56 DISEASES OF RABBITS 



by keeping her supplied with plenty of drink- 

 ing water and not interfering with the nest too 

 soon. 



The Young Rabbits 

 The young rabbits become covered with fur 

 about the fifth day, the eyes open on the ninth 

 to the eleventh day, and they begin to leave 

 the nest about the fifteenth day. At three 

 weeks old they are able to run about and are 

 fairly "on their feet." 



Care of the Nursing Mother 



The ordinary ration should be increased at 

 least one-third for the nursing mother and if 

 the litter is exceptionally heavy special feed- 

 ing on bread and milk is desirable as it is most 

 desirable that the young ones should get no 

 setback. As before mentioned the proper al- 

 buminoid ratio for nursing does and young 

 rabbits is one to four or five. 



Weaning 



The young should be left with the doe until 

 they are six weeks old in summer and eight 

 weeks old in winter, and should share the doe's 

 food. At these ages the young should be re- 

 moved to a separate run and the members of 

 the same litter should be kept together until 

 they reach the age of three months^ when the 

 sexes should be separated. Under no consid- 

 eration should the litter be broken up into pairs 



