RABBIT FARMING FOR PROFIT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19258, 20 December 1930, Page 29 (Supplement)

RABBIT FARMING FOR PROFIT.

(BY “ LAPIN.”) Registration of Stud Stock. The Canterbury Rabbit Breeders’ Association, in their efforts' to foster and protect the rabbit industry, have inaugurated a registration scheme which will, undoubtedly, materially assist in maintaining in New Zealand a standard of industrial hutch-bred rabbita comparable with any in the world. ’ The primary objects of this scheme are: (1) To protect the general public who have invested, or contemplate investing, thteir money in the industry, by preventing the sale of impure or crossbred rabbits. (2) To maintain a high standard which will be a deciding factor in the production of pelts and Angora wool which will command the highest prices on the world’s market. (3) The fixation of minimum prices for the sale of stud stock, thereby protecting the members of the association, and enabling the industry to rank as one of New Zealand’s primary industries, and net merely a hobby. All members of the Canterbury Rabbit Breeders’ Association desirous of registering stock must comply with the following regulations: (1) The breeder must register his rabbitry under its trade name with the registration secretary of the C.11.8.A., at a nominal fee. (2) Rabbits must be registered under their names. Bucks must be of a type within 80 per cent, and does of a type within 60 per cent of the definite standard for Angoras and Chinchillas adopted by the C.R.B.A. The stock must have no serious defects, and must have been bred from litters which? have reached 50 per cent of the true standard type. (3) Rabbit 3 complying with the standard can only be registered on production of their pedigrees of two generations, or of particulars of their known strain. Copies cf pedigrees and particulars to be lodged with the registration secretary. (4) All stud stock submitted for registration must be inspected by an inspector appointed by the C.R.B.A. Registration Committee, such inspector to have the power to pass stock, but where, in his opinion, sucli stock is not to standard the application for its registration will be submitted to the C.R.B.A. Registration Committee before rejection. (5) No breeder must permit any of his registered does to rear more than eight young per Utter, and not more than twenty-four young per annum, but the rearing of six only per litter is recommended. (6) Breeders must notify the registration secretary within fourteen days of all litters kindled by registered does, giving number in littter, sire and oth< r particulars. Failing such notice being given, the litter c4nnot subsequently be ,?old under the association’s guarantee. (7) All deaths, sales, or transfers of registered stock, or their progeny, must be notified to the Secretary within fourteen days of such decease, sale or transfer. Every proprietor of registered stock, in order to retain the advantages accruing from the association’s scheme, must submit to the registration secretary an annual report of the number of his registered stud stock and their progeny in his rabbitry. (S) Breeders must sign an undertaking to abide by tho aforesaid regulations, i.nd net to dispose of any stock or its progeny under prices fixed by the association. (9) No breeder to be permitted to sell under the association guarantee until he has been a member of such association for at least three months. (10) On the sale of registered stock or its progeny thte seller can obtain for a nominal fee pedigrees for such stock duly signed and sealed by the C.R.8.A., and carrying the association’s guarantee that such stock referred to in the pedigrees has complied with all the requirements of the registration scheme. Further details of the standard adopted by the C.R.B.A. will be given in this column next Saturday. Notes. “Lapin” heartily congratulates the Canterbury Rabbit Breeders’ Association on their initiative in promoting the above-mentioned registration scheme, which will undoubtedly relieve intending breeders of having to endure so many of the pit-falls and disappointments many of the pioneer breeders exI t rienced through the purchase of inferior stock from dealers, who -do not really have the interests of the industry at heart. Any scheme which tends to protect the public, and to raise the standard of the industry is Worthy of every support, and the C.R.8.A., by their

consideration to breeders and the general public, will undoubtedly progress. Some breeders may object to such strict conditions contained in tne scheme, but the association will undoubtedly stand firm in their demands, and intending breeders may now purchase their foundation stock with confidence that they are starting on the right lines, providing, of course, they purchase their stock from registered breeders. “Lapin” takes this opportunity of wishing all breeders and members or tne Canterbury Rabbit Breeders’ Association the com aliments of the season. Caution. When Inspecting rabbitries look for the red seal on the huitch cards indicating thte number of registered stud rabbits maintained by the owner of the rabbitry.