On Wed, 13 Oct 1999, Barry & Margarita Nichols wrote:
>
> I wouldn't have any use for pigs. I'm looking for animals that could be
> useful without having to eat them or sell them for meat.
Pet rabbits. The larger breeds. They produce enormous quantities of
compostable litter for their size. They can be fed entirely on fresh
vegetables and hay. The fresh vegetables can be various weeds and
thinnings. A well kept house rabbit, using a litter box, and not
necessarily caged all or even part of the time, can live for 8-12
years. They do have personalities, they are interesting to have around.
They work especially well in an urban setting. My rabbits ate nearly all
my garden thinnings plus extras I would plant for them. Cutting dandelion
for them was all the dandelion control my small lawn areas needed, and the
hay and recycled newspaper litter emptied into the compost bin sped up the
composting process considerably.
The vegetable and hay diet will not produce fat meat rabbits for market,
but will produce healthier, slenderer pet rabbits. I understand there is a
small, specialty market for the hair of angora rabbits, but the long
haired breeds are much higher maintenance.
sph
Sandra P. Hoffman [EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.flora.org/sandra/
----------------------------
The one small garden of a free gardener was all his need and due,
not a garden swollen to a realm;
his own hands to use,
not the hands of others to command. --Sam Gamgee
