Common sense rabbit raising ...

Front matter

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Hollinger Corp.

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Part I AMERICA'S LARGEST RABBITRIES

Are located at Holmes Park, Mo., a suburb of Kansas City, with building's and equipment to house five hundred breeding does and their progeny. This immense Rabbitry is owned and controlled by the Outdoor Enterprise Co., which also controls the output of a Rabbitry at Sibley, Mo., ■ with thirty breeding does, another one at Topeka, Kas., with one hundred breeding does, and besides this, the company controls fifteen other rabbitries located in and around Kansas City with from six to twenty-five breeding does in each. This gives us the output from around seven hundred breeding does. Besides we are continually buying, importing and replenishing with the best stock purchasable here and in England.

All stock of the above Rabbitries is under the personal direction of our Mr. Stahl, who selects the breeding stock. We have been and are now supplying customers with stock raised direct from winners at the largest shows. We receive glowing reports every day from customers who are winning with our stock.

It would give us great pleasure for you to visit our rabbitries. We would like personally to show 3^011 this high class stock, the many winners, and the stock raised from them. As it is not possible for all customers to visit us, Mr. Stahl takes a personal interest in all orders received and personally selects all stock shipped out, being undoubtedly one of the best qualified men in the country to know what is best for each customer. He also knows what he has already shipped to most of our customers, who come back with repeats, feeling that he knows many of them as well as if he had met them personally.

Nearly ten years of success in the rabbit business is our record. We can well be proud of.it. We are proud of it. We know that our thousands of customers have made possible this successful enterprise. We please them, and they order again and again.

THE RABBIT BUSINESS IS A WELL ESTABLISHED

INDUSTRY

It is well known that the rabbit industry is firmly established. There are very few if any businesses that have attracted the thinking man and woman as has the rabbit industry in a commercial way, and by the word "commercial'' we mean that it is a profitable industry that is worthy of your consideration and investment.

Rabbit raising is past the experimental stage and is numbered among the essential industries of our country as well as of other lands throughout the world. The meat and fur of the rabbit are in great demand. In fact the demand is far greater than the supply. Breeding stock that is pedigreed commands good prices. Stock without pedigrees while not desirable as breeders, is raised for meat. It does not sell very readily as breeding stock, so when you order stock, by all means insist that it is pedigreed.

Rabbits multiply fast and if you start with a trio it will be only a short time until you are able to supply others with stock and the money invested will come back to you. It is a fact that no business on earth will pay any one a bigger interest on the monev invested than will rabbits.

A very fine Self-Cleaning Portable Rabbit Hutch with feeding and nesting compartments and outdoor run with Slat Flonr which makes this hutch self-cleaning. Very cheaply built. A box, some wire and short ends of boards are all that is needed.

COST TO RAISE IS REMARKABLY LOW

That the cost of raising rabbits is small is vouched for by the United States Department of Agriculture in the statement that rabbits can be raised for 6 cents a pound. Reed Storms has raised and judged rabbits for more than twenty-five years. At a meeting of the Kansas City Rabbit Club recently he made the statement that'he has raised rabbits up to 2 l / 2 months old for 14 cents. He raised Belgian Hares, and as their weight is about 4 pounds at that age you will note that it costs Mr. Storms 3^4 cents a pound to raise his rabbits. Rabbit meat sells readily for 35 to 40 cents a pound dressed, and even in a commercial way the raising of rabbits is very profitable. __i=_

The profits will of course be larger if you raise stock to sell for breeding. The best way is to breed to sell both to market and for breeding purposes, selecting only the best for breeders, and in this way you will become known as selling only the most desirable stock as breeders and many will be glad to buy from you.

EASILY RAISED

Rabbits are easily raised if you go at it the right way with the right kind of stock. For one thing, start with good healthy stock. Give them the care and attention you would other stock and you will be surprised to see how fast they will grow into money. Our customers far and wide say that when you start with STAHL Strain Stock you start right. Remember that .is what many say about our stock and you will say so, too, when you see the big healthy, robust stock that we will send you.

You are ambitious. You want to make some money, especially as a side line. Why not try rabbits? You can make a start with very little money, so why not give the raising of rabbits a trial? You can start small and grow big. We started with only five rabbits. From this small start we have built the biggest rabbit business in the country. You may not duplicate this feat. You can, however, make many a dollar and make it easily and pleasantly.

WHAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS TO SAY ABOUT

RABBITS

Ned Dearborn, former Assistant Biologist of the Bureau of Biological Survey, in a recent writing has this to say : "In raising rabbits the saving and earning power is illustrated by the following examples of what is actually being done with rabbits.

One man of Kansas City, Kas., raises 300 to 400 pounds of rabbit meat a year for his own table at a cost of eight to ten cents a pound. Another resident of the same city who raised pedigreed and registered stock in his back yard, size 20x24, sold enough rabbits in eighteen months to clear $2,400.00."

The above are just instances from the experience of hundreds of people who are raising rabbits in such manner at a great profit. Men, women, boys and girls are doing it in all parts of America and Canada, some as a side line, others as a regular business. Of course you also want to succeed in something. You want tc make extra money. There is nothing so profitable and easily handled as the rabbit business. The future is yet to be developed and so you can realize the opportunity there is before you.

In quoting from this government authority above mentioned we have given you only two instances. There is a bulletin published by the government which contains hundreds of important things about rabbits. IT'S FREE. Do not fail to write for it at once. Write to the United States Department of Agriculture for Farmer's Bulletin No. 1090.

No domestic animal increases so rapidly as the rabbit. A doe is bred the first time when 8 months old. She raises four litters a year with six to eight to a litter, sometimes more.

Rabbits are readily sold to hotels, restaurants and to private families. We have the success of our customers at heart and are always Willing to supply market for stock raised from our stock. Many times have we been offered stock by breeders who did not have our stock. Often we are offered stock without pedigrees, for little or nothing. We don't buy such stock. Won't have it in our hutches. We have only the finest pedigreed and registered stock. Nothing is too good for us, and nothing is too good for our customers.

Rabbits sell for breeding stock for from $3.00 to $25.00 each, according to breed and quality. Judge for yourself if this is not one of the most profitable branches of the industry.

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FLEMISH GIANT BUCK— STAHL'S BLACK SAMBO

Winner at Oakland. Cal.. and winner of first at Kansas City, November, 1920. Weight 14% lbs. STUD SERVICE FEE $3.50. 3 OTHER BLACK FLEMISH BUCKS

Midnight, Stahl's Black Chiof. Good color and size producers. Stud fee $3.00. ALL. DOES 8 MONTHS AND OVER WILL BE BRED TO THESE BUCKS FREE.

$72.00 A YEAR FROM ONE BREEDING DOE

Reverting to the birth rate of the rabbit, one doe will produce

at least 24 rabbits a year, and even if you sold them at the low

L price of $3.00 each it figures that one breeding doe will bring

j you $72.00 a year. Now figure what ten breeding does will bring

you. You can take care of that number in your spare time. Then

[ figure what fifty breeding does will bring you. You can take care of thai many if you want to make the breeding of rabbits a regular business.

The above is really a very conservative estimate: Many and many times the breeder receives more than $3.00 for a rabbit, so the income is increased accordingly.

The profits from raising rabbits for breeding purposes is enormous. In this branch of the business you have to keep them a little longer so the most profitable way is to combine the two plans of selling the best for breeders and the others to the market, and you get fine returns from both directions.

Never make the mistake of starting with poor stock without pedigrees. To succeed, get the best possible stock, pedigreed or registered, then you will have something to offer to your prospective customer.

RABBIT MEAT HAS NO EQUAL IN QUALITY ON AN EQUAL INVESTMENT

When it comes to the matter of meat production there is not a living animal that can compete with the rabbit. Here are some clear facts : Eight rabbits and their offspring will produce in one year 480 rabbits, making 3,080 pounds of meat. Fifty chickens will produce in one year 600 chickens making 2,400 pounds. Two pigs (sows) wiill produce in one year 32 pigs weighing in all 2,800 pounds. Six sheep will produce in one year 9 lambs weighing 800 pounds. One cow will produce in one year one calf weighing 300 pounds. . So you see that as a meat producer the rabbit has no equal. This, mind you, is taking into consideration the meat production alone. Consider also that the feeding cost for the rabbits is much less than that, of any of the other stock we have mentioned. And even this is not all. The rabbit meat contains 85 per cent digestive nutriment. This is the highest o<f any known meat.

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A DOUBLE ROW OF OUR PORTABLE HUTCHES

Light Steel Gray Flemish Doe. Weighs 11 lbs. at 5 months.

FROM WHOM SHALL I BUY?

There are a number of breedders who offer first class stock, but there are others who offer a great deal, make any sort of a promise to make a sale, and then give as little, as they can. You can not raise figs from thistles the good book says, and you can not raise good rabbits from scrubs. And no matter from whom you buy it is well to note if the breeder is a member in good standing of one or more of the associations that are formed for the promotion of the rabbit industry and for the protection of breeders. No matter how good one's bank reference may be, if he is not in high standing with the other breeders of the country you can rest assured there is a reason, and that reason may be that the quality of the stock sold or their methods of dealing have not been satisfactory.

We sell all Stahl Strain Stock on its merit. It must please you or it's no sale, and can be returned to be replaced or the money refunded.

We have three grades of stock, Pedigreed, Silver Certificate and Gold Certificate. The description of each is on our price list. You will also find the weights there of each different grade and breed, and no matter where you buy, insist that you know what the stock weighs according to grade and breed. If the weights are under those we give the stock is undersized and not worthy of your consideration. All our stock is up to standard in weight and over.

While we grade our stock in three grades, please remember that the price is according to quality, and that EVERY STAHL STRAIN RABBIT IS A GOOD RABBIT.

BELGIAN HARE BUCK

Stahl's Fashionson

BLTCGIAN HARE STUD BUCKS— STAHL'S FASHIONSON

Winner at Syracuse as a Junior and winner of first at Kansas City, November, over America's Finest Senior Belgians. For color, length and type this is the finest buck we have ever owned. STUD SERVICE FEE $2.00.

OTHER BELGIAN HARE STUD BUCKS. ALL BIG WINNERS

Stahl's Royal Fashoda, Jiggers, Royal Rush, Royal Lad, Shebbear Duke, Stahl's

President Davis, Stahl's Champion. All good producers. Stud fee $2.00.

ALL DOES 8 MONTHS AND OVER WILL BE BRED TO THESE BUCKS FREE.

THE FOUR LEADING BREEDS

are The Belgian Hare, The New Zealand Red.. The Flemish Giant and The American Blue. All of them are wonderful rabbits for all around purposes. In fact they are about the only breeds that are practical from the standpoint of the production of Meat, Fur and Breeders. All are recognized as Standard Strains by all the rabbit and small stock organizations.

THE BELGIAN HARE

We mention the Belgian Hare first because it's the oldest breed and often called the old reliable, and it is a reliable breed in every sense of the word.

The true Rufus Red Belgian Hare is of a reddish brown color and weighs at maturity 7 to 8 pounds, and some of the heavier type will weigh around 9 pounds when matured. The Standard is 8 pounds, but stock of the show room type seldom weighs over 7 pounds. This is because this variety of the rabbit is the "race horse" of the rabbit family and the best show specimens are racy and therefore not heavy although in the breeding pens they average 8' pounds.

The Rufus Red Belgian Hare is very hardy and very prolific. The better specimens have four red feet and a creamy belly. The true Rufus Red Belgian Hare will breed true to color and markings and produce youngsters the same shade as themselves. In good stock of this breed, like breeds like, unlike some whose ancestors are doubtful and who are likely to throw gray colored stock.

We guarantee our stock to be pure bred and of the best strains that can be produced. This is the breed we started with and Mr. Stahl has had extensive experience breeding them, has judged them and is well qualified to select you some that will not only be real producers but will do well in any show room.

The Belgian Hare yields a fine grained white meat that is highly nutritious and very nourishing, and every one who has tried this meat will want more. Rabbit meat can be cooked in a hundred different ways, is cheaper than any other meat, and we have already told you about the high authorities who vouch for its being the most nourishing of all meats.

We have a good number on hand and can fill orders promptly for all stock except bred does. These require a little longer to properly breed and test.

The Belgian has many good boosters. Many breeders have bred nothing else for years. They are also being boosted by the American Belgian Hare Club and by the Belgian Hare Federation of America.

THE NEW ZEALAND RED RABBIT

The New Zealand Red is a little larger than the Belgian. They are very hardy and fully as prolific as the Belgian flare although not quite so well known. One of the handsomest of the rabbit family, combining beauty with usefulness.

The weight at maturity is 8 to 10 pounds, and at times the does go larger than that. The better specimens have rich dark orange red color more lustrous than yellow, yet not so gaudy as red. The New Zealand breeds true to color.

These rabbits are quiet by nature, hence take on flesh very rapidly. They make fine venison which is readily marketable at good prices, which will pay you well for your time and trouble

This rabbit is really one of the late breeds but in its few years of existence has made wonderful strides because it has many friends, and in many large shows throughout the country more New Zealand Reds are shown than any other variety. It's purely an American breed and did not originate in New Zealand as some breeders make believe. It's really the only rabbit of the leading breeds purely American.

The fur of the New Zealand is rapidly coming in demand because of its color being similar to Red Fox.

NEW ZEAJLAND RED BUCK — STAHL'S OTAGO RED PRINCE

Winner at Buffalo, N. Y., and first at Kansas City, and Cup at Kansas City, Kan. STUD SERVICE FEE $2.50.

OTHER NEW ZEALAND BUCKS AT STUD. ALU BIG WINNERS

Otago Red Prince, Red Cloud, Prather Boy, Red Ace, Jr., Champion Apache,

Stahl's Red Conqueror, Cromo. All good producers. Stud fee $2.50.

ALL DOES 8 MONTHS AND OVER WILL BE BRED TO THESE BUCKS FREE.

One of the main reasons for the popularity of this rabbit is the fact that the organization known as the American Federation of New Zealand Breeders are everlastingly boosting for them. Once a New Zealand breeder, always a New Zealand breeder.

We have on hand at all times a good number of these rabbits and can fill orders promptly for all stock except bred does, which require a little time to breed and test properly.

Our stock is as good as can be produced. We have raised the winners of many of the big shows. Some of these rabbits which were winners were shown by us, and some by our customers. We are always on the lookout for exceptionally good specimens, and we are always willing to pay a good price. Do not give hutch room to an inferior rabbit of any breed. It does not cost any more to raise the best and our stock is as good as can be had anywhere and prices reasonable when the high grade of the stock is considered.

THE FLEMISH GIANT

Just as the name implies, this breed is noted for its weight and large size and for its imposing appearance. The average weight is 12 pounds, although many reach 14 to 16 pounds at maturity and even more. The fewer young in the litter, the bigger they will grow.

In buying Giants it is more necessary than in buying other breeds to be sure to ask the seller the weight of the stock. We are sorry to say that some firms ship out stock that they call Giants that do not weigh as much as a Belgian Hare should. In fact we have seen some of the stock supposed to be breeders weigh less than 6 pounds. You can't be too careful. The buying of stock is the most important item when starting in the rabbit business. You can make money on good stock and you can throw it away on poor stock.

The Flemish Giant is Light Gray, Dark Gray, Steel Gray, Medium Gray, Sandy Gray and Black. Then there are the White and Blue Flemish also but these colors are rather rare and not extensively bred. We have them at times.

The Flemish Giant will not breed true to color. Parents of one color often produce young of the. other colors. The light grays are usually the largest. Many times, however, weight and size are sacrificed for the darker Steel Grav color.

FLEMISH GIANT BUCK— STAHL'S MAJOR GRAY

Winner of first at Kansas City, 1920. Wonderful length, weight 16 lbs. at 10 months; large frame and bone and good color. STUD SERVICE FEE $3.00. Major Gray, sire of the above buck, winner of first at Buffalo, N. Y., second at Kansas City; weight 14% lbs. STUB SERVICE PEE $3.00.

Other Flemish Giant Bucks: His Majesty, Big Boy, Stahl's Big Ben, Kansas Jack, Big Bob and others.

ALL. DOES 8 MONTHS AND OVER WILL BE BRED TO THESE BUCKS FREE OF CHARGE.

The Flemish being very large is a large eater, but the food it consumes is coarser and cheaper and so it really costs very little more to feed them.

We have Giants that are really Giants and are from the best strains in the country. Many of our rabbits are from direct descendants of imported German stock. Our price for the class we put out is rather low. We give the correct weights on the price list. You know just what to expect and while we can fill orders promptly for stock up to the age of 6 months, it requires a little time to fill orders for breeders. The demand for good specimens is so great that we at times require three weeks to fill orders for bred and tested does.

The Flemish Giant has been made Yery popular by the organization known as the American Federation of Flemish Giant Breeders. Large shows are held every month in the year. These shows bring out the real Giants, and while we read at times about 18 and 20 pound rabbits, it's generally a different story when they are put on the scales. Mr. Stahl has judged them and says, "I prefer the 16-pound Giant in good condition over the 20-pound one that is hog fat and many times ruined as a breeder.''

THE AMERICAN BLUE RABBIT

This rabbit is comparatively a new breed, said to have originated in California, but claimed by some to be an offspring from the European rabbit called Blue Vienna. This may be as it may. the main point is that it's really a wonderful rabbit. Its color is best described as dark slate blue resembling the Blue Fox.

American Blues are very prolific, many does producing litters of fifteen. In size they are the same as the New Zealand, but being a recent breed they do not wholly breed true to the dark blue color. Many specimens do, however, and the breeders of this wonderful rabbit, by selecting always the darkest and best colon will soon have them to breed all true blue. In fact we are nov\ producing them that way. This rabbit is quiet by nature ana immediately makes friends and becomes a favorite as soon as seen. Many breeders of other breeds who visit our farm leave an order for the American Blue.

This stock is as yet comparatively rare. This means that prices are high but to the man who gets good stock now we want to say that you will reap a profitable harvest because as this rabbit becomes popular the demand will grow and those who have good stock to offer will get good prices for them.

In breeding the American Blue you should try to get them as near to true type as possible. In getting them too large they will look more like the Blue Flemish Giant. Their ears should not be overly large.

We have on hand at all times very nice specimens. These you will find listed under the Silver and Gold Certificate Stock. These are the correct color, weight, type, etc.

Those listed under Pedigreed Stock are those out of good blue stock but off color. We offer them reasonable in price to those who want to start with this breed but still do not care to pay the high price asked for the more perfect stock. These rabbits will throw 50 per cent or more of the dark blues and it will be only a short time, even in starting, that you will have from this grade some very good specimens.

Our stock originated from the best produced in California, and are as good as can be had anywhere.

If you are interested in this unique and particular breed we will be delighted to serve you in our Always Satisfactory Way.

This house contains 48 Breeding Does. All registered and the All our breeders are registered.

)est in the land.

YOU CAN RAISE RABBITS ANYWHERE

The four breeds of rabbits that we have mentioned can be raised anywhere. Hot or cold climate won't affect them. Winter or summer, it makes no difference, they will breed the year round.

They are easily raised in the city as well as in small towns and in the country. In fact we would like to see the day that the rabbit will be raised in every home for meat and fur purposes especially. It is just as important to raise domesticated rabbits for the table as it is for the farmer and stockman to raise cattle and hogs for meat purposes. Wrry pay out money to some one else to eat his meat when you can raise the most desirable known meat for your own table for a few cents a pound?

Then while we are now doing your share, supplying the many with breeding" stock, you by starting now, can get in on a share of it and it means real profits and money in your pockets.

DESCRIPTION OF OUR STOCK

We grade our stock very carefully and have them known as Pedigreed, Silver Certificate and Gold Certificate Stock. The difference is explained in the following paragraphs, under the headings of the different grades.

STAHL'S PEDIGREED STOCK

Stahl's Pedigreed stock are known by the letter P tattooed in the left ear. This grade is selected from the same strains, and in many cases from the same litters as our better grade. These are what we call third grade of really good stock. They will show up well with most pedigreed stock sold today. We select closely, and only experts at times can tell these rabbits from the better grades.

Now this stock will in many cases produce stock as good as can be obtained from our better grades. Do not think because we offer them cheap that they are cheap rabbits. They are good rabbits, the same as any Stahl Strain rabbit is a good rabbit, and are sold at a low price and placed in this grade because they may be slightly under weight, may carry their tails to one side, be slightly off color or slightly out of condition, but in no case are they so much so that it is noticeable to any except those who know rabbits. Under no condition will We ship stock with lop ears, white spots or out of condition.

We recommend this grade for those who want to raise for commercial purposes and for those who want to build up a good strain. This stock, with the best strains in the country back of it, will do this for you. You can see further description of this grade of stock, note their weights according to age in our price list. You will note that their weights compare favorably with the weight of any stock that you may be offered.

For a cheap rabbit and a good rabbit these can't be beat. A pedigree showing three generations of ancestors is supplied free with each rabbit.

STAHL'S "SILVER CERTIFICATE" STOCK

This stock is from the same breeding as our Gold Certificate Stock, being raised from practically the same stock. They are known by the letter S tattooed in the left ear. By very careful judging we figure this grade to be a little less desirable than the Gold Grade, but so near like them are they that a novice really cannot tell the difference. This stock you will note by their weights on the price list is about even with the standards set by the American Rabbit Breeders'' Associations.

It is free from all disqualifications and can be registered if you so desire, by paying the registration fee and for the trouble of registration and of getting the certificate This amounts to $2.00 for each rabbit.

This Silver stock is selected in this way: We take a litter that would perhaps all look alike to you but to an expert rabbit man judging them there will doubtless be one in the lot which will be better. This he will pick out for the Gold Grade, and the others will be rated as Silver Certificate Stock. And they are the same strain of rabbits, in fact full brothers and sisters to the one select rabbit.

Heavyweight type,

BELGIAN HARE BUCK

'MEANS BUSINESS." . .Color and size producer.

We recommend this stock for those who want to produce something good to sell as breeders, and for show purposes. We sell more of this grade than of the two other grades put together because it's stock' that is very high in class and thus very popular. Get some of this grade and you can'well be proud of possessing a real rabbit.

A Three Generation Silver Bordered Pedigree is supplied with each rabbit. We also supply the registration certificate if you order this stock registered.

STAHL'S "GOLD CERTIFICATE' STOCK

The Gold Certificate Stock are known by the letter G being tattooed in the left ear and by the registration number in the right ear, and is the stock for the person who wants nothing but the very best, and as explained under the paragraph on Silver Certificate stock, is the one selected best of a litter. When you get this stock you are safe in saying that you have the very best — the elite of the rabbit family in its particular breed.