RABBIT FARMING FOR PROFIT.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 851, 26 August 1933, Page 26 (Supplement)

RABBIT FARMING FOR PROFIT.

(By 1 .

“LAPIN.”

Care of Young- litters. The clay upon which the first litter makes its appearance is a “ red letter day ” for the beginner, but satisfaction is sometinves tempered with uncertainty, because the new hand is afraid that he may do something that will upset the doe and lead her to neglect or turn against her babies. Provided the doe was treated sensibly during the time she was in kindl’e, and providing that preparations have been made for the arrival of the litter in the way of a scrupulously clean hutch with a good supply' of nesting material and -water for the doe to drink, there is no cause for anxiety. Rabbits, with few exceptions, make good mothers, and require no assistance when giving birth to their young. On the contrary, they must be left severely alone while kindling. Most hutches designed for breeding have a breeding compartment or, at I any rate, part of the front boarded in so that privacy is available for the doe if she desires it. As it is a fact that 50 per cent of all does deliberately choose the open tend of the hutch wherein to make their nest, an increasing number of rabbit-keepers are now

using open-fronted hutches for breeding. This is a good plan, as it ensures the greatest possible amount of light and air for the youngsters as soon as they emerge from the nest, but where this type of hutch is used it is best, in cold weather, or, if the doe seems at all nervous, to cover the selected end of the hutch with a sack and to let this remain for a few days at any rate. Some novices have heen greatly disturbed by finding the doe sitting quietly at the end of the hutch farthest away from the nest. Some ptople to whom rabbits are a new undertaking expect the doe to sit over her nest and “ brood ” her young after the manner of a hen with a brood of chicks, and to feed them continually. As a matter of fact, a rabbit only visits her nest for the purpose of feeding her babies, which she does only twice in the twenty-four hours, generally at dawn and at dusk. How soon a novie'e may safely examine the first litter depends partly up m himself and partly upon his doe. Those, who are new to the handling of animals will do well to wait for a week ot so. particularly if the doe seams inclined to resent interference. If she is left to herself she will soon gain confidence in her attendant, and .vill realise that he means no harm to her babies, and meanwhile sh*e may i.-e r-.lied upon to do all that is necessary for them. Therefore, beyond giving the doe lie r food at regular times, and seeing that she is kept supplied with hay and water, there is nothing to be done for iior. The usual quantity of food must be

increased in order to ensu -e a g >od milk supply, and the amount of extra fonu given must be determined by tire doe’s appetite. (Give as much bran and green food as she will eat up in about twenty minutes. Do not make a practice or j giving little extra meals at odd limes 1 except in tlve case of gre-n food. A i nursing doe cannot hare too mu-h of | this, and. provided she has been having a good supply regularly all the time she has been in kindle, sue may have as much as she can eat at any time of the day in addition t'o that given at regular meal times. The hay rack should nhvays be kept full, as good hay, besides providing occupation for the doe by giving her something to nibble at. will help to keep her digestive organs working properly, which is very important. Xotes. The annual meeting of the Cooperative Rabbit Breeders’ Association of New Zealand (Tnc.) will be held on Thursday, September 7, at 140, Armagh St. The next (Veld afternoon under the auspices of the C.R.B.A. will be held next Saturday at the Shirley Rabbitry, 24, Quinns Road, Shirley. This rabbitry is owned by Mr J. K. H. Cox. a pioneer breeder and secretary of the association. He has a fine stud of Angoras. Sables and Ermines. Mr Cox will give a talk on his experiences in rabbit farm-

ing during the past five years, and will also give a demonstration of removing a badly-matted coat from an Angora. The final meeting for the year of the C.R.B.A. executive will be held on Monday evening.