Effect of postweaning feeding on the performance and energy balance of female rabbits at different physiological states.

Abstract

The feeding of a high-fiber and low-energy diet to young rabbit does from weaning to the first kindling was used to modify their body reserves, stimulate their energy intake, and reduce the energy deficit during the first lactation. Rabbits (53 per group) were given ad libitum access to either a control or high-fiber diet (CP, 17.6 vs 15.8% of DM; crude fiber, 15.5 vs 19.9% of DM; digestible energy, 2,565 vs 2,261 kcal/kg of DM, respectively) from weaning to their first kindling. During lactation, both groups received the same diet, which contained 19.3% CP, 16.5% crude fiber, and 2,634 kcal/kg digestible energy (dry matter basis). Four comparative slaughters were performed to estimate the chemical and energy balance of rabbit does at different physiological states: at the beginning of the trial (12 rabbits, 45 d of age), at mating (10 rabbits per group, 136 d), at kindling (10 rabbits per group, 167 d), and at the end of lactation (12 and 11 rabbits for the control and the high-fiber group, 197 d). Large changes in body weight and composition were observed between slaughters. From 45 d to mating, doe body fat and energy increased 7.93 and 4.64 times the initial content, respectively. During pregnancy, body protein concentration decreased from 203 to 186 g/kg. At the end of lactation, body fat and energy concentration were reduced to values close to those measured at 45 d of age. Dietary treatment affected body chemical and energy balance during pregnancy and lactation but not reproductive and lactational performance. The high-fiber diet stimulated feed intake from weaning to the first kindling but not dietary energy intake. During lactation, the rabbits fed the high-fiber diet ate 10 kcal x d(-1) x kg live weight(-.75) more and lost less body fat (-405 vs -504 g) and body energy (-3,628 vs -4,294 kcal) than the does fed the control diet (P < .001). In the same period, all does showed water and protein retention (185 and 45 g, on average) regardless of dietary treatment. In conclusion, feeding young does a high-fiber diet until their first kindling reduced the chemical and energy body deficit at the end of the first lactation.

Long term effect of post-weaning rhythm on the body fat and performance of rabbit doe

“…According to the present findings, this reproductive protocol does not seem sound and it is probably the reason why the Control does never reached the weight of PW does and were not able to maintain sufficient fat depots to counterbalance the high energy expenditure during lactation [15].…”

Environmental sensitivity differs between rabbit lines selected for reproductive intensity and longevity

“…These responses confirm, on the one hand, the rabbit's capacity to avoid excessive heat load by reducing the feed intake when exposed to high temperatures (Cervera and Fernández-Carmona, 2010), and on the other hand to partially compensate for a low-dietary-energy density by increasing the feed intake on feeds with an energy content below 9.0 MJ DE/kg DM (Fernández-Carmona et al, 2003). It is also important to note that does were allocated to harsh environments just after first partum, a period of great energy demand because of milk production and the need to recover body reserves (Xiccato et al, 1999;Pascual et al, 2002). Thus, in the first lactation, the constrained does have to cope with the same litter size as non-constrained does (litters were standardised at partum).…”

Rabbit milk: A review of quantity, quality and non-dietary affecting factors

“…However, some days later the composition returns to levels approaching the original values. Christ et al (1996), Cole et al (1983), El-Sayiad et al (1994), Fraga et al (1989), Kowalska and Bielanski (2004), Kustos et al (1999), , Lebas et al (1996), Maertens et al (1994Maertens et al ( , 2005Maertens et al ( and 2006, Partridge and Allan (1982), Partridge et al (1983Partridge et al ( , 1986aPartridge et al ( and 1986b, Pascual et al (1996Pascual et al ( , 1999aPascual et al ( and 2000a and Xiccato et al (1999) Figure 5. Milk composition changes during the lactation period (literature compilation, see Table 3).…”