52 PRACTICAL RABBIT KEEPING 



If you order your rabbits by mail, examine 

 them at the express office before signing for 

 them. First of all, look at the inside of the 

 feet to see if the hair appears wet and rough. 

 If you find such a condition, ship the rabbits 

 back at once. The trouble may be only a 

 slight cold, but on the other hand, it may be 

 incipient snuffles, which no one wants to get 

 into his rabbitry. No end of beginners have 

 been disgusted after a few weeks because they 

 have started with stock in this condition. 



It is well to examine the interior of the ears. 

 Unless they ,are clean inside, you may expect 

 canker. If you find the rabbit shaking its 

 head frequently, and pawing at its ears, you 

 may safely infer that something is wrong. It 

 is barely possible that the rabbits may have 

 lice, although they are not often found. It 

 will be well to turn back the fur to look for 

 vermin, in any event. They sometimes occur 

 when rabbits are kept in filthy quarters or ad- 

 jacent to a hen house. It is also advisable to 

 examine the reproductive organs for signs of 

 disease there. 



A good healthy rabbit has a lively, alert 

 appearance, with a bright eye, the white of 



