HUTCHES AND PENS. 



7 



The sexes. — The does selected for breeding may be of the same 

 strain and even of the same litter, but the buck should be of dif- 

 ferent stock, and when possible obtained from another breeder. 

 Hardy animals with the best characteristics of the breed may be 

 bought at from $1 to $2 each. They may often be had of near-by 

 breeders, and thus save the expense of carriage on long journeys by 

 express. 



HUTCHES AND PENS. 



The Belgian hare does not do well when kept wild in open war- 

 rens. The common English rabbit is better for this purpose. A good 

 many Belgians have been turned out in various parts of the United 

 States, and in the vicinity of the city of New York and on the west- 

 em coast there have been some complaints of damage to crops by 

 wild Belgian hares. As a rule, however, and fortunately for the 

 farmer, these animals, when obliged to shift for themselves, fall an 

 easy prey to their enemies and disappear within a few months. 



Belgian hares may be successfully managed in two ways: (1) En- 

 tirely in hutches, or (2) in outdoor fenced runs, or courts, with 

 hutches for does when having young, and sleeping hutches for other 

 stock. The hutch system with various modifications is the more 

 common, and is the only method adopted by rabbit fanciers who 

 raise for show. The use of small runs or rabbit courts to give the 

 animals healthful exercise in fine weather is of advantage. 



THE BABBITRY. 



The rabbitry may occupy part or all of a barn or shed, or be built 

 in a sheltered space in the angle between buildings or walls. The 

 indoor rabbitry has decided advantages. The place should be well 

 ventilated, but not subject to draughts of cold or damp air. These 

 may be prevented by ventilators in the roof, or by a system of 

 elbowed pipes passing through the sides of the building and reach- 

 ing a height of 2 or 3 feet above the openings. 



HUTCHES. 



Hutches for the Belgian hare should be somewhat larger than 

 those intended for smaller breeds. They should be built of good 

 lumber, should have tight floors, and should have at least 12 square 

 feet of floor space and a height of 2 feet. If there is plenty of room 

 in the rabbitry it is best to have the hutches separate; but they are 

 usually set in tiers or stacks, two or three in height. Each hutch in 

 the rank is complete in itself, so that its position may be shifted at 

 any time. 



496 



