Effects of feed supplements on growth and reproductive performances of rabbit
Author(s):
A K M Lutfuzzaman1
A Arephin
2
NS Juyena
3
1District Veterinary Surgeon ((SDPFSP Project)), Sunamganj, DLS, Bangladesh
2Department of Surgery and Obstetrics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Banglades
3Department of Surgery and Obstetrics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Banglades
Abstract - The study was aimed to investigate the effect of supplementation of concentrate feed on the growth and reproductive performances of Crossbred New Zealand White rabbits does available in some rural areas of My- mensingh district. A total of 20 domestic rabbit does were divided into two groups according to feed supplied and housing system. The reproductive and growth performances of rabbits were recorded before and after treat- ment. We found that the initial live weight of the rabbit was 1010.75 ? 12.44g. At the end of the experiment, the final live weight of Does was 1681.94 ? 45.68 g and the total live weight (g) gain of Does was 671.19 ? 33.24 g with a growth rate of 5.59 ? 4.23 g/day. It was found that litter weight at birth was 155.33 ? 4.11g and individual kit weight at weaning was 367.9 ? 11.98g. After concentrate supplementation, body weight increased very sig- nificantly (P < 0.01) and total live weight gain (911.6 ? 29.15 gm) was higher in rabbit does of Group D1, where concentrate was added with regular feed. It was found that litter weights at birth and weaning were significantly (P < 0.01) higher in Group D1 in comparison to that of Group D0 (fed regular homemade diet). Shorter age of the first conception (158.2 ? 1.7 days) and gestation length (29.94 ? 0.9 days) were found in does of Group D1 and marked variation (P < 0.01) was existed. Similarly, a significant (P < 0.05) difference was observed in litter size at birth and at weaning between the two groups. Moreover, kid mortality (9.83 ? 0.34%) was signif- icantly (P < 0.01) lower in Group D1. Results of this study indicate a beneficiary effect of supplementation of concentrate into regular diets for does used for breeding purposes.
Keywords - Feed, growth, reproduction, Rabbit