BREEDING AND CARE OF RABBITS 



Summary. 



Remember the most important point in breeding 

 stock is to have it in a perfectly healthy condition, 

 as any disease or deformity will be bred into the 

 youngsters ; and never breed bucks or does with coats 

 showing the least particle of moult. Do away with 

 the old stock as fast as possible, for it is of little 

 value for breeding after about three years of age. 



The correct method is to breed the finest stock 

 from the best strains in the countr_y, using every pre- 

 caution that the stock be free from moult and disease 

 and that it be young and in the very pink of condition. 

 Such breeding is sure to bring good results. 



Mating. 



Enlargements and inflamed appearance of the ex- 

 ternal organs are signs of the doe being ready to serve, 

 and very often she will appear nervous and restless. 



If you experience trouble in breeding your doe, 

 try her again on another day, for forced matings are 

 rarely successful. If the doe continues to refuse to 

 mate see if she is too fat, for a mistake often made 

 is that of having the stock too fat at breeding time. 

 It is better that the doe be a trifle thin when bred, and 

 crowded in later feeding. If she continues to refuse 

 the buck, leave her over night in a hutch that has 

 previously been occupied by a buck and feed her 

 soaked peas. This will help to produce the desired 

 results. Never permit the buck to be placed in the 

 hutch of the doe but put the doe in the buck's hutch 

 and never permit the buck to pull or bite the doe. 



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