Page:Care and Management of Rabbits.djvu/55

Rh of a heavy frame and he has not produced meat first, as the smaller breeds, having less frame to grow, will do.

For heavy animals, however, to be marketed at maturity for meat there is no doubt but that the Flemish Giant will be the meat breed of the future, especially when there is an established meat market for the rabbits over the country. It is in every sense the Hereford of the rabbit family.

The New Zealand Red has already been mentioned in previous chapters. It came originally from New Zealand where it had been extensively bred for commercial purposes.

This rabbit is hailed at the present time as the ideal commercial rabbit, because it is of medium weight, quick maturing and has more meat at marketing age than any other breed. Having less waste in the form of bone, it would naturally appeal to all householders who desired to buy young rabbit frys.

At maturity the does weigh ten pounds and the bucks nine pounds, according to the