FOR EXHIBITION AND MARKET 



wait until their coats are entirely free from moult, 

 then breed, and nice, smooth coated youngsters will 

 be the result. There are many cases on record of 

 Angora-coated specimens making their appearance 

 in the third and fourth generations which could be 

 traced back to poor coats in the beginning. Perfect 

 coats are necessary with all breeds of rabbits if good 

 coated youngsters are to be expected from the mating. 

 The question of the proper age at which to breed 

 comes next. Do not breed your stock too young, but 

 wait until it is fully matured, thus ensuring the best 

 results. 



It is quite generally conceded that does of any vari- 

 ety should not be bred under 7 months, and with 

 Flemish Giants 12 months is the most desirable age 

 for producing large stock, provided the doe has not 

 been overfed, which might prevent her from produc- 

 ing youngsters. The average breeder can not seem 

 to wait until the Flemish are fully developed before 

 breeding them, so one finds any amount of Flemi ^h 

 being bred at 7 months of age and thereby stunted 

 for life. 



Bucks of all varieties, with the exception of the 

 Flemish, should not be bred under 7 months of age. 

 There are exceptions as in the case of Belgians, when 

 extra fine bones are to be produced. In such cases 

 a buck 5 months old with extra fine bones, provided 

 it has the color, should be used. Dutch bucks are 

 often used at 5 months to keep down the size and also 

 to keep the bucks from growing too large. 



Never breed old stock. If it is absolutely necessary 

 to do so, breed a young buck to an old doe or vice 



33 



