12 PET RABBITS, CAV1ES, AND MICE. 



this chapter. Another point of interest in relation to 

 feeding is the manner in which it is supplied to the 

 stock. Some breeders are careless, and throw the food 

 in in abundance, never removing the stale bits. That 

 is a bad plan in any case, but especially if the hutches 

 are not kept scrupulously clean and free from urine. 

 Just imagine pieces of bread thrown in upon a filthy and 

 wet hutch floor, and being allowed to saturate with filth ! 

 Next, imagine a hungry rabbit eating such ! Bread 

 crusts are a delightful change, and much enjoyed, but 

 not when mildewed or soaked in excreta and urine ! We 

 have more frequently placed the oats on the floor than 

 in food pans, but always took good care to see that the 

 floor was dry and clean. It does not hurt a rabbit to 

 search for an oat on a hutch floor. There are plenty of 

 firms who manufacture and supply earthen and terra- 

 cotta food troughs and water pans, and these are fre- 

 quently advertised by those supplying such requisites 

 in the rabbit, bird, and poultry world. It is astonishing 

 how small a matter of concern this is to the breeder, 

 whose chief aim is the quality of his food, cleanliness, 

 and the high standard of his stock. Very few of the 

 most successful breeders bother about effect either in 

 hutches or fitments. Their primary study is perfection 

 of their specimens. But you will never catch them 

 napping over the quality of the food they give to their 

 stock. In the matter of corn food a small percentage 

 of wheat with the bulk of the oat supply is a help to 

 exhibition stock; and in this connection, if a breeder 

 happens to lose a rabbit by death, it is more satisfaction 

 to know that such rabbit died fat than thin. Do not 

 overfeed, but observe regularity both in quantity and 

 times of giving it. Do not imagine that rabbits need 

 nothing else but green food. Do not think they will 

 thrive on oats alone. Do not be a crank, but let reason 

 have her voice, and learn as much as you can from 

 everyone who keeps a rabbit. On the subject of feed- 

 ing Flemish Giants and these want some feeding Mr. 

 W. Barton says: " I feed twice a day morning and 

 evening with oats and clover, and three times daily 

 with green food of different varieties. I also give a 

 meal mash three times a week." Speaking of the feed- 

 ing of Himalayans, Mr. Hearnden says: "After my 

 long experience I do not find it essential to feed on soft 

 food. I have always found good sound white Scotch 



