Rabbit Attack

It occasionally happens that a rabbit becomes vicious andattacks all who attempt to handle it. Viciousness should notbe confused with nervousness where an animal may attack astranger, nor a strongly developed maternal instinct, where adoe with a litter may attack a breeder who attempts to lookinto the nest. Although there are other factors, viciousnessis usually the result of rough handling, which may also causenervousness in rabbits.

Different breeds vary greatly and while some are very docile,others arc more timid rather than docile, and others again tendtowards viciousness. It is in these latter breeds, or snorecorrectly strains of different breeds in which viciousness maydevelop. There is usually little that can be done with ananimal that continues to be vicious, and unless the animal isrequired for some particular purpose it is best eliminated.Some does are very temporarily vicious, either to the atten-dant or to their young towards the end of weaning, but thiscan be eliminated by putting her to the buck.

Certain does may eat their young or scatter them at birth,and, although very rarely, others will attack, and kill theiryoung at a week or more old. Both cases rarely occur in awell managed stud.

There are several causes for this abnormal behaviour in the doe. There is little doubt that some of the cases are dueto deficiencies in rations. One very extensive series of caseswas completely cured by improvement in the diet, deficiencyin vitamin B having been diagnosed as the cause. Inadequatemoisture, either in the form of greenfood or water (whichshould be left before stock at all times), is probably anothercause. The doe, immediately following kindling, proceeds toeat the placenta or afterbirth, and may inadvertently eatparts of the young. The last cause, to which however undueprominence is usually given, is disturbance of some kind.If a doe is frightened, during her panic she may damage one ormore of her young, and when this occurs she may start eatingsome when licking away the blood from any wounds so caused.With properly fed and managed does little trouble from thissource should be experienced.