A balanced ration consists of five main compounds, Protein Carbohy- 
drates, Fat, Mineral Salts and the important Vitamines. The carbohy- 
drates contain the carbon and hydrogen and hydrogen is one of the two 
parts of water. Two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen mixed together 
is what you have in water. 
This is the reason you should give your rabbits plenty. of pure fresh 
water. The oxygen in the water is used by the body and helps to maintain 
the necessary heat. The proteins are the muscle builders. The fats help 
to make tissue and keep the machinery oiled. The mineral matter also 
goes to all parts of the body, being carried by the blood to the nerves, 
muscles and bones, etc. 
There are three kinds of vitamines. One is dissolvable in water, one 
in oil, and the other is dissolvable in either water or oil or both. They 
are necessary. to assimulate the food eaten and to eliminate the waste mat- 
ter thrown off. 
If the organs of the body are in a healthy condition they will get rid 
of all poisonous waste and they will be in a healthy condition if the animal 
is fed and cared for properly. So the way to keep your stock healthy is to 
feed good wholesome grain and hay and give plenty of fresh pure water. 
Oats comes nearer than any other grain in furnishing a perfect diet 
for rabbits according to the analysis, but rabbits like a change as well as 
ourselves. 
As I stated before if you cannot secure oats, barley will make a good 
substitute but if both can be had it is well to feed alternately, thus giving 
a change. 
In regard to hay the main object in securing hay for your stock is to 
see that it is sweet and free from must or mold and keep this in mind 
rather than the kind you use. Good, sweet, green alfalfa or clover is to be 
chosen if same can be secured but I would prefer plain timothy if good 
rather than musty alfalfa or clover. 
Feeding Breeding Does 
‘As I stated before, keep your breeding does in a good healthy condition 
but do not get them over fat. About a week before time to kindle give 
them a “milk sop” once a day if available, (break a little bread in a dish 
and pour a little sweet milk over it) then after the youngsters are born 
keep this up along with the other feed and when the youngsters com- 
mence to leave the nest set a crock of rolled oats in the hutch for their 
little stomachs are not capable of digesting hard grains yet and if allowed 
to eat solid foods too early indigestion will result and your trouble begins. 
If you cannot furnish your doe milk sops commence about a week be- 
fore time to kindle and give a little green food each day or carrots so as to 
have the milk ready for.the youngsters when they arrive. 
Now that the doe has her litter feed her twice daily and keep oatmeal 
before the youngsters at all times and at weaning time continue to feed 
the youngsters twice daily giving either rolled oats or crushed barley or 
better both alternately. along with good alfalfa and roots or green food if 
available, also whole oats can be given at this time as a change occasionally. 
Mashes 
Mashes are fed by many rabbit breeders who care to take the time and 
trouble to mix them up and should not be made the same at all times as 
‘there are several different methods of making a mash. 
Bran and Barley meal, Bran and Middlings, Bran and Clover meal and 
‘ground oats may be included for a variety. 
It is often handier and more economical to feed some of the prepared 
-feeds which contain the proper balance of vitamines and dietetic essentials. 
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