Page:Care and Management of Rabbits.djvu/147

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FEEDING FOR MARKET

Market feeding means that the stock is intended for meat purposes, to be sold for that purpose to local markets or else to be used upon the table of the breeder. For this reason, a little different feeding is required than where the purpose is to mature breeding stock and merely keep them in good condition so long as they are used in the hutches.

The frying age, which is the best age at which to sell or use rabbits for the table, is from twelve to sixteen weeks of age. There is less waste at this stage of their development than if they are used earlier. It is possible, however, to have them on the table when they are only two months old. Keeping them longer enables the breeder to obtain full return from his feed and also to judge correctly the worth of an individual for breeding purposes. A good breeder should not go into the pot as it is a waste of time and money to do this.