Page:Care and Management of Rabbits.djvu/222

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CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF RABBITS

will weigh, nine to ten pounds, while a mature Flemish Giant will often weigh over fifteen pounds.

For roasting or stews, the rabbit is excellent up to one year of age. An old rabbit while not suitable for frying, will have none of the rancid flavor found in old poultry or other food producing fowls or animals. While they can be used up to one year of age for roasting and stews, the best age is at six to eight months, although the rabbit is good eating at any age.

As soon as the rabbit has been dressed, it should be placed in cold water for about two hours. If purchased dressed upon the market, the same treatment will do no harm. In the winter time, a great deal can be added to the enjoyment in eating the rabbit by allowing it to freeze overnight. It can either be hung on a line or placed upon a glass slab for this purpose.

If the rabbit has been purchased alive you will, of course, have to dress it. This is not