.M \.\A(;i:.\ii:\T or MAKKKT UAIUJITS. 11 



amount which cadi rabbit will clean up entirely before the next meal is served. If 

 less food is given than will satisfy their appetites, the rabbits will not thrive as 

 well as would otherwise be the case. If more is given them, the surplus will be 

 pulled about, trodden on, and soiled. This involves a waste of food which would 

 otherwise be available for the maintenance of additional stock, and at the same 

 time tends to render the hutches dirty and insanitary. The exact quantity of food 

 required will vary with each rabbit, but it will soon be seen what amount is neces- 

 sary without leaving any room for waste. 



Adult rabbits require only two good, meals a day; one as early in the morning as 

 possible, the other at night ; but. if the time can be spared, the same amount of food 

 may be distributed in three helpings a day, with beneficial results, as it will be le^< 

 liable to be soiled and wasted. Three meals, however, are a necessity in the case 

 of does which are rearing litters, and young 'animals intended for the table. 



In the case of rabbits kept in colony hutches, the feeding, for the main pan. 

 consists of moving the hutches to fresh grass whenever required, but not less than 

 once daily, unless the weather is such as to render this course undesirable. During 

 wei weather, for instance, it will be better not to move the hutches, but to supply 

 their inmates with leaves or cut grass or with hay and roots. Rabbits in stationary 

 hutches must naturally be served with green food by hand at all times, find the 

 meals may consist of cut grass, lettuce-leaves, chicory, kale, rape, turnip-tops, or 

 whatever other vegetable is in season or available. The leaves of carrots, beet, 

 mangels, and other such roots are all relished by rabbits, while dandelion-leaves, 

 sow-thistles, and a host of other such weeds are all useful. All green food should 

 be given dry, because wet or frosted food will injuriously affect the bowels of 

 rabbits. For this reason all green food should be gathered before sunset or before 

 the dew falls. 



In winter, when grass and leaves are scarce, roots may. if necessary, be exclu- 

 sively made use of, and for this purpose carrots, turnips, parsnips, beet, potatoes, 

 etc., are available. Swedes and mangels are also most useful, and greatly enjoyed ; 

 but these should not be given to rabbits, any more than to other stock, until after 

 < 'hristmas, by which time most of their acids will have been converted into sugar. 

 Any leaves and weeds of which there may be a surplus in the summer may be 

 sun-dried and preserved for winter use, to eke out the roots and hay. Sweet, dry 

 bay of all kinds may be freely used when green food is scarce, and should always 

 be given in small quantities at night, particularly in winter, when the last feed of 

 the day is necessarily given considerably earlier than would be the case in summer, 

 with its longer days. Hay ought to be placed in a small hay-rack provided for the 

 purpose, as a large proportion will otherwise be inevitably soiled and wasted. 



drain of sorts may also be given in cold weather and at all times to growing 

 youngsters intended for stock purposes and does with litters. A large tablespoonful 

 per day will be an ample allowance for each animal, and should be given in a 

 i n.ngh of stoneware or tin, with edges so arranged that the food cannot be scratched 

 out and wasted by the rabbits. <>ats are. perhaps, the best staple grain food for 

 rabbits. Wheat is also g:iod, while barley and corn are useful if given in moderation, 

 and only by way of change. They are too heating for regular use. Barley-meal 

 an. I corn-meal possess the game objections as the grain from which they are derived. 

 and mnsl therefore be used in moderation. I'.ran is safe and very useful for growing 

 stuck and dues in or with young, being bone-formim: and milk-producing. It may be 

 given either dry or in a slightly moistened condition. Some breeders keep a dry 

 mash of bran or oatmeal continually before their stock. Does may be given a 

 warm bran-mash daily from two days before the date of kindling to a week or so 

 after. A bran-mash should be prepared by pouring boiling water upon the bran 

 sufficiently to moisten it. when stirred up. withoul rendering it sloppy. It should 

 then be permitted to stand until moderately warm before being served out. Growing 

 stock may be given a bran-mash once or twice weekly; it will help to form their 

 bones, and at the same time tend to keep the bowels in proper condition. Either 



