RABBIT FARMING FOR PROFIT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 809, 8 July 1933, Page 27 (Supplement)

RABBIT FARMING FOR PROFIT.

(By

“LAPIN."

Clipping- Ang-oras in Winter. The clipping c-f Angora? during winter often presents a difficult problem. However, given favourable conditions under which to work, Angoras may be clipped at all times of the year, and, if reasonable precautions arc taken, even those in outdoor hutches should come to no harm unless the weather is exceptionally severe. During intensely cold weather, where there is unbroken hard frost, and particularly if. in addition, there are strong, cold winds, it is advisable to defer clipping until conditions improve, that is, of course, if the rabbits are not housed in a warm shed. Newly-clipped rabbits must be supplied with a little extra bedding for a few days. Tt will generally be found that much of this bedding will be eaten in cold weather, if it is in the form of straw, hay, or dry grass. This will not matter, as the extra food will help to maintain body heat, and the bedding will thus serve a double purpose, providing the supply is kept fresh and replenished as it disappears. « Feeding Shorn Angoras. Novices are often in doubt as to what amount of concentrated food is necessary to keep their stock in good condition withtut becoming fat. For ordinary stock rabbits, which are being used solely for fur or wool production and not for breeding purposes, provided a liberal allowance of good hay and a good feed of green food or roots are given daily, the following approximate daily quantities are sufficient to maintain good health and condition: One ounce of two parts bran and one part pollard is sufficient for the morning mash, and a handful of hay and fresh water. For the evening meal, approximately 6oz to Boz of greens in the summer, and 4oz to 6oz of roots in the winter. However, in the case of Angoras clipped during the winter, an increased ration is advisable for the first fortnight after clipping, and the inclusion of oats or wheat in the morning mash will assist to maintain body heat. If preferred, the oats or wheat may be fed dry at the evening meal. The quantity per rabbit is three-quarters of an ounce of wheat or oats, and may be fed singly or mixed together, providing not mgre than the above amount is given. If mixed with the mash a smaller quantity of oats or wheat should be allowed for each rabbit. :: A field afternoon will he held at the Selwyn Rabbit Farm, 85, Selwyn Street, Spreydon, on Saturday, July 22. The interesting programme arranged includes an instructive lecture and demonstrations, and all attending will have an opportunity of inspecting the latest colony system adopted by this farm.

“ Lapin ” attended a meeting of the Ashburton branch of the C.R.B.A. last Saturday evening, and extends his congratulations to its energetic secretary, Mr H. R. Hopwcod, whose untiring efforts have been the means- of doubling the number of members during the past six months. The branch is also fortunate in having a fine executive to further its interests. Mr H. R. Hopwood, of Mona Square, Ashburton, has been appointed district agent for the New Zealand Fur and Angora Wool Producers. The next meeting of the Ashburton branch will be held in the Dorothy Tea Rooms on Saturday, July 29, at 7.45, instead of Saturday, August 5. as previously arranged. At this meeting arrangements will be made fc-r the conveyance of exhibits to the C.R.B.A. annual show, which will be held in the King Edward Barracks the following week. A registration secretary will also be appointed.