Feeding and breeding of laboratory animals: II. Growth and maintenance of rabbits without fresh green food

Abstract

1. Fresh greenstuff is not necessary for rabbits, provided that drinking water is supplied.2. A dry diet has been evolved which gives very satisfactory results with rabbits when supplemented only by hay and water.3. Dry diet in the form of pellets is much more acceptable to rabbits than an identical diet in the form of meal.4. The presence in the diet of 30% of even poorquality dried grass seems to supply an adequate amount of ascorbic acid, and the exogenous requirement of rabbits for this vitamin must therefore be very small.5. Confirmation of the toxic effects of cod-liver oil for rabbits is given.