The sun., 1900-07-20
CARING FOR BELGIAN HARES.
Points on the Successful Pursuit OF . New
American Industry.

From the Chicago journal.
The first question Is the proper size and con-
struction OF hutches or quarters for keeping
hares. II Is true nearly every breeder has
some little difference in planning and arranging
these accommodations. but they are practi-
cally all the same. the average size being about
3x5 feet. and where they are built in double or
triple rows around the side Of the building
they are three feet deep and the length runs
with the building. The nest box IL most con-
venient when one end Of the length of the hutch
Is soldly partitioned of. and door the full
size of this compartment should open outward
while square hole al the back wall inside
the hutch allows the entrance OF the doe She
then prepares her nest in the front end Of the
nest box, where on opening the outside door
the little ones are in plain view and easily
reached when necessary.
The front II a screen made OF chick nettn
and IL full size usually TO allow plenty Of room
In cleaning. The door to the nest box should
be solid boards and made 70 NJ closely to pro-
tect the young from draughts and cold. The
usual height Of hutches is two feet Many
breeders prefer making the nest box only one
foot Of this height allowing the top Of the box
Another S idea which insures perieet s Nsntila
ton in hot summer months Is to allow few
inches of air space between the back wall and
chick netting, excepting. of course, the nest
box end. This s not necessary when the
hutches are movable OF made singly. as large
openings are usually left about the top to insure
II disease would be avoided the hutches
must be kept clean. and in order to accom-
plsh this some absorbent should be kept on
the. floor. such as a liberal sprinkle Of sawdust
or fresh straw. or both; but this bedding must
be changed frequently. for IL becomes wet and
sodden and worse. If possible. than bare floor
ularly cleaned there is no dlsagreeable odor
and little trouble from the diseases arising
from neglect Cleanliness and plenty OF fresh
annr aT or water In s
enware. crooks are best, one for each. and be-
ing rather heavy they do not upset as easily
Clover or alfalfa hay should be fed literally
and regular feeds Of oats and corn chop and
come vegetables are best with an occasional
feed Of bread and milk or cornmeal mush
usually .weaned at four TO six weeks Of age
when. they should have cooked corn chop
boiled wheat or bread and milk rather than
time After the young are weaned about
two months should be allowed the does before
being bred again. three months In all between
breeding times being better than oftener to
From date Of birth the care Of young hares
IA left to the doe until the young begin TO feed
which will usually be about the fourteenth day
IL II IA desired TO push them forward, a little
bread and milk once day may be given This
may he alternated with plain corn bread or
dry chop. These with oats. and now and then
some oat fakes, will be found an excellent diet
At six weeks the Young must be taken away
from the doe. and put ", pens with themselyes
shGn%d nd wn s ao0S, eGaa aDs age cy hey
tnguish them. Usually this IL done by clin-
ping very small nick In the ear and making a
mem'randum of ne mark. 50 as TO be able at
they nre taken from the doe the most critical
time for the young begins and for some weeks
the greatest care should be taken to avoid er
10 green food. no green food should be given
70 the young until thev are nast three months
old, and then very .sparingly until they are
No soft feed should be given 70 a specinen
intended for show purpo'e'. as its flesh will be
nshby The bet result. are generally oh
months old the does and bucks must be sepa-
rated and a record kept. so that they can be
known and no mistakes made as IN parentaae
This can be done by putting 1, separate re!s,
ing must be resorted % In order TO avoid losing
track Of the parentaee.
It seems 70 be needless 70 say that all hares
and should be changed twice day. and thr .
times IN summer. A change from alfalfa T.,
clover hay. and once IN awhile other kind, can
be a'sd 9r sS"Sss ss but alfalfa probably the
In selecting n pair Of breeders, either for
meat or fancy. get as high a grade az Won can
HHOTu, 'nDO~e le'Rtny dnlmh. With brig NJ.
round eve, erect ears, smooth. shining coat,
good. STRAIGHT feet. In the doe get a smail
head IN the buck, es good a head as possible
II one cannot AFFORD choice buck better take
your doe 10 one that Is fine than TO own Door
one and breed to that The same rules apply 10
breeding hares. IA to other animals too clio. q
inbreeding II not desirable Mate vour pair IA
overcome whatever faults exist In the doe. and
y YOU are unable to get the best 10 begin with
II you have the blood OF hne line OF stock and
breed nrorarlv Won con bring your stock i'm in
time In n high standarl ~ 80