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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1973-02-15, Page 13;lY be directly es Wit) and who djust hods to -y, ilowev re hay g the )STM at rea to a hich is the im less, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1 5, 197 3 9NIS OLE lhtI rNny bad. inned back oil ever seen a, rabbit �:1 .. ars_ planed -.bark 2 �j , ay be a tale you will be w about, but there is a n in the office of The �j (Ontario) Trentonian ti r to verify it. enton residents, Gordon nd Nortl7ai Whitney, ing in the woods about 19 rth of � Trenton. While long a wooden trail, at miles from any known they spotted an owl C10 rabbit. �6t nppedtheir theyapproached, the toil), away with the rab- talons. The prey'was too d the owl was forced to nd fly away. o men examined the RE d Mr. Whitney removed d one-half inch garter n from the rabbit's left 524 safety pin was fastened d through the animal's 39 09 19 d the safety pin get ight ask Mr. Muffit, a game warden, who had en such a thing before in y years in the woods. abbit was.about three . own and Mr. Whitney d that its mother must ned its ears back'. e time of this unusual he Trenton newspaper lled The Cuurier-Advo- as since been incorpora- e tri -weekly Trentonian on.) Gordon Hughes of RR 3, Blyth, is a pioneer among rabbit ranch- ers in Ontario, having first raised rabbits as early as 1940 at his farm outside London. Since retiring from a paint and wallpaper business in London five years ago to a small but see - , t 1.. zt �, i 't t r - nic farm near Blyth, he and his ' l , wife Berenice, have established a successful rabbitry covering all , b aspects of the business. The Hughes farm, a mile west ofHwy:4, just north of Blyth, s , boasts a modern, sanitary rabbit- ry with about 100 working does • and 12 performing bucks, an ad- joining workshop for the produc- kion of wire cages to specifica- tion, the supply of wire and all other ranching supplies including hay' racks, water cups, feeders and rabbit feed and pellets. HUGHES RABBITRY at RR 3, Blyth, showing workshop with cages, feed, screening and There is also a set of scales for receiving and weighing rabbits other rabbit rancher supplies. from approximately 35 to 40 area • ` ,�,' • • ,, growers prior to shipping. The 'v where ,Heai -s uO �ey second Monday, year-round. In addition, the farm supplies many tbefIvecountie$ m 7 ►9 Ontario Rabbit Federa- ORF' for short, has re- ' n formed to promote ail of the rabbit industry in les Clay of Bewdley, On - the Federation's first nt, says the organization passes many member zations of the Ontario l.of Rabbit Clubs and indi- members of. the Canadian, ercial Rabbit Growers' ation. new federation hopes to e a stronger, unifiedvoice negotiations with both ial • and: -federal' govern% ies. Including equipment suppliers, hobbyists, growers and depot operators, a surprising number of people in the heartland of Mid- western Ontario are involved in Ontario's commercial rabbit in- dustry. Some suppliers, who* also oper- ate commercial growing busi- nesses and act as shippers or depot operators, are Herb Hawk- ins -and Mina Baker who operate 'Bunny _Hub_ Rabbitry at RR 3, Brussels; Paul Fretz' Bunnyview Rabbitry at RR 2, West Mont- rose; Gordon S. Hughes of RR 3, Blyth and Ralph Bowman of RR 1, Atwood. Bunny Hub Rabbitry Herb Hawkins and Mina Baker, who have been in the business since 1959, three miles east of Brussels, usually ship rabbits every second, 'Saturday year- round and draw from a wide area. Herb, who is under doctor's or- - •ders- to -slow• :down, ,says__Bunny • flub'sbiggest shipping day.oti re- cortl was 5,300 pounds -4,700 of which went to one buyer. "We have -slowed down a bit since then and we now average about 2,500 pounds every ship- ping day," says Herb; "but we produced an awful bunch of rah-, bits ourselves this past sum- mer." Herb and Mina, when pressed for names of their growers, re- plied with locations since "so darn many people come here, we don't know the half of them." Bunny Hub of Brussels re- 'ceives rabbits from growers in Palmerston, TeesWater, Gads - hill, Mitchell, Clinton, Goderich, Mildmay, Listowel, Chesley and several other areas. Bunnyview Rabbitry Paul Fretz, a founding member and past president of the Cana- dian Commercial Rabbit Grow- ers' Association, operates one of Ontario's largest rabbit opera- tions. He supplies breeding stock, wire , mesh cages, certified laboratory rabbits- to research" growers with New Zealand White and Californian breeding stock. labs in Guelph and, Toronto, an- nual shipments of rabbits to Scarborough public schools for classroom study and has a successful record of prize win-+ ners on the `hobby' or show cir- cuit. The Fretz operation includes three barns, a workshop, feed room, sales room, office, packing room, storage area and makes 'and sells more than 700 cagesan- nually: Paul Fretz is proud of his Bun- nyview Rabbitry and a big sign bearing the message `visitors welcome' greets motorists pass- ing the establishment at Winter- bourne. Hughes Rabbitry • Gordon Hughes offers the comb- .-r,plete rabbitry service including the supply of breeding stock, building cages to specification, wire. mesh, water cups and all other rancher supplies including feed. W ZEALAND WHITES are the mainstay of Ontario's rabbit ymeat industry and the ily above Were king enough to hold their -positions -for the photographer. 'rife Hughes Rabbitry operates with about 50 working does year round and_ Mr. Hughes reports the market is always .better in winter than summer but the past couple of years -has been very good in the summer as well. Other people who are both growers and depot operators are Ralph Bowman and Brian Cogh- lin of RR 1, Atwood; Ray Hanna, RR 2, Auburn; Ken Lichty, Poole; Lloyd Shantz, RR 2, •Waterloo; Len Vollett of Durham and more in Dungannon, St. Jacobs, Wallenstein, St. Cle- ments and St. Agatha. Among the many growers and . ho4byistsa.are_.Garyr,_.Les_an LStP- phen Caldwell of RR 3, Blyth; Lyn Hunter's Sleepy Hollow Rab- bitry at RR 3, Wingham ; Ben Walsh and Mrs. Adrian Voss of Blyth; Ivan Blake and John Thompson of Kinburn; Joe Kuntz of RR 5, Mildmay; Arend Run - hart of RR 2, Atwood; Don Blan- % chard, RR 4, Walton; Robert Gil- bert, Brodhagen ; Arthur Brown, Monkton; John Johnson, Ford- wicli; Paul Bristow, Listowel; Elton Vines, Gowanstown; E1= wood Wilson of Atwood; Alfie Dahmer of Mount Forest; Saul Abate of Arthur and no doubt many others. His knowledge of rabbits and their habits is recognized and valued by many in the business and some growers come to Hughes with sick animals for his opinion. • Serious Business The Hughes rabbitry is a no- nonsense,. -Serious commercial operation, utilizing the best hus- bandry and feeding methods. A sophisticated card index system for every doe is evident on each cage, with dates of their birth, service- (breeding ), kindling, per- formance and medication. A daily chore sheet is also kept as far as two months in advance. The Hughes rabbits are medi- cated twice a month--nitrafura- zone on the 15th and teramicine on the 30th. "There are a number of basics in this business, but probably the, most important,is consistent cull- ing—the elimination of •the `boarders' who are lazy and don't perform," said Mr. Hughes. . "Usually," about six good work- ing bucks are necessary for 50 does with about eight does per buck. A mature buck is good for service every three days, the doe having. an approximate 'gestation of 31 days. Our 12 bucks are-kept pretty busy on a year-round basis servicing our 100 or sp does," added Mr. Hughes. It was interesting to note the name tags on the cages in the Hughes rabbitry:. Some oI the bucks are named Biff, ing, Bang, Boom and Wow. Husbandry Important "I believe most of,us aim for an average of eight rabbits a litter and four and one-half litters a year per doe. However, we have had as many as 14 pups per litter and some does produced between five and six litters a year." The management of commer- cial rabbits is most important and some strict 'rules, according to Mr. Hughes are: a ready sup- ply 'of clean, fresh water, a good sanitary set of cages with a little hay, good lighting and a consis- tent, regulated supply of ventila- tion: The Hughes rabbitry has an exhaust 'fan which is turned on just about every tirt e the opera- tor enters the building. "Our rabbits area given about four ounces of pellets a day and no more. The only exceptions are does which are about to give birth. They slow down on their feed for about two days prior to birth and a couple more after birth and then they eat like crazy." "You have to harden your heart sometimes—knowing they wmtld eat more—but if they are over- fed, they won't breed and a fat buck is no good," says an empha- tic Mr. Hughes. Ship At Eight Weeks "1 think most of us ship at about eight weeks, at the same time we wean them," said Mr. Hughes, "although it doesn't al- ways happen that way. I'll ship one litter out of three right out of the kindling cage, but it requires good stock to ids -this." Some of the largest growers in North America have as many as 900 does and breed 100 a month on an eight-week cycle and they make money. They obviously don't do this overnight, but work hard at it, says Mr. Hughes. Among the largest growers in our area are rabbitries with 200 or more working does. Mr. Hughes said the consumer demand dictates the pricing of rabbits; both the price he re- ceives from theprocessor and the price he pays the growers who ship from his depot. ,. Canadians Cautious The rabbit industry is still pret- ty small in Ontario according to Mr. Hughes. He cites the long- standing reluctance of Canadians to accept rabbit as a commercial food. Although some Canadians now eat rabbit as a regular part of their diet, much like chicken, the large consumers are still eth- nic groups in the bigger cities who hpve eaten 'rabbit since, they were kids in Europe. • - "I've been convinced for a long time it's purely a psychological thing about rabbits as pets with pretty pink eyes and cute twit- ching noses," said Mr. Hughes. "It is really surprising some- times when you stop to think that people go out and shoot wild rab- bits for eating and they are ex- posed to many diseases and aren't _fed like we _ feed, our rab- bits." He was quick to mention that he knew a 1st of "converts who eat as much or more rabbit today then they do chicken: Both Mr. and Mrs. Hughes mentioned the importance of dis- tinguishing the commercial rab- ENGLISH LOPS are charming fancy rabbit breed. A rabbit such as this one is 'bred and raised for showing at fall fairs and rabbit shows and not for commercial consumption. ' Iain accurate records and prac- ers • and increased production bit grower fro the hobbyist. Bill Dickey, RR 1, Centralia, Commercial growers are strictly president of the Canadian Com- tise good, management with re- from present growers.. A federal mercial Rabbit Growers' Asso- gard to sanitation, ventilation plant can sell meat outside the in the business for consumption while the hobbyists, in most ciation and a long-time, rabbit and animal husitandry. After province and the country but at cases, raise their rabbits for pets grower, was quick to point out the 'this, the profit is strictly in feed present the industry cannot meet or for showing at fall fairs and fallowing opinions were his oin conversion, the same as any the consumer demand in Ontario,• other organized rabbit shows. and probably won't. for several f the other form of livestock." and not necessarily CCRGA. Processing Plants years. "Rabbit raising can produce an In regard to processing plants "A provincially inspected plant ideal secondary income, for both . for rabbits, Mr. Dickey had these would enable a processor' to sup yot irg-Sntl told -alike; as -long -as ------comments• "Lhay..c.._sais the. fed- ply all Ontario outlets as well as a raiser will have a tough time the raiser starts with good foun- erally inspected plant at Picton is federal planT and�We cosi of making any money in is usi Can Make Money , The small, backyard rabbit • dation stock from a recognized commercial grower. "The reasons are many but a few of the important ones are— commercial growers breed stock for maximum production, for faster growth rate, accustomed to wire floor cages for a hardier animal and most commercial growers maintain a good stand- ard of animal perfection for eco- nomic reasons. "Rabbit growers should main - ten years ahead of its time be- cause the cost of a plant suitable to meet qualifications for federal inspection requires so much overhead that the plant. must operate at least four full days a week to remain solvent. Need Growers, Not Processors Mr. Dickey stressed what he. felt the industry needs more than anything else, including federally inspected plants, are more grow - e medium -type New d`White is the most popu- t rabbiti. Other medium such, as Californians, are cceptable because of -their alion: bbits were first considered about 1,000 B.C. ;Ontario, thbujsands of rab- e processed weekly for hu= onsumption, • bbits were first ranch- , by man in Africa. e rabbit is now considered icultgral animal in Canada, e U.S. bbits were first sold on the t about 1,000 A.D: 'in Eu- abbit ,treat has proven M maple with stomach due to easy digestion 'recommended by many i ty4hree . per cent of a clean. 'raised rabbit is White meat . --They have a 31 -day gestation with only eight to ten per cent bone. —Rabbits are raised in all Canadian provinces and territo- ries and in 30 other countries. —There are more than 46,000 farms raising rabbits in North America. —There are more than 50 dif- ferent breeds of rabbits. —A colony of 600 "working" does can provide full-time em- ployment for one'man depending on management and type of equipment. —Each rabbit in, good production is capable, of an ap- proximate average profit of from $S to $20 per year, depending on management, feeding, sanita- tion, marketing technique, etc. --Rabbits can be bred all year if housing is adequ te. They are vegeta 'cans gndare and have from two to' 16 young per litter. It is wise to leave from six to eight young with the doe. —Rabbits will produce from four to six litters per year under favourable conditions. —Ranch -raised rabbits "'have never been known to carry 'tula- remia', a disease often found in wild rabbits. One Scottish firm wants to send rabbits to Europe, according to a recent Scottish Farmer report. ▪ ,The Flower Group of companies say a new ferry opening this year linking Plymouth to Rosscroft in France will open up new export- ing opportunities to Europe. Rabbits will produce' meat quicker and cheaper than any other form of dotnestic animal, says a spokesman for the com- pany, which is looking forward to selling live rabbits as well as car- casses to the 'European market. I assenpfeffer, anyone? (That's rabbit stew). ' • - There 'are at least five estab- lished or recognized rabbit meat processors in Ontario. They are: John II. McCallum and Sons, London; Lo -Rock Packers, Pic,- ton ic- ton; Halton Poultry, Rabbit. Divi- sion, Milton; Rabbit Meat Indus-' tries, Wardsville and Harvey Kuehn Rabbit Packers of New- totiville. Expectant doe relaxes n her cage. building and maintaining such a ness and many have beep dis- plant is considerably less than couraged over the years. With what is required for a federal good breeding stock, coupled plant. I believe we should work with good husbandry and consis- toward this goal to better the in- tent management, many farmers dustry and the people at. Wards- can earn a second income in the ville and Milton seem to be pre- rabbit business. pared to up -grade their opera- . All five recognized rabbit pro - tions to provincial inspection," cessors in Ontario can accommo- said Mr. Dickey. -date all the rabbits they can get. Critical of Fact Sheet These processors have regular. "The `fact sheet', prepared by pickups from a -long list of depot Martin J. Jeager of the "Econo- operators right across the prov- mics Branch, has been ,a great ince. Their demat%d from some disservice to the rabbit industry supermarkets and other smaller and the author should be respons- food speciality shops and delica- ible enough to issue a statement . tessens in such places at' Strat- of correction," said Mr. Dickey in ford, London, Guelph and Toron- reference to Mr. Jeager's report. to is constant. � "To further explain my rebut- "Any person wanting to get info tal of this 'fact sheet'; the South this business should be prepared Huron Rabbit Breeders' Associa- to set up a proper rabbitry, obtain tion has operated a co-operated good breeding stock and pay a marketing system since 1969, good price for them. Does can with complete success. In' 1971, range in price from $6 to $20 de- when this survey was made, pending on age, weight and per- South Huron Rabbit Breeders formahce, with bucks about the had 34 growers with an average same," pointed out Mr. Hughes. of 30 does each for a total of more Starter rabbits should be three than 1,000 does. to four months old in order to per - "According to the fact sheet, mit the owner to get to know this would lead usto believe that them. • South Hdron breeders accounted The point was made that com- for one -twelfth of the entire rab- mercial rabbits carry no disease •.,:-- bit population of Ontario! This which is communicable to man— fact alone makes me feel certain • except overeating ---which in turn rr that 95 per cent of the information led , to the rather amazing fact is incorrect and could be proven that today in Southern California 'so with very little research," con- • 'drive-in rabbitstraes au a nts arnts' e eluded the Centralia rabbit 'Mr. Rabbit' grower. doing a flourishing business.