xt7x959c740g https://exploreuk.uky.edu/dips/xt7x959c740g/data/mets.xml   Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station.  journals kaes_circulars_004_529 English Lexington : The Service, 1913-1958. Contact the Special Collections Research Center for information regarding rights and use of this collection. Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station Circular (Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station) n. 529 text Circular (Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station) n. 529  2014 true xt7x959c740g section xt7x959c740g a-  E4,.   ~»»._j  . V- Q     ` M;   gf J
 —»       I I I I  ‘-    ·· ~   A   — ·~:   
»    ·   }*      »   ’`    I Y  A       =  `*;
~ ..      A  V’°          I. I   ltr -         
  `‘'`·             ~   ·  f i,           ·`   `
` `/'\‘T'**m»s
  R ` `
By E. T. WIGHTMAN and E. E. msn
Circular 529
UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
College of Agriculture cnd Home Economics
Agricultural Extension Division
Lzxmcrou

 C O N T E N T S
Page
Making a start ....................................,..........................,..,... 3
Housing and equipment ........................................................ 4
Choice of breed and objectives ...............,...............,.............. 7
Improvement of breeding stock ...........,................................ 9
Feeding ........................................................,.................,...,. 9
Management .....,.......................................,.......................... I I *
Killing and dressing ....................,....,.................................... I4
Marketing .............. , .............................,............................... I6
Diseases ......................,.......................................................,. I6
"SnuffIes" ,.................. . .................................,......i....... I7
Coccidiosis .........................................,.................,........ I 7
"Sore hocks" .,.....,................................................,....... I8
Mucoidenteritis ......................,..................................... I 8
Ear canker ..........,..i....... , ..............................,............... I8
Cannibalism ....,4......,...i....,.........,.......,................i......... I9
Costs and returns .....,........,....,...........4........,..............,......i,.. I9
Showing 4.......... , ....4,....,........,...ii,......i.,............,.......,....,i...... 20
(liner piiiiiirz .\ New Zcailuiul \\'hiic rluc amd hcr healthy Iiucr. I
i`IIii· imii piiliiiv .iiiiI ihiiw .ippi·.iriiii; iis Figs. 3 .iii•I (5 uri- Iiiiiii lIii· Fish und
\\`iIiIIiIi· Si ix ii ii. I`. S. I)i·p;ii‘lii1i·ul iii ;\i;rim·iiItii1‘i·, (Yi·i·ti¤ui.i]iIi~ ii~i·iI iii IIii» piiI»Iii.itiiiii,l

 Roismg Domestic Robbits
By E. T. Wightman and E. E. Fish
A domestic rabbit enterprise may be developed into an in-
teresting part-time hobby or a proHtable commercial business.
The meat is all—white meat, is fine grained, and very nutritious.
As a part-time project, rabbits may provide a valuable addition
to the home meat supply, as a supplement to higher-priced meats
or as a means of adding variety to the diet.
Since relatively little space and equipment are needed, the
' enterprise may be attractive to those who have but limited time
` or space to devote to the project. Production costs are relatively
low.
Domestic rabbits have proved to be commercially profitable
in several sections of the United States. Large herds have been
developed, cooperative marketing associations have been organ-
ized, and processing plants capable of handling large volumes
have been established. Meat sales (fryer stage) usually account
- for the largest part of the income, while the fur is a by-product
associated with the sale of meat. The Angora rabbit has been
developed primarily for its wool. Specialized plants for process-
ing and the sale of wool commercially have been established.
Rabbits may also serve as an interesting hobby for the fancier.
The fancier has a wide choice of breeds and varieties. The
American Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Association is a national
organization of such breeders. lt publishes a “Cuide Book and
‘ Standard" in which more than 50 different breeds and varieties
are described. Among these breeds the prospective grower will
End a wide range of choice as to breed, type, size, color, as well
as some novel physical characteristics.
Also, there is an increasing demand for rabbits to be used as
i · laboratory stock in experimental work and for biological pur-
poses in hospitals and pharmaceutical laboratories.
MAKING A START
Too much emphasis cannot be placed on the importance of
careful selection of the original stock. \Vith good quality breed-
3

 ·l
ing animals available, one cannot afford to start the rabbit enter-
prise with inferior stock. Too much time would be required to
`ibreed np" to the same level of quality.
Usually it is best to purchase foundation breeding stock local-
ly from a successful breeder who has demonstrated his ability
to breed and raise good stock. He is likely to be more interested
in your success, will give you better selection, and may be quite
helpful with suggestions which will help to avoid difficulties.
()ue may purchase young does at weaning time and grow
them out to maturity before breeding, or one may purchase
matured does that have been bred. The advantage of the latter
method is that one is not in doubt as to what the doe will be
like at maturity and, also, she may be bred to a better buck than
the beginner can afford to start with. This method also gets the —
enterprise under way in a shorter time, but of course matured -
stock will cost somewhat more. Usually it is best to start with V
a few animals and increase the size of the herd by retaining some ‘
of the most promising youngsters and growing them to maturity.
Four or five does and one buck will make a satisfactory unit
until some experience has been gained, after which the number
can be increased.
HOUSING AND EQUIPMENT _
llousing should be simple in construction and inexpensive,
yet it must be well built, sturdy and durable, if it is to give
economical service. Each adult rabbit will require an individual
hutch. Larger pens for growing stock can be utilized up until
market time, but adult stock cannot be kept together in the same
pen because they will iight.
The size of the hutch depends on the breed to be housed. _
ln general, the hutch should be 2%-3 feet wide, 24 inches high,
and the length varied according to the size of different breeds, ‘
allowing approximately 6 feet in length for the large breeds,
such as Flemish; 4-5 feet for the medium breeds such as New
Zealands or (Zalilornians and 3-3% feet for the small breeds such
as linglish or Dutch. 4
llutches may he arranged in single tiers for small layouts, or
where space is limited they may be built in two or three decks.
Single tiers are simpler to construct but require more floor space. I

 5
’ Q     ·'~w,_,A ,_   "—~  ' ~ —¤  ‘ . 0
i   V 7 `“~` ’ .V;._“_,V “ '§$‘;_;`fVV,t_i<1_" N VV ’ _      
1    »`,,¤sr. V;   ’ 1 _..Vj;,_.   __ .·;t...j;§.___\   _  __ _.   »·   
i i "      °“$%?;·*A*:    h ·· ’  °"   ·
I *     l , . yy    {Q5   Vi, E; Q A —A ~ V\_ V _
{   "‘ A l ll! l  N ·   { Vie? I  ~`     ¤V V -  i
~ 4 N ~¤*»=Ai!;;g;;;;g; .._` V j;i*;¤r‘ , _  *» =`; \ _ ··· ..·A—q .;._;til; 
M  _ " i  ii in i M V     ~  > Eliiii     A 1»‘ii iii 
M i ii" ·‘‘`‘‘` ~ TBP   ·`’* *   ·‘¢)·‘~l·C· 
" i { i   AA »A — i   in " i MI
’ axw              
ug. `·· ·-·· · _ ?__ V. "    L ·~  ‘  .
ll I I   \ {F`: '  ‘; V` ' , - LV {N1 ,f =_ . ii- §—
V 4 YW vi iUi`:» .   ° ` ~  
  V QQRHHllialllilllunnu V   _ _  ,     V_  Q  9,.,3;;
* ~» 3 .4 ¥ »~. my  *· ~. .  
   9  ._       `»»·-        
  :EE£-.‘=.y»?· {—·· `i iiiif €?€}{A""*·— 3   · ·*"“’“ `4    Vikf     w`
?;;~AA ·     —Ai_V7.VT~ · 1 . V  _   V  .. V4     _~ ,:—·
  M     ;= =¤·          
··~·~.,h Af JB., , V ye     . • ' S .¤:»` 
· . A " ’ ’ V   . K i ‘ z—     A.  W9
{Cham-·-·—~`.M. __ V -~ ~,.. M.   ,_ »A,;_ i. >.— A  L     .,_ 
. ‘ _   Ai r.— 2A if §y\»»g—;;.;?¤—  ._V M? .$ ‘ ~   Q ·.,—
H     l W    _>>_ V    VVV VV        ; 1  <  _· AV;  
`       A   Wi ?   -A·*"  N4 `     ». , *` -
A {     Ei! W? W *‘ `  .   `»‘~‘;_‘ , .__=,;,   Hirsgg ~ _·‘`  
    t i       MZAEQA i ’.—— fs » V
y ‘‘¤. P ? °‘»‘   ia. £Q,,,;;; » ~  i A A   ‘   A   ·.—_ A — , V
··  T· Ax] "·       'Z +A "ii5§%i‘ i:25*<‘i€» I ‘ ‘ ,'
.     iF`   " (Es ·· i -ii-i     ii   ».;!_ 'K
‘"‘* i iii   A A 4 ZZ A   A?   ’   QF ‘_·.»  
'     ‘§ KK4. @5 ;§‘=   ‘§?  i 3   ‘  
   i&i2A:;4;A —.     iz A xii, ;""*¥      Q? ~
-·~ ·i“""   #2%* ’ ` i‘~ ~ MQ, I   _’  ;·;~ f  ·.L%...V;,--._, ·»,- A §;._.‘¢ '
i g   éziir 4 YY   ii l V_ /,L-  ~   1  9% ' A ' T
        f     V      VVVV     A_·v
   ,   _ G { ’   »zE;,;VV··“,,. V~Vj:·j j é _ · _, ,   _        ·~ 
        P .   ....   Ai ·~~»‘   FJ! ·»,` ;,--;"1 __V,·   V`V—'
  `‘'V`   A   ··’‘‘;  :   ..   ,
  -AA·¤ · " .. ,.2jI·" , .\   "  , »¢·~~·» ~ "  . ” ,
  Y‘‘‘‘’'  "   ,... V · ,   ‘ ‘»
'i A `   .Af,é.~ `:f*V_.V;,,·._f§i¥` "      __ fw"   V V 1,: gv
~   ¤ - ..A ,_,% 4 >:»   .A< `L " _ Ai', _.g,{¢`_#*» ·  
“   i. V   / »»;,  ’     ~          
 ·          s       ,::`V     `A A  
  ··"‘ Vm__._V;· 4:;/ A A     A~· V· _,· _` _;4» is ’ ’   ~   ···· ‘ ‘ · V;
    ‘‘‘°   I       {    .-.   , ·    
  . ¤;J:;;¢ v, ‘=     A · Af   ·»   .~¢<»¢ "’  $0*   e    ‘  
_;  V     ‘ A - , VV A¤; e ’jV  ,;“;;:y§A;2j'V · f egg ._ A  1 I   ·
  i.  ~` »”'   · " i A A ¥$`iiZY;i '   °·· i        -v Y`?  · V
A ‘ V  I/cg V   A ,;*_V nr, ,n ,  · :j_;;,.._V__ __·»_ ye. ‘    ; r -A¢; ry . ,
. ‘ ’   · ¤   . ZF"/~" ·>, i•§}•;i ’   QQ ·—·"°'*"   ;" *‘ ,.av¤·.v.,~A
V V  V V? · .     %   {V     V V ,s;·.’.· _V VV 
· ‘  C ; · A· ff? =‘  ¢·¤¤;;2?,4;,,@g wi · ¤_ V/—:;_,y,··   VM: ··-- .
A i   *E? ]j »:.’°??Y?€I’* ~ i -   Y i `   Q" l
A '    . 2’· e ##5 U  **”   ’ rz! L .2 
- V ·. · »   A ·...>.-7»AAV_§. /;j_·;:¤ V < ’ 2V :1+   ‘{ · ,4%:
, *Y4j=·g is v    
, ·     y _ " _VVV_,. A     V
i ;2€T£“€  ‘ A
Fig. l.- Hutches zu‘r:mged in tiers in an permamem-type huilding. These
hutches are raised from the Hour for euse in rleuuing zmd to pmnmte samim-
tion.

 rs
Triple tiers are more economical to build, but the upper and
lower levels are more difficult to observe and to service. .
Ilutches may be placed in a bam or other permanent building
or may be placed outside. Rabbits in outside hutches will need
more protection. At least three sides of the hutch should be
built solid to avoid drafts. Panels which can be opened or re—
moved will provide better ventilation in hot weather, but they
must be so constructed that they can be easily replaced and will
fit snugly to prevent drafts in bad weather.
For commercial layouts, several rows of hutches in double
decks or tiers may be enclosed within an open shelter with a
solid back and roof over all the hutches. Such a shelter adds to _
the expense, but it will be appreciated when one is caring for
his rabbits in bad weather, and it may be the reason for their V I
receiving better care at such times.
llutches may be constructed of wooden frames covered with
wire netting or may be made entirely of wire if they are inside
and have sufficient protection. Rabbits are members of the rodent
family and will gnaw and destroy wood whenever they can reach
it. l·`or this reason when wooden construction is used, it is best
to build square corners and to cover the wooden framework by
placing all wire netting on the inside of the frame.
llutches should be rat proof and so constructed that cats and
dogs cannot annoy the rabbits or open the doors. For large
operations a heavy wire fence enclosing the entire rabbitry will
be good insurance. Rabbits should not be exposed to too much
direct sunshine. Build hutches so that the animals can avoid
direct sunlight on warm days.
Solid floors are draft proof and some growers prefer solid -
floors in all lmtches, because of a belief that such floors reduce
the amount of sore hocks. ()n the other hand, an open or self-
cleaning floor using wire or wooden slats or a section of open
floor in about one half of the hutch will allow manure and urine
to drop through the floor. This keeps the floor cleaner and re- .
duces the cleaning job. \\’herc lmtches are double decked, a
solid pan or a platform sloped to the rear should be provided
beneath an open floor to protect the hutches underneath. Such
open floors may be made of wooden slats, using l" to HQ" hard-
wood slats, spaced FH" apart; or fn»R"-mesh hardware cloth may

 X
be used. This platform may be made of metal or wood. Some
of the asbestos composition boards provide a hard smooth surface
and apparently outlast metal. A perforated metal sheet is more
expensive but provides a smoother surface, which 1nay help to
prevent injury to the foot and sore hocks.
Hay racks may be constructed in a V—shaped form between
each two hutches, or individual racks may be constructed at
the end of the hutch or in the door. In any case all racks must
be substantially built, well anchored and protected from gnaw—
ing. A trough built under the hay rack provides a convenient
place for feeding grain. However, earthernware crocks may be
· used for grain as well as water. These are portable and easy to
- handle.
A nest box should be provided for each breeding doe about
6 or 7 days before she is due to kindle. Nest boxes should be
approximately l2"x 12"x24" with an opening 6"x6" in one
end. These may be made from apple boxes or similar salvaged
material, If the entire top is made removable, one can easily
open the box to observe any of the young in the nest without
disturbing the entire nest. The box top also provides a place
for the doe to get away from her young when she wishes. Some
breeders prefer to leave the top off entirely.
Nail kegs make suitable nests for the young. A narrow strip
nailed on the lower front will keep the litter from falling out.
The keg should be fastened so it will not roll. Open—top nests
are becoming popular, especially in areas where there is less
danger of chilling.
CHOICE OF BREED AND OBJECTIVES
The choice of a breed with which to start a rabbit enterprise
will depend somewhat on personal preference, but should be
_ governed largely by the purpose or objective one has in raising
rabbits. There are many good breeds of rabbits, each having
some special characteristics that make it suited for some par-
ticular purpose. For instance, growers interested in the produc-
tion of fryers will be concerned with such characteristics as rapid
growth, early maturity, mediuin-weight carcass with good flesh-
ing, good conformation, and low mortality. New Zealand \Vhitcs,
New Zealand Reds and Californians are breeds well suited for

 8
this purpose. They reach   to 4 pounds at weaning time and
mature at from 9 to 11 pounds. Flemish Giants and Heavyweight
Chinchillas do not mature quite so rapidly, but attain slightly
heavier weights.
A great majority of the rabbit skins used in the fur industry
come as a by—product from the "meat breeds” mentioned above.
Babbit skins are used more extensively by the fur trade than
any other kind of fur. The best grades when properly processed _
are used as substitutes for many of the more expensive skins
such as ermine, seal or beaver. Other skins are used as linings
for gloves and in the manufacture of felt hats.
Chinchilla rabbits have fur which resembles that of the wild
Chinchilla and have been bred particularly for their fur. The .
Ileavyweight and Giant Chinchilla are larger and furnish a bet- .
ter meat carcass in addition to the fur. .
The "Bex" fur is an interesting variation from the normal fur. V
lt is found in several varieties. Bex fur differs from normal fur
in that the guard hairs are absent and the undercoat is short,
dense and soft. This fur condition is a simple recessive charac-
teristic and as such may be bred into any breed or color by cross
breeding and selection. Several breeds, including New Zealand
and Flemish, have been produced with Rex fur.
\Vhile both the Chinchilla and the Rex have been bred pri- A A
inarily for their fur, the number of such skins produced has not
been large and the market outlet is limited. In other words, the
bulk of the rabbit skins used by the fur industry is produced as
a by-product of meat production.
The Angora rabbit produces a wool that may reach 6 to 8
inches in length within a year. Each rabbit may be sheared four
or [ive times a year and a total annual yield of 12 to 14 ounces ·
of wool may be obtained from each animal. Angora rabbits are
maintained primarily for shearing, but they also produce a suit-
able carcass for meat production.
Smaller breeds, such as the Dutch, Himalayan and English,
are bred primarily for show purposes or for pets. -
A more complete description of these and other breeds may
be found in the Guide Book and Standard published by the
American Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Association.
Several breeds may be used for the production of laboratory

 9
stock. However, laboratory requirements vary somewhat in re-
gard to size, weight, age and sex. The prospective grower should
investigate carefully the requirements or demands for special
qualities before selecting a breed for the production of laboratory
stock.
With increased skill and proficiency in growing rabbits, which
come only through experience, a grower may find it more inter-
esting to produce and sell breeding stock for foundation herds
to other growers. This work requires more careful attention to
all kinds of breeding records, and also some time is necessary
for one to acquire a reputation as a successful breeder. However,
such breeding stock should bring higher prices as a compensation
for the increased labor and costs.
IMPROVEMENT OF BREEDING STOCK
Improvement in breeding stock can be attained only through
very rigid selection and testing of breeding stock and the con-
stant culling of all animals that do not measure up to individual
standards or that fail to reproduce desirable characteristics in
their progeny. Culling should be a continuous process. Elimi-
, . nate does that are difficult to breed, those that have small litters
or undesirable young, or which have litters that show high mor-
tality. Some docs are poor milkers and so their young do not
grow rapidly.
In a meat project the breeding ability of each doe and buck
should be tested by observing their progeny for such charac—
teristics as number of young to reach marketable age, average
size, weight, conformation, and Iieshing or the total pounds of
I meat produced at a given age.
Prospective breeders should be selected from litters which
rate high in these characteristics; parents which do not produce
desirable litters should be marketed.
FEEDING
A good feeding program is essential for the maintenance of
health and the production of maximum growth in the shortest
time. The basic diet for rabbits consists of a good legume hay
plus whole grain. For rapid growth, the addition of a protein

 io
supplement is necessary. Salt, green food and water should also
be included.
[lay for rabbits should be leafy, green, and fine stemmed.
Coarse bays are higher in fiber and are not so palatable. Only
the leafy fine stems are eaten and too many of the coarse stems
are wasted. Good quality alfalfa, clover, and lespedeza are best
suited for rabbits. Of the whole grains, oats, wheat, and barley
are all palatable and about equal in feeding value. Feeding
whole corn results in considerable loss because the rabbits will
eat the germ and waste too much of the remainder of the kernel.
(lrinding grain does not seem to improve the feeding value and
adds to the expense. Since the nutritive value of all grains is
quite similar, the choice of grains to use will depend largely on ~
the relative cost and availability.
To promote the most rapid gains in young stock, some addi- - A
tional protein supplement must be added to the hay-grain diet.
Soybean oil meal, peanut meal, and linseed oil meal are good
sources of protein. \~Vhen protein supplements are mixed with
grain, the grain should be ground and mixed with the supple-
ment to prevent the rabbits from sorting over and picking out
certain particles. Some growers prefer to moisten this mash
slightly at feeding time. Rabbits on mash feeding may inhale V
fine particles of the mash or dust which may be a cause of "me-
chanical suuflles."
(Iouunercial feeds in the form of pellets are available through
most of the feed companies. Two kinds of pellets are available,
one designed to be fed with good quality hay, the other being
a complete food which includes the hay together with all neces-
sary ingredients. Provided good quality alfalfa hay is available,
it may be cheaper to feed hay and pellets; however, if the quality ‘
is questionable, it is better to feed the complete food pellet rather
than use lo\v—quality hay. In any case one should be careful to
use the right kind of pellet. \\'hen feeding hay use the combi-
nation pellet. Do not feed hay in addition to a complete pellet,
because the hay has already been included. ·
(lreen food is a natural food for rabbits and can be used as
part of the diet. (lreen plants are satisfactory, such as lawn clip-
pings. rape. vegetable waste, beet or chard leaves, alfalfa and
clover. .·\ll green food should be cut when green and succulent

 11
and after the dew is off. Some growers prefer to wilt green food
over night before feeding. Green food should be given in small
quantities such as what they will clean up in l()-15 minutes and
any remaining should be removed before it becomes soiled. Rab-
bits that have not been fed green food should be started with a
small amount at first and the amount increased gradually as.
they become accustomed to it. Too much green food may cause
diarrhea.
A spool of salt and also fresh clean water in clean containers,
should be available at all times. Avoid any spoiled or moldy feed.
MANAGEMENT
Mature rabbits cannot be kept together successfully because
_ ‘ they will fight. Each doe and each buck must be kept in an
individual hutch.
Young does usually reach maturity and are ready for breeding
when 7-8 months old. However, size, development and fieshing
are more important factors than actual age and a young doe
should not be bred until she has developed a good frame and
is in good flesh.
For mating it is best to take the doe to the buck. Occasionally
' the buck may be timid or slow in strange quarters. lf the doe
is in heat the mating will usually occur immediately. Should
 iii ii    :»`     .   '`ifil“ A     i °   ie 
? ·4.  .  i · **2;**   -‘“""~ ‘  
  r A
. , _ 1 ··>  
    O ii; ‘  
    ..       . —  6* •
Fig. 2.- The proper way to remove Fig. Fi.- The proper way to earrv a
a rabbit from the hutch. rabbit.

 I2
the doe refuse the buck and fight him oft she should be removed
aud returned to the buck on succeeding days until mating occurs.
lt is never advisable to leave the doe with the buck. Some breed-
ers like to use a test mating about 18 days after breeding. This
is accomplished by returning the doe to the buck. It pregnant
the doe will usually refuse the buck, but if not pregnant mating
will occur. Though this is not always an accurate test for preg-
nancy the procedure will often save lt) or l2 days’ delay in the
kindling date. 1
An accurate record ol? all matings will avoid disappointments
and confusion. The gestation period is 30-31 days.
Six or seven days beliore the doe is due to kindle. the nest
box should be placed in the hutch together with some good —
clean straw. The doe will build her own nest and line it with
lur pulled from her body. She will not need any special attention - {
and should be kept quiet. A sudden noise or disturbance may i
cause her to stampede, usually into her nest to hide. and she
may trample her young.
The young are born blind and hairless. The number will
vary from l or 2 up to lt) or 12, with the average being 6 or T.
It is best to examine the nest carefully the day alter the young _
are born, to count the litter and to remove any dead, weak or P
crippled ollvspring. A
The average doe will not be able to care lor more than six
or seven young and nurse them properly. It other does are bred
to kindle at the same time, it may be possible to distribute the T
young among two or more does or when the litter is especially
large it may be best to destroy the excess number.
The young begin to come out ot the nest when about 2 weeks
old and may remain with the doe lor G-8 weeks, at which time `
they are usually ready lor market. Some growers like to leave
the young in the same hutch with the doe until marketed. Others
prelier to separate the young earlier and keep them in growing
pens until ready lor market. Young animals being held tor re-
placement breeding stock do very well in these large pens and ·
may be kept in groups ol tour or live until they start to iight or
annoy each other. Then they should be placed in individual
lmtches. Occasionally young growing does may be kept together
until breeding time, but the bucks must be separated nmch
earlier.

 1:3
  v ·-    J   it
    ``év     _. M  
   <   i ‘‘;    s I
  g Fig. 4.- The proper method
6 _ _ ol` handling a young rabbit.
s _ .
lf she is in good flesh, the mother doe may be bred again
_ ‘ when the young are weaned; otherwise, she should have a rest
. period of 2 to S weeks for reeuperating. Based on this schedule,
a doe may be bred four times a year and will produce four good
litters. By breeding does soon after they kindle, it is possible
to get five or more litters, but such a practice does not allow the
doe time enough to regain her strength. Unless the doe is an
exceptional individual and can maintain good flesh, it is much
better to breed her less often and allow more time for her to
' build up body weight between litters.
Sterility is not common in rabbits, but occasionally a doe is
found which is difficult to breed. This may be due to excessive
V fat, nervousness or a diseased condition of the ovary. Such does
should be replaced as soon as they are discovered.
\Vith good management a strong healthy doe should produce
four good litters for two or more years. llowever, as they be-
. c01ne older they become less efficient than younger does and
should be replaced by the best of the younger does saved from
the most promising litters.
Rabbits should never be carried by the ears. Young stock
may be grasped over the hips with the palm of the hand flat on
I the back and the Hngers over the side of the body just in front
of the thigh. Older animals or breeding stock need more support.
With the left hand get a firm grip on the loose skin over the
shoulder and then place the right hand and forearm over the
body and under the hind legs allowing the weight of the body
to rest on the hind legs.

 1-1
KILLING AND DRESSING
First stun the animal hy means ot a sharp hlow with a short,
stout stick or piece ot pipe, striking the head just in front of the
ears. Next hang the animal hy the hind legs on nails or hooks
              ié   
    sii   
  l`''        "     ‘;;.  
                     
    ‘~»=   v,‘·-   ,/,’ <;;        ·‘= , -  ~   ’l‘»i‘ I ‘i*,i A   .      
  iiiz       “    
        “— V·‘v1i 2   ‘’`i '  ‘‘’’ E     i f l‘‘’ ‘ ° `’‘i`°    `'ifill   '’>"'`` ` l'`` i "```  
gw; _. V U 4 MM mv-mmu N, I _, ,, f I. ,. ‘ ,     J"   _.y: E·.,q,§·
'   _   _   rA__Av _ pr:-i  iu.-,-,»*°°?· ‘ >  4*-  ·i .;;, -;-;   '& " " ' - -:;  ¤·‘-·;$3· `  ·,  
   V   ~   ;     li’· », V   V. lV/VV   .»', *  », V  
’   V   cz ’ 7       {.42        if V2 3;
        ,     it .’   VVV‘`’'              V I    
          i .   A ,     ·’‘°   H       F  ‘   ·-_·   J;
        -  yy   t ~               `
        .   . ,;ii.V=   ·‘   ;;i·· -¤·’ V  .- 
          —              .
  if      ·v¢k   .  A »    »;i     ‘v‘‘’         .
 -;    ‘   gf    vv’‘   » ,_ V   *>:,»ziZi/2*    1 
  _’‘;.  ~   ‘         ·‘           .    
` ‘”V‘‘ ·. i <;V       {   `  ,2%**   .4 
Z Z: ,  . V    gf  .        
 A · . A  ,~   ;¢   »».- ·   lp  A-       ;;;;Qg;rg;g§%;;_;;
        i.iic i     i        Ȣ   i#te  
’* -   .  ~ ..   =-·i* ‘- ’     ii‘‘   ·   i 1 /»n‘
`   ‘i’’. ¥   .,Vt   ».i=,       iii - il_,»   2*;.   ·‘ A  
` -‘—·-   `’’‘`   ..**2**   ‘  
i .   -;··   V   —·--;   A V    `”‘'' _ ,/YV Mm A
Fig. 5. (lelt to right) Steps in slaughtering and dressing rahhits_
arranged at convenient height, and slit the jugular vein in the
throat to permit good hleeding. Then cut through the neck to
remove the head. \\"ith the carcass still suspended and the hind °
legs separated ahout lt) inches apart, slit the skin down the inside
ol each thieh and com nletelv around the hock `oint. Trim around
P I , 1
the anus and tail. and then peel the hide down over the entire
hotly, using a sharp knilie to trim oil the tat, leaving as much
lat as possihle on the carcass and keeping the hide tree (from -
lat l. Place the hide over a xvire stretcher and hang in a dry place
until completely dried out. No curing ol any kind is necessary.
The stretcher can he made easily Iirom a piece ot No. 9 galvanized
xvire. ahout 4 feet long. \\tVhen hent in the middle to approxi- V
mately a \V-shape. it will have sullicient tension to stretch the
hide and hold it Hat until dry. l’elts thus handled are called
"eased." .

 15
t  
gg _`   §‘ wm
gash { at it  
         
  »      
     
,. %;§     `}‘  * "lt ‘‘``  
  `§v·=  *    ·  ~.   . ;>¤=>·‘*
  W `  N/Q  UL F A?    $2;* p i  
s       v· . I ··  - -  ; *= ¤‘f%;*·m  wi- ¢; » ·
      l
       ‘ gg    
 =  ·i 1   ?(E`;?.;.. ````     3* 
    »; '     
 ¤  =»      fi; I    ‘,A’       ·‘ 
  ;—¢_,        
  ;`‘     
»            
.    v  wi ~»~< »  ,.»_¢V ·        V     
{  into sieces, which are >acl<-
. . l l l
‘ a fed betore being sold. Usnallv the lore and hind legs are cnt
B C7 , 5
S€l)lll`lltCl}` lllld tllC l`(‘ll]ZlllllI]g (‘2ll`L‘2lSS (`llt lIlt() t\\'() ()l` tlll`(‘(‘ 1)Lll`tS.
The heart and liver should be wrapped separately.

 16
MARKETING
Xfeat rabbits are usually marketed as fryers when about S
weeks of age at which time they should weigh 3%-4% pounds.
There is some demand for larger carcasses weighing around 6
pounds. This requires an additional growing period of 7 or 8
weeks. ()lder animals may be marketed as heavy roasters at
any time after they have served their usefulness as breeders.
A great many of the rabbits produced from small units are con-
sumed by the family.
Many rabbit enterprises are established as a project for home
use and as such have been very efficient in the production of
meat for the family. As the volume increases, other markets
nuist be found. The operator of a small project will usually find
it best to market his surplus locally at retail and probably will
find it profitable to dress them rather than to sell at live weight. · I
Ile may also be able to establish outlets through hotels, restau-
rants. stores and meat counters. Such outlets may or may not
require dressed carcasses and have proved rather profitable where
a steady supply is available. The chief limiting factor to such
a marketing system is a regular uniform supply of sufficient
volume. ln areas where sufficient volume has been developed,
processing plants with pick-up truck service have been estab- p
lished. ·
Rabbit skins are marketed as a by-product of meat produc-
tion. l·`or those who kill and dress their own animals there is a
market for the skins. The skin should be removed from the car-
cass carefully to prevent cuts or tears and to remove all fat. It
should then be stretched over a loop of heavy wire and allowed
to dry in a cool dry place. When a sufficient inimber have ae-
cuniulated, they may be tied in bundles and shipped to whole-
sale buyers or jobbers who buy in small lots tllld assemble hides · y
for the wholesale trade.
\\'hite skins usually bring the best price. Chinchilla and rex
hides are highly valued; however, the small number produced
makes it difficult to establish a market for them. ~ _
DISEASES
Rabbits are subject to a mnnber of diseases