Page:Care and Management of Rabbits.djvu/46

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CARE AND MANAGEMENT OF RABBITS

nine and ten pounds at maturity, which is twelve months. It is a rapid grower, breeds true to color, has a reddish buff color, which is always popular with fanciers.

The important thing to note about the domesticated rabbit is that it is a decidedly different animal from the wild cotton tail or the jack rabbit, which most of us are more or less familiar with.

It is a made rabbit in many respects. The New Zealand Red is probably the only rabbit extensively bred at the present time, both for commercial purposes and for show purposes, that breeds exactly true to color and shape. This is because it is not the result of breeding as is the case of the Flemish Giants and the Belgian hares.

The domesticated rabbit, being an entirely different animal from all other rabbits with which most of us are familiar, naturally requires different attention and care. And unless this fact is kept in mind and it is handled intelligently there is slight chance of success.