RAISING THE YOUNG STOCK 113 



too soft and flabby to be satisfactory if the 

 young animals are kept closely confined. The 

 exercise which they get when romping in large 

 hutches or in yards puts the meat into the best 

 of condition. 



With rabbits raised for exhibition, this same 

 method of handling is wise because it puts the 

 rabbits into the best physical condition, which 

 is as important with fancy stock as with utility 

 animals. 



If young rabbits when purchased are found 

 to be wild, the reason is that they have not been 

 handled sufficiently. Rabbits that come from 

 large plants are likely to be much wilder than 

 those raised by amateurs with only a small 

 business because the extensive breeders have 

 less time and opportunity for working with 

 and handling their youngsters. At the same 

 time the rabbits must not be worried or tor- 

 mented. This is an important matter to bear 

 in mind when there are children on the place. 



A rabbit that is shrinking and timid, or that 

 is ill-tempered and tries to fight or commences 

 stamping when anyone approaches is not an 

 animal to be desired, however well it may be 

 marked. 



