The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1918-01-17
RAISE RABBITS
IN BACK YARD
Specialists Urge Scheme as Move
of the Highest Importance
Just Now.
HOW CHILDREN MAY HELP
Interesting and Easy Work, and the
Financial Returns Will Be Graft
fying-Proper Care Of AMI 81.
mails Necessary.

Let the children start a rabbitry in
the back yard If they are in earnest
about helping the meat supply. Rails
ing rabbits is an interesting and easy
work and the returns will be we'll
. worthy Of fathers or mothers CO.
operation. Efforts will be quickly re-
warded, for these animals increase
rapidly and are ready for the table
when three or four months old The
meat is very palatable and nutritious
and can be grown at small cost. In
fact, the cost Of producing rabbits is
less than that of any other meat, not
excepting poultry. Rabbits In back
yard pens have proved so practicable
a way of furnishing a quick meat sup
ply in European countries that the
United States department Of agricul-
ture is urging their wider breeding in
the present emergency. r., r.. <<..-:.
Plan for Breeders Now.
As February is the best time to
mate-March may be best for breeding
young doesIit will be we'll now to ar
range for breeding apimals and to pre-
pare a place for them, with the chill
dren's help, in the yard. Four filters
a year, at intervals of twelve weeks,
and averaging six or seven young to
the litter, may be expected If pairing
begins in February.
The Belgian and Flemish giant rab-
bits are recommended for meat pro-
duction, as the ordinary tame rabbit
is smaller and develops more slowly.
Breeding stock of Belgian hares may
h0 In I'll oil
the states at from 81 to So each. They
may occasionally be had from pet
stock dealers. Fancy pedigreed stock
is not required for meat production.
Rabbits eat, hay, grass, lawn cut
tings and green vegetation of many
kinds. Well fed, the young will aver
age five or six pounds live weight
when three or four months old. Prac-
teal experience has demonstrated that
rabbit meat can be produced In unlim-
fted quantities at a cost Of about six
cents a pound. By utilizing lawn cut
tfngs and other, vegetation that would
otherwise be wasted, the cost will be !
even lower.
Quarters In Barn or Shed.
Outdoor fenced runs, with hutches |
for does when having young and sleep |
ing hutches for other stock, make the |
best quarters for rabbits in back yards. |
The rabbitry may occupy part of or |
all of barn or shed, or be built in a |
sheltered space in the angle between |
or walls.
Feeding is necessary twice daily. In |
winter one of the meals should be |
chiefly of green food, such as roots or !
cabbage, and the other mainly of grain
Roots, cabbage, celery and the like
should be washed free from the soil,
but should not be wet when fed If
green food is given In the morning, the
evening meal should be whole oats or
other grain for mature animals. A
little hay should be given at each meal.
If properly cared for, rabbits are
free from diseases. The
more common ailments result from In
surroundings, lack Of care In
feeding and improper ventilation. The
demand for rabbit fur is such as fo
make it pay to save the peltS of those
killed for food. The better class Of
skins sell by the dozen, bringing from
80 cents to 81, or sOmthing less than
10 cents apiece. Later articles In these
will discuss the care Of the |
young filters, feeding, killing and
dressing, and the possibilities of mar
keting. Farmers Bulletin 400 of the
United States department of agrfcul-
ture, Raising Belgian Hares and
Other Rabbits" will aid the beginner.
The Belgian hare is one Of the best !