BREEDING. G3 



nest box has a hole in one end 

 near the bottom, large enough 

 to run your hand and arm in. 

 This box is filled with straw 

 which should be pressed down 

 firmly and a sort of a nest 

 made. The female will now 



BREEDING BOX, ^ , . . , , . 



OR NEST FOR take possession. As she begins 

 MOTHER AND to slied about ten days before 



YOUNG. ,, 1 ; , . 



the young are born, she begins 

 to line the nest with her hair and fur. The nest 

 is nicely lined and completed in time for the 

 young — a proyision of nature. All straw other 

 than in the breeding box was removed when the 

 female was put in the pen or hutch 12 days be- 

 fore the young were born. The female carries 

 her young 42 days. Breeding females should be 

 fed twice each day while with young and the 

 same after they are born. 



The date that mating should begin is quite 

 important. Those who are experienced are of 

 the opinion that it is best not to mate until the 

 period of heat or swelling has developed several 

 days for large litters. Some females, mainly 

 large, healthy old ones may come in heat late in 

 February, but where large numbers are raised, 

 the first are bred about the middle of March. 

 One large and successful breeder makes it a rule 



