Yerington times. [volume] (Yerington, Nev.) 1907-1932, 1914-01-24
RAISING THE BELGIAN HARE
FOR FOOD SUPPLY.
Money to be Made in Raising This
Fine Meat Animal.

Ridge Rabbitry, of Cozanddale, Ohio,
writes as follows about the raising of
Belgian hare for profit and food sup
ply:
Our best writer's on this animal that
is now claiming attention and winning
tor itself warm place in the affec-
tons of all classes, rich and poor, in
city and country, seem to agree that
it originated in Belgium, where it is
now found, small in size, but perfect
in form, color and markings The
modern Belgian hare, an animal of
singular charm and great utility, com
bining the beauty and toothsomeness
of the old domestic hare with the
grace and fecundity of the wild rab-
bit, is process of up-breeding which
has been carried on, principally in
England, for the past fifty years or
more. The Belgian hare was first in
troduced in this country probably
early in 1860, but its merits were then
little known, an dit was by no means
the perfect animal that we find in the
hutches of American breeders and fan
ciers today. 1t is only in the past few
years that its value as a fur and meat
producing animal has become gen
orally known and acknowledged, and
III this short time it has made for
itself such a record in this respect that
the raising of Belgian hares for the
market and for the fancy is recognized
today as distinct and profitable in
dustry. There has been great de-
mand with the very best hotels in our
large cities for Belgian hares, and the
writer has supplied as many as four
dozen to a single hotel in single
week, and furthermore, it was when
many people think they are unfit to
eat-the 4th OF July week. Another
hotel took another dozen at the same
time, being all that | could spare at
that time.
The Belgian hare is thoroughly do
mesticated, responds quickly to kind
treatment and wins for itself friends
and admirers wherever it is known.
| say this after an experience of over
six years with this animal, for, as a
rule, they are very easily raised.
This is a money-making age, and
we therefore consider first the Bel
gian hare industry as commercial
factor. In raising anything for the
market it is natural to inquire first as
to the supply and demand OF the com
modify. AT the present time anyone
who has inquired into the matter at
all. knows that the demand for breed
ing stock of good quality at fair prices
is in excess of the supply; and when
we consider the fact that the breeding
of Belgian hares has been introduced
and taken a place among the recogniz-
ed industries of this country not only
a few years ago; it is easy to arrive at
the conclusion that the business is yet
in its infancy, and that the people who
go into it now, will reap rich har-
vest of profits. The writer says this
from actual experience, for 1t makes
no difference whether you go into bus
mess simply to raise them for meat or
for the fancy. There is far more proht
in raising Belgian hares for meat or
fancy than there is in poultry. | could
show you actual records to prove this.
When hotels will pay from sixty to
seventy cents for young hares only
four months old, the year round, you
can see that poultry will not bring
anything of the kind, at least | have
not heard anything of it. Then if you
desire to breed for fancy, they will
bring larger prices than poultry. 1t
is a very common occurrence to get
SIS for a good doe which is bred to
good stud buck, and if she is a good
one. she is cheap at the price. In
thirty days after she is bred she VIII
bring forth from six to twelve young
sters, and when they are weaned are
worth double what you paid for the
doe. Understand this doe you pur-
chased, can have young four times
year very easily and then skip the two
hottest months of the year. never
heard of hen having four broods
of chickens in one year, and raise
them to weaving time. A few years
ago there were reports that Belgian
hares sold at fabulous prices; as high
as $1,000 for single hare. and many
Others bringing several hundred dol
lars each. This should not have been
as it hurt the industry, but those fell
lows are mosly out of the business
at the present time, as they should be,
and the bus ness is now down on COM
mon sense basis with prices within the
reach of the poor as well as the rich.