian Hare breed:
The fancy domesticated rabbit known as the Belgian Hare was created through selective breeding. Similar to a wild hare, Belgian hares are attractive but also cunning and occasionally timid. The Belgian Hare is a well-liked household pet because to their appealing appearance and intelligence. Belgian Hares need particular care and attention, just like any other pet. Continue reading if you’re considering purchasing a Belgian Hare. You can learn everything you need to know about this kind of rabbit from this guide. Let’s get going.
The Belgian Hare’s appearance was deliberately cultivated to resemble a wild hare. As a result, this kind of rabbit has extraordinarily long limbs and a unique appearance. Although this kind of rabbit is quite appealing, its initial purpose was to produce a useful source of meat.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, they gained enormous popularity in Europe and the United States because to their distinctive flair and lively qualities. They are still raised for meat, but nowadays they are more frequently utilised as pets and display animals due to their intelligence and beauty.
Purebred Belgian Hares are uncommon yet quite common. A purebred Belgian Hare is regarded as vulnerable by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.
In general, Belgian Hares are regarded as excellent pet breeds. They are said to be the only variety of farmed rabbit with a deep red or chestnut coat. In other words, this pet rabbit will be distinctive from others. Additionally, they can come to food and respond to their names.
Belgian rabbits are often playful and affectionate, so you may have fun with them. However, some people are more anxious than others. They are still an excellent choice for a pet rabbit because of their amusing temperament.
Belgian Hares are not only charming and lively, but they are also reasonably simple to care for. Belgian Hares demand less maintenance than other pets, yet you will still need to groom them and clean their cage.
Personality Of Belgian Hare Rabbits’:
Belgian Hares are thought to be very bright and active bunnies. Because of this, domesticated Belgian Hares might respond to their name and virtually always desire movement.
They have a rather tense and skittish nature, which is one drawback. Although they are not particularly aggressive, if you handle them improperly they may kick sometimes and desire to run a lot to release their nervous energy.
They would not be the finest residents of an apartment because to their vigour and neurotic disposition, making outdoor living their preferred option.
Belgian Hares often do not get along with other pets because rabbits are predatory animals. They are less suited for other animals due of their nervous nature because they will be stressed out and hide, even though they won’t fight another animal.
The Belgian Hare shouldn’t be kept around dogs, cats, or other raptors. The Belgian Hare can, however, be paired with other rabbits. Take precautions to avoid having too many unwelcome children.
It’s acceptable to have additional pets in addition to your rabbit as long as they are kept in separate housing because Belgian Hares should be kept in outdoor enclosures. Ascertain the safety of the enclosure and that the predatory animals are kept apart from the hare.
Health and Care of Belgian Hare Rabbit:
Belgian Hares need huge, open cages because they are larger than rabbits. A single Belgian hare needs an enclosure that measures 24 by 60 by 24 inches. The cage must be bigger if the Belgian Hare is expecting.
It is best if the enclosure is outside in addition to having a sizable habitat. Belgian Hares enjoy moving quickly. They won’t have enough area to hop and jump if their habitat is inside a cage. The keeping of a Belgian hare as a house pet is not advised.
You must make sure the enclosure is safe from predators if you keep your Belgian Hare outside. A cage that is raised off the ground and completely enclosed in fine mesh is what you need. This will guarantee that the rabbit cannot be accessed by predators.
No matter if you keep your Belgian Hare indoors or outside, the enclosure needs to be big enough for them to spread out entirely and for the food to be kept apart from the litter box.
There should be three sections inside your enclosure: one for eating, one for nesting, and one for using the restroom. The dining room will be rather simple. A small tray for meals and a water bottle are needed. Ensure that it is kept apart from the trash.
Simply said, the nesting area is a space away from the restroom area. In order to instruct them where to build their nests, it is ideal to choose an enclosure with a lock. The litter area is the third portion. Belgian hares are simple to housebreak. For simple cleaning, cover this area with litter shavings.
The majority of temperatures and settings are good for Belgian hares, like many other rabbit breeds. However, be careful not to keep them in a hot or highly humid environment. The ideal environment is more temperate.
Put toys inside their enclosure, please. Belgian Hares require lots of mental exercise. To keep them occupied, golf balls, hardwood, and PVC tubing are all excellent choices.
Vegetables and pellets should only be available to your Belgian Hare for dinner, not all the time. This enables them to continue eating mainly hay while yet receiving their necessary nutrients.
It’s crucial to remember that not all fruits and vegetables are appropriate for rabbits. For instance, iceberg lettuce has negligible nutritional benefit and can cause diarrhoea in rabbits. Iceberg lettuce should not be given to Belgian Hares.
Other fruits and vegetables should only be consumed in moderation, too. You can occasionally give your pet tuberous veggies like carrots and high-sugar fruits like apples as treats, but not every day.
Make sure your Belgian Hare has adequate room to roam around and run about as well. They won’t be able to move about and exercise if you confine them in a space that is too small.
Make sure they are clear of flystrike and ear mites as well. When flies deposit eggs inside their damp fur, it is known as flystrike. If you believe either of these problems may exist in your Belgian Hare, consult a veterinarian. Additionally, administer deworming pastes to your Belgian Hare each fall and spring.
Last but not least, remember that rabbits’ teeth never stop developing. To keep their teeth filed down, give them things to chew on.
Feed (How and when to feed your Belgian hare Rabbit):
Many people believe that Belgian Hares have a different diet from other rabbits since they are so large. That is untrue. Belgian Hares should always have access to clean water and good forage, just like any other rabbit.
Their diet should contain 70% hay. Hay makes sure that their digestive system is functioning normally. There are many different kinds of hay available, but Timothy hay is the best. Timothy hay can be purchased at any large supermarket chain or pet store.
They consume pellets, vegetables, fruits, and leafy greens for the remaining 30% of their diet. They will acquire the necessary minerals and vitamins in their diet if fruits and vegetables are eaten in moderation.
Vegetables and pellets shouldn’t be available to your Belgian Hare all the time; limit their access to them to dinnertime only. This enables them to continue eating primarily hay while still getting their nutrition.
It is crucial to note that not all vegetables and fruits are suitable for rabbits. For instance, iceberg lettuce is unhealthy and might cause rabbits to have diarrhoea. Don’t give iceberg lettuce to your Belgian hare.
Other fruits and vegetables should also only be consumed seldom. You should not give tuberous vegetables, like carrots, and high-sugar fruits, like apples, on a regular basis.
History of Belgian Hare Rabbit Breed:
Early domestic rabbits and wild European rabbits were crossed in Belgium in the early eighteenth century to produce the ancestors of the Belgian hare. The goal was to produce a useful meat rabbit for tiny animals. The “Belgian Hare” was the name given to these rabbits when they were originally brought to England in 1874. Breeders there enhanced the Belgian Hare’s spirit and suppleness to more closely resemble the wild rabbits of England. The first Belgian Hares were displayed in America in 1877, and the breed quickly gained popularity. The “Belgian Hare boom” peaked in 1898. In its annual report, one shipping company in England at the time wrote: “Over 6,000 Belgian Hares delivered safely to the United States during 1900.” In America, numerous Belgian Hare clubs were established, and a huge number of rabbits were produced. By 1902, the oversaturated market had collapsed because the inexperienced breeders had failed to develop the lanky rabbit into a meat production breed.
The “American Belgian Hare Association” was the first of these American Belgian Hare organisations, but due to its large and dispersed membership, it only existed for about a year. The “National Belgian Hare Club of America” was established in 1897 after the “Boston Belgian Hare Club” was founded in 1880. Twelve years later, when new breeds were being developed and introduced in the US, the “National Pet Stock Association,” a new “all-breed” association, was established. This eventually evolved into the American Rabbit Breeders Association of today (ARBA). After the National Belgian Hare Club had disbanded many years earlier, a committed group of breeders petitioned to ARBA for a specialised club charter, which was approved in July 1972. The American Belgian Hare Club was established and is still active today.
The Belgian Hare is still considered a “fancy” rabbit today and has ardent fans in both the UK and the US, where the breed is officially listed as being “endangered” by The Livestock Conservancy.
More About this breed (Belgian Hare Rabbit Hare Breed):
Belgian Hares breed in the summer, just like other rabbit species. You’ll need to provide them with additional light to mimic summer if you want to breed them at another time of the year. For the pregnant rabbit, you will also need a larger cage. Ahead of time, have one.
It is recommended to bring the doe to the buck if you wish to breed Belgian Hares. Because they are territorial, does will attempt to keep buck from entering their area rather than mating. It is wise to keep an eye on the doe and buck as they mate.
Take the buck out of the enclosure if they don’t mate within 10 minutes, then reintroduce them once everything has calmed down. Before the doe takes the buck, you might need to repeat this process numerous times. Usually, there are 4 to 8 kittens in the litter.