Effect of different weaning ages (21, 28 or 35 days) on production, growth and certain parameters of the digestive tract in rabbits

Abstract

The effect of different weaning ages, that is, 21 (G21), 28 (G28) or 35 (G35) days, on growth and certain parameters of the digestive tract was examined in rabbits to assess the risk of early weaning attributable to the less-developed digestive system. On days 35 and 42, G35 rabbits had 10% to 14% and 10% higher BW, respectively (P , 0.05), than those weaned at days 21 and 28. In the 4th week of life, early weaned animals had 75% higher feed intake than G28 and G35 rabbits (P , 0.05). The relative weight of the liver increased by 62% between 21 and 28 days of age, and thereafter it decreased by 76% between 35 and 42 days of age (P , 0.05), with G21 rabbits having 29% higher weight compared with G35 animals on day 35 (P , 0.05). The relative weight of the whole gastrointestinal (GI) tract increased by 49% and 22% after weaning in G21 and G28 rabbits, respectively (P , 0.05). On day 28, the relative weight of the GI tract was 19% higher in G21 than in G28 rabbits, whereas on day 35 G21 and G28 animals had a 12% heavier GI tract compared with G35 rabbits (P , 0.05). Age influenced the ratio of stomach, small intestine and caecum within the GI tract; however, no effect of different weaning age was demonstrated. The pH value of the stomach and caecum decreased from 5.7 to 1.6 and from 7.1 to 6.3, respectively, whereas that of the small intestine increased from 6.8 to 8.4 (P , 0.05); the differences between groups were not statistically significant. Strictly anaerobic culturable bacteria were present in the caecum in high amounts (10 8 ), already at 14 days of age; no significant difference attributable to weaning age was demonstrable. The concentration of total volatile fatty acids (tVFA) was higher in G21 than in G28 and G35 throughout the experimental period (P , 0.05). The proportion of acetic and butyric acid within tVFA increased, whereas that of propionic acid decreased, resulting in a C 3 : C 4 ratio decreasing with age. Early weaning (G21) resulted in higher butyric acid and lower propionic acid proportions on day 28 (P , 0.05). No interaction between age and treatment was found, except in relative weight of the GI tract and caecal content. In conclusion, early weaning did not cause considerable changes in the digestive physiological parameters measured, but it resulted in 10% lower growth in rabbits.

Impacts of Enriching Growing Rabbit Diets with Chlorella vulgaris Microalgae on Growth, Blood Variables, Carcass Traits, Immunological and Antioxidant Indices

“…In the extensive rabbit production, the time near weaning is the most critical period, when rabbits are extremely sensitive to multifactorial digestive disorders and face a theatrical life amendment in the food source, the immune system, as well as social status and environmental stressors [1,2]. These changes might have a serious economic loss on rabbit meat production.…”

The effect of limited feed intake on carcase yield and meat quality in early weaned rabbits

“…In rabbits, early weaning enables the earlier provision of a diet adapted to the requirements of young rabbits, thus limiting the transmission of pathogenic agents between the mother and her young (Kov acs et al 2012), and it is one of the possible approaches for reducing digestive disorders in rabbits during fattening (Maertens and De Groote 1990). However, previous studies found that early weaning reduced growth compared with classically (on day 35) weaned rabbits (Cesari et al 2007;Gallois et al 2008;Kov acs et al 2012), and the early weaned rabbits had a lower live weight at the end of the experiment (Gallois et al 2008;Bivolarski et al 2011).…”

Pour des lapereaux plus robustes au sevrage : des bases biologiques aux leviers d’action en élevage

“…Un sevrage précoce entraîne une augmentation de l'ingéré solide pour compenser l'interruption de l'apport de lait (Scapinello et al, 1999 ;Gallois et al, 2005b ;Kovács et al, 2012). Cependant, cela ne suffit pas à assurer une croissance similaire à celle observée chez les lapereaux sevrés plus tardivement (Cesari et al, 2009 ;Kovács et al, 2012 ;Xiccato et al, 2003). La répercussion de l'âge au sevrage sur le poids d'abattage diverge en fonction des études.…”

“…Le retard de croissance observé au moment du sevrage perdure jusqu'à la vente des animaux dans 3 études (Feugier et al, 2006 ;Xiccato et al, 2003 ;Cesari et al, 2009) tandis qu'une croissance compensatrice est observée dans 2 études (Gidenne et Fortun-Lamothe 2004 ;Xiccato et al, 2003). La croissance du tube digestif étant simultanée à la prise d'aliment solide, le sevrage précoce entraîne également une croissance plus précoce du tractus digestif (Kovács et al, 2012 ;Gallois et al, 2005b). Cependant aucun effet n'est observé sur le poids du caecum plein ou vide (Kovács et al, 2012), ni sur la morphologie de la muqueuse intestinale ou caecale (Gallois et al, 2005b).…”

“…La croissance du tube digestif étant simultanée à la prise d'aliment solide, le sevrage précoce entraîne également une croissance plus précoce du tractus digestif (Kovács et al, 2012 ;Gallois et al, 2005b). Cependant aucun effet n'est observé sur le poids du caecum plein ou vide (Kovács et al, 2012), ni sur la morphologie de la muqueuse intestinale ou caecale (Gallois et al, 2005b). Toutefois, la digestibilité iléale est stimulée (Gallois et al, 2008a) et l'activité fermentaire (teneur en acides gras volatils du caecum) reste plus importante chez les lapereaux sevrés précocement (Kovács et al, 2012 ;Xiccato et al, 2003).…”