The sources of income are • sale of meat, pelts and furs, wool, and breeding stock.

The points of management are ..raising enough animals to furnish a livelihood above the costs of labor and materials; obtaining high efficiency in management; keeping production costs as low as efficient management will permit; offering a high-grade product; and having a satisfactory source of dis­ tribution and marketing.

You wllllnd tllese su/Jjects discussed under tile llet1dlngs: PAGE Risks for the beginner . 3 Three groups raise rabbits 3 Sources of income . . . 4 Fancy stock for exhibition . 7 Hours of labor required . 8 Climate ...... 9 Constructing the rabbitry 9 Arrangement of hutch equipment 17 Care of the hutch 20 Breeding ...... 20 Feeds and feeding . . . . 30 . Miscellaneous care of rabbits 38 Diseases and remedies . 40 Miscellaneous problems . . 46 Marketing organizations. . 49 Preparing meat, pelts and furs, and wool for market . 50 Marketing meat, pelts and furs, and wool . 55 Business aspects of the industry 56 Standard of efficiency ...... 61 A HANDBOOK ON RABBIT RAISING

H. M. BUTTERFIELD*

RABBIT RAISING can be a successful enter­ and the present condition of the market prise if climate is favorable and market­ does not predict large returns from any ing facilities are dependable. In general one of the four sources of income-meat, it has furnished only a modest livelihood, pelts and furs, wool, or breeding stock.

RISKS FOR THE BEGINNER There is financial risk for the beginning ing stock. Only an established breeder can operator who knows nothing about the cope with such problems during a boom industry. Rabbit raising is passing from period. a side-line enterprise to a principal source Unsound Investments. In these ven­ of income, with methods of large-scale tures a promoter offers real estate or fur marketing only partially worked out. A breeding stock at fancy prices. Too often begin.ner therefore cannot feel so confi­ the promoter is concerned only with the dent at entering this field as he would sale of land or the disposal of breeding poultry produ~tion or any other estab­ stock. One such scheme is called the "buy­ lished branch of agriculture. back" contract. A promoter offers to sup­ Booms. There are also some hazards ply breeding stock and suggests that, in which are especially the beginner's. Rab­ return, he will purchase the stock pro­ nit booms are one. The Belgian Hare duced. UEoually he approaches a pros­ craze of many years ago is an example; pective operator with the promise of anoiher boom met the need for additional profits greatly exceeding the average. meat during World War II. Sudden and This scheme is particularly unsafe in that abnormal increases in rabbit production few of the contracts can be legally en­ may mean financial loss to a beginner. forced. If a concern offers a buy-back A ready market cannot always be found contract, demand the names of financial for the products at prices allowing a fair supporters and be suspicious of any re­ rate of interest on the high cost of breed- fusal to furnish such information.

THREE GROUPS RAISE RABBITS In spite of these problems, California at F ontan a, California, reports that about favors the industry through a mild climate one third was raised in southern Cali­ and especially through consumer interest fornia. which is growing as the program of dis­ If a beginner is aware of these prob­ tribution and marketing develops. Well lems, he can then turn his attention to over 30 million pounds of live rabbits are many questions about the field: Who sold annually in the state. T}leLosAngeles raises rabbits; what are the sources of area alone consumes between 14 and 16 income; what is the labor requirement; million pounds of rabbit meat yearly. Of how is a rabbitry built and operated; the 20 million rabbits produced or on what are the different breeds; how are hand in the United States in 1947, the rabbits fed and cared for; what diseases United States Rabbit Experiment Station and parasites attack them; how are rab- * Mr. Butterfield is Agriculturist in Agricultural Extension, University of California, Berkeley, California. [ 3 ] bit products prepared and marketed; He is concerned with the information what are the costs involved and the re­ needed by the home operator and, in turns expected; and what is a standard addition, inf.ormation about the time nec­ of efficiency? essary for operation and the most conven­ The home operator has merely ient channels of sale. Efficient production enough animals to supply his own require­ and a steady market are highly important. ments. Inf01mation about housing, feed­ The full-time commercial oper­ ing, general care, treatment of disease, cmd control of parasites is of particular ator, whose main source of income is interest to him. Distribution and market­ production for the market, is ·concerned ing are of no concern unless his total costs with housing, breeding, feeding, care, are more than retail costs. treatment of disease, control of parasites, The part-time operator raises rab­ preparation for market and marketing, bits in addition to holding an outside job. and business management.

SOURCES OF INCOME Meat, pelts and furs, wool, and breed­ the University of California. One was the ing stock comprise the main sources of Enterprise-Management studies for the income. The amount of income varies period 1930-1939, for several counties with the type of enterprise, and choice in southern California, which represent of enterprise depends on local demands. more than 100 yearly records on some The relative importance of the different 7,000 breeding does. The other was the sources was almost unknown until super­ vised records of rabbitries became avail­ Southern California Rabbit Management able through two studies of the industry studies for 194 7 and 1948. The latter in southern California, conducted by studies furnish the most recent figures the Agricultural Extension Service of on costs and returns used in this circular.

Meat Rabbit meat has all the qualifications Rabbit Experiment Station at Fontana of a high-grade meat. Tests made by the was found to be 93 per cent digestible, United States Department of Agriculture with no significant difference in compar­ show that it compares favorably with ison with beef. Its tenderness by cooking other meats as a source of protein (table was tested by the United States Bureau 1). The meat of young fryer rabbits usu­ of Home Economics. A rabbit cooked 1 ally contains less fat than mature beef. • hour and 15 minutes was found to be Its relative protein value compared more tender than a chicken cooked 2 with beef when tested at the United States bours and 30 minutes.

Table 1. COMPARATIVE COMPOSITION OF RABBIT MEAT AND BEEF*

Percenage Percentage Kind of meat Percentage protein fat Percenage Calories dry matter (N. x 6.25) (ether extract) minerals per ,ram

Rabbit ...... 40.2 30.8 7.0 1.6 200 Beef ...... 42.4 30.3 10.8 1.3 220

* Tests reported by Dorothy B. Darling and Hugo W. Nilson of the Fish and Wildlife Service, United States Department of the Interior.

[ 4 ] Since rabbit meat furnishes a high­ operating in the 1947 Southern California grade protein, its future production de­ Rabbit Management Study indicate that pends very largely on demand. If demand the average number of rabbits raised per is to r~mairi dependable or to increase, doe was 22.1, or better than 5.7 rabbits the meat must be readily available in raised per litter at 3.8 litters per doe a appetizing form and at economical prices. year. An efficient operator should be able to The costs and returns on rabbit meat average more than 5 marketable rabbits are discussed under "Business Aspects," to the litter. Records of the rabbitries co- on page 56.

Pelts and Furs Although the terms "pelts" and "furs" $13,965,800. Imports for 1945 to 1948, are often used interchangeably in statisti­ inclusive, averaged about 22 million cal reports of the industry, rabbit pelts pounds, valued at more than $24,000,000. ordinarily consist of butcher-run and hat­ ln addition, more than 3lj2 million un­ ters' pelts. Butcher-run is the term used dressed hare pelts were annually imported for the pelts skinned from rabbits raised in the 1945 to 19tt7 period at a value of for meat; their quality varies according more than $6 ~ 000~000 a year. Undressed to breed and to treatment after skinning. rabbit pelts are admitted into the United Hatters' pelts comprise the least desirable States duty free. of all pelts. Rabbit furs, on the other hand, These figures have given the impression usually indicate the fine-quality fur pelts that the average rabbit raiser has a bright from animals especially bred for their fur. outlook in the sale of rabbit pelts to Pelts. Under normal conditions, the meet the great demand. This is not true. United States imports a large number of The California Enterprise-Management rabbit pelts, chiefly from Australia, New studies show that a very small percentage Zealand, France,- Belgium, and England of the total income in rabbit raising is ~table 2). Imports make up possibly 98 from pelts-averaging about 50 cents per per cent of the pelts used in this country. breeding doe (see " Business Aspects," During 1936 to 1939, inclusive, almost p. 56) . Only rarely has the individual 19 million pounds of undressed rabbit rabbit raiser exceeded this amount. pelts were imported at a yearly value of It is often impractical for a producer

Table 2. IMPORTS OF UNDRESSED RABBIT AND CONEY AND HARE PELTS FOR THE YEARS 1935 AND 1936, AND 1945 TO 1948, INCLUSIVE

Rabbit and coney pelts (undressed) Hare pelts (undressed) Year (dollars) (pounds) (dollars) (pounds)

1935* ...... $13,973,303 32,291,879 $ 775,736 2,519,834 1936 ...... 20,921,056 21,392,369t 1,329,959 8,686,378 1945t ...... 19,477,878 21,169,812 3,392,737 2,242,426 1946 ...... 33,295,651 26,442,642 5,502,655 3,013,740 1947 ...... 21,614,506 19,406,013 9,766,428 5,688,832 1948 ...... 22,747,009 23,720,924 3,409,878 7,020,099

: Years 1935 and 1936 from Foreign and Domestic Report of United States Department of Commerce. t Weicht estimated on basis of 128,354,214 pelts. t Years 1945 to 1948 from report No. Ft. 110, General Imports of Merchandise, United States Department of Commerce.

[ 5 ] of meat rabbits to keep the pelts-for in­ Furs. In fine rabbit-fur production, stance, if he is a large producer who sells California supplies some of the best furs rabbits alive to be dressed in central kill­ received on eastern markets. To achieve ing plants in the larger cities. The small this, however, special attention has been side-line operator who markets direct, given to breeding, which may influence however, can easily handle the pelts; in fur quality more than feeding. or climate. fact, the pelt income, no matter how small, Certain light-weight breeds, such as the . is important to his management program. Chinchilla and the Castor Rex or its crosses, have been developed to meet this Domestic producers need to know ap­ need. Operators who have specialized in proximately what per cent of the Amer­ the breeding and proper handling of high­ ican demand for pelts can be supplied by quality furs are receiving prices well the domestic industry. Presumably they above the average. have a long way to go before they can Each prospective fur producer should meet this demand. Still more important study the markets in relation to his own is the question of whether or not they can abilities before. estimating possible in­ equal the quality of the best imported come from the sale of furs. It is definitely pelts and still show a profit. All points not a field for the beginning operator, therefore indicate that the income from and even the experienced operator should pelts should not be ignored by the begin­ realize that the operation of a rabbitry ner, but that it should not be overesti­ for pelt or fur production alone is not mated. practical except by special breeding.

Wool A survey made by the American An­ bility of high returns. Here and there gora Rabbit Breeders' Association indi­ some breeders may secure high returns cates that California leads all other states from Angora wool, but the prospective in the raising of Angora wool rabbits. operator needs to look into this field very This increased interest in the production carefully before entering it. of rabbit wool may be traced to certain Table 8, which appears in "Business advertising which emphasizes the possi- Aspects," on page 59, presents a general

Table 3. U. S. ANGORA RABBIT WOOL IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION, 1948 *

Pounds, Value, Pounds, Value, Pounds, Value, Pounds, Value, Country scoured dollars greasy dollars washed dollars sorted dollars

Canada . . . . 6,502 341371 78 447 80 405 75 100 Mexico .... . 12,907 73,243 ...... 1,428 9,500 205 574

Denmark ... 711 4,971 ...... • 0 •• United Kingdom...... 301 1,204 ......

France ..... 27,022 214,593 ...... 8,141 73,715 • 0 •• • 0 •• Italy ...... 73,980 424,108 ...... 2,565 9,265 441 2,600 Austria .. .. . 575 2,884 ...... ------Totals ...... 121,697 754,150 78 447 12,515 94,089 721 3,274

• The total of imported pounds was materially larger in 1948 Ulan in 1947. Japan shipped some in 1947 bu' none in 1948. I~, France, Mexico, and Canada confulued to supply ~e bulk of Angora rabbU wool imports.

[ 6 ] summary of wool rabbit records over the market development. A limited number three-year period 1937-1939 in the Enter­ of animals may be sold for breeding, but prise-Management studies in Los Angeles the most i:rpportant problem is to find a County. An average of 678 breeding does market for the wool or yarn at prices failed to show high profits either for the withstanding competition of imported wool or for the rabbitry as a whole. rabbit wool. The import of Angora rabbit Yields of wool depend on the strain wool quickly affects prices on the Amer­ and the care of the individual animal. ican market. The imports for American Breeders speak of 8-ounce woolen:; and consumption in 1947 are shown in table 3. 16-ounce woolers, meaning rabbits pro­ The figures in table 8 on page 59 clearly ducing that many ounces in a year. An indicate that income from wool alone may average of 1 pound of wool a year is a not be sufficient to cover cost of produc­ possibility being reached by efficient pro­ ducers, but 12 to 14 ounces for a mature tion, even though all records available rabbit are very likely well above the aver­ indicate that Angoras show a lower feed age in most rabbitries. cost and lower average hours of labor per More accurate records are necessary to doe than any other breed. If you are going show what can be expected in the special­ to raise Angora wool rabbits, capitalize ization of Angora wool. Any increase in on all outlets of sale-tneat, breeding its production should be accompanied by stock, and wool.

Breeding Stock For many years rabbit raisers with has secured only a small percentage of established reputations for dependable his total income from breeding stock. breeding stock have secured a good in­ The beginner who has not yet estab­ come. In exceptional cases, breeding stock lished a reputation for producing good made up about 70 per cent of the sales; breeding stock, and others who do not but, judging from sales reported during attempt to keep purebred animals, will the past ten years (see "Business As­ probably not realize very much from such pects," p. 56), the average rabbit raiser sales.

Miscellaneous Sources There are very few additional sources they will be used in tests for pregnancy. . of income in rabbit raising. The most Rabbits are also sold as pets, a practice important is sale of manure as fertilizer frowned on by most commercial rabbit (see "Business Aspects," p. 56). A few producers who consider the sentiment as­ animals are sold to experimental labora­ sociated with rabbits one of the greatest tories and to biological laboratories where drawbacks to the sale of rabbit meat.

FANCY STOCK FOR EXHIBITION If a rabbit raiser wants to combine Choosing the Breed. A good utility fancy stock with utility, he needs to know rabbit ·fit for meat and high-quality fur something about the care and manage­ may also be a good fancy rabbit. There ment of fancy stock. Special publications may be some difference between the two on the exhibition of rabbits at shows have stand~rds; yet, in a general way, there is been published; these can be secured close agreement. The best purebred rab­ from some of the public libraries or bit can be made to adhere very closely to bought direct from the publishers. the fancy standard and, at the same time, [ 7 ] meet all normal requirements for meat, fur, or, with Angoras, wool. If a rabbit is not a purebred, even though it is capa­ ble of meeting the demand for meat, fur, or wool, it is excluded from sale as a fancy breeder, or from receiving prizes and ex­ hibition publicity. Many rabbit raisers prefer to start with animals eligible for registry and meeting the standard either for utility or fancy stock. There is so~e ground for selecting the pedigreed rabbit even for utility pur­ poses. It takes several generations of sys­ tematic breeding to meet the normal standard. The young of pedigreed rabbits are usually uniform in weight, time of maturity, color of fur, and other factors Fig. 1. Single-compartment shipping box, 18" x which ·are of vital interest to the utility 22" (14" high at center, 8" at sides). rabbit breeder. Fancy rabbits need about the same care increase production and sale of rabbits as ordinary utility rabbits. In addition and rabbit products. · they require special attention to fit them Carriers. Fancy rabbits and rabbits for exhibit. Disqualifications that in no sold as breeders are shipped in the type way interfere with sale for utility pur­ of carrier shown in figure l. Packages poses must be overcome for the show. cannot be easily stacked on this type of Even the smallest disqualifications cannot case, so the animals are assured plenty of be overlooked. If a rabbit is not near air. If the owner is exhibiting only one maximum age at the time of the show, rabbit and plans to carry it, he may prefer it stands a very poor chance of winning a lighter carrier with a hand grip on top. unless it is exceptionally strong in such The carrier must be well ventilated, and points as color and shape. Nurse does are should be cleaned regularly to help pre­ ~ometimes used to assist in securing maxi­ mum size for age when young rabbits are vent such diseases as coccidiosis. Place to be exhibited. only one rabbit in a compartment; two It is a good practice to visit rabbit may fight and injure each othe:r. Carriers shows and become more or less familiar must be of ample size, and should be with the methods usually followed in bedded with straw to keep the fur coat judging. These shows are of great educa­ from being soiled. A little feed may be tional value to both rabbit fanciers and enclosed if necessary. Where a breeder utility breeders. They call for organiza­ takes his animals to the show by automo­ tion among producers, and the contact bile, feed and water will seldom be neces­ between members and the public helps to sary en route.

HOURS OF LABOR REQUIRED The minimum time required to operate Southern California Rabbit Management a rabbitry is approximately 12 to 14 hours studies. It was found that, with an average annually per doe, although the more prof­ of 110 breeding does per rabbitry, the itable group of larger rabbit operators average number of hours of labor re­ averaged 10 hours. Hours of labor re­ quired per doe was 17.0 for 1945, 13.2 quired have decreased, according to the for 1947, and 13.5 for 1948. An operator [ 8 ] working on this schedule could therefore Increased efficiency in the use of labor care for approximately 250 breeding does has not been sufficient to overcome the yearly by working an average of 8 hours increased hourly cost (see "Business As- . a day. pects," p. 56) .

CLIMATE A mild climate in most parts of Cali­ leys, heat is a problem, although not one fornia is an important factor in the of the more serious, since the United growth of the rabbit industry. Rainfall, States Rabbit Experiment Station has lo­ which is not heavy, is limited almost en­ cated in a part of the state where summer tirely to the period between November temperatures occasionally run high. In and April. such areas special protection is needed. The outdoor hutch is satisfactory in In a cool climate, also, the outdoor hutch almost all districts. In the hot inland val- will need some protection (p. 13). CONSTRUCTING THE RABBITRY The Hutch Build the hutch for convenience and should be regulated by the height of the permanence. A well-built hutch is eco­ caretaker. If the floor of the bottom hutch nomical to operate and easy to keep sani­ is within 6 or 8 inches of the ground, a tary. Dark hutches which leak and are man of medium height will have no.diffi­ cold and drafty will cause the breeder culty in reaching the top of a 3-tier hutch. serious trouble. He will not be able to A youth or a short woman, however, may raise his stock successfully nor to sell it find the 3-tier hutch too high (see fig. 2), to advantage. yet ·be able to reach a 2-tier hutch with­ Sunlight and fresh air must reach the out any difficulty. Some producers say inside of all hutches, especially those in that roomy, single-tiered hutches are the which young rabbits are developing. Rab­ easiest to keep sanitary. If land is not too bits raised in clean, sunny, well-ventilated costly the slightly greater expense of hutches are seldom affected with respira­ single-tiered hutches may be more than tory diseases. offset by the reduced amount of mainte­ Hutches must be kept clean and dry at nance. all times. This is vitally important. Pro­ Floors. The so-called self-cleaning tect them from rain, and protect each tier floor is in approximately 98 per cent of from any leaks in the hutches immediately the rabbitries in southern California, and ab~ve. If this is not done, diseases will is popular everywhere. It is usually made appear. of %-inch hardware cloth-also called Most of the standard types have been fruit-drying cloth. This type of floor not tested at the College . of Agriculture at only reduces the hours of man labor per Davis, and the one found to give the best doe per year but also makes the control results is shown in figure 2. This hutch of disease easier. has been efficient and economical under A slatted floor is very hard to keep all ordinary conditions found in Califor­ clean. A solid floor with hardware cloth­ nia. Each compartment measures 4 feet covered toilet in the back (fig. 2) is long by 2.5 feet deep by 1.5 feet high. partially self-cleaning. This floor is satis­ Plans for this hutch are given in figure 3. factory only when kept clean and dry. Commercial hutches may be built 2 or Smooth perforated metal has been tested 3 tiers high-that is, 2 or 3 compartments at the United States Rabbit Experiment built one on top of the other. The height. Station with good results, but it is rarely . [ 9] Fig. 2. Recom­ mended 3-tier hutch. Note braced doors that close over floor.

ROOF NOT SHOWN

REAR ELEVATION ~------2.'7"--1 END ELEVATION 1" MESH POULTRY WIRE

REAR ELEVATION AND, RIGHT, CROSS SECTION

.ff!6"1iill~,rr ~ ·-----==~------J: H TROUGH ~-----::------: /c '------::-- "1 1 '///~ ' ' T / '"-"' • "1 .. _ ,. ,,, .,. ~ (//~' ...j1...,.______~o~ -----.-~ PLAN OF GRID AND MANGER

Fig. 3. Page 10: Plans for a 3-tier, 6-compartment hutch. Fig. 3A, above: The V-shaped feeder with trough beneath (upper rear elevation) is used in many California rabbitries. A toilet pan runs crosswise through the hutch compartment and is set back from the feeder. The trough beneath makes cleaning easy. (Courtesy of A. M. Newbegin, who designed the equipment here shown.)

[ 11 ] SPECIFICATIONS AND LIST OF MATERIAL FOR A 3-TIER RABBIT HUTCH Lumber (pieces) Size Kind of lumber Place

27 1" X 4" X 8' T&G Douglas fir (Oregon Floors; 9pieces for each floor. pine)*

15 1" X 4" X 7' T&G Douglas fir (Oregon Roof. Cut to 30 pieces 1" x pine) 4" X 3'6".

18 1" X 4" X 6' T&G Douglas fir (Oregon Ends; 9 pieces for each end. pine)

2 1" X 4" X 8' Douglas fir (Oregon pine) Roof cleats or strips.

1 1" X 10" X 18' Douglas fir (Oregon pine) Backs for two floors. Cut to 2 pieces 1" x 10" x 8'2".

1 1" X 10" X 10' Douglas fir (Oregon pine) Back for third floor. Cut to 1 piece 1" x 10" x 8'2".

1 1" X 10" X 10' Douglas fir (Oregon pine) Fronts of feed racks. Cut to 2 pieces 1" x 10" x 5'.

1 1" X 3" X 12' Douglas fir (Oregon pine) Back uprights. Cut to 2 pieces 1" X 3" X 5'6".

1 1" >< 3" X 12' Douglas fir (Oregon pine) Front uprights. Cut to 2 pieces 1" X 3" X 5'81;2".

1 1" X 3" X 18' Douglas fir (Oregon pine) Front and back top rails. Cut to 2 pieces 1" x 3" x 8'2".

1 1" X 3" X 12' Douglas fir (Oregon pine) Bottom slats for toilet pans. Cut to 6 pieces 1" x 3" x 2'. 1 1" X 12" X 6' Douglas fir (Oregon pine) Back partitions. Cut to 3 pieces 1" X 12" X 1'7".

1 1" X 5" X 6' Douglas fir (Oregon pine) Front of partitions under feed racks. Cut to 3 pieces 1" x 5" X 1'61j2"· 3 1" X 2" X 10' Douglas fir (Oregon pine) Floor joists. Cut to 12 pieces 1" X 2" X 2'6".t 1 1" X 2" X 12' Douglas fir (Oregon pine) Strips for top of feed racks. Cut to 6 pieces 1" x 2" x 1'10". 3 1" X 2" X 18' Douglas fir (Oregon pine) Doors. For top and bottom rails cut 12 pieces 1" x 2" x 2'9~~ " and 6 pieces 1" x 2" x 3', for braces. 1 1" X 2" X 20' Douglas fir (Oregon pine) End rails of doors. Cut to 12 pieces 1" x 2" x 1'7". * Douglas fir (Oregon pine) has been mentioned in the list of materials but other available lumber of suitable grade may be substituted. Soft wood is not suitable. t Plans in figure 3 call for 2" x 2" floor joists in the center of the hutch, but l" X 2" pieces will usually be strong enough. [ 12] Hardware 6 pairs 2" tight butts or 3" strap hinges Doors, two hinges for each door. 6 2" turn buttons Doors, one for each door. 24 feet 1" mesh 12" wide poultry netting, gal­ Hutch backs. Cut into 3 pieces vanized after weaving 1' X 8'. 21 Yz feet 1" mesh 18" wide poultry netting, gal­ Doors and feed racks. Cut 6 vanized after weaving pieces for the doors, each 18" x 33". Cut 3 pieces for the feed racks, each 18" x 20". 20 inches ~lg" mesh 24" wide hardware or fruit­ Toilets. Cut into 3 pieces, each drying cloth+ 8" X 20". 3 Ilh" x 8" x 19" galvanized droppings One for each toilet opening. trays 3 pounds 8d box nails, cement coated available. Unless local conditions require iron pan which can be slipped in through some other material, most rabbit raisers an opening at the rear of the hutch. A will find the standard galvanized hard­ larger pan can be used to cover the space ware cloth of %-inch mesh most satisfac­ occupied by the toilets in two adjoining tory. If this is not available, substitute compartments. Another type of toilet is l-inch-square wooden slats, spaced no shown in figure 3A. more than % inch apart, but keep the Where a single hutch stands over a floor as dry and clean as possible. If a concrete floor, no pan is needed beneath floor has a rough surface, place a slatted the toilet opening, but clean the concrete stand or flat board at one end where the floor beneath regularly. rabbit may rest. This will help to prevent Walls. Figure 2 shows that only the hock injury (see p. 48). two opposite ends of the hutch are Toilets. If a solid floor is laid, plan boarded solid. The door in front and the for a toilet pan in each hutch. Place the back wall are covered with wire netting. toilet opening at the rear, away from the In a cool slimate, however, place a 10- hay and the nest. In a single-compartment inch board at the back to give some pro­ hutch, when the. floor is laid, leave an tection or, if necessary, board in the back opening 8 inches deep by 19 inches wide solid. at the back near one side wall; in a double Roofs. Build the roof solid on all compartment hutch extend the toilet open­ hutches-single, 2 tier, or 3 tier. Set the ing into the adjoining compartment floor roof boards to form a 6- to 8-inch over­ for 19 inches. This 38-inch wide opening hang in front and slope them downward will accommodate the 2 adjoining toilets. to a 2-inch overhang at the rear. Cover On the underside of the' hutch floor sur­ the board roof with rainproof roofing rounding the opening, tack hardware material to make the hutch leakproof. doth or heavy galvanized wire netting Doors. The hutch door should extend with a mesh not larger than % inch. the full length of the hutch except where Beneath the opening, set a galvanized- a narrow alleyway in front of the hutch :1: If metal is not available, wood should be substituted and the wooden slats spaced % inch apart. If drawer feeders are used, allow one drawer of about 3" X 8" X 18" for each double compartment and face front edge of drawer with tin. [ 13] prevents the door from swinging outward. Equip each door . with strong hinges Fit the outer-end cleats of the door snugly and easily closed eatches. Cover the inside over the edge of the flooring at the bot­ of all doors with l-inch-mesh galvanized­ tom to act as door stops (figures 2 and wire netting. In normal times, wire netting 3). A door hung in this way is not easily . is cheap, durable, and easily available. clogged with hay or litter. It cannot be spread or gnawed by the There is no special advantage in having rabbits, and protects the wooden frame a separate door in front of the nest. Odd­ when placed on the inside of the door. · shaped doors are costly and unnecessary. Costs and Specifications. Lumber Rectangular-shaped doors are the easiest and labor costs vary too much for the to construct. They can be used with the cost of a hutch to be estimated except in V-shaped feeder if the space under the a general way (see "Business Aspects," feeder is boarded up straight and solid. p. 56). Where only pellets are fed, the door can The list of building materials on pages overlap the partition between two adjoin­ 16 and 17 can be used for the hutch shown ing hutch compartments. By opening only in figure 2. Any lumberyard can furnish one door, feed can be placed in two com­ cost estimates on the materials listed or partments. suggest substitutes for unavailable ones. The Rabbit House Large rabbitries sometimes place the stantial frames to prevent sagging, which hutches in a house. If a house is planned, necessitates additional cost. build it large enough to hold all the Plan the house so that sunlight reaches hutches and to accommodate a storage every hutch at least part of the day (fig­ unit for quantity amounts of feed. ures 4 and 5). Face the house south. If Concrete is used for the floor of the the hutches are placed crosswise, leave house, with drains provided to carry off a space of at least 4 or 5 · feet between the water quickly during hosing-out. hutches to admit sunlight; if the hutches Glass or glass substitutes are seldom nec­ stand lengthwise, place them out far essary in California for rabbit houses. enough from the rear wall to permit re­ This is fortunate because ordinary glass moval of the toilet pans. Leave plenty of aisle room in which to open hutch doors, excludes the ultraviolet rays of the sun, carry feed, and clean. and there is doubt about the amount of If a separate compartment for feed is ultraviolet rays admitted by _glass substi- planned at the end of the house, make it . tutes. Glass substitutes have not always rat- and mice-proof, and protect it from been durable, and most types need sub- dogs and cats. Lath Shelters The essential shade in hot climates can the installation of roof sprinklers. be provided by a lath shelte:r. A properly The shelter roof is usually supported constructed shelter tends to reduce wind by 7- or 8-foot posts. The roof laths should velocity and to lower the temperature. be thicker and much longer than ordinary Where the heat is very intense, a solid plaster lath which can be used for the roof is sometimes laid to accommodate sides. Most operators agree that the spac- a sprinkling system. However, a solid . ing between laths should be considerably roof tends to exclude winter sunlight. less than the width of a lath. This pro­ Burlap sacks hung from the eaves of a vides shade, yet permits entrance of lath roof and kept wet will furnish as effec­ enough direct sunlight. Lath shelters are tive a cooling system for hutches as will usually of permanent construction. [ 14] Fig. 4. Interior of a modern rabbitry, showing arrangement of one-tier hutches to insure adequate sanitation and ease of feeding.

Fig. 5. Cleaning and feeding operations in this commercial rabbitry may be carried out with mini­ mum labor. An adequate water supply is easily available. [ 15] Runways Runways or developing pens may be ment of the type of rearing pen shown in used in good weather for growing rab­ figure 6, or l rabbit to each 2lf2 square bits. Plans for one of these knock-down feet of floor space. The %-inch wire­ outdoor rabbit runs are shown in figure netting floor used in this pen enables the 6. The runways may be 5 feet wide by 6 rabbits to eat the feed and, at the same feet long by approximately 21j2 feet high. time, prevents them from digging out. Their framework is wood, covered with The construction of these runways per­ l-inch-mesh wire netting. Allow about 8 mits their being moved about over grow- to 12 weaned rabbits to each compart- ing green feed. ·

MATERIALS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR A 2-COMPARTMENT RABBIT REARING PEN Lumber ( pieces) Size Kind of lumber Place

4 l" X 4" X 12' Douglas fir (Oregon pine) Top and bottom side rail, 2 or redwood for top rails and 2 for bot- tom rails.

5 l" X 4" X 10' Douglas fir (Oregon pine) Cut 4 pieces l" x 4" x 2~~, for or redwood end rails; 2 pieces l" x 4" x 2~~, for center rails at sides; 4 pieces l" x 4" x 5' for top and bottom rails across ends; 2 pieces l" x 4" x 4'9" for top and bot- tom rails of partition; and l piece l" x 4" x 5' for center cross piece at top.

5 l" X 3" X 10' Douglas fir (Oregon pine) Cut .2 pieces l" x 3" x 4'7", or redwood one for each feeder top rail; 4 pieces l" x 3" x 5' for 2 cross rails for·each door; 4 pieces l" x 3" x 4'9" for 2 side rails for each door.

2 2" X 2" X 10' Douglas fir (Oregon pine) Cut 4 pieces 2" x 2" x 2lf2', or redwood end rails, one for each cor- ner; 4 pieces 2" x 2" x 12", fillers for ends of feeders; 2 pieces 2" x 2" x 2 Yz ', for end rails of partition. - l l" X 12" X 4' Douglas fir (Oregon pine) Cut into 2 pieces l" x 12" x 2' or redwood and then saw diagonally to make 4 ends of feeders. [ 16] Hardware 2 pounds 8d box nails, cement coated 2 pairs strap hinges, galvanized One pair for each door. 12 114 " x 3" wing machine bolts (square Two for each corner support heads) and two for each side at center. 39 feet 1" mesh 2' wide hexagonal poultry net­ Cut 2 pieces 5' x 2', one for ting, galvanized after weaving each end; 2 pieces 12' x 2', one for each side; 1 piece 5' x 2' for the partition. 5 feet 1 V2" mesh 5' wide hexagonal poultry Cut 2 pieces 5' x 2¥2 ', one for netting each feeder. 12 feet 1 1;2" mesh 5' wide hexagonal poultry For bottom. netting 10 feet 2" mesh 5' wide hexagonal poultry net­ For top. ting

ARRANGEMENT OF HUTCH EQUIPMENT Feed and Water Containers. A Nests. A salisfactory nest for the well-arranged rahbitry requires a mini­ ~werage-sized doe can be 12 inches wide mum amount of labor. The arrangement by 12 inches high by 24 inches long. Rab­ of feed and watering equipment is shown bits weighing more than 10 or 11 pounds in figure 5. Automatic water systems, may need a longer nest; very small breeds such as the "dewdrop," may replace water may need less space. dishes. If hay is fed, a V-shaped central An inexpensive nest can be made from feeder is considered the best. It is not an ordinary apple box, 101;2 inches high used if pellets only are fed. Grain and by 11 V2 inches wide by 18 inches long, water are placed in earthenw,are dishes inside measurement, with top removed. or in specially constructed galvanized­ A nest box of this size is satisfactory for iron feeders or in self-feeders. Door feed­ ihe average-sized breeds and will serve ers are not usually satisfactory. They are until the young are able to jump out over too. easily detached by the rabbits with the sides. Its chief drawback is in its con­ a consequent waste of feed. struction that permits the doe to jump in A drawer feeder that slides in beneath on the young if she is suddenly frightened. the central V-shaped hay feeder has been A box of the same size with the forepart used successfully in a number of Califor­ of the top and upper part of the sides nia rabbitries. It tends to catch loose removed and the ends beveled off (fig. leaves from alfalfa hay and holds grain 7) is a slight improvement over the un­ without serious waste. A projecting shelf covered apple box. All exposed edges under the V-feeder is u~ed similarly. should be lined with metal for protection The drawer is of wood with metal over against gnawing. This type of nest would the front edge to prevent gnawing. If new not do in a cold climate. metal is unavailable, used metal can be A nest constructed from a nail keg laid smoothed out and substituted. Fasten on en its side is used at the United States small c~oss-strips to keep young rabbits Rabbit Experiment Station at Fontana from getting into the drawer. (fig. 8 ) . A keg with a head diameter of [ 17] 1

1" MESH WIRE PARTITION THROUGH CENTER

-----+------6'0"------.l SIDE ELEVATION

w u ~~ zu 0~ ::J:C.., w w w OPEN TOP ~1.1. 1.1. FEED RACK ~0 1

TOP

Fig. 6. Plans for a rearing pen with two com­ partments. About 8 to 12 weaned rabbits may be taken care of in each section. This type run­ way may be moved about qver the green feed.

CORNER DETAIL

[ 18] Fig. 7. Substantial nest box with exposed edges lined with metal to prevent gnawing. Top provides resting place for the mother where she can still be near the babies . • 13 .inches is suitable for does weighing 12 pounds or more; one with an 111h­ inch diameter for does weighing from 8 to 12 pounds; and a 10-inch diameter for does under 8 pounds. Remove the top ~nd of the keg, and nail cleats across the lower half of the opening to confine the young rabbits and the nesting material. Rest on stand to keep the keg from rolling. When the young are about 3 weeks old, remove the upper cleat so that they can .get out more easily. Nailing a smooth metal strip along the surface of the top cleat will pro­ fig. 8. Inexpensive nest box made from a tect the wood from gnawing. nail keg. [ 19] CARE OF THE HUTCH Keep the hutches dry and clean at all Keep feed and water in clean containers times. It is very easy to become careless; in the hutch away from manure and urine. the moment carelessness begins diseases Clean the containers frequently and scale begin. Clean thoroughly once a week. them to remove any organic matter which. Remove all manure that sticks to the floor has accumulated. Coccidiosis, for in­ with a scraper and a stiff brush before stance, spreads almost entirely through scrubbing. If the .floor is very dirty scrub soiled feed, drinking water, and damp it with lye water-1 pound of lye to 5 or 6 floors (see page 41) . gallons of water. A disinfectant is not · Scrub the toilet pans thoroughly with necessary unless some specific infection a good disinfectant two or three times a requires this. week. See that bedding is clean and dry. BREEDING Selecting the Breed A prospective producer familiar with especially illustrate how closely producers local conditions will know what rabbits are approaching the ideal standard given satisfy market demands and what rabbits in "The Guide Book and Standard" of the do not. For example, if a market prefers American Rabbit and Cavy Breeders' As­ fryers weighing from 1lf2 to 2 pounds sociation. dressed or 3 to 4lf2 pounds live weight, A knowledge of this standard is essen­ a breed that develops early and quickly tial whether a beginner hopes to exhibit reaches marketable weight at a low feed or not. Table 4 includes the important cost should be chosen. If a market prefers breeds and their primary utility values. meat rabbits weighing 5 pounds or more, Fanciers may find more than one standard breeds that are slow to develop or do not for some breeds. If so, it is fairly safe fill out well when young are preferable. always to foll~w the standard recognized The few breeders catering to a fur by the oldest specialty club for the breed market sell the meat from the rabbits in question. producing the fur for whatever it will Terms of Breed Description. These bring. The meat from a 6-months-old fur are defined in a glossary in "The Guide rabbit will usually weigh 4 or 5 pounds Book and Standard" already mentioned. or more. Dressed rabbits of this size are Figure 9, which follows {p. 24), carries usually low priced, and it is important a few terms that may be useful in under­ to find a market willing to take them. standing some of the descriptive points Many breeds are now available for discussed here. breeding sto k. Newer breeds usually sell Breeds for the Beginner. It is best for more than old established breeds, but to start with only one breed. To learn the the beginner should anticipate a drop in characteristics and requirements of one prices for high-priced new breeds. The breed is naturally less confusing than to final choice in breeding stock will nearly learn those of several breeds. With experi­ always depend on the value of the animals ence and a developed market, it may be for both meat. and fur, since a new breed profitable to raise several different breeds of excellent fur qualities may have no .to cater to different demands. market value because pelts are not avail­ Among the meat rabbits, New Zealand able in sufficient numbers for matching. Red (fig. 12), New Zealand White (fig. The comparative popularity of various 9), California Rabbit (fig: 10), and breeds can be seen at commercial rab­ Flemish Giant are very popular for their bitries and at rabbit shows. The shows high-quality meat. Among the fur rabbits, [ 20] Chinchilla, Heavyweight Chinchilla (fig. Choosing Individuals. Regardless of 14), American White, New Zealand · breed or variety, certain general charac­ White, White Flemish Giant, Havana, teristics affect the choice of breeding rab­ Lilac, Castor Rex and its crosses, and cer­ bits. These are: tain blue and silver breeds are very popu­ Ability to maintain health and vigor under commercial conditions; not un­ lar for both fur and high-quality m~at. Since all of these breeds are produced in duly susceptible to disease. Meat white, fine grained, firm, and deli­ quantity, stock is easy to purchase. In this cately flavored, if meat rabbits. way the market demand is readily met. Dressing percentage high, with a large Some of the newer breeds might be­ percentage of the best meat cuts (sad­ come more popular if they could be dle) ; body compact and meaty with secured in larger quantities and at less fine bone for the meat trade. expense. Introducing a: little-known breed Ability to thrive on inexpensive feed. is not always a profitable undertaking. Market weight and desirable plumpness Figures 9 to 17, pages 24--26, show some reached at an early age. of the popular breeds. Value sufficient to make the business prof- Practical versus Fancy Stock. The itable under existing conditions. beginning breeder should start with util­ Able to reproduce true to color and type. ity rather than fancy stock. He is not yet A good breeder the year around. ready to cope with the exhibition require­ Females good mothers, able to bear and ments of fancy stock. rear large litters.

Principles of Breeding

Purebreds. A rabbit is eligible for the poultry industries where performance registry as a purebred when it can meet is so vital. the existing breed standard established Registration of an animal does not in­ by organized breeders. It must also show dicate breeding qualities, but it does the ancestry of both parents back to the indicate that a purebred rabbit may be great grandsires and great granddams. expected to show greater uniformity and The parents are usually purebreds, al­ to pass these characteristics on to the off­ though at present they need not neces­ spring wjth more certainty than rabbits sarily be registered purebreds. not bred to standard. Some recognized Certain leaders in the rabbit industry standard is essential before systematic have attempted to require registration of breeding can be undertaken. Standards the parents before the offspring are eligi­ for new breeds will probably be estab­ ble for registry. This would make for lished, and changes in old standards made greater uniformity within the rabbit from time to time. breeds, but the majority of producers Unfortunately, a strain of rabbits have not supported the move. Registration whose standard characters do not breed of the parents should be followed by in­ true has sometimes been set up as a dividual inspection by a competent regis­ breed. In the Dutch breed, for example, trar. This double check would guarantee the pattern called for in the standard is that each rabbit not only was purebred, secured in only about 50 per cent of the but that it also met the standard require­ offspring, although 100 per cent of the ments for registry. A further step would desired color pattern might be secured by be to secure a record of performance. using parents of selected color patterns This is a requirement of the dairy and that are not standard. [ 21] Table 4. STANDARD BREEDS AND VARIETIES OF RABBITS IN EFFECT APRIL 1, 1947*

Standard mature weight Registration weight in pounds in pounds Breeds and varieties Primary utility value Buck Doe Buck Doe

American (Blue and White) t ...... 9 10 S-10 9-11 Meat, fur, show American Silver Fox (Black and Blue) ...... 9 10 S-11 9-12 Fur Angora Woolers, English type ...... 5up 5up 5~-7~ 5 ~-8 Wool Angora Woolers, French type ...... s s 7up 7up Wool Belgian Hare ...... s s 6-9 6-9 Meat and show Beveren, Blue and Blue Rex ...... , ...... 9 ~ up 10~up Sup 9up Fur Beveren, White and White Rex ...... 9up 10up 7up Sup Fur Beveren, Black and Black Rex ...... S-10 8-10 Sup 9up Fur Blue Vienna and Blue Vienna Rex ...... 9-10 10-11 8-11 9-12 Fur

California Rabbit (fig. 10) ...... S-9 S-9 • • 0 • •• • 0 •• • • Meat Castor Rex ...... 7up 7~up 7up 7 ~ up Fur and show Champagne de Argent ...... 9 10 9-11 9 ~-12 Fur and show Checkered Giant, American (fig.17) ...... 9up 12up 10up 11up Meat and show Chinchilla, American Chinchilla Giant and Rex ...... 11 up 12up 11 up 12up Fur and meat Chinchilla, American Heavyweight (fig. 14) and Rex .. . . 9 10 10 ~ 9-11~ Fur and meat Chinchilla, American Standard and Rex ...... 6-7 ~ 6;li-8 6-7 ~ 6;!i-8 Fur and show Creme de Argent ...... s 9-11 7-9 S-10 Fur, meat, show Dutch, Black (fig.13) , Blue, Chocolate, Gray, Steel Gray, Tortoise, and A.O.C ...... 4 ~ 4 ~ 3-5 ~ 3-5 ~ Show English (spots any color) ...... 6-8 6-8 Not overS Not overS Show Flemish Giant, Steel Gray, Light Gray, Black, Fawn, Sandy Gray,.White, Blue, and Rex ...... 14up 15up 12up 13up Meat, fur, hatters1 pelts, show Havana, Heavyweight and Rex ...... 9up 9up 7up 7up Fur and show Havana, Satin ...... 6 6 5-7 5-7 Fur and show Havana, Standard and Rex ...... 6 6 5-7 5-7 Fur and show

Himalayan (fig.ll) and Rex ...... Ia ~ Ia ~ 12-5 12-5 I Show and fur Himalayan (fig.11) and Rex ...... 1372 372 2-5 2-5 Show an.d fur Lilac and Rex...... 6 up 672 up 572-872 6-9 Fur and show Lops (English)-earage not less than 16 inches from tip , to tip ...... ·I 10 up 11 up Notunder9 Not under 10 Show Lops (French)-earage not less than 14 inches from tip to tip...... 10 up 11 up Notunder9 Not under 10 Show Marten, Chocolate...... 6 72 7 5up 6up Fur and show Marten, Silver Black (fig. 15) and Blue ...... 7 72 872 6-872 7-972 Show and fur Marten, Silver Chocolate ...... 6 72 7 6-872 7-972 Fur and show Marten, Silver Sable...... 7 9 6-872 7-972 Fur and show New Zealand (Red and White) (figs. 9, 12)-seniors only, also Red Rex and White Rex ...... I 10 11 9-11 1Q-12 Meat, show, hatters' pelts Polish, White, Blue-eyed White, Black, Chocolate, and Rex ...... 2 7i-2~ 2 7i-2~ Notover372 Notover372 Show and fur Rex, Albino White ...... " ...... 5 72 up 6up 572up 6up Show and fur Rex, Beaver ...... Not under 6 Not under 7 Notunder6 Not under 7 Show and fur Rex, Black...... Not under 6 72 Not under 6 72 Not under 6 72 Not under 6 72 Show and fur Rex, Blue...... Not under 6 72 Not. under 6 72 Not under 6 72 Not under 6 72 Show and fur Rex, Lynx...... 6 up 7up 6up 7up Show and fur Rex, Opal...... Not over 7 Not over 7 Not over 7 Not onr 7 Show and fur Sable, American and Rex...... 8 9 Notunder7 Notunder8 Fur and show Sable, Siamese and Rex...... 5-7 5-7 5-7 5-7 Fur and show Silver (Gray, Fawn, and Brown) ...... 6 6 4-7 4-7 Show and fur Silver Black Giant...... 12 up 14up Not under 10 Not under 11 Show and fur Tans (Blacks and Blues)...... 4-572 4-6 4-572 4-6 Show

• Standards recognized by the American Rabbit and Cavy Breeders' Association for seniors t Working standard. [ 24] [ 25] [ 26] Crossbreeding. This refers to the fix in his animals-certain ones for meat mating of animals of different breeds. and others for fur. It is easier to fix and UsualJy the animals in such crosses vary correlate a.limited number of characters greatly, and the characteristics of the than many. progeny cannot be foretold. In the mating Coat Characters. In the domestic of purebreds the characteristics can be rabbit coat characters have been divided foretold with some degree of certainty. into 8 general groups, some of which have A rabbit of unknown breeding or one been subdivided. Still other characters which does not meet the breed standard may appear in time. Those now recog­ is commonly called a "scrub." nized are: Line Breeding. Line breeding is with animals ±rom a single line of descent, as Agouti The agouti color of the wild rabbit in one family or in families of a common has given rise to gray, and to black and tan. ancestry a few generations back. Such Brown This factor governs both brown and breeding combines in the progeny the black, since brown is a recessive from black. characters especially desired, and at­ Color This factor determines whether the rab­ tempts to exclude everything outside the bit will be white or colored. Color muta­ chosen ancestral line. Results can usually tions give rise to albinos with pink eyes, be predicted. In line breeding the matings such as the New Zealand White from the should be both from the pedigree records New Zealand Red and the American White and from individually selected animals from the American Blue. There are also breeds only partly mutated toward the al­ in the pens. The type and condition of bino, as the Himalayan. The California the individual are just as important as Rabbit is a cross between the Himalayan the pedigree. and the New Zealand White with markings . Inbreeding. This is line breeding car­ of the Himalayan• ried to the extreme, such as mating father Dilution The dilution factor lightens the vari­ with daughter or mother with son. Close ous colors. Black becomes blue, brown be­ inbreeding does not necessarily result in comes lilac, yellow becomes cream, and gray trouble if all foreign characters are elim­ becomes blue gray. inated and undesirable weaknesses are Extension This factor involves a modification absent in both parents. However, the in­ of the yellow color: There is the dominant experienced breeder sometimes overlooks or dark extension; the gray extension, as in certain weaknesses which cause much the Black Siberian and Steel Gray; the J ap­ anese extension (yellow-brindled black); trouble later. Most breeders feel safer in and the yellow extension. introducing outside or unrelated breeders after crossing father with daughter or White spotting There are two patterns for mother with son. Outbreeding refers to white spotting-English and Dutch. The length and texture of the hair are also this introduction of unrelated stock. changed in the Angora coat, which is closely Which Rabbits to Mate. Rabbits associated with the ~nglish factor. English should reach maturiiy-usually 7 or 8 spotting, the Dutch pattern, and the Angora months of age-and represent the best coat are all linked in the same chromosome. individuals in the desired type before they Vienna This factor produces a white rabbit are mated. Related animals possessing the with colored eyes, as in the Vienna. same fault should not be mated, even Rex This mutation produces a pelt without stiff though they are worthy in other respects. guard ha,irs. (See list of breeds in table 4.) By occasionally introducing unrelated stock~ vigor and fecundity can be main­ In addition to coat characters there are tained more easily. Each breeder should blended colors such as the silvers, where have in mind the characters he wishes to inheritance is apparently complex. [ 27] Breeders wanting further information Gregory, 1932). Size is inherited equally on the subject of coat characters will find from both parents. Rabbits of large the work of such men as Castle (1909 and breeds will give rise to large offspring 1926) and Punnett (1912, 1915) valu­ when the environment is favorable. Off­ able. The possibilities of new color com­ spring of large breeds normally grow binations are far from exhaust~d, but the faster than the young of small breeds. commercial rabbit raiser will probably Inheritance of Fertility. Failure to profit most by selecting established breeds breed (see page 29) is frequently re­ and keeping them up to their maximum ported, especially late in the year. Repro­ possibilities. He should leave the develop­ duction in the domestic rabbit at other ment of new breeds to the specialist. seasons than spring has been brought Inheritance of Fecundity. Body about by planned breeding and manage­ weight regulates the size of litter (Greg­ ment. Rabbits differ in the extent to which ory, 1932). Heavy does tend to have large they breed out of season, but whether litters, small does small litters. Averages food and temperature or inherited con­ for all breeds studied show that to pro­ stitutional vigor make them successful duce one. normal young there must be breeders is not definitely known. While slightly over 1 pound body weight. A the possibility of inherited fertility should Flemish Giant doe weighing 12.3 pounds not be ignored, the greatest attention had a potential fecundity of 12.88 young, should be given to an adequate and well­ a Chinchilla weighing 7.97 pounds, 9.17, balanced ration, good housing, and op­ and a New Zealand Red weighing 8.6 portunity for normal development. pounds, 11 young. Resistance to Disease. Resistance The number of young finally born, to disease is believed to be related to a however, may be influenced by such fac­ combination of factors, although little is tors as calcium and phosphorus defi­ definitely known about its inheritance. ciency, infectious diseases, or parasites. Certain strains of rabbits seem to be re­ In the experiments by Gregory (1932), markably free from snuffles, for example. the Flemish averaged 10.2 young born This fact has led some breeders to believe and the New Zealand Red averaged 8.02. that resistance to disease is inherited, and This represents a mortality of 21.1 per that breeding stock should be selected cent for the Flemish and 27.0 per cent from strains that have proved compara­ for the New Zealand Red based on the tively free from common ailments. potential fecundity listed above. Regardless of whether or not resistance Inheritance of Size. Size in rabbits is inherited, only strains of a breed which is regulated by inheritance and food has proved sufficiently vigorous to escape rather than by glands. If the glands are disease should be selected when available. involved, the effect is of secondary nature, This is one reason why the beginner as between male and female (Goss and should not inbreed too closely.

Practice of Breeding

The early part of the year is the normal if a Joe is restless or nervous and rubs breeding season for rabbits, with Febru­ her chin against parts of the hutch, she ary and March showing the highest per­ may be ready for breeding. She can then centage of conception. Failure to breed be taken to the buck's hutch, never the is reported most often from August to buck to her hutch because she is more October. inclined to fight when bred in her own The doe does not have an estrus cycle quarters. If the doe is ready, the mating as have the cow, sow, ~we, and mare. But should occur almost immediately. Usually [ 28] the huck falls over on one side when the pregnancy in past matings may he tested mating is completed. Then the doe may a few days after mating (Templeton, he returned to her hutch. 1940). If the doe does not readily accept serv­ The palpation test is more certain than ice, she may he restrained by a method test-mating and is time saving. If the doe developed by the United States Rabbit has been successfully bred, the young Experiment Station. With the right hand, embryos should he sufficiently large to hold ihe ears and skiri over the shoulders, be felt easily from the outside by the four­ and place the left hand under the body teenth day of the gestation period. Ex­ and between the hind legs. Force the tail perts can feel them by the twelfth day. upward with the index finger. In this If the doe has not been successfully bred, position the weight of the dcie's body is she can he mated again. This method, supported by the left hand and the rear developed at the United States Rabbit Ex­ quarters are raised to the normal height periment Station {Suitor, 1946), should in mating. Where bucks are accustomed be of great help in increasing the number to being handled, this method will insure of litters per doe in a rabbitry. satisfactory mating, hut it does not neces­ The Buck. A young buck should be sarily mean that all of the does bred will use~ only once or twice a week at first. kindle (Templeton, 1938). After maturity, a buck may be allowed Failure to Breed. Restlessness may to serve 3 does a week. One mature buck indicate failure to conceive. There may should be allowed for each 10 does. Where he one or more causes. In summer, it may possible, have more than one buck avail-. he high temperatures; late in the year it able. If a buck does not sire good litters, may he feed with too low a protein con­ a change can then be made. If a buck bred tent; or it may he poor general physical to several does fails to get good litters, condition. discard him. If a doe is either too fat or too thin, Number of Annual Litters. A doe or is in molt, she should not he bred. If may be expected to have a maximum of she continues to have trouble in spite of 4litters of vigorous young each year. The the use of the best breeding methods, she average in southern California for 1947 should he discarded as a breeder. was 3.8 litters per doe. The doe should False Pregnancy. If false pregnancy remain a good breeder for at least three occurs, the doe will pull fur to build a years. This ideal is possible, but only nest well in advance of kindling-usually occasionally attained in actual averages. within 18 to 22 days after mating. She The number of litters may be reduced will also fail to put on flesh or to show because of heat, disease, or poor manage­ other signs of pregnancy. When this hap­ ment. In order to average 4 litters a year, pens, she should he test-mated or given a doe should be bred once every 3 months the palpation test. or 91 days. Since the gestation period is Testing for Pregnancy. In test­ about 31 to 33 days, and the doe nurses mating the breeder returns the doe to the her young for at least 4 weeks, it will not huck to see if she will take him. If she be safe to breed her again until the young complains and avoids him, she has prob­ are at least 4 weeks old. ably been successfully bred. Since in false Many producers of fryer rabbits prefer pregnancy the doe may not conceive dur­ to leave the young with the doe until they ing a period of 17 days, test-mating are about 60 days old. This prevents the should start on the eighteenth day after temporary loss in weight which follows mating. In this way the operator can de­ weaning. at 4 to 6 weeks. Even by waiting tect how many does have not conceived. until the young fryers have reached 4 Does that have not been affected with false pounds live weight-at approximately 60 [ 29] days-before .breeding the doe again, it smothered. In very hot weather, the young should still be possible to have 4 litters a may be taken from the nest during the year. middle of the forenoon and kept in a In the hotter sections of the state, plan hardware-cloth bflsket suspended from as few litters as possible for July and one side of the hutch until the air has August. This is the time of greatest infant cooled somewhat in late afternoon. Re­ mortality, and this is the time in some turn them to the nest (Templeton, 1938) years in California when prices have been in late afternoon. low. Plan to have 2 litters arrive during Size of Litters. A doe should not be the time of high prices and another allowed to keep more young than she has shortly after Easter when meat and fur nipples. Most rabbits have 8 nipples, but prices are still fairly good. This will allow some Belgian Hares have only 6. There­ only 1 of the 4 yearly litters for the sum­ fore, it is best to reduce the number of mer. The rest period between litters young in a litter to 6 or 7, regardless of should not be too long, however, or suc­ breed. A litter of 6 may actually weigh cessful breeding will be hindered. more at 2 to 3 months of age than a litter KindHng. A few days before the doe of 8. · is ready to kindle, place a nest box in one In one instance, 2 consecutive litters end of the hutch, opposite the central from a doe of a light-weight breed were feeder, if one is used ..furnish straw nest­ weighed from time to time; a litter of 6 ing material. Just before kindling, the doe weighed 17.8 pounds at 2 months com­ will mak~ the nest, normally lining it with pared with 13.4 pounds total weight for hair or fur pulled from her belly. Be cer­ a litter of 8. At 3 months the total weight tain that the hutch is protected. She must of the litter of 6 was 22.8 pounds, and the not be frightened by dogs, cats, or other animals just before kindling or she may· total weight of the litter of 8 was 19.5 scatter the young about the hutch and pounds. The total weight of the litter of cause their death. After kindling she will 8 did not pass that of the litter of 6 until be thirsty. Give her plenty of water. The about the sixth month. Meat breeds in milk flow will nol start until a few hours California will weigh more than the rab­ after kindling. bits reported above. The young are born naked with their With modern methods of feeding and eyes closed. If the doe covers them with management, New Zealand Whites or too much fur during a hot spell, remove Reds or Californias should reach a weight part of the fur so that they will not be of 4 pounds in about 60 days.

FEEDS AND FEEDING Milk is normally a balanced ration for amounts of protein, carbohydrates and newborn rabbits for the first week or two. fat, mineral matter, bulk or roughage, and As they grow older they will require a vitamins. It should be palatable, furnish balanced ration consisting of suitable variety, arid contain sufficient moisture.

Terms Used in Ration Formulas The terms protein, carbohydrates and Protein fats, mineral matter, bulk or roughage, The nitrogenous or muscle-building and vitamins appear in all ration for­ part of feed is called protein. About 16 mulas. An operator needs to know. what per cent of the plant protein is made up these terms mean. of nitrogen. [ 30] Carbohydrates and fats than those fed solely on alfalfa hay and Carbohydrates, supplied mostly by barlP.y. But if alfalfa hay is abnormally starches and sugars, give heat and energy. low in ash, because of some soil condi­ Fat also gives heat and energy and is tion, or if the ration as a whole is lacking slightly more than twice as effective for in lime, inexpensive ground limestone this purpose as carbohydrates. should be added to the concentrate part Proteins, carbohydrates, and fats are of the ration. broken up into simpler compounds during Mineral deficiency is indicated by the digestive process. These are either rickets or leg weakness. This is directly burned in the body to supply heat and traceable to calcium and phosphorus de­ energy or are used in the formation of ficiency, or to a failure to assimilate these body tissues. Unused nitrogenous and minerals. This condition calls for a ration mineral products are eliminated through such as that Ested on page 37, including the kidneys, and waste carbon through a high protein supplement. Remember the lungs. that the assimilation of calcium is depend­ The ash left after the nutrients are ent on the presence of the ultraviolet rays of direct sunlight. burn~d in the body is either acid or alka­ line. That of cereals is normally acid, whereas that of most hays and vegetables Vitamins is· alkaline. Feed a surplus of hay and These factors in feed help to maintain vegetables at all times to prevent acidosis, good health. The reaction of several of a condition which tests have disclosed can the vitamins on rabbits is well known; cause the death of an entire litter within that of others is unknown or is not well 10 months. Even though grain and con­ understood. Some vitamins are unstable centrates may be cheaper than alfalfa as in ordinary feed mixtures. Certain ones a source of digestible nutrients, alfalfa are stored in the body, others are not. It balanced with a cereal should be used as is therefore very important to include a an important part of the ration. good variety of feeds known to contain the essential vitamins. Mineral Matter Vitamin A is supplied by plants or Mineral matter is one of the essentials plant products containing carotene. Caro­ in rabbit feed. The mineral content of tene is the yellow pigment in the green alfalfa hay is high, well above any normal part of all plants and in the yellow parts requirement, with the possible exception of such plants as carrots and yellow corn. of common salt. The common grains, such Carotene is transformed into vitamin A as barley, corn, o·ats, and wheat bran are in the liver; any surplus of vitamin A is low in calcium. If these grains are fed in also stored in the liver. large amounts, the ration will be low in The process of curing green alfalfa hay calcium. If the ration consists of equal destroys much of the carotene content­ parts of a legume hay and grain, however, that of baled alfalfa hay being estimated salt will be the only · deficiency and this at about 25 per cent of that of green al­ is fed separately by most operators. It falfa. The proper curing of hay preserves may be fed in the proportion of V6 to Y2 a maximum amount of the green color. of 1 per cent of the total concentrates fed This will insure a high carotene content, to both young and older rabbits. which gives an adequate supply of vita­ Mineral supplements for rabbits have min A to the animal. been credited with causing unusual All requirements for vitamin A may be growth. These claims are often un­ satisfied by including high-grade leafy founded. Rabbits fed mineral supple­ alfalfa hay and greens in the bulk part ments have not always put on more weight of the ration. Yellow carrots are an ex- [ 31 ] cellent source of vitamin A. Milk also con­ them susceptible to infection. A severe tains some. A deficiency in vitamin A and prolonged deficiency leads to night tends to dry the surface tissues of the blindness and, ultimately, to permanent respiratory and digestive tracts and leaves blindness or even to death.

Table 5. VITAMIN CONTENT OF RABBIT FEEDS

Vitamins Feeds G A B1 c D E complex K

Cereals Barley ...... 0 to + ++ 0 0 ++ + - Com, yellow ...... ++ +++ 0 0 ++ + - Milo, etc .. . .. : ... . 0 ++ 0 0 ++ - - Oats ...... 0 ++ 0 0 ++ + - Wheat ...... 0 ++ 0 0 ++ + -

Cereal by-products Peanut meal ...... 0 ++ 0 0 ++ - - Rice polishings .. . .. 0 ++ 0 0 ++ - - Soybean meal ... . . 0 ++ 0 0 - + - . Wheat bran ...... 0 ++ 0 0 ++ + - Wheatgerm ...... ++ ++++ 0 0 ++++ + - Wheat middlings ... 0 +++ 0 0 +++ + -

I Animal products . Cod-liver oil ...... ++++ 0 0 ++++ 0 0 - Sardine oil...... ++++ 0 0 ++++ 0 0 - Shark-liver oil ... . . +++. 0 0 ++++ 0 0 - Skim milk, dried ... 0 + 0 to + 0 + +++ - Whole milk ...... ++ + + 0 to + + ++ -

Greens and hay Alfalfa, green ...... +++ + +++ 0 +++ ++ +++ Alfalfa hay, green and leafy ...... +++ + 0 ++ +++ ++ +++ Beet leaves ...... ++ + - - - + +++ Cabbage leaves, green ...... ++ + +++ 0 - + +++ Carrots, yellow and leaves ...... +++ + ++ 0 - + +++ Chard leaves ...... +++ + - - - + +++ Clover, green ...... +++ + +++ 0 +++ ++ +++ Grasses, green .... . +++ + +++ 0 +++ ++ +++

Miscellaneous Yeast ...... 0 ++++ 0 0 0 +++ - Molasses, cane .... 0 ++ 0 0 ++ - - + Contains vitamin - Amount unknown + + Good source of vitamin 0 None or no appreciable amount +++Excellent source of vitamin + + + + Very rich in vitamin . [ 32] Vitamin 8 1 may be purchased in pu.re G complex would indicate that the whole crystalline form as thiamine hydrochlo­ ration needed revision. ride and fed according to directions. Vitamin K is usually referred to as However, a rabbit ration containing a the antihemorrhagic vitamin necessary variety of whole grains or the germ and for normal blood clotting. It is abundant bran part of such grains should supply in alfalfa hay and green feed and is also an adequate amount of this vitamin. A found in bran and soybean meal.

deficiency ·of vitamin B1 leads to nervous Tests have been conducted on various disorders. There is little excuse for a rab- feeds to discover their vitamin content

. bit ration to be deficient in vitamin B1 • (Daniel et al., 1937; Booker et al., Vitamin C {ascorbic acid} prevents 1939). These tests are by no means com­ scurvy. It is of minor importance in a plete, but some of the facts discovered rabbit ration since rabbits are not subject about the vitamin content of popular rab­ to scurvy. bit feeds appear. in table 5. Vitamin D {antirachitic factor) is Bulk prevents indigestion and impac­ produced in plants and animals through tion. Rabbits are able to use feed with the action of the ultraviolet rays of the a large amount of crude fiber; yet, if sun. When these light rays strike the skin there is too much indigestible fiber, the of an animal, they change certain sub­ feed will have insufficient total nutrients stances to vitamin D. This is why the to insure good growth and health. vitamin is often referred to as the "sun­ Alfalfa hay cut before bloom is rela­ shine vitamin." tively low in fiber; it ranges from only A vitamin-D deficiency in young ani­ 18 to 20 per cent. Coarser types of alfalfa mals leads to rickets-characterized by hay in the advanced blossom stage may lameness, swollen joints, and bone de­ run as high as 30 per cent fiber. Coarse formities-and to leg weakness. Regard­ hay is totally unsuited to rabbits. less of the amount of calcium and The fiber content of grain must be con­ phosphorus in the diet, animals cannot sidered in total weight per bushel. The make use of them unless vitamin D in fiber average for barley grain is about some form is provided. Dark hutches or 4.6 per cent. Barley grain is worth about continued cloudy weather may produce 5 per cent less for each per cent of fiber rickets unless l~beral amounts of vitamin above the average. A good variety of bar­ D are in the ration. ley should weigh 42 pounds or more to Vitamin E (antisterility vitamin) the bushel, but some barley meeting this is present in whole grains, milk, fresh weight may still he rather high in fiber. greens, and -alfalfa hay or alfalfa meal. Grains rolled or ground into meal may The popular rabbit rations usually in­ contain large amounts of concealed fiber. clude this vitamin. Carbohydrate content and real value includes both Vitamin-G complex of the grain are fairly closely related. In riboflavin (lactoflavin) and the antider­ practice, however, it is hardly possible matitis or filtrate factor. The vitamins to do more than to know that the grain making up this complex are soluble in is plump and as heavy as possible per water and are not destroyed by heat. Riboflavin is important to the utilization bushel. If pelleted feed is used, the re­ of food and to growth. It is present in sponsibility for regulating the crude fiber green feed, both fresh or dried, and in then rests with the feed miller. milk. The filtrate factor is essential for Oats run much higher in fiber than good growth and has been suggested for barley and are usually more expensive. the breeding diet. Molasses is a good . They are used very little in California, source. Any marked -deficiency in vitamin- so are not considered in this circular. [ 33 J Whole versus Ground Feed RoJled barley has been fed to rabbits Tests at the United States Rabbit Ex­ for years. The extra cost of rolling, how­ periment Station indicated that grinding, ever, makes it an expensive feed. Experi­ rolling, or pelleting cereal grains did not ments at the College of Agriculture at increase their feeding value. It would Davis disclosed that rabbits past the nurs­ therefore seem best to use the whole ing age made as good gains on whole grains whenever practical to reduce feed­ barley as on either the rolled or ground ing expenses. Poor quality is readily de­ form. tected in whole grain or unground alfalfa. Pellet Feeds The use of pellet feeds for rabbits has carrier for pelleted feed is shown in figure increased rapidly since 1930. By 1947 it 18.) was used by all cooperators in the South­ The composition of almost any com­ ern CaliforniaRabbitManagement Study. mon rabbit feed is given in reference books on feeds. The digestibility tables Although complaints about faulty nutri­ are usually based on tests with cattle and tion often seem due to insufficient protein sheep, but they can also be taken as a in pellet feeds, many rabbit raisers have partial guide in checking on the total used this type of feed exclusively, with digestible nutrients present for rabbits. If excellent results. If it contains the proper you know this total, compare similar nutrients it should serve very well. (A feeds for cost at current quotations. Feed for Variety and Palatability Rabbits definitely prefer certain kinds run, ground barley, ground corn, ground of feeds. This was demonstrated by feed- milo, linseed meal, cocoanut meal, oat ing trials with self-feeders at the United chop, and salt. States Rabbit Experiment Station (Tern- Rabbits should become accustomed pleton et al., 1942). In order of prefer- gradually to change in feed. A sudden ence, the grains may be listed as oats, change, even for improvement, may cause wheat, milo, barley, and corn. When pel- a temporary digestive disturbance. When lets consisted of plant proteins, the order they refuse to eat new kinds of feed, mix of preference was peanut meal, soybean a little of the new with some of the old meal, sesame meal, linseed meal, cotton- feed that is relished. seed meal, and hempseed meal. High- Certain wild plants can be fed to rab­ grade alfalfa hay was relished. And green bits if they are cut while green and sue­ feed, such as alfalfa, or succulent feed ," culent and are wilted overnight before such as yellow carrots, was readily ac- being used. OtlJ.er wild plants are undesir­ cepted by nearly all kinds of rabbits. able or harmful to rabbits and cannot be A ration containing alfalfa hay, barley, fed. and a few yellow carrots or greens would Plants which can be fed to rabbits: probably be better relished by rabbits Bermuda grass ( Cynodon) than a ration of alfalfa hay alone. There Bur clover (Medicago denticulata) would also be less likelihood of food de- Chicory ( Cichorium intybus) ficiencies. Clovers (Trifolium pratense, red do- Mill products in the form of mash or ver; T. repens, white clover; T. hybridum, pellet feed give considerable variety, but alsike clover in many instances the cost of the total Dandelion (Taraxacum o fficinale) ration is too great. These products con- Filaree, alfilaria, or stork's bill -(Ero- tain wheat, bran, shorts, middlings, mill dium) [ 34] Horehound (ltfarrubium vulgare) Lambsquarter and similar species (Chenopodium} Lupine ( Lupinus} Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) Miner's lettuce (M ontia perfoliata) Poppies (Eschscholtzia, Papaver, etc.} Ragweed (Ambrosia) Tarweed (Madia} Turkey mullein (Eremocarpus setige­ rus) . Several cultivated forage plants may be fed: green alfalfa, green barley, and beet or chard leaves. Feed less of kale and cabbage leaves. Kale and other mem­ bers of the mustard family give a very strong odor to the urine; they are also more likely to cause bloat than other greens. Alfalfa leaf meal and yellow carrots have proved fairly good occasional sub­ stitutes for greens in poultry feeding. Either of these feeds is suitable for rab­ bits, but alfalfa meal should be fed only Fig. 18. Feed carrier with capacity for three with other feeds in a dampened mash or sacks of pelleted feed. in pellet form. A rabbit cannot eat finely ground feed. Alfalfa leaf meal should Foxtail or wild barley before heading average over 20 per cent protein, which (Hordeum murinum) is well above the percentage in alfalfa J ohnsongrass, first cutting (H olcus meal. The fact that alfalfa leaf meal is halepensis) used as a valuable substitute for greens, Lettuce, wild or prickly (Lactuca scar­ however, has prompted some manufac­ iola) turers to produce meal with a very low Malva or mallow, cheeseweed (Malva protein content. Naturally this type of parviflora) meal will not give satisfactory results. A Morning-glory, wild (Convolvulus ar- good grade of alfalfa hay will usually be ) vensis) the most economical for bulk, and yellow Mustard, wild black (Brassica nigra} carrots or various grasses for the neces­ Oats, wild-when green (Avena fatua) sary succulence. Plantains, common (Plantago major} Amount to F.eed. If rabbits are sup­ and English, or ribwort (P. lanceolata} plied with a good grade of alfalfa hay, Thistle, Napa ( Centaurea melitensis}, grain, and protein supplement, one or two and yellow star (C. solstitialis} feedings daily will be sufficient. Have the Plants which cannot be fed to rabbits: evening meal the larger one as they eat Burdock (Arctium minus) more at night than in the daytime. Alfalfa Chickweed ( Stellaria media} hay may be fed in the morning and hay Clovers ( M elilotus alba, sweet clover; and grain at night. M. indica, sour clover} Hand-fed rabbits should be made to Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium) clean up their feed before receiving more. Goldenrod (Solidago californica) Refusal may mean that the q~ality of the [ 35] feed is poor or that the lengths of hay are fryers also weigh more at that season. too long. Many rabbit raisers now chop The feed required to produce a pound of the hay to prevent waste . .A. saw can be fryer was practically the same for winter used to cut alfalfa hay into 3-inch lengths. and summer-3.46 pounds in winter and The amount qf feed to allow will de­ 3.45 pounds in summer. pend on the age, condition, and size of Feeding the Nursing Doe. From the animal. The average for all rabbits breeding to kindling, the daily consump­ in the 1948 Southern California Rabbit tion of a mature doe of the New Zealand Management Study was 4.8 pounds of White breed is approximately 0.16 pound mixed feed per pound of rabbit produced. concentrates, 0.24 pound alfalfa hay, 0.10 Roaster rabbits have consumed . 5.5 pound green feed, or a daily total of 8 pounds of mixed feed per pound of rab­ ounces of hay and grain. Feed the doe bit produced. The daily ration for the liberally during pregnancy and be certain older does and bucks will include about to include a good supply of protein in 2¥2 ounces of concentrate~ and all the the ration. alfalfa hay they will eat. Allow about 1/10 Food for a nursing doe needs special pound green feed or root crop for a ma­ consideration. During the first week after ture rabbit of medium weight. kindling a 10-pound doe will do well on For does and litters over 2 months of a normal daily ration of approximately age, feed daily a limited amount of the 5 ounces of hay and 4 ounces of grain. concentrate mixture, along with alfalfa After the first week give her as much hay and 1/ 10 pound of green feed or root grain as she will clean up. Whole grains crop. Fun· feeding of the concentrated and germ meal are rich in B1 , which she portion of the ration to young weaned needs. Also give her greens for additional rabbits causes them to put on too much Bl. flesh for optimum results. It may be best Feeding the Doe and Litter. A doe not to feed greens to rabbits under 2 with young over 2 weeks old will consume months of age, which is the normal age two to three times the normal amount of for marketing fryers. Operators have had feed. As the young grow and begin to eat, a great deal of trouble when giving green the doe and litter will need as much as feed to rabbits under this age. 18 ounces of grain daily. They will also Young rabbits will eat more per pound need a great~r amount of hay. live weight than older rabbits; a liberal Over a 60-day period, with hand feed­ allowance should be made-up to 1 ounce ing, a New Zealand White doe and litter dry matter per pound live weight. The of 6 would average close to 19 ounces of animal that is not growing and is not hay and 13 ounces of concentrates daily. being used as a breeder can get along With a self-feeder the average would be very well on the minimum allowance of nearer 16 ounces of concentrates and a about % ounce dry matter per pound live little over 8 ounces of hay for the same weight. period. It is not essential to change the ration The amount consumed for each pound greatly between winter and summer. Ac­ gain live weight was taken for a 56-day cording to G. S. Templeton, director of period, with both hand feeding and a self­ the United States Rabbit Experiment Sta­ feeder. With hand feeding, where hay tion, a doe and her litter of .7 will con­ made up 60 per cent and concentrates 40 sume, from time of mating to weaning in per cent of the ration, a doe and litter summer, an average of 79.30 pounds of consumed 2.12 pounds of concentrates feed. The consumption in winter averages and 3.18 pounds of hay for each pound 88.81 pounds. While the doe and litter gain live weight {average nutritive ration consume more feed during winter, the 1 :3 ..7). With a self-feeder a doe and litter [ 36] consumed 2.50 pounds of concentrates and lk inch in length. If necessary to feed and 1.04 pounds of hay for each pound in meal form, half the grains should be gain in Jive weight. rolled to prevent the meal f~om settling In a self-feeder test without protein out, and the mixture should be dampened just before feeding.) supplement a doe and litter of the New Zealand White breed consumed 2.62 3. Salt-added as sifted salt to the ground part of the ration or as salt spools, allowing pounds of concentrates and 1.40 pounds 0.16 per cent of the concentrates by weight. of hay and greens for each pound live 4. Water-available at all times. weight. When the plant-protein supple­ ment was included, the doe and litter con­ Feeding for Prime Pelts and Furs. sumed 2.50 pounds concentrates and 1.04 The well-balanced ration which keeps the pounds hay and greens for each pound rabbit healthy and in growing condition live weight. also favors prime pelts and furs with good At first the young will eat as much pellet luster. There is little reason to change the plant-protein supplement as all grains type of ration during the 2 or 3 weeks combined, but the general average is % before pelting. Density and length of fur grain and 1f3 protein supplement. are largely a matter of breeding. The adequate ration (Templeton et al., Buying of Feed. Buy for the digesti­ 1942) for a doe and her litter will include ble nutrients present in feed,- and meas­ the following: ure the economy of a ration by total feed 1. Roughagei cost in the rabbitry for pounds of meat or other products sold rather than by feed a. Chopped alfalfa hay-whatever amount the rabbits will clean up. (May substitute cost per doe and litter. There is a wide clover or o her legume hay.) range in the prices of suitable feed. Some b. Green feed-about 1/10 pound daily operators fail to show good profit because per doe, and fed only in racks above the they buy in insufficient quantities or dur­ floor where it cannot be contaminated. Al­ ing high prices. For instance, alfalfa hay falfa, grass, carrots, or other wholesome in ton lots usually costs less than by the greens will serve. (May supply 60 per cent bale, and barley less by the ton or half of ration when hand-fed, or up to 30 per ton than by the sack. As a rule, the price cent when concentrates are fed in a self­ of barley is lower soon after harvest than feeder.) at any other period of the year. This is 2. Concentrates (allow about 40 per cent not true of alfalfa. if hand-fed or up to 70 per cent when fed Poor grades of hay, grain, or pellet in self-feeders) : feed are not economical at any price. On a. Cereal grains, 4 parts, by weight, to include 2 or more of the following: whole the other hand, the best grades of alfalfa barley, whole wheat, and whole milo. (Sug­ hay, sometimes called "rabbit alfalfa," gest feeding wheat when old crop milo is are expensive. A moderately good grade not palatable. At other times select which­ of hay with high protein and low fiber ever grain is relatively the most economical.) content is all that a rabbit raiser can rea­ _For herd bucks, dry does, developing does, sonably expect. and bucks, the concentrates may include Some operators attempt to grow part 2 parts whole grain and I part protein sup­ of the feed, but this is not advisable if plement. Allow about 2¥2 ounces of concen­ the land is high priced or the cost of pro­ trate mixture daily for animals of medium duction high. It may pay to grow enough weight. b. Protein supplement-2 parts by weight, green feed for the minimum daily require­ selected from the following: Soybean meal, ment of about 1/ 10 pound for each breed­ linseed meal, peanut meal, or sesame meal. ing doe. (Suggest either pellet or pea-sized oil-cake Other operators reduce costs greatly by form; pellets may be 3/ 16 inch in diameter mixing their own feeds. City operators [ 37] without storage space can hardly buy the course, it is recognized that some oper­ separate ingredients in large enough ators may be in a position to buy advan­ quantities to save cost. In some sections tageously outside of an organization. A of the state, a movement has been started rabbit raiser must be able to work easily to buy alfalfa hay and perhaps other sup­ with other people if he plans to buy co­ plies cooperatively. Such a plan is feasible operatively. if the organization is well managed, but The problems of feed costs are dis­ members tend to withdraw whenever cussed under "Business Aspects," on page pric; s are not entirely satisfactory. Of 56.

MISCELLANEOUS CARE OF RABBITS Carrying the Rabbit. One ofthe first struggles. If it struggles simply rest it on lessons in rabbit keeping is how to carry the ground or on a table until it is quiet. a rabbit. Never pick it up by the ears or Handling. Young rabbits should be the feet. Always take hold of the loose handled as little as possible. If they are skin over the shoulders with one hand placed in a wire basket during the hot and place the other hand under the rump part of the day, handle them gently. Older to support the weight from beneath (figs. tabbits being fitted for show should be 19, 20). Turn its feet away from you so handled often enough to make them gentle that it will be less likely to scratch if it on the judging table.

Fig. 19. Support body of rabbit with left hand. Tuck rabbit's head under left arm. Use right hand to grasp skin over the shoulders in case the animal struggles.

Fig. 20. Support rabbit's body with left hand. With right hand, gently grasp skin over the shoulders, together with the tips of the ears.

[ 38] Marking. Valuable rabbits are usu­ ally marked with a tattoo needle on the inside of the left ear {fig. 21). The right ear is for registration only. The tattoo needle may be the small pen-sized type. Large-scale rabbit raisers may prefer one of the electric tattoo sets suitable for mark­ ing a large number of rabbits at a time. Marks may consist of a number and letter or letters, such as DE-25, or the year, month, and day, as 49-5-10. These num­ bers or letters are then entered on the reg­ istry and pedigree blank. The method of tattooing saves time in looking up dates. For temporary marks during exhibi­ tion simply wipe off the waxy surface of the ear with a vinegar-moistened pad and mark with a moistened indelible pencil. Do not have the cloth or pad too wet. Protecting against Hot Weather. Protection against high temperatures is discussed under the construction of lath shelters {seep. 14). In addition to the shade of a lath shelter or trees, sprinkle water on the floor or ground around the hutch to cool the atmosphere, but do not let any of the water splash on the hutch floor. See that the hutch itself is well ven­ tilated. In a hot climate remove the upper Fig. 21. Identification letters and number should part of the hutch back, if it is boarded be tattooed inside left ear. solid, and cover the opening with wire, should be hung from the edge of the over­ as shown in the hutch plans described hanging roof at the front of the hutch on page 10. Provide plenty of fresh water unless the hutch is protected by a shed during high temperatures, but reduce the roof. grain to a minimum and cut down the Care in Developing Pens. When ration as a whole to prevent the rabbits moving developing pens to different feed­ from becoming too fat. ing spots, be careful that the rabbits' feet The metho·d of keeping baby rabbits in are not caught in the wire flooring when a wire basket during the hottest part of setting the frame down. The hocks of both the day has practically eliminated baby­ the young rabbits and the doe could be rabbit mortality from heat at the United injured {see "Sore Hocks," p. 48). States Rabbit Experiment Station at Fon­ Castrating. Growth between males tana {Templeton, 1938). and females does not differ materially Protecting against Cold Weather. until after market age;· consequently, cas­ Board in the back wall of a hutch in a tration has no advantage for ordinary cool climate as discussed on page 13. meat stock. If fur rabbits are to be kept Wire floors should also be protected. This for 6 months or longer, there may be a is possible by ari overhang of the roof in slight advantage in castration, provided front or by keeping the hutch beneath a the market wants large rabbits. The meat shed roof. In addition, canvas or burlap of castrated rabbits is called Lapan. [ 39] DISEASES AND REMEDIES Every operator should know enough and place the other hand on its hips. Turn about rabbit diseases and their treatment it on its back and place the right arm to recognize symptoms and either treat over the hindquarters to keep it from the animal or consult a competent veteri­ kicking. If a rabbit has never been han­ narian. Studies reported for 1948 show dled in this manner it may object, but an average annual mortality of 38.8 per patiently quiet it and turn it over. With cent for does, 22 per cent for young rab­ the rabbit's nose turned upward, gently bits, and 17 per cent for bucks. press the jaws apart with thumb and fore­ Heavy mortality is perhaps the most finger, and place the powdered medicine important factor in regulating production well back on the tongue. Capsules-for per doe. The very decided increase in the instance, castor oil-can be given by the pounds raised per doe noticed in recent same method. years indicates that diseases are now more Liquid castor oil-or any other liquid successfully controlled. medicine-can be given through a rubber Coccidiosis, snuffles, bloat disease, and tube, but only if the operator is experi­ failure to brted usually cause the greatest enced; a beginner should use a break­ loss. Diarrhea, pot-belly, slobbers, and proof medicine dropper. This method of similar ailments should usually be con­ giving liquids permits the rabbit to swal­ sidered symptoms rather than specific dis­ low the dose in small amounts. eases. Any great loss of baby rabbits will Apply liquid medicine to the nostrils probably be caused by wrong feeding, with a small oil can. Hold the rabbit in wrong breeding, poor housing, or un­ the same position as for internal medicine favorable climatic conditions, such as ex­ and gently squirt the required amount of cessive heat. liquid medicine well up into the opened If you are a beginner, ask someone nostrils. Then quickly stand the rabbit on who recognizes healthy animals to help its feet to catch its breath and keep the you select your breeding stock. Then by liquid from getting into its lungs. Liquid proper care and management you will be must never run into the rabbit's able to keep the rabbits practic~lly free lungs. A b_reakproof medicine dropper from disease. New ~tock introduced into can also be used to place medicine in the the rabbitry is one of the greatest sources nostrils or eyes. of disease. Buy only healthy, vigorous Quackery in Rabbit Medicines. animals and keep them apart until a clean The large profit in the sale of patent medi­ bill of health is established. This will pre­ cines has produced many worthless rabbit vent the spread of such troubles as coc­ treatments. The State Food and Drug cidiosis, worms, and ear canker. These Laboratory cannot legally prevent the sale diseases and parasites need not cause seri­ of a medicine-no matter how worthless ous loss if isolation and sanitation are practiced; but careless handling can make or harmful it is-if the package does not the rabbit business decidedly unprofit­ bear a claim that the material will cure. able. Treatments can therefore easily be sold Giving Medicine. Powder is the best for diseases that are now considered in­ form in which to give medicine internally. curable. Rabbit raisers should understand Stand the rabbit on a table or a bench, this danger in order to discourage the on a rabbit pelt or piece of burlap or sale of worthless patent medicines. Con­ carpet spread to keep the fur from being sult a competent veterinarian if there is soiled or injured. Gently grasp the animal any doubt about the disease or the treat­ by the back of the neck with one hand ment. [ 40] Infectious Diseases the size of a pin point or pin head on the Coccidiosis inner coat of the intestines. The blood and Recently at least two different micro­ flesh may be pale and watery. scopic animal parasites have been fairly Treatment. No treatment has been definitely proved responsible for the dif­ found effective in control. ferent forms of coccidiosis. One causes Preventive Measures. The egg cap­ the intestinal form of the disease; the sules of coccidiosis incubate in manure. other, the liver form. Three or four days are usually necessary So far as is now known, there is no for the egg to develop into infective form. danger of any animal, other than the rab­ If the manure is removed before the para­ bit, spreading rabbit coccidiosis. Eimeria site reaches an infective stage, and the parasites are apparently limited to her­ operator keeps feed or water from being bivorous animals, and the species attack­ contaminated, healthy young rabbits ing rabbits do not normally attack other stand a good chance of escaping infection. animals. Operators should keep in touch Older rabbits are even less susceptible with the latest recommendations of the under sanitary conditions. United States Rabbit Experiment Station Any feed coming in contact with infec­ at F ontan a, or of others, on the progress tive manure should be destroyed, and being made in study of this disease. any hutch or carrier exposed should not Intestinal coccidiosis is now associ­ be used again until it is thoroughly dis­ ated with the parasite Eimeria perforans infected. This is one of the important Leuc. This form may cause death of young reasons why all hutches should be self­ rabbits in 6 to 15 days, especially of rab­ cleaning and should be kept dry and san­ bits 6 weeks to 2 months old. It probably itary at all times. causes 95 per cent of the mortality in Liver coccidiosis. is caused by the rabbitries; in a large rabbitry, mortality parasite Eimeria stiedae Lind. The raised may run from a few to several hundre~ white areas found on the liver are respon­ animals within a short time. This form sible for the common name of the disease seems to cause death more quickly than "spotted liver.~' This form is often chronic the liver form. with a doe which, although not visibly Four intestinal species of coccidiosis sick, is capable of spreading the disease organisms are known, and other forms to her young. . as yet undescribed are being studied. In Symptoms. There may be no outward California there is a reasonably high tol­ indication of spotted liver in some young erance, although not equally high, to all rabbits attacked by the disease. Not until four. A rabbit raiser must understand the the animal is dressed for eating will the nature of this disease to distinguish it white spots be detected. Presence of these from mucoid enteritis or any similar con­ spots indicates a mild chronic case. Rab­ dition with which cocCidiosis is confused. bits carrying the disease in chronic form Symptoms. Intestinal coccidiosis may not make the best gains. In severe may show no outward symptom in its cases young rabbits may die. early stages. In its advanced stage the Treatment. No treatment has been rabbit has poor appetite, dull fur, lacks effective. energy, loses weight, may drool, and may Preventive Measures. The preven­ have abdominal dropsy. Diarrhea may tive measures used for intestinal coccidio­ be present. Many young rabbits die in sis are also used for the liver form. convulsions. Post-mortem examination Nasal coccidiosis is sometimes men­ may show small bloodshot areas about tioned in rabbit literature, but many au- [ 41] thorities now believe that the presence of pression appears to be covered with a coccidia in the nasal passage is not a cause grayish powder. The hair on the lesions of coccidiosis but the result of inhaling breaks off, grayed and split, and the le­ the fumes of infective manure in unclean sions, which give off a mousy odor, are hutches. left bare. Treatment. There is no treatment for Ey~ Trouble (Blindness of Young) favus. It is always best to kill the infected animals and burn them or bury them deep. Eye trouble is usually due to infection Preventive Measures. Methods of and is treated accordingly. The adults control depend on the extent of the infec­ may have runny eyes; the young, swollen tion. After killing the animals and dis­ eyelids with red pimples sometimes at the posing of them, use a torch and burn all edges. Young animals may become totally loose hair about the hutches in which they blind. Eye trouble usually occurs in filthy were housed. Thoroughly scrub and dis­ hutches where the air is contaminated by infect the entire hutch, all feed and water injurious gases from manure. containers, and toilets. Closely check the Treatment. Wash the eyes of affected remaining rabbits to detect any new out­ animals with boric acid-1 tablespoon of breaks of the disease. powdered boric acid to 1 pint of water. Boric acid dissolves best in hot water, Infectious Myxomatosis (Mosquito but the solution should be cooled before Disease) it is used. Iodoform ointment may be used for discharging sores that may develop. In parts of southern California in 1930 Eyedrops prescribed for infections with there were several cases of an infectious human beings, such as 25 per cent argy­ virus disease now commonly known as rol, are considered safe for rabbits. mosquito disease. This disease has ap­ Xerophthalmia is another form of peared in various parts of the state with eye trouble. It is caused by vitamin-Ad~­ high mortality. In the 1930 outbreak all ficiency {see "Vitamins," p. 31). rabbits attacked died. Attempts to immu­ nize were unsuccessful. Since then some rabbits have been known to recover with­ Favus (Ringworm) o:ut previous vaccination. Others have A vegetable parasite causes favus. Rab­ shown partial resistance. Reports (Fisk bits up to 3 months of age are especially and Kessel, 1931; Vail, 1943; Kessel et susceptible. Older rabbits, which are car­ al., 1931) indicate that recovery from riers of the disease, are quite resistant, either the California type of myxomatosis although some of them will have a few or the South American type will render small skin lesions. This disease is most immunity to subsequent inoculations with commonly brought into a rabbitry by new both strains of the virus. rabbits. It can also be transmitted from Symptoms. The first symptoms are caretaker to animals or from animals to a swelling in the regions of the nose, lips, caretaker. and genitals. The ears thicken and usually Symptoms. The parts most often in­ droop. The membrane of the eyelids is fected are the nose, the area around the also inflamed. The pus developing in nose ears, the ·legs, and the paws. There may and eyes discharges and spreads the dis­ be from 1 to 30 lesions; these vary in ease. If a rabbit lives longer than a week size from that of a pin head to a dime. or 10 days after showing the first symp­ They are very typical, occurring as de­ toms, nodules will develop around its pressed cups covered with a yellow crust eyes, nose, or on the ears. An autopsy which, in oHI lesions, becomes grayish: usually discloses an enlargement of the If the crust is removed, the cuplike de- lymph n.odes and the spleen. [ 42] Pasteurellosis If the eyes are affected, treat as pre­ The various forms of Pasteurellosis in­ scribed for mild forms of eye trouble in clude snuffles (nasal catarrh), abscesses the section on "Eye Troubles," page 42. or boils, acute septicemia (similar to Abscesses or boils sometimes de­ hemorrhagic septicemia of farm ani­ velop from Pasteurellosis. These may mals), and another form which attacks occur on any part of the body. Lanced the genital tract. Pasteurellosis was once abscesses will discharge thick yellow pus; known principally as "snuffles," but the encapsuled abscesses may be found within other forms are caused by the same or­ the body cavity in autopsy. If treatment ganism-Pasteurella multocida (P. cuni­ is attempted, lance and drain the abscess culicida). Two types of the Pasteurella as discussed under "Boils and Abscesses," organism are now listed-P. multocida on page 44. Protect the clothing and thor­ and P. hemolytica-but the strains of P. oughly disinfect the hands afterward. multocida only are pathogenic to rabbits. Acute septicemia occurs occasion­ Snufflles or Nasal Pasteurellosis ally. This form of Pasteurellosis closely produces symptoms similar to the symp­ resembles hemorrhagic septicemia of toms of a bad cold. Conditions favoring farm animals. It is usually fatal, causing a cold may also favor Pasteurellosis, but death in 24 to 48 hours. Autopsy shows where a cold is usually a temporary con­ the lungs to be congested, with inflamma­ dition, snuffles Pasteurellosis usually tion often extending into the trachea. A grows progressively worse. The ordinary greatly enlarged spleen and small hemor­ cold form of the disease may not be fatal, rhagic areas under the skin are also but the more advanced stages will leave symptoms. the animal of little or no value as a Genital Pasteurellosis is a form of breeder. The presence of "sneezers'' in a the disease which attacks the genital tract rabbitry is always noticed by prospective of adult breeding rabbits. The danger is buyers. Some animals affected with a mild in spread of the organisms in mating. nasal form apparently recover, yet remain This form may become acute or it may carriers of the disease. · linger in a chronic state (see also "Vent Symptoms. In the nasal form the rab­ Disease," p. 44). bit usually sneezes. At first the nostrils No treatment for either the septicemic are a little more moist than usual; then or the genital-organ form of Pasteurel­ a thin, watery discharge begins. Next, losis should be attempted. snuffling or coughing develops and the Preventive Measures. In all forms discharge from the nostrils _ becomes of Pasteurellosis segregate suspected car­ thicker. The rabbit may wipe its nose on riers. If only a few rabbits are affected, its forepaws, soiling and matting the fur. it is better to destroy them than to attempt The passageway from eyes to nostrils may treatment. If many are affected, segregate become clogged and cause water to run the suspected carriers, and quarantine the down the cheeks from the corners of the sick until they can be disposed of. Burn eyes. Drooling is also a symptom. or deeply bury the carcasses. Treatment. There is no known cure Scrub and disinfect the entire inside for any form of Pasteurellosis. A mixed of each hutch. Clean and disinfect all food infection bacterin ( Lepin) has been used and water containers and toilets. Destroy to treat the snuffles form, but it did not the contents of each nest, then clean and offer satisfactory protection, and its use disinfect the nest box. is not recommended by some veterinar­ The most important preventive meas­ ians. The person who attempts any kind ure in all forms of Pasteurellosis is for of treatment should protect his clothing . rabbit raisers to select breeders very care­ and disinfect his hands afterward. fully, then maintain the strictest possible [ 43] sanitation in the rabbitry. Never inter­ Vent Disease (Urine Burn, change feed or water containers in the Hutch Burn) hutches and never allow damp or chilly If the delicate membrane near the sex conditions to exist at any time. organ or the anal opening becomes chapped, any one of several skin bacteria Pseudotuberculosis may cause infection. Since one form · of Nodules or tubercles sometimes seen infection, at least, may be fatal (see "Gen­ in lungs, liver, the intestinal tube, and itai'Pasteurellosis," p. 43), it is necessary spleen, similar to those in tuberculosis, to distinguish between cases with and may indicate an infectious disease known without the spirochete associated with in­ as streptobacillary pseudotuberculosis. fectious vent disease. Symptoms. The delicate membrane This disease, which attacks rabbits only near the sex organ and sometimes the occasionally, is caused by a specific germ, anal opening are inflamed. Yellowish or Corynebacterium rodentium. Death usu­ brownish crusts may cover these parts, ally follows close upon the symptoms. with swelling, cracking, bleeding, or pos­ Symptoms. Weakness, emaciation, sibly the discharge of pus. The glandular lack of appetite, and labored breathing pockets on either side of the vent, which are the usual symptoms. normally contain a moderate amount of Treatment. No treatment is recom­ thick whitish secretion, may also be mended. Kill the animals and thoroughly affected. In mild cases, if housing condi­ clean and disinfect the quarters, feed and tions are at fault and are corrected, treat­ water containers, toilet pans, and any ment may not be necessary. nests being used at the time. Treatment. Rub lanolin well into the affected area 4 or 5 times a day. In more Rabbit fever (Tularemia) severe cases, tre~t the parts daily for 4 This disease is mentioned here only to or 5 days with a mixture of l part calomel assure rabbit raisers and consumers that and 3 parts lanolin. After that, if further the domestic rabbit is in practically no treatment is necessary, apply lanolin only danger of contracting it. Rabbit fever is for ·a few days. a serious bacterial disease of wild rabbits Preventive Measures. Keep the and certain other wild animals, but no hutch floor dry and clean. Give the cor­ ners special attention; if they are neg­ case among domestic rabbits appears in lected, · urine burn may develop when the most recent report on the disease. urine splashes back upon the rabbit. Solid Great care should be used in handling rails will also cause splash-back; they wild rabbits suspected of the disease. should not be used in the hutches. If part Snuffles is the name applied to one form of the floor is solid, be sure to keep it of Pasteurellosis (see p. 43) . clean. Change the bedding frequently.

Noninfectious Diseases Boils and Abscesses Lumps or abscesses sometimes appear 43), or possibly by the many-headed on different parts of the rabbit's body. bladder worm ( p. 46) . Some authorities Boils on wild rabbits are caused by the consider susceptibility to boils inherit­ larvae of an insect, but most of the boils able, but, so far as is known, no organism on domestic rabbits are caused by bruises, that would cause abscesses is carried over by some toxic condition or some infec- from one generation to another. Since tion, such as Pasteurella organisms (p. treatment involves considerable labor and [ 44] some expense only the more valuable ani­ amounts of' fresh green feed. After the mals will justify care. fourth day give water once a day in addi­ Symptoms. Boils may come to a head tion to green feed. Leave the water before or they may remain as a swelling beneath the rabbit for only a few minutes, then the skin for some time. If the boil is filled remove the container to keep the animal with pus, disinfect the surface with Mer­ from drinking too much. Limiting the thiolate or fresh tincture of iodine, lance water intake will help to prevent a recur­ the abscessed tissue, express the pus, and rence. After about 8 days, feed a small swab the cavity with fresh tincture of quantity of good-quality alfalfa hay, but iodine. Repeat this treatment as long as be careful not to overfeed. Add grain a pus forms. Healing must start from inside few days later, and gradually increase the the cavity of the wound for recovery. amount until the rabbit is again on full Preventive Measures. Sanitation, feed. · dry and comfortable quarters, and proper Preventive Measures. Apparently feed, which will aid in building up a there are no special preventive measures natural resistance to disease, are the most with this disorder. promising aids in permanently overcom­ ing such troubles. Rabbit Mange or Ear Canker (Scabies) Mucoid Enteritis (Bloat Disease) Ear canker develops during an infesta­ This disease is usually considered a tion of the rabbit-ear mange mite. Treated digestive disorder. It is apparently not in its early stages it is easily cured. If the caused by any organism. It may be con­ mites reach the inner ear, however, pus fused with intestinal coccidiosis because may form and ultimately kill the rabbit. of accompanying diarrhea, but the pres­ There are mange mites other than the one ence of mucus in the droppings helps causing ear canker, but usually these are to identify it. not serious in California. All are con­ Mucoid enteritis affects rabbits of all trolled by the same treatment. Ear canker ages, but most often those under 18 will disqualify a rabbit for show. months. Young rabbits of 5 to 8 weeks Symptoms. In the early stages, a may die within 24 to 72 hours. In older· crust forms inside the ear, and the mange animals the disorder lasts longer, but with mites are located beneath it. In a case of less mortality. The exact cause has not wry neck, first look for ear canker. Both yet been determined since the disease has wry neck and twisting or shaking of the not been produced at will by any known head to one side may indicate an ad­ experiment. vanced stage of ear canker. Symptoms. The affected animal first Treatment. Very gently remove the shows lack of appetite. Its eyes are luster­ exuded matter and brown crumbly crusts, less and its coat dull. Internal pain causes resulting from the irritation, with a it to grind its teeth. It often shows intense slender blunt-ended piece of wood-about thirst by sitting at the water container the size of an orange-wood stick-or a and drinking frequently. In time the ab­ cotton-tipped swab stick. Do not add to domen becomes distended or bloated. the irritation by scraping . the tender Either constipation or diarrhea may ac­ membrane. After cleaning the ears, apply company the disorder with mucus with a swab or soft brush an antiseptic voided with the droppings in a high per­ lotion, such as: 1) 1 part iodoform, 10 centage of cases. Autopsy may disclose parts ether, and 25 parts olive oil; or 2) lesions in the intestines. 0.4 ounce carbon tetrachloride to 1 pint Treatment. Remove feed and water vegetable oil or glycerine. Repeat the ap­ for about 48 hours, then offer small plication in 6 to 10 days. [ 45] Skin Troubles and Insect Pests bitry. Roundworms are expelled in the If rabbits are attacked by fleas or other feces and infect the feed on the hutch skin parasites, dust the skin with an insect floor. powder, such as rotenone or pyrethrum. The tapeworm (Taenia pisiformis) Rub the powder well over the skin. Do has the dog and, less commonly, the cat not use DDT dust! It is a poison which for primary hosts. The many-headed rabbits will swallow as they lick them­ bladder worm is a kind of tapeworm selves. Where skin troubles are parasitic, which enters the body with infected feed. treat the animal as recommended for The parasite usually locates in the muscles mange mite on page 45. and under the skin, but it sometimes cen­ Preventive Measures. As a part of ters in the heart, lungs; and elsewhere in the control of skin parasites, clean and disinfect the hutches thoroughly with lye the body. Cysts may form and range in water or with a torch to destroy any pos­ size from that of a pea to an apple. The sible breeding places of the parasites. dog is an intermediate host to the many-. Give fresh bedding and, if necessary, headed bladder worm also. Another fresh straw in the nests. form of bladder worm attacking the domestic rabbit may be one of the causes Slobbers of pot-belly, although pot-belly (p. 48) Some producers consider slobbers a is more often caused by coccidiosis, bloat form of indigestion caused by excessive disease, and indigestion. amounts of green feed or green feed to which young rabbits are not accustomed. Treatment. These worms are so un­ Since drooling may also be a symptom common in a sanitary rabbitry that a of either snuffles (see p. 43) or coccidio­ discussion of treatment is not warranted. sis (seep. 41), be certain that indigestion The advice of a veterinarian should be is the cause. · sought if they become a problem. Treatment. If indigestion is the· If large cysts form and treatment is cause, regulate the diet as outlined under attempted, lance the affected area as you feeding (p. 30) , with more bulk in the would abscesses (see p. 44), drain, and form of wheat bran to help prevent im­ disinfect with fresh tincture of iodine. paction and indigestion. Any change in the diet should be made gradually. Preventive Measures. Keep the hutches dry and clean. Keep dogs and Worms cats away from the premises of the rab­ Roundworms, tapeworms, and similar bitry, and do not permit them to sleep pests are not common in a dry, clean rab- on sacks of rabbit feed.

MISCELLANEOUS PROBLEMS Cannibalism Rats sometimes eat small rabbits. Trap Some does kill and eat their young. or poison the rats, but if poison is used, This tendency is found most often among be very careful that it does not come in young mothers, especially those bred too contact with the rabbits or the feed. young. This has been attributed to ex­ Preventive Measures. Rations too treme nervousness, thirst, or an unbal­ low in protein may be improved by add­ anced ration-especially one insufficient ing a good protein supplement and green in protein. This may also occur if a doe feed (see p. 37). Salt has been supplied is a poor breeder or is overly fat. Dispose with very good results to poultry to over- of does that continue to give trouble after • come cannibalism. precautions are taken. At kindling, when cannibalism might [ 46] follow, give plenty of fresh cool water. 2 teaspoons of castor oil to empty the Let the doe strictly alone and do not small intestine and quickly rid the body examine the young too soon after birth. of the poison. Withholding feed for a If they must be examined, place the short time after the dosage of castor oil mother in another hutch until examina­ may also help. tion is over. If the cause is simple indigestion use 3 to 6 grains of bismuth subnitrate twice Constipation a day; or 5 to 10 grains of ordinary bak­ This usually occurs when too much dry ing soda (bicarbonate of soda) in a tea­ feed is given, although it sometimes ac­ spoon of water twice a day. companies mucoid enteritis (see p. 45). Preventive Measures. Feed to avoid To help prevent constipation, give 2 constipation. See that the ration does not ounces of green feed daily to adult rab­ contain poisonous weeds, musty hay or bits and about l ounce daily to weaned grain, or excessive amounts of damp rabbits. In extreme cases give castor oil greens. Avoid any deficiency, such as as suggested for pot-belly (p. 48). vitamin-A deficiency, that would lower the vitality. Keep the hutches and hutch Diarrhea (Scours) equipment dry and clean. This is a rather common ailment among young rabbits, sometimes with heavy failure to Breed mortality. It may be the symptom of a This is discussed under the section se.rious digestive upset caused by infec­ "Breeding," on page 20. tion or by undigested feed in the intes­ tinal tract, which has been attacked by Infant Mortality and Abortion various bacteria. Other possible causes If a doe aborts, or if the young appear may be excessive quantities of damp almost lifeless at birth or die without any greens, feed containing poisonous weeds, noticeable cause soon after birth, weak musty hay or grain~ too early weaning, and unhealthy parents are usually the any condition that lowers the vitality, cause. The doe may have been bred too such as vitamin-A deficiency, unsanitary often or allowed to raise too many young. hutches; or it may be a serious disease, The buck rna y have been too young for such as coccidiosis or mucoid enteritis. breeding or allowed to serve too fre­ Coccidiosis, mucoid enteritis, and irregu­ quently to secure strong offspring. lar feeding of large amounts of greens Another possible cause of infant death to young rabbits are the most common may be insufficient milk. A young doe causes. Very young rabbits stricken sel­ sometimes has difficulty in nursing. She dom warrant treatment. may have tender or sore nipples or caked Treatment. Remove the affected rab­ udders. If so she will tend to scatter the bit to a separate hutch. Reduce the young whenever they begin to nurse. Ex­ amount of green feed and try to persuade amine the nipples to see if they are sore; the rabbit to take scalded milk. A mash if so, treat them with lanolin. If her con­ of bread in scalded milk is very good. dition is normal, hold her until she can Avoid excessive use of wheat or wheat become accustomed to nursing. This may bran, which contains a laxative protein. overcome the difficulty, but if she persists If coccidiosis is the cause, refer to the in refusing the young, or if she scatters section on coccidiosis on page 41. If bloat them about the hutch, it will be best to disease is involved, remove all feed and get rid of her. water for a time, as discussed under A doe suffering from sore hocks (see "Mucoid Enteritis" on page 45. If the p. 48) also will not properly nurse ~er cause is poisoning, immediately give l to young. [ 47] Molting (Shedding) l to 2 teaspoons of castor oil, according Although molting is not a disease, spe­ to their size and age (see p. 40) . In mild cial care is needed during the first molt, cases place a few drops of castor oil in the which comes at about 6 to 8 weeks of age. feed. Do not give wet or musty feed Give the rabbits plenty of well-balanced or damp or wet greens. feed, with a small amount of protein See that the rabbits have plenty of ex­ added to help form a good coat. Many ercise. This calls for a hutch large enough breeders add whole flaxseed to the ration so that they may move about easily. at time of molt. A molting rabbit is not in proper physical condition to be bred. Sore Hocks If a rabbit's hocks become bruised or Paralysis and Leg Weakness chafed, they may become infected. The pain which follows is intense. Rabbits, Paralysis usually attacks the hindquar­ especially those of nervous temperament, ters and causes the rabbit to move with often tread or stamp with the hind feet great difficulty. Several conditions may even while sitting. If moisture, urine, and cause both paralysis and leg weakness: filth are allowed to collect in a hutch, the injury when rushing about the hutch if footpads will soon become infected. Rab­ frightened by dogs, cats, or other preda­ bits with dense and long fur on the foot­ tory animals; too frequent breeding, or pads are most subject to sore hocks. A nursing too large a litter; and infection doe so affected will not properly nurse at time of kindling, when the nerve cen­ her young. The life of breeding animals ters controlling the muscles of the hind­ will be shortened. quarters are h~pelessly affected. Symptoms. The rabbit will rest in a Leg weakness or rickets in young rab­ position to relieve the injured parts of bits is caused by deficient calcium assim­ the hind feet. Inflamed or ulcerated areas ilation. Where a ration is so deficient in may nppear on the underside of the hind vitamin B that paralysis results, the trou­ 1 feet and bruised places-possibly on the ble can be· quickly overcome by feeding pads and toes of the forefeet. In time the adequate amounts of whole grain, espe­ rabbit will lose flesh through suffering. cially the germ part of the grain, and by In advanced stages the hair over the in­ feeding only high-grade alfalfa hay which jured parts may fall out, and a scaly crust contains a small amount of this vitamin. may develop. Sometimes this is accom­ In an emergency add high-grade yeast to panied by bleeding. Pus may then form supp]y vitamin B • 1 in the swollen area, sometimes draining without lancing. Pot-belly Treatment. Treat the affected parts This trouble is found-primarily among with zinc or iodine ointment every other the young. It may be caused by too much day until healing is well advanced. Keep damp or wet green feed or by ·musty hay the hutch floor scrupulously clean. Bed and grain. Too much crude fiber in the solid floors with clean straw,, and place ration may also be a cause. If the young a lath platform over a wire floor. to ease are weaned too soon, they may be unable the sore parts. to digest the bulkier feed and excessive Preventive Measures. Select rab­ amounts of greens. In all of these cases bits of quiet disposition to replace high­ the abdomen becomes swollen and pend­ strung animals. Prevent any disturbances ent. If intestinal coccidiosis is suspected, by natural enemies of the rabbit, such as see page 41. the dog, cat, snake, and opossum. Avoid Treatment. Reduce the amount of feeding young rabbits beyond the wean­ feed if necessary. Give affected rabbits ing age too heavily on concentrate feed [ 48] which would cause excessive weight and Wounds greater susceptibility to hock injury. Clean wounds with warm water and Keep the hutch, hutch equipment, bed­ pure soap, then treat with a disinfectant. ding. and nests dry and clean at all times. In severe cases, where the skin has been torn, clean the wound and treat with 2 per Sudden Deaths cent Merthiolate or 2 per cent fresh tinc­ Beginning operators especially may ture of iodine. With a sterilized needle have some trouble determining the cause and sterilized fine silk thread, take as of sudden deaths. When several animals many stitches as are necessary to bring die suddenly at the same time the cause the edges of the wound together. Tie each may be excessive heat or feed that is too stitch separately, and leave threads long coarse or possibly poisonous. Carefully enough to find easily and remove about check all conditions in the rabbitry to a week later. Keep the wound disinfected determine the cause and to correct it. until healing starts.

MARKETING ORGANIZATIONS Many operators are successfully raising buyer are dependent upon each other for rabbits, but not all are marketing to ad­ adequate production and successful sales, vantage. Probably the most important and both are dependent upon the selling reasons for this are the producer's lack organization. of time and his lack of cooperation with Any selling organization, in turn, must other producers. True, some producers be assured of a dependable supply before · have actively tried to improve marketing making ·a selling contract with a buyer. conditions through their local producers' An estimate on supply, however, has been association, but better facilities are still difficult to get because cooperation among needed in most areas. producers has been lacking. The organiza­ A large producer devotes his entire tion best qualified to estimate supply is time to production and must, of necessity, a group of rabbit breeders, but until pro­ turn his marketing over to a hired agent, ducers are willing to work together, lack or buyer. This means that he does not of cooperation in furnishing an estimate have direct contact with the markets. As on supply will cause prices to fluctuate production exceeds local demand, he must and markets to be uncertain. High winter go outside his district to equalize supply prices will still tend to reduce consump­ and demand, but he is too busy as an tion, and l~wer summer prices, to reduce operator to establish these markets him­ p~oduction. self. Rabbits have usually been marketed Producers' Associations. Producers on a locality rather than on a commodity should work together to improve the mar­ basis. The operator has therefore often keting conditions in all branches-for suffered low prices simply because he did instance, in both meat and fur, where not have the time to · extend his market present market demands are large enough beyond his locality, and because there was to take care of a fairly heavy production. no organization, or he had not associated True, the sale of meat may depend on himself with an organization, which could appetites and the sale of fur on styles, perform this service for him. The pro­ but markets can still be developed which ducer must have a dependable market or will warrant a considerable increase in he will fail. both lines of production. The Rabbit Meat The buyer of rabbit products is also Producers' Associ~tion in the San Gabriel vitally concerned with the development Valley in Los Angeles 'County has oper­ of a dependable market. Producer and ated with considerable success. [ 49] In an association program avoid dupli­ A number of California cooperatives cated effort, both in setting standards and are selling branded products with excel­ in selling. Duplicated effort in any type lent results. A well-graded product of of organization is usually unsatisfactory. high quality put out un~er a reputable An example in the rabbit industry was association brand will in time reflect to the California Rabbit Butchers' Associa­ the credit of all members. For example, tion where, in one southern city, 15 whole­ a dry pack of well-graded, high-quality sale butchers handled more than 500 rab­ rabbit meat, possibly sold in attractive bits weekly and 50 more wholesale butch­ cut-out cartons under the cooperative's ers handled from 50 to 500 weekly. One brand should appeal to buyers wanting national, one state, and one local rabbit a fine product. The big problem of surplus producers' association are all that can may be partly met through this outlet. function satisfactorily. Cooperatives. Many of the success­ Some rabbit producers must be inter­ ful branches of agriculture are now based ested in organizing cooperative marketing on individual production and collective associations. Considerable information marketing and financing. According to on the subject has been collected by the recent studies of cooperating marketing, College of Agriculture of the University control of supply and ability to dictate of California for use as a guide in such p,rices are not essential to the operation an undertaking. of such an organization. A cooperative Producers outside the cooperative will should comprise only those producers probably benefit very little from the or­ who believe in cooperative marketing. ganization's services and brand, but, in . There is no reason why the production time, some may see the need of cooperat­ and marketing of rabbits should not be ing. Other producers can work through cooperative. There is a trend in that direc­ selling firms, realizing, of course, that tion in Los Angeles County where 3 mar­ they will usually be forced to take what­ keting cooperatives are active. Any trivial ever prices are offered. Still others may differences occurring among producers should be worked out. In the building up contribute to the pooling of the output in of regular supply and demand through a district and selling through reputable such an organization, the serious fluctu­ buyers, a plan which has been fairly suc­ ations and losses to producers would be cessful, especially in that it avoids the eliminated. Consumers would also benefit high investment involved in packing pri­ by cooperative marketing. vately.

PREPARING MEAT, PELTS AND FURS, AND WOOL FOR MARKET The preparation of rabbit products for called hog-dressing, is used on imported market requires a great deal of skill. A rabbits which are already drawn upon producer needs to learn the special tech­ arrival. The abdomen is open, but the niques and to know what methods should pelt remains to prevent the meat from not be used. For instance, in the prepara­ turning dark in storage. This method of­ tion of rabbit meat one method should be fends customers who have a sentimental discouraged by producers. This method, regard for rabbits.

Meat Killing. Hold the animal on a bench or a .small iron bar. Immediately after or a table and stun it with a quick blow stunning, cut the jugular vein in the throat behind the ears. Use a small heavy stick with a sharp knife to bleed the animal; [50] then fasten the carcass to a line nail or a hook to complete the bleeding. A special gambrel is sold for hanging rabbits dur­ ing dressing, but a homemade one will serve just as well. Hooks fastened to a strip of wood will also serve (fig. 22). Dressing. An experienced rabbit butcher can easily dress from 60 to 100 or more rabbits per hour if a helper · brings the animals in and handles the removed pelt. After removing the pelt (see page 52) slit the carcass doWn the abdomen, starting near the tail. Cut around the anal opening and through the juncture of the pelvic bones; then, with a gentle backward bend of the legs, pry apart the hindquarter to expose the lower intestine. Follow on down the abdomen with the knife and remove the entrails, but leave the liver and the kidneys em­ bedded in the fat ~long the back. Remove the stomach and lungs, and sever the feet with pruning shears. Wash the carcass if necessary, then dry and cool it until the body heat is gone (fig. 23) . Never chill the dressed rabbit until the body heat is entirely gone. Some dressing establishmenls throw the carcass into cold water and, after it has cooled, pack it in ice. If a carcass is soaked in cold water, it should remain only long enough to be cooled. For local trade the ribs may be broken to flatten the chest and make the animal look less lifelike. A few sprigs of parsley and a neat wrapping of oil paper or cello­ phane will make a dressed rabbit look very appetizing. Special cartons are some­ times used to display rabbit meat cut up for cooking. In the cut-out areas in the top the best cuts are placed to attract the retailer customer.

Fig. 22. Upper: Carcasses may be hung on hooks to complete bleeding.

Fig. 23. Below: Properly dressed, clean rabbits bring top market prices.

[51] Pelts and Furs Pelts can be saved almost as easily as dull hair has little value. This condition they can be discarded. The pelts should may be caused by too much barley, milo, be saved from all rabbits dressed at home. or corn in the feed, or it may come from Even those on the rabbits sold alive to faulty breeding. In summer, pelts tend dressing plants can be saved and returned to be thin haired. In the cooler months, to the producer if the buyer is induced high quality is more easily secured. Dense to cooperate for a certail) allowance. fur at that time will have up to 50,000 hairs per square inch. In the winter Grading months fur prices are usually best. The larger fur dealers usually have Molt can quickly lower the value of the about 6 grades, based primarily on color, finest pelt. It is usually indicated by a condition, and size. Certain colors, such break in the ticking (guard hairs) ; if the as white, Chinchilla, Havana, and Lilac · pelt does not show ticking, gently pull _are very popular. The fur producer should the fur near the rump to see if there are become acquainted with the best color loose hairs. Blowing into the hair may for the breed concerned. Condition in­ disclose new hairs at the base near the volves fur quality, molt, and pelt treat­ skin, which would indicate molt. A dark ment. The characteristics of the 6 fur discoloration of the skin before or after grades sometimes used commercially are dressing is also an indication of molt. shown in table 6. Standards for grading The first molt starts when the rabbit is rabbit fur are now being sought. 6 to 8 weeks old. Young meat rabbits be­ The highest prices are paid for large tween 2 and 3 months may have fair pelt pelts with soft dense fur l to llf2 inches quality during the winter. The pelt should long. The color of the fur should be uni­ then be in good condition again when form and the pelt free from hutch and the rabbit is about 51f2 to 6 months old. blood stains, sun injury, and molt. The The best pelts are usually taken from pelt must be taken at the right time and rabbits approaching 6 months .of age be­ properly handled to meet all of these re­ tween October and April. quirements. Poorly dried, wormy, torn, or soiled pelts are practically valueless. Pelt Treatment The simple fact that the pelt is from a Skinning. If the pelts are to be saved Chinchilla, a Havana, a Lilac, or one of for the market, slit the animal down the the popular white breeds is no indication inside of the legs and around the neck that i~ will bring any more than butcher­ with a small knife. Then peel the pelt run prices if these requirements are not down over the legs and hindquarters, met. starting at the hock joint and stripping Fur Quality. The quality of the hair from the body, leaving the flesh side out. is very important. A pelt with coarse, stiff, Use a knife, where needed, to separate

Table 6. FUR GRADES .

I~em No.1 No.2 No.3 No.4 No.5 No.6

Color ...... Perfect Perfect Fair Perfect Perfect Hatters' Size ...... Large Large Large Large Small Hair ...... Dense and Dense and Dense and Unprime Dense and soft coarse soft soft

[52] the skin from the flesh and fat, especially along the abdomen. Cased skins (fig. 24) are very easily removed and treated, and are preferred on the market. Skins slit down the front are salable but are not so desirable. They are much harder to stretch for drying. Stretching. Special wire stretchers are sold for stretching cased skins during the drying process. Wire stretchers can easily be made with 8- to 10-gauge gal­ vanized wire, preferably without a loop at the top (fig. 24). A board can be used instead of wire, but drying is slower. All four legs . should be placed on one side of the stretcher and the back of the pelt on the other side. Clothespins inay be used to hold the pelt in place on the stretcher. Tanning. The general rabbit producer is neither equipped nor trained to tan rabbit pelts properly. Pelts to be sold Fig. 24. Fur stretchers made of #8-gauge therefore should not be tanned before galvanized wire keep pelts stretched tight until shipment. Only those pelts intended for dry. home use should be tanned. For tanning, slit the cased skin down may require a little more working than the the belly and soak it in several changes salt-acid process to make the skin soft and of clean cold water for 2 or 3 hours. pliable, but it. is considered a somewhat Longer soaking may loosen the hair. As more satisfactory process. soon as the skin is softened, spread it The salt-acid process calls for a solu­ over a rounded stretching board or pole tion of 1 pound of common salt and 1h and remove all adhering tissue, flesh, and ounce of concentrated sulfuric acid to fat with a file or a dull knife. This treat­ each gallon of warm water. First dissolve ment also aids in working out the grease the salt, then gradually pour the acid and oil. into the salt water, stirring constantly. When the skin is softened and clean, Never pour the salt solution into the work it further, this time in lukewarm acidl Use a container made of glass, clay, water containing 1 ounce of baking soda or wood, but not metal, which could be or· borax to each gallon of water and 14 eaten by the acid. Do not inhale the ounce of powdered soap. Rinse the skin fumes nor spill any of the liquid on thoroughly in lukewarm water and gently skin or clothing while it is warm. press out the ·water. Next, work it in high­ When the solution has cooled, it is ready grade gasoline to remove the last particles to use. of dirt and grease. Be careful about fire Leave the skin in the solution until it is while using the gasoline. When the gaso­ entirely covered. This will take 1 to 3 line has evaporated, the skin is ready for days. Stir the solution frequently to insure tanning. even treatment of the pelt. Finally, remove Two methods of tanning are used for the pelt and rinse it in clean cool water. rabbit skins-the salt-acid process and the Work it then for about 10 minutes in a salt-alum process. The salt-alum process solution containing 1 ounce of borax dis- [53] solved in a gallon of water. Rinse the pelt second ~'8-inch coat, as before, again cov­ again in clean water and press it as dry as ering to prevent drying out. possible without a wringing movement. Repeat this process 2 or 3 times, de­ Rub and pull it for a few minutes by hand, pending on the thickness of the skin. The then tack it flat, flesh side up. Apply to it a thick skin of a buck may require 3 treat­ thin coating of fresh butter, neat's-foot ments, but 2 treatments · should be suffi­ oil, or olive oil. Cover the paste lightly cient for the thin skin of a young rabbit. with paper or burlap to prevent rapid dry­ Leave the last paste coating on for 3 or 4 ing. Let this stay on the skin until it is dry. days, then remove it by scraping. Now While the skin is still slightly damp, work the skin in borax water (l ounce of begin to work it by hand, stretching and borax to l gallon of water), rinse, and pulling it back and forth over the stretch­ gently squeeze out the water. Work the ing board or pole. If the skin is rough, skin by stretching and pulling as de­ work it over a sandpaper block until it is scribed for the other process, and finally soft and pliable. Good tanning is depend­ work it in dry hardwood sawdust for ent on a thorough working of the skin luster. while it is drying. If the skin is too hard and rough after drying, dampen it and Use of furs work it again. Any residue of grease can It is not possible in this circular to de­ be removed with gasoline. Finally, work scribe the manufacture of fur garments the skin in dry hardwood sawdust to give from tam1ed rabbit pelts. The producer the fur a luster. will nevertheless need to know something The salt-alum process calls for l about the use of furs. pound of ammonium aluminum sulfate or Rabbit furs have been sold under vari­ potassium aluminum sulfate dissolved in ous trade names: lapin, galapin, sealine, l gallon of cold water. Place 4 ounces of beaverette, and moline. Lapin is very pop­ crystallized sodium carbonate (washing ular. The fur is dyed tan, beige, gray, soda) and 8 ounces of common salt in :1f2 beaver, brown, dark brown, and costume gallon of cold water. Slowly pour the colors, or it is stenciled in imitation of soda-salt solution into the alum solution leopard. Galapin is a term applied to black while stii:ring vigorously. Next mix the lapin. Sealine is imitation· seal; beaver­ combined solutions with enough flour to ette, imitation beaver; and moline, imita­ make a thin paste. Wet the flour with a tion mole. little wateJ.: to prevent lumping. Skill in fur-garment manufacture is due The rabbit skin should be clean and to years of experience by the established soft before this paste is applied. Tack the furrier and to the mechanism of the fur­ skin smoothly, flesh side up, on a board. sewing machine which sews patches in­ Apply to it a Ys-inch coat of the tan~i'ng visible from the outside. A person who paste and, as in the salt-acid process, does not have special machinery should lightly cover the paste with paper or bur­ not attempt the manufacture of fur gar­ lap to prevent rapid drying. The next day ments. The result will alway"s show lack of scrape off most of the paste and apply a skill.

Wool Angora rabbit wool is usually clipped months old. This amounts to approxi­ once every 3 months. It grows about an mately l ounce. If the wool is badly inch a month. Mills normally prefer wool matted it should be clipped and destroyed. 2lh to 3 inches long, not longer. The first Angora wool is used in the manufacture clip is made when the young are about 3 of yarn for sportswear, such as sweaters [54] and scarfs, is woven into fabrics and sold "rabbit's hair fabrics," but in all instances as bunny cloth, or is spun with wool and Angora rabbit wool is utilized, not sold a.s Angora knit. Dealers call these ordinary rabbit hair. Some fabrics are various products "rabbit's hair cloth" or manufactured in Europe and exported.

MARKETING MEAT, PELTS AND FURS, AND WOOL Meat Live Rabbits. Most of the live rabbits Dressed Rabbits. Many rabbit raisers marketed in this state are collected by do their own killing, but sell on a basis of trucks sent out weekly or twice a month live weight. Home dressing of rabbits will from large killing establishments. The usually bring the producer somewhat high express rate on live meat rabbits, greater profit than marketing alive. The which is almost double that on live poul­ producer who does his own killing and try, makes shipping by express rather ex­ dressing is in a position to guarantee his pensive. Organized rabbit raisers have product. However, it should be remem­ tried to have the commodity rate applied bered that only a very small and unstable to live meat rabbits, as it is to live poultry, industry can be built upon direct and in­ but the decision was against lowering the dependent marketing. present rate. The lowest rate may be se­ Commercial rabbit butchers must sat­ cured by keeping the valuation down on isfy all sanitation and health regulations the shipment. of the state and cou~ty.

Pelts and Furs Marketing pelts and furs does not mean Local buyers are inclined to have fewer so much the selling of a few for special grades of pelts than large eastern buyers, orders at a fancy price. It is the collection and naturally the local price must be and sale of pelts in lots of a thousand at a enough less to cover the cost of grading time. New York buyers of Pacific Coast and shipping to the eastern markets. furs are the most reliable. Buyers in St. A few furs are being used in California, Louis, Chicago, and the Pacific Northwest especially by some of the larger firms that are also active. Fur-buying companies can afford to employ a furrier. California have been formed in both central and rabbit producers need a fur-cutting com­ southern California. Agents of these local pany to buy hatters' pelts for the manu­ companies, as well as of eastern compa­ facture of hatters' fur. This would save nies, take practically all of the marketable needless expense in shipping hatters' pelts pelts. The commission for selling furs is long distances. The outlook in California usually 10 per cent of the gross sales. The is for an Increasing interest in rabbit furs cost of shipping is extra. by local manufacturers.

Wool Some American dealers handling rab­ its members that since the market for bit pelts also take Angora rabbit wool. Angora rabbit wool is seasonal, the wool Moreover, the Federation of American must be stored during off seasons. As soon· Angora Breeders and the American An­ as a member sends his wool to cooperative gora Rabbit Breeders' Cooperative mar­ headquarters, the wool is graded, and he ket this wool for their members. receives a cash advance. Wool that is Early in 1940 the American Angora placed in a bonded warehouse where Rabbit Breeders' Cooperative informed it is insured against all possible losses is [55] security for advances, but final payments produce various kinds of yarn and cloth. await the sale of the wool delivered. The Angora wool can also be made into same cooperative has a mill where rab­ yarn at a mill and sold direct to depart­ bit wool is used with sheep wool to ment stores.

BUSINESS ASPECTS OF THE INDUSTRY Costs To secure a fair return on his invest­ ings from management, labor, and in­ ment, an operator must know what is vested capital-$9.83 for 13.2 hours of considered a reasonable cost for each item labor per doe in 1947 represents an aver­ of operation. He must also know the rela­ age of about 74 cents an hour. Whether or tion between the different items involved. not a producer would consider an hourly Then, to be able to use this information, wage of 74 cents a reasonable rate of pay he must keep accurate records. is a personal matter. In 1948 the farm in­ Average Investment per Doe. The come of $10.39 for 10.1 hours of labor Enterprise-Management studies found represented about $1.02 per hour. that rabbit~ require a greater investment Feed. In the Southern California Man­ per dollar gross income than poultry. agement Study the annual feed col?t per Compared with poultry, they require a rabbit sold in 1947 was 75 cents, and the smaller percentage of the total investment cost of feed per doe and her yearly in­ in land, about the same in buildings, less crease of young (23.5) for this period was in equipment, and more in stock. Feed $17.34. In 1948 the feed cost per doe was and land costs are usually greater near $17.80. These figures include the cost of the large cities, although they are offset, feed until the young were about 2 months in part, by a better market if direct mar­ old. Since each doe averaged 100.2 keting is feasible. pounds of rabbit produced in 1947 and Land, buildings, equipment, supplies 92.2 pounds in 1948, the average feed on hand, and rabbit stock were valued at cost per pound _of rabbit raised can be $32.00 per doe in the Southern California figured at about 17 cents for 1947 and 19 Rabbit Management Study for 1947. cents 'for 1948. Housing and Housing Equipment. Feed prices vary from year to year, but These costs vary too greatly to furnish the Southern California Rabbit Manage­ accurate figures. Materials and labor for ment studies gave the following averages: some of the modern 4- to 6-compartment Feed cost for 1947 per hundredweight hutches cost from $16.00 to $20.00. The (this included an average of 83 per cent housing and equipment charge in southern pellets) was $3.66; pellet feed cost per California for 1947 was 49 cents per doe. hundredweight was $3.83. Feed cost for Labor. Increased efficiency in the use 1948 per hundredweight was $4.07; grain of labor has not been sufficient to over­ per hundredweight was $3.34; pellet per come the increased hourly labor cost­ hundredweight was $4.10; and hay per from 28 cents in the 1930-1939 period to hundredweight was $3.32. 77 cents in 1946, 76 cents in 1947, and Some rabbit raisers feeding only pellets 84 cents in 1948. The total annual labor had a moderate total feed cost per doe, but cost per doe increased from $4.49 in the the majority of producers, even in the 1930-1939 period to $9.11 in 1946, most profitable group, used some supple­ $10.13 in 1947, and dropped to $8.50 in mental feed. 1948. A reasonable figure under recent Miscellaneous Expenses. In addi­ price conditions is about $10.00 per doe. tion to the cost of feed, labor, and rabbits In terms of farm income-total earn- bought, there has been a slight expense [56] for such items as taxes and water. The Pelts and Furs. The incom~ for pelts miscellaneous expenses per doe averaged and furs per doe in the 1948 Southern 78 cents in 1947 and 56 cents in 1948 for California Rabbit Management Study was the Southern California Enterprise-Man­ so low that no cost per pound can be agement studies. given for pelts and furs. Practically no rabbit pelts were sold; instead, the rab­ Per Pound Income Sources bits were sold alive. Meat. The total expense per doe, in­ Wool. The average cost per pound of cluding feed, labor, rabbits bought, mis­ wool for the 5 rabbitries recorded in the cellaneous, depreciation, and interest at Enterprise-Management studies in 1937 5 per cent, was given in the Southern was $4.63 and in 1938, $4.57. Consider­ California Rabbit Management studies. ing feed alone, the average cost per pound This amounted to $31.09 in 1947 for an of wool was $1.92 in 1937 and $2.10 in average of 100.2 pounds of meat, live­ 1938. weight basis, or about 31 cents a pound; The income for wool per doe in the and to $29.68 in 1948 for an average of 1948 Southern California Rabbit Man­ 92.2 pounds of meat, live-weight basis, or agement Study was so low that no cost per about 32_cents a pound. pound can be given for that year.

Returns Through greater production efficiency Pelts and Fur. The records in the the net farm income per doe has increased Southern California Rabbit Management from $2.72 in the 1930-1939 period to studies show that the pelts of fryer rabbits $13.52 in 1945; $10.44 in 1946; $9.83 in net very little-approximately 18 to 20 1947; and $10.39 in 1948. cents each. Since most of the fryers and In Los Angeles County, where the old breeding stock sold for meat are sold 1930-1939 average was recorded, pro­ alive, the operator receives little income duction efficiency was not sufficiently from fur or pelts. If a fryer sells at the great in 1947 to overcome the higher cost average market price of approximately of feed, labor, and miscellaneous items, $1.18, a value of about $1.00 for meat and so there 'Yas a management loss compared 18 cents for pelt might be allowed. with 1946. However, in 1948 the manage­ White butcher-run pelts have brought ment income per doe was $1.27. only about 75 to 85 cents a pound up to Meat. Since 1930 there have been com­ $1.00 to $1.20 a pound ( 5 to 7 large-sized piled 183 annual records, most of which pelts to the pound) in recent years. Hat­ were on meat rabbitries. Table 7 presents ters' pelts, which are lower in grade than a general summary on meat rabbit pro­ butcher-run, were listed at 50 to 60 cents duction. It shows that the average price a pound in March, 1949. for fryers sold was only 12.7 cents, whole­ Note: Prices for pelts dropped se­ sale, live-weight basis, in the 1930-1939 verely late in 1949-even below depres­ period· in Los Angeles County, but rose sion prices of the early 1930's. Prices to 26.8 cents in 1945; to 27.4 cents in mentioned here are from 3 to 5 times 1946; 27.4 cents in 1947; 31.2 cents in higher than those prevailing late in 1949. 1948; and _32 to 33 cents in early 1949. The furs from carefully bred rabbits, Live-weight prices dropped from 10 to 15 on the other hand, may occasionally be per cent late in 1949, with 22 to 23 cents valued at more than $1.00 each, but there being a common quotation. The figures are not accurate figures to show how ·for the different years given in this col­ many prime pelts are sold by commercial umn were compiled from records of producers in California, and any value southern California cooperators. given for such pelts would be only a guess. [ 571 Wool. In 1948, No. l grade Angora net profit to the grower did not increase wool brought $7.50 to $9.00 a pound in proportion to feed prices. when a market was found, but feed prices Table 8 gives a general summary of also averaged close to $5.00 per hundred wool rabbit enterprises in Los Angeles pounds compared with about $2.00 per County. Total income per doe is $8.90; hundred pounds before World War II, so total expense per doe is $5.54.

Table 7. GENERAL SUMMARY MEAT RABBIT ENTERPRISES, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA COUNTIES, FOR THE YEARS 1946 TO 1948 AND 1930 TO 1939

Three-year Ten-year average average 1946-1948 1930-1939

Number of records, average annually ...... 21 9 Average number of does per rabbitry ...... : ...... 122 67 Number of kindlings per doe ...... 3.9 3.2 Net number ofrabbitsraised per doe (yearly) ...... : . . .. 23.0 16.7 Average weight per rabbit raised (pounds) ...... 4.5 3.9 Pounds of live rabbit produced per doe ...... 101.4 65.0

Per cent mortality, does and breeding stock ...... 36.2% 19.1% Per cent mortality, young of number kindled ...... 23.3% 23.0%

Average price per pound of fryers sold ...... 29.4c 12.7c Average value per pound all rabbits produced ...... 28.9c 14.0c Net cost of production per pound ...... 28.6c 18.0c

Management income per pound produced ...... 3c -4.0c

Pounds of feed (pellet basis) per pound produced ...... 4.7 6.2 Price of pellets per hundredweight ...... $4.00 $1.83

Hours of labor per doe, operator and hired ...... 12.3 16 Value per hour of labor ...... $0.78 $0.28

Feed costs per doe ...... $18.52 $5.83 Labor costs or value per doe ...... 9.57 4.49 Miscellaneous costs, water, taxes, repairs, etc ...... 77 .47 Depreciation on buildings and equipment ...... 1.05 .51 Interest on investment at 5% ...... 1.12 .79

Total expense of production ...... $31.03 $12.09

Miscellaneous income, sacks of manure, etc...... $ .92 $ .52 Value of net rabbit production per doe, including pelts . . . . 30.47 9.06

Total income ...... $31.39 $ 9.58

Management income per doe ...... $ .36 $-2.51 Operator's net farm income per doe from value of labor, interest on investment, and management ...... $10.79 $2.72

[58] Breeding Stock. Breeding stock usu­ separate figures for the value of rabbit ally brings much more per pound than manure are available. In 1948, the value fryer rabbits. In 1948, rabbitries in the averaged only $1.27 per doe. ·Few pro­ Southern California Rabbit Management duce;rs report any great sale. Study reported values per pound ranging A few rabbits have been sold for bio­ from a minimum of 40.4 cents to a maxi­ logical specimens at prices ranging from mum of 82.4 cents and an average of 52.5 $1.00 to $1.25 or more each, at 4 pounds cents a pound. Pedigreed mature rabbits live weight. Rabbits used for pregnancy often bring $10.00 or more in sale; the tests usually bring no more than normal average given above, however, is some- meat prices; such sales therefore cannot what less. · be safely figured for more than the going Manure, Biological Specimens. No rate for meat rabbits.

Table 8. GENERAL SUMMARY WOOL RABBIT ENTERPRISES, LOS ANGELES COUNTY

Three-year average 1937-1939

Average number ofrecords annually ...... 5 Average number of breeding does per rabbitry ...... 103 Average pounds of wool produced per doe ...... 1.2 Per cent of wool of No. 1 grade ...... 59% Pounds of grain and pellets fed per doe ...... 129.6 Average feed cost per hundredweight, grain and pellets ...... $1.87 Hours of labor per doe ...... 10 Average price per pound, all wool ...... $3.32

Income per doe Rabbits sold for meat ...... $ .79 Breeding stock sold ...... 3.01 Pelts and wool ...... 3.85 Miscellaneous, sacks of manure ...... 12 Increase in rabbit inventory ...... 1.13

Total income per doe ...... $8.90

Expenses per doe Feed cost per doe ...... $2.44 Total value of operator and hired labor per doe ...... 2.55 Miscellaneous expenses ...... 15 Depreciation on buildings and equipment ...... 26 Interest on investment ...... 41 Breeding stock bought ...... : ...... 03

Total expense per doe ...... $5.54

Management income per doe ...... ·...... $3.36 Operator's net farm income per doe from management, labor, and interest on investment* ...... $5.82

• For the same three years, farm income on 3 meat rabbitries averaged $2.87 per doe.

[59] Table 9. A STANDARD OF CAPITAL INVESTMENT . AND COSTS WITH INCOME FROM A WELL-MANAGED 250-DOE RABBITRY* {Production at the rate of 23.5 young or 105.8 pounds of fryer rabbits per doe)

Original Average Interest at Depreciation c.ost value 5 per cent Per pound, Capital investment For 250 does Per doe in cents In dollars per doe

Land ...... $ 3.00 $ 3.00 $ 0.15 Buildings and equipment ...... 20.00 10.00 0.50 I $ 1.20 Feed and supplies ...... 1.00 1.00 0.05 Rabbit stock ...... 8.00 8.00 0.40 -I Total ...... $32.00 $22.00 , Total depreciation ...... $ 1.20 $300.00 $ 1.20 1.1 Total interest on investment ...... $ 1.10 275.00 1.10 1.1 -- Total annual depreciation and interest ...... $575.00 $ 2.30 2.2 --

Other annual costs (feed, labor, etc., from table) ...... $6,767.00 $27.07 25.6 -- Grand total annual costs ...... $7,342.00 $29.37 27.8 Assumed income from 26,450 pounds at 29 cents per pound ...... 7,670.50 30.68 29.0 -- Management income t ...... $ 328.50 $ 1.31 1.2 Farm income t ...... ·...... · · . · · · · · · · · · · · · 2,793.50 11.17 10.6

• Derived from table 8, Southern California Rabbit Management Study, 1947. t Management income is total income less all costs, including the value of the operator's labor and 5 per cent interest on the investment. ! Farm income is defined as labor ~~o nd interest plus management income. In this case, labor, $2,190.00 ; interest, $275.00 ; management, $328.50. Records of Operati·on Very few rabbit raisers really know if hutch record, such as that shown on page they are making a profit. A well-kept 64, has spaces in which to write the time record book will indicate this at any time. of breeding, time of kindling, number in This book should hold records of litters, the litter, deaths, and any other necessary breeding rabbits, receipts, and expenses. information on the rabbit. Pedigree Blanks. Official pedigree Ledgers. Simple debit and credit ledg­ blanks and hutch record cards can be se­ ers are available at any bookstore. On the cured from most rabbit-supply houses. debit side show the amount and cost of Pedigree blanks, which come in pad form, feed used, rabbits purchased, improve­ have spaces in which to record the ances­ ments, bills payable, and other items of try of a rabbit back to the great grand­ .expense. On the credit side show number sires and great granddams. There are also of pounds of meat sold and price; number spaces for date of sale, name of breeder, and quality of pelts and furs sold and registry number of each rabbit recorded, price; number of pounds of wool sold and the color. The weight of the rabbit, its and price; breeding stock sold and price; name, weight of sire, weight of dam, dis­ and miscellaneous rabbit products and qualifications, if any, date of breeding, price. animal to which bred, and number of the Inventory. Take an inventory of stock pedigree blank are important items on and equipment during the slack months. the pedigree. The name and address of the The inventory should show the value of breeder should also be affixed to this permanent improvements and fixtures, blank. A duplicate of the pedigree should real estate involved, equipment, livestock, be kept when a sale is made. and products on hand. If improvements Hutch Records. Keep hutch records are necessary, the producer must first in duplicate. Fasten the original record know where he is inefficient, and he can­ card on the outside of the hutch door so not know this without a record of his that it will not be eaten by the rabbits. A operations.

STANDARD OF EFFICIENCY A plan of production is dependent on There has been a decided increase in the goal. The possibilities of success are efficiency in recent years, especially in the dependent on the costs of land and equip­ annual number of pounds of meat rabbits ment, breeding stock, feed, and mortality, raised per doe, although mortality for in relation to returns from the sources of mature does is still high. With figures income-meat, pelts an~ furs, wool, breed­ based on the Southern California Rabbit ing stock, and miscellaneous items, such Management Study for 1947, certain con­ as manure and sale of rabbits to biological clusions may be drawn. laboratories, plus the very important fac­ Minimum Goal. About 250 does are tor of dependable markets and the some­ considered the minimum goal for a full­ what less important factor of favorable time one-man business. A rabbitry of this weather. size would caH fot an average investment What the average net farm income may of $5,500. An operator working 8 hours a be over a period of years or for any one day for 365 days-spending 2,920 hours. producer is a variable figure. An analysis yearly in management-would net a farm of the records shows certain standards of income of about $2,793 if fryer rabbits attainment accomplished for separate sold at an average of 29 cents a pound. items, but no one producer has attained a Other producers, working under different total standard of efficiency. conditions, should figure their farm in- [ 61 ] Table 10. A STANDARD OF ANNUAL COSTS (OTHER THAN CAPITAL INVESTMENT, INTEREST, DEPRECIATION, AND MANAGEMENT) OF A WELL-MANAGED 250-DOE RABBITRY* (Production at the rate of 23.5 young or 105.8 pounds of fryer rabbits per doe)

Total per Per pound Unit price Cost for Cost items 250 does Per doe of rabbit per pound 250 does Cost per doe Cost per pound

(pounds) (pounds) (pounds) (in cents) Feed in pounds: Grain ...... 10,850 43 0.41 $4.00 $ 434.00 $1.74 1.6 Supplement (protein) ...... 1,050 4 0.04 8.00 84.00 0.34 0.3 Pellets ...... 80,675 323 3.05 4.00 3,227.00 12.91 12.2 Hay ...... 33,850 135 1.28 2.00 677.00 2.70 2.6

Salt and minerals ...... • • 0 • • 0 0.5 ...... 5.00 0.02 • 0 •• ------

Totalfeed ...... • 0 •• 4.6 pellets . ... $4,427.00 $17.71 16.7 ------Labor in hours ...... 2,920 11.7 0.1 0.75 $2,190.00 $8.76 8.3

Miscellaneous expenses, taxes, water, etc .. ••• 0 0 . . . . . 0 ••• • •• 0 150.00 0.60 0.6 ------

Grand total ...... • 0 •••• • 0 . 0 0 •• 0 0 • •• $6,767.00 $27.07 25.6

• Derived from table 8, Southern California Rabbit Management Study, 1947. come according to existing prices. The Study of the Unit. It is a good thing . investment per doe in 1947, considered for an operator to study his unit for more standard for a new enterprise, was $32.00 profitable use of any spare time. In some (see table 9). instances,. it may be best to discontinue The range in number of pounds of live the rais~ng of rabbits. If an increase in the fryer rabbits produced per doe has varied size of the rabbitry is indicated, certain considerably. This is due, in part, to the marketing problems will have to be han­ difference in number of litters per year dled. Greater emphasis may be needed on and in mortality. With an average of 7.5 any one, or two or more, of the sources young per litter, and 4 litters a year, a of income. doe may produce 30 young a year; but With all of these possible sources of with 20 per cent mortality among the income put into effect, the average labor young, the net number raised is estimated at about 23.5. income may be considerably increased. In actual practice, it takes about 1.2 There was an increase from 28 cents in breeding animals for replacement. This the 1930-1939 period to 76 cents in 1947; leaves about 22.3 salable fryers per breed­ and a furthe~ increase may be possible. ing doe. The average in 1947 was 21.1 Financial Reserves. It is essential to fryers, 0. 7 old rabbit, 0.2 breeding rab­ attempt to build financial reserves in bit, or a total of 22.0 rabbits sold per doe. years of low prices. These will enable an There was an increased inventory of 0. 7 operator to tide over until prices improve. rabbit per doe, less 0.6 rabbit bought, or There are ahvays some producers who 0.1 additional rabbit per doe, making a make more than the average return, total of 22.1 rabbits raised per doe. because of low feed cost or good man­ The more profitable group of 13 pro­ agement, or both; and there are also ducers in the Southern California Rabbit producers who make only a small labor Management Study for 1947 had a net income or possibly barely meet the cash production of 23.8 rabbits raised per doe. outlay. At least a fair return is essential There should always be a sufficient num­ ber of young breeding animals coming or the business will suffer. Whether the along to replace the nonbreeders and poor business is a success or a failure is de- ' producers, which must be culled. Manage­ cided by the combined income from meat, ment of this kind is what is meant by pelts and furs, wool, breeding stock, and having a goal. Data in tables 9 and 10 will such miscellaneous sources as manure and help the producer to estimate returns in sale to biological laboratories, less the the future. Changing prices may be sub­ cash costs, interest, and depreciation stituted for those given. charges.

[ 63] UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE Hutch uu...... RABBIT HUTCH RECORD Ear .nu...... Name ...... ·...... Registry .n u ......

Variety ...... Bom...... Died...... Cause of death ......

Date Date Date Date Number Number Number Date Served by served tested tested I kindled I kindled I leh I weaned I weaned Notes

......

Form A.-Hutch record card. Fig. 25. Sample of hutch record used at College of Agriculture at Davis. REFERENCES

Periodicals American Rabbit Journal, Warrenton, Missouri. California Rabbit News, Sacramento, California. The Commercial Small Stock Weekly, San Jose, California Small Stock Magazine, Lamoni, Iowa.

Serial Publications ALMOND, J. F. 1928. Domestic rabbit raising in Florida. Florida Dept. Agr. Bul. 6 (new series) : 1-32.5 figs. CHUNG, H. L. 1931. Rabbit raising in Hawaii. Hawaii Agr. Ext. Bul. 12:1-34. FREY, R. W., I. D. CLARKE, and F. P. VEITCH. 1922. Home tanning of leather and small skins. U.S. Dept. Agr. Farmers' Bul. 1334:1-29. 9 figs. HAMILTON, w. J., JR. 1934. Care of rabbits. Cornell Agr. Ext. Bul. 284:1-14. HoGAN, A. C., and W. S. RICHIE. 1934. Nutritional requirements of rabbits and guinea pigs. Missouri Agr. Exp. Sta. Research Bul. 219:1-28. LUND, EVERETT E. 1947. Common diseases of domestic rabbits. U. S. Dept. Agr., A.H.D. 112:1-7. (This supersedes Conservation Bul. 31, Diseases of Domestic Rabbits, formerly issued by the Fish and Wild­ life Service, U. S. Dept. of the Interior.) RoBERTSON, GEORGE, and W. W. LEE. 1927. Rabbits. Dominion of Canada Dept. Agr. Bul. 28(new series): 1- 29. 16 figs. ScHWARTZ, BENJAMIN, and W. B. SHOOK. 1935. Rabbit parasites and diseases. U. S. Dept. Agr. Farmers' Bul. 1568:1-30. 23 figs. Revised edition. TEMPLETON, GEORGES., FRANK G. AsHBROOK, and CHARLES E. KELLOGG. 1946. Rabbit production. U.S. Dept. Agr. Farmers' Bul. 1730:1-62. 34 figures. YEATMAN, FANNY WALKER, and MABEL C. STIENBARGER. 1930. Rabbit recipes. U. S. Dept. Agr. Leaflet 66:2-8. Illus.

Books and Pamphlets AMERICAN RABBIT AND CAVY BREEDERs' AssociATION, THE 1947-50. Guide book and standard (rabbits and cavies). 131 pages. American Rabbit and Cavy Breeders' Association, James Blythe, Secretary; 5941 Baum Blvd., Pittsburgh 6, Pa. ANDERSON, c. E. 1933. American Angora wool rabbit. Blair Printing Co., Lamoni, Iowa. AsHBROOK, FRANK G. 1930. Rabbits for food and fur. 212 pages. Illus. Orange Judd Co., New York, N.Y. CARHART, EDITH BEEBE. 1930. The Angora wool rabbit. 64 pages. Illus. Published by the author, Bellingham, Wash. CASTLE, w. E. 1930. Genetics of domestic rabbits. 28 pages. Illus. Harvard University Press, Boston, Mass. FACEY, A. E., JR. 1931. American rabbit culture. 199 pages. Item Publishing Co., Sellersville, Pa. FARRINGTON, EDWARD I. 1919. Practical rabbit keeping. 166 pages. Illus. Robert McBride & Co., New York, N.Y. FEHR,J. c. 1931. Rex breeding simplified. 44 pages. Hares and Rabbit Supply Co., 1302 Woodlawn Ave., Indianapolis, Ind. [ 65] MEEK, MARCELLUS w. 1924. Fur rabbits. 139 pages. Illus. Published by the author, Arcadia, Calif. 1926. Diseases and treatment of the rabbit. 37 pages. Illus. National Association of Rabbit Indus­ tries, Arcadia, Calif. 1947. Rabbit raising for profit. 356 pages. Greenberg (publisher), New York, N.Y. SHERLOCK, CHELSA C. 1920. Care and management of rabbits. 248 pages. Illus. David McKay Co.,-Philadelphia, Pa. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT oF THE INTERIOR, DIVISION oF PuBLIC RELATIONS. 1943. Recipes for cooking domestic rabbit meat. U. S. Dept. Int., Fish and Wildlife Service. Wildlife Leaflet 240:1-17. (These Wildlife Leaflets are obtainable from the Fish and Wild­ life Service, Dept. of the Interior, Merchandise Mart, Chicago, Illinois; or from the U. S. Rabbit Experiment Station, Fontana, California.) WASHBURN, F. L. 1933. The rabbit book. 200 pages. 83 figs. J. B. Lippincott Co., Philadelphia, Pa.

·[ 66] Printed and distributed in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, by The State College of Washington Extension Service, E. V. Ellington, Director, and the U. S. Department of Agriculture co-operating. (7%m)

In order that the information in our publications may be more intelligible, it is sometimes necessary to use trade names of products and equipment rather than complicated descriptive or chemical identifications. In so doing, it is unavoidable in some cases that similar products which are on the market under other trade names may not be cited. No endorsement of named products is intended nor is criticism implied of similar products which are not mentioned.

1 41 ~

[ 67] This circular was reprinted with the permission of the Agricultural Extension Service, University of California, Berkeley 4, California