Rabbits

Domestic rabbits really need to be kept indoors. They are liable to catch myxomatosis from wild rabbits if there is any chance of contact.

The other grave danger is coccidiosis, and the easiest way to prevent this is to feed a proprietary food containing a coccidiostat.

Having said that, rabbits are quite to cheap to buy; there is a flourishing market at present for any surplus and housing need not be plush. However, they must not be kept in draughts, and a cold environment will reduce growth rates.

The does need carefully constructed nest boxes.

The California and New Zealand White are good meat breeds. The breeding stock can be used for fur, but young pelts are not much good. The slaughter-houses buy live rabbits, but killing, skinning and dressing is quite easy to do at home. It is however illegal to slaughter them at home for sale. Many Agricultural Colleges run rabbit courses.