1920.] Rabbit Keeping at Public Institutions. 4^:^ 



UTILITY RABBIT KEEPING AT 

 PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS. 



In 1912, as a result of the study of notes on rabbit keeping: 

 issued by the Board of iNgriculture, the authorities at a hospital 

 in the south-east of England decided to test the possibilities of 

 rearing rabbits. It was felt that the large amount of waste food- 

 stuff left over at the hospital would offer special facilities for the 

 feeding of the rabbits, and that the undertaking would thus be a 

 means of assisting in the general economy of the establishment, 

 while, if the experiment proved a success, the lessons might 

 serve to encourage similar Public Institutions in the country to 

 take up work of a like nature. As the initial stock for the 

 experiment, thirteen does and one buck were purchased. The 

 following notes have been contributed by the Steward of the 

 Public Institution referred to : — 



During the first year the rabbits were all housed in hutches 

 made at the Institution. With a view to effecting economies in 

 expenditure on equipment, however, it was later decided to pro- 

 ceed as much as possible on outdoor methods, and an attempt 

 was made to extend the rabbitry by means of a warren. 



To this end a small gravel pit with a sloping run leading to a 

 partially shaded plateau was utilised. The pit was sheltered 

 on one side by a thatched " lean-to," and on the other by tree 

 trunks and brambles. The rabbits placed in this area increased 

 in numbers, and surplus stock were from time to time removed. 

 ])ut after some months they were attacked by disease and the 

 experiment was discontinued. 



Breeding and rearing have since been confined to the hutch 

 system, ordinary hutches being used for breeding, and long, wire- 

 bottomed ones for the rearing of young rabbits. The latter 

 hutches have the disadvantage of being rather wasteful C)f straw. 

 l)ut this disadvantage is more than counterbalanced by the small 

 amount of labour necessary to keep the hutch clean and the fact 

 that the floor is always in a dry condition. 



Value of Produce. — During the year ended .'Ust Marcli, 1015, 

 in spite of inexperience at the initial stages and the severe check 

 received as a result of the outdoor experiments, 1,481 lb. of meat 

 were produced for home consumption, and 1,715 lb. in 191(). 

 Last year (1919) tlu^ ral)bits reared produced over 1.000 lb. of 

 meat. 



The cost of feeding during the years ended 31st March. 1919, 

 and 31st March, 1920, was £4'2 and X83, respectiv(^ly. and the 



