Page:Care and Management of Rabbits.djvu/176

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CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF RABBITS
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on the constitutional vigor of the offspring and also has a bad effect upon the breeding value of the parent stock itself. There is nothing to be gained by trying to hurry things in this fashion and much to be lost.

It is not a good plan to stick to your own bucks too much in selecting the stock that is to be used in breeding. If there happens to be a good stud buck within shipping distance of your rabbitry, it is money well spent to ship your does to this buck, pay a service fee, and get the benefit of the better blood which such an animal will introduce into your stock.

In England and other European countries stud bucks are patronized a great deal more than they have been in this country, for the reason that breeders across the water are wider awake to the possibilities of their use. If you hear of a good buck in your breed which has produced some exceptional stock, leave no stone unturned until he have had your best does bred to him.

In buying breeding stock, always demand that they be registered and that their pedi-