PROBLEMS DISCUSSED

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1066, 2 September 1930, Page 11

PROBLEMS DISCUSSED

ANGORA RABBIT REVIVAL FACTORS IN FOOD SUPPLY At a meeting of the Auckland Fur Club last evening it was stated that there was a great shortage of Angora rabbit wool on the world’s markets. The organiser of the New Zealand Fur Board, Mr. Arthur Sainsbury, had said he could market £20,000 worth, if obtainable, at prices ranging up to 30s a lb. During a. discussion on rabbit feeding, it was stated that greenery and hay formed a sufficient dietary, and as our mild climate provided greenery all the year round, the cost of maintenance was only half the British cost. A great handicap in the moist Auckland Province was the difficulty of purchasing hay free from mould or keeping it free after purchase. This difficulty necessitated buying in small lots to avoid keeping. Reference was made to the troubles arising from wet green food or too much greenery, and the usefulness of hay as a corrective. Silage was mentioned as likely to prove a valuable winter food, though rabbits would need to be introduced to it slowly. Silage was a threefold concentrate from fresh greenery, while hay was reduced five-fold. VALUE OF FAST The value of a Sunday morning fast was discussed. Its application to rabbits was seen to possess bad features. Rabibts were very susceptible to changes, and the missing of a meal might cause moulting, with disastrous effects on Chinchilla pelt condition. Tentative arrangements were made for the appointment of a wholesale selling agent for carcases. The shop retail value of choice Ostend rabbit meat in Auckland was put at Is to Is 2d a lb.—the same as poultry. Connection had been obtained with markets abroad, which might prove valuable.