OBSTETRICS 55 



frosted. Drinking water should always be pro- 

 vided in the hutch. 



Number of Youiig 



A fair average is five, but this can be in- 

 creased by selecting prolific breeders, but much 

 depends upon the strain, and there is little 

 advantage to be gained in increasing the num- 

 ber of young if the mother is tmable to prop- 

 erly nourish them. 



Parturition 



Parturition is usually rapid and uncompli- 

 cated and the doe, once she has retired to her 

 nest, should not be disturbed. The nest should 

 be left undisturbed for some days after the 

 birth of the young rabbits or the doe may de- 

 sert them and they will die of starvation. In 

 any case owing to the fact that does nvu'se the 

 young in the early morning, the nest should 

 not be opened until after eight o'clock in the 

 morning. When opening the nest for the first 

 time the doe should be given some green food 

 and the nest opened with a stick or with the 

 gloved hands that have been well rubbed with 

 earth. The young rabbits are born naked, 

 blind and deaf, thus differing from the levei^et, 

 and are absolutely dependent on the doe for 

 warmth and nourishment. Some does devour 

 the new born rabbits, but this can be prevented 



