206 CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF RABBITS 
will weigh nine to ten pounds, while a mature 
Flemish Giant will often weigh over fifteen 
pounds. 
For roasting or stews, the rabbit is excellent 
up to one year of age. An old rabbit while 
not suitable for frying, will have none of the 
rancid flavor found in old poultry or other 
food producing fowls or animals. While they 
can be used up to one year of age for roasting 
and stews, the best age is at six to eight 
months, although the rabbit is good eating at 
any age. 
As soon as the rabbit has been dressed, it 
should be placed in cold water for about two 
hours. If purchased dressed upon the market, 
the same treatment will do no harm. In the 
winter time, a great deal can be added to the 
enjoyment in eating the rabbit by allowing it 
to freeze overnight. It can either be hung on 
a line or placed upon a glass slab for this 
purpose. 
If the rabbit has been purchased alive you 
will, of course, have to dress it. This is not 
