RABBIT FARMING FOR PROFIT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 639, 17 December 1932, Page 29 (Supplement)

RABBIT FARMING FOR PROFIT.

HINTS FOR BREEDERS. (By LAPIN.) The best breeders of live stock have long; believed that certain physical defects are liable to be inherited and so have been extremely careful to avoid using animals possessing- them for stud purposes. But there are still many defects to be seen, which proves that many breeders are not so careful. Rabbit breeders are extremely anxious, in the case of the Angoras, to- breed for a high wool yield, and in the case of the fur breeds, to quickly increase their stock. This, of course, is quite right, providing sufficient care is taken not to perpetuate the faults which should be stamped out. Selective breeding. with the show standard in mind, is the only way to breed, successfully. Linseed is a splendid food to give to rabbits when preparing them for show. Its puts a bloom on to their coats and is particularly good for keeping them in good condition. It actually lubricates the intestines and, therefore, js a splendid natural laxative. Breeders must he extremely careful to feed it very sparingly, and also not in the regular daily diet. Cod liver oil also reacts on the coats of animals, and experiments have proved it very beneficial in promoting the growth and density of Angora wool. This should be fed very sparingly, a few drops in the daily portion of mash being quite sufficient. Linseed and cod liver oil should iiot be given to rabbits at the Buying Pood in Bulk. There are two great, mistakes one can make when buying food for stock —to buy small quantities and pay much more for it, and to buy too much at a time so that a large proportion becomes unfit for feeding. Bran and pollard very quickly become unpalatable and lose their quality, so breeders should watch carefully the amount of mash their stock goes through in a month and buy it accordingly. Salt is a mineral very necessary to the health of nearly every class of animal. According to the experiment in America, it has been found that illhealth has been caused in many instances through lack of salt, and a little of this substance should be fed clailv. A pinch of salt in the mash is quit© ample for the average adult rabbit. Mixing the Mash. Natural food is certainly best for the rabbits, and a natural diet is one composed of such forms of food as are best suited to the relatively long digestive tract of the rabbit and which will keep that tract healthily active. There is a greater tendency than ever at present towards the meal mash system of diet, hut breeders should take care that the mash is properly mixed. A mash fed in the morning with plenty of hay obtains good results, providing no more than an ounce of mash is allowed for each rabbit, and also depends entirely upon the way it is mixed. If one prefers a. “wet.” mash it should be crumblv moist,” which term needs a little explaining. There is a way of testing the properly mixed mash, for it .will hold together when pressed into a ball, but will break apart when dropped to the floor. If it is too wet it will still retain its shape when pressed together, but when dropped it will simply spread out in a semi-solid mass. A still better test is to note the condition of the fingers when they arc pushed into and withdrawn from the mash. If they are sticky and wet and have mash adhering to them, then the mash is too wet. If the mash is too dry, it will refuse to ball together, and when the mash is turned over in the bucket, one will find lighter patches of dry meal. The best way of mixing small quantities of wet mash Is to fill a small pai! about half-full of water and then add the dry mixed meals and work in with your hands, or with a, spoon. Three Bitters a Season. A point upon which beginners often seek enlightenment is as to how many litters can be .got from one doe in one season. This, as in the case of the length of the rest periods between litters. is a matter to be decided largely by the condition and individuality of the doe. Where a shows herself well able to bring up a litter without losing unduly in weight and condition, and mating right at the commencement of

to 6 three litters. But where gestation and lactation arc an obvious strain upon the doe's powers, two litters with a good rest between must suffice. Dates of mating, birth of litters, weaning and resting periods must be carefully arranged. Annual ncnic. Breeders and their friends are reminded that the C.R.B.A. annual picnic will be held on December 26. An attractive programme of sports, games, competitions, etc., has been arranged, and two tennis courts and a croquet lawn will be available for the use of picnickers.