78 PRACTICAL RABBIT KEEPING 



fiercely, but can be controlled if held by two 

 hands as described. It is always advisable to 

 watch out for the hind feet, for the toenails 

 are likely to be sharp, and rabbits have sur- 

 prising strength in their hind legs, as every- 

 one realizes who has heard them stamp on a 

 board floor when startled or excited. The re- 

 sounding thump which they give the boards 

 can be heard a long way. 



Rabbits are capable of fighting viciously 

 and of doing each other much injury. It is 

 unsafe to keep bucks together, unless they have 

 been castrated, after they are three or four 

 months old. Sometimes a number of bucks 

 which have been brought up together have got 

 along peaceably, but usually there is much 

 fighting. Two old bucks must never be al- 

 lowed to get together under any circum- 

 stances. Sometimes they will disfigure one 

 another by fighting through the wires of pens 

 which are close together. It may even happen 

 that a doe which has been placed with one 

 buck will be maltreated if put with another 

 buck because of the odor which she carries. 



It is very important to avoid handling 

 young rabbits before they leave their nests, and 



