Chapter XI. 

 RAISING THE YOUNG STOCK 



DOES usually wean their young when 

 the latter are about six weeks old, al- 

 though a little longer time may be 

 allowed in cold weather. It isn't necessary to 

 remove the youngsters at once, however, as 

 they can be left with the doe for some time, 

 unless the hutch is over-crowded. When six 

 weeks old, though, they can take care of them- 

 selves, and probably will grow faster than if 

 left with the doe. Sometimes the youngsters 

 are removed at an earlier date, as they are seen 

 to be eating the food given the mother, but this 

 is a serious mistake. It is important to give the 

 youngsters room enough to run around and ex- 

 ercise freely. With Belgian hares rather long 

 hutches are sometimes used, the hutch contain- 

 ing hurdles over which the youngsters are 

 forced to leap. This is supposed to develop 

 the long, racy body type which is desired in 



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