RABBIT FARMING

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21418, 9 March 1935, Page 5

RABBIT FARMING

CARE OF AUTUMN LITTERS (By Rex.) A line summer, such as we have just experienced, often tempts rabbit farmers who do not breed through the winter, to try their luck with a litter or two before closing down for the winter. If the young of these litters are to do well, a little more care and thought must be given to their management than is necessary with litters born in the spring or while summer is at its height. In the first place, green feed of all varieties is far less abundant than earlier in the year, and such as is obtainable is not so succulent. The autumn growth of- many plants is hard and woody, which makes it unsuitable as food for young stock just out of the nest, and also diminishes its milk-producing properties as food for nursing does. Thus, it is necessary to feed these in greater abundance so that the full benefit may be derived by the stock. In wet weather green feed must not be fed when soaking wet, and as much as possible 'of the moisture should be, shaken off. In no circumstances must frosted green feed be used until it has been thoroughly thawed. For those with a garden or allotment, the green feed problem does not present such difficulties at this time of the year, as much which would otherwise be wasted will make good rabbit food. The outside leaves of Brussel Sprouts, .which are cut off when the sprouts are formed, are particularly good for growing rabbits. The hay-rack should be filled twice I daily with clover hay or a good mixture. At the morning feed this may , be supplemented by crusts of stale bread, and, of course, a liberal supply of green feed. A good feed of bran with oats should be given in the evening, and if rolled oats can be obtained cheaply, these make a welcome change. Every effort should be made to ensure that young rabbits get the full advantage of all daylight available. If the rabbitry is not well lighted it is a good policy to transport a doe and litter to an outside hutch as soon as the babies are well out of the nest. The hutch must, of course, be protected from the wind and rain, and the front should be covered at night. Provided this is done and the hutch is absolutely damp-proof, the babies will derive great benefit from the increased fi-esh air and sunlight. Exercise also helps rapid growth and good general development, and youngsters reared in* cramped quarters never make such fine and healthy adults as those which have space. Another point in favour of large nursery hutches is that at this time of the year it is a decided advantage if youngsters can be left with the doe for a little longer than is usually the case. Ten or even 12 weeks is not too long provided the hutch is large and the doe in good condition and kindly disposed towards her family. Care should always be taken to choose a mild spell in which to wean the litter. Limiting Litters It is quite a common practice, particularly among breeders of exhibition rabbits, to go through litters soon after birth and reduce numbers by killing off most of the babies. By limiting the number of youngsters to be reared to two or three, very much larger and stronger rabbits will be raised. It is argued that as two babies are receiving the amount of milk which must otherwise have been shared among more than twice the number, a general speeding up of growth and development, and an increased chance of size beyond the average in both early and later life will result. The drastic limitation of the litters does certainly very often result in abnormally large youngsters up to weaning time, and for a week or so after this; but by the time these youngsters reach five months there is little if anything to choose between them and those of the same age from large litters. It seems, therefore, that cutting down to this extent is a wasteful policy. But it has been noticed that far more cases of scours from no apparent cause occur in litters where the number does not exceed three than in those where the number is more average.