464 Rabbit Keeping at Public Institutions. [Aug. 



value of the returns in the form of meat and other produce was 

 estimated as £83 and £187. A portion of these amounts was 

 received from the sale of skins. 



The above profits were made from cross-bred Flemish-Belgians 

 and pure-bred Belgians. They would probably have been much 

 larger had the best fur-producing breeds been kept from the 

 start, as the pelts from these are now commanding a high 

 price in the market. 



Breeds. — From the writer's experience larger types of rabbit 

 ^Flemish Giant, or Flemish-Belgian crossbred) are not so 

 profitable as some of the newer breeds. At present, on account 

 of the high prices obtainable for pelts, the production of a larger 

 type of Silver Grey and the breeding of Havanas and Beverens 

 has been adopted in preference to utility rabbits. Of these the 

 Silver Grey and Havanas mature earliest. 



If cross-bred does are used it is desirable to mate with small - 

 honed cobby bucks, such as Silvers, Dutch and Havanas, as the 

 progeny of these crosses are preferable for fattening and produce 

 a minimum of offal. Of the pure-bred crosses, apart from the 

 question of pelt, the Belgian Hare doe crossed vrith a Silver 

 Brovm buck is, in the opinion of most Judges, the best cross. 



Feeding. — A medium-sized doe (7 lb.) with a litter of 7 a 

 fortnight old should do well during the winter months on a daily 

 ration of : — 



6 oz. Bran. 

 1 „ Fish Meal. 

 8 Green Food. 

 1 „ Hay. 



If it is desired during the winter to force the youngsters for 

 killing at 16 weeks old, single fattening pens for housing are 

 preferable. 



For the medium-boned varieties (Beveren) a suitable daily 

 ration is : — 



1 oz. Bran. 

 I- „ Fish Meal. 

 8 „ Green Food. 



A breeding doe during the winter will thrive on a daily ration 

 of :— 



3 oz. Bran, 

 i Fish Meal. 

 1 Hay and a fairly plentiful supply of green food. 



Well-grown 8-week youngsters will thrive from March to 

 August on ad lib. supplies of succulent green food, with a mini- 

 mum of 11 lb., supplemented by IJ oz. of hay. Water should 



