RABBIT FARMING

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21708, 15 February 1936, Page 8

RABBIT FARMING

CARPFUJL MANAGEMENT IN , CHANGEABLE WEATHER !*n t t

(By'IREX) . A study of the effect of weather conditions upon live, stock is not Very interesting, but furnishes the breeder with much useful information which will , help him to get the best results from his animals. For instance, theman who knows thal certain conditions ap-pear-time after time to produce some ill effect i can bring his common sense into ’ play and endeavour to discover some means whereby he may be able to mitigate or even avert, their undesirable results. There is rio doubt that strong wind is not .'only definitely disliked by rabbits, but that they are affected in Various undesirable ways. Every rabbit breeder should realise that hutches must be so placed that the wind cannot beat into them directly, and that there must be no risk of them blowing over during a gale. There’is; however, a point that many do not; appreciate, and that is that even in the indoor rabbitry the stock may be seriouslyaffected by' some cause which is Only obvious when high winds prevail. Rabbits are highly-strung creatures and, in windy weather, even the most placid become a little nervy. Unusual noises caused by loose liaards or corrugated sheets of iron on the roof-or elsewhere,, or even by a loose end of roofing constantly flapping in the wind WilL often aggravate this nerviness in such a way as to cause serious results. Easterly winds at all times of the year, more than those from any other quarter, are distinctly adverse to the wellbeing of rabbits. Unrelieved constipation in rabbits soon loads to fatal results, and therefore, rabbit breeders who are unable to obtain much green food, and who do not put a weekly dose of Glauber’s Salts ih the drinking water as a matter of routine, will do Well to resort to this preventive measure in long spells of east- winds; Wind from this quarter almost certainly has the effect, through the . nervous system, of drying up some of the glandular secretions upon which the smooth working of the physical-processes depends. To ’this we attribute the fact that rabbits are keener than ever on their daily drink when the wind is from the east. Do not, therefore, jump to the conclusion that, because it is cold, - the stock can do without water. This applies particularly to does ih kindle, for milk is a glandular secretion, the production of which needs more assistance than ever under these conditions. It has been noticed that when easterlies prevail for long, gestation is often prolonged beyond the normal 31 day. A doe which Tails to kindle to time should :be kept'under observation, and as long as she appears well and eats as usual, there is no immediate cause for worry, If the litter has not appeared by. the thirty-third day, a mixture of one part oil of linseed and four parts of linseed oil will probably bring matters to a head if the doe is already In kindle. If, however, the first dose does not result in the birth of the litter, repeat after two days, for, particularly old does, delivery may be deferred until as long as 36 days after mating. If a doe fails to kindle to time and appears ill at ease and off her food, with dull eyes, in all probability she has a dead litter which, if not speedily taken away, will cause her death. One or two doses of the medicine just mentioned, given at intervals of 12 hours, will, in all probability, produce the desired result. Babbit Claws Long claws in a rabbit can be distinctly dangerous. With them a rabbit can, and often will 1 , inflict serious injury on its bothers and sisters, and even on its attendant who brings the food and water. On these scores alone, therefore, it is wise policy to examine rabbits’ claws regularly once a month, and if they are growing too long, give them the necessary trimming. Besides the disadvantages of long claws mentioned above, they worry the rabbit, -may grow Inwards into the foot, and are quite likely to get caught in the mesh of the netting of the hutch or in cracks of the woodwork and be torn cut, leaving a nasty wound, perhaps resulting in blood-poisoning. In shortening the nails, great care must be taken not to injure the quick, and to avoid this merely trim down the ptsr.ts. A pair of scissors can be used for the purpose, but they are liable to split the nails. It is far better to use a small pair of cutting pliers and work quickly and decisively.