Page:Care and Management of Rabbits.djvu/155



feeding of nursing does does not differ materially from the feeding of other rabbits, except as to the quantity and time of feeding. There is also a noon feeding of stale bread and milk included which is not necessary in the case of other adult rabbits.

The care of the nursing doe should not commence when her litter arrives, but should commence from the day that she is bred. By this we mean that during the time the litter is being produced and before birth, the doe must be given the proper elements in her ration to produce these young if she is to bring forth a good litter of healthy youngsters.

Too often the loss of young stock is due to lack of proper feeding during the pregnancy of the doe. This and improper breeding are about ninety per cent of the reasons why young rabbits seem to turn up their feet and die for no apparent reason.