COMMERCIAL RABBIT RAISIN<5 



33 



bent end of the tube should have a 

 diameter of %-inch and the tube 

 should be 3 to 31/2 inches long. 

 Droppers made from plastic tubes 

 would be superior to glass because 

 there is less danger from breakage. 

 The ends of the tubes should be 

 rounded to prevent damage to the 

 vaginal walls. 



The number of does bred to a 

 buck depends on many factors, so 

 an extreme range is possible. For 

 an average buck, collections can 

 be made at least twice weekly and 

 the number of does bred will de- 

 pend on the motility, density, and 

 volume of the semen produced. 



In general, artificial insemina- 



tion is applicable to the rabbit in- 

 dustry, but not practical on a 

 large-scale basis at the present 

 time. Costs and technical prob- 

 lems associated with the establish- 

 ment of studs, the processing and 

 storage of semen, training and 

 maintaining technicians, and scarc- 

 ity of concentrated areas of pro- 

 duction, tend to prohibit the use of 

 artificial insemination as a practi- 

 cal tool of the industry. In addi- 

 tion, better means of evaluating 

 bucks, and the development of 

 more accurate selection indices, are 

 necessary before artificial insemi- 

 nation in rabbits can be operated 

 on a practical and profitable basis. 



MANAGING THE HERD 



Success in raising rabbits de- 

 pends on efficient management. 

 Become thoroughly acquainted 

 with your animals — their charac- 

 teristics and behavior, their likes' 

 and dislikes. Consideration for the 

 welfare of animals is always neces- 

 sary for success in raising them. 

 Proper arrangement of equipment, 

 hutches, and buildings is also essen- 

 tial to efficient management . When 

 you enter the rabbitry, do it 

 quietly and make your presence 

 known by speaking in a low^ tone. 

 Caution others to do the same. 

 Otherwise, the rabbits may become 

 f riglitened, race around in the hutch 

 and injure themselves, or jump 

 into the nest boxes and injure the 

 litters. 



Methods of Hondlins Rabbits 



Never lift rabbits by the ears or 

 legs. Handling in this manner may 

 injure them. 



You can lift and comfortably 

 carry small rabbits by grasping the 

 loin region gently and firmly (fig. 

 12). Put the heel of the hand 



toward the tail of the animal. 

 This method prevents bruising the 

 carcass or damaging the pelt. 



N 45957 

 Figure 12. — Proper way to carry small 

 rabbits. 



To lift and carry a medium- 

 weight rabbit, let the right hand 

 grasp the fold of skin over the rab- 

 bit's shoulder. Support the rabbit 

 by placing the left hand under its 

 rump (fig. 13). 



