SIMPLE RULES FOR BREEDING 103 



may be a good plan to bore a few holes in the 

 sides of the box for extra ventilation. Soft hay 

 is the best nesting material, and an abundance 

 of it should be supplied. Sometimes, though, 

 a doe will pack her nesting box too full of hay. 

 The nest is lined with fur which the doe tears 

 from her body. The nest is usually made 

 ready a few days before the young are due. It 

 sometimes happens, though, that nest making 

 is commenced within a few days after service. 

 When that occurs it can be taken as an indica- 

 tion that the doe was not successfully bred. 

 She should be introduced to the buck again at 

 once in order to avoid the loss of three weeks' 

 time or more. 



The birth of the youngsters usually takes 

 place easily, but the doe becomes very thirsty 

 and a supply of fresh water should be kept in 

 her hutch. Oats should also be kept at hand 

 for several days before the event takes place. 

 Sometimes a doe develops an abnormal appe- 

 tite and devours her own young. This un- 

 pleasant happening can be prevented often- 

 times by hanging a piece of salt pork in the 

 hutch where the doe can readily obtain it. 



After the doe emerges from the nest box, a 



