Evaluation of the reproductive performance of rabbits does fed a half-simplified diet based on cassava byproducts

Abstract

-A total of 70 five-month-old female New Zealand White rabbits were assigned in a completely randomized design, over three reproductive cycles, with two treatments: a reference diet and a half-simplified diet containing 79.83% cassava byproduct. The study evaluated body weight and feed intake of does, feed cost, number and total body weight of kits at kindling and weaning per female during three cycles, number and percentage of mortality/female/cycle, and weight gain of kits from birth to weaning. No interaction was observed between the diets and among the reproductive cycles for any evaluated characteristics. The body weight of does at the moment of weaning was similar in both groups for all three reproductive cycles.However, does fed the half-simplified diet had lower feed intake during the three reproductive cycles and, consequently, more reproductive flaws. The number of kits at weaning, body weight of kits at kindling and weaning, weight gain of kits from birth to weaning, and total body weight of kits at weaning were lower for the group of does fed the half-simplified diet and, consequently, there was a higher number and percentage of dead kits in this group. The total numbers of kits at kindling and weaning and total body weight of kits at birth during all three reproductive cycles were similar between the groups; however, total body weight of weaning rabbits was higher for the animals receiving the reference diet. It is possible to conclude that although the use of the half-simplified diet decreases the reproductive performance of does, it reduces feed cost per kg of body weight by 23.63% compared with the reference diet, proving to be a viable nutritional option for rabbit production.Key Words: cassava meal, hay from the upper third of cassava foliage, reproduction Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia

Effect of Different Equine Chorionic Gonadotrophin (eCG) Doses on Does and their Kits Reproductivity of Hybrid Rabbits

“…Regarding average daily weight gain (ADG) in Hybrid rabbit kits produced by does treat with different levels of eCG hormone dose, the overall mean was (5.62±0.27, 9.11±0.52 and 22.35±0.33 g/day) from 1-7, 7-21 and 21-28 days, respectively (Table 4). In the studies carried out by Oliveira et al (2011); Szendrö et al 2005; Bonanno et al (2005); Matics et al (2005) and Eiben et al (2004), the average weight gain was higher than the current study results. The overall mean of ADG of Hybrid rabbit kits at weaning (22.35±0.33 g/day from 21-28) is lower than the overall mean of Hyplus breed ADG (23.34±0.79 g/day from 21-28) and higher than the overall mean of New Zealand white breed ADG (20.56±0.88 g/day from 21-28) which was presented by Heba-T-Allah et al, (2016).…”

“…In contrast with this result, Mehaisen and Abbas, (2014) illustrated that although the use of eCG (50 IU) high doses appears to ensure sexual receptivity and abundant source of normal embryos in receptive donor does, it shows a negative consequence on the productivity and final yield of weaned rabbits, where a significantly lower number of stillborn was recorded for control group than eCG group. The overall mean of mortality rate in this study they showed a lower percent at the birth (stillbirth) and pre-weaning mortality rate (0.20±0.03 and 0.41±0.05, respectively) when we compared to that recorded by Lebas et al (1996), Oguike and Okocha (2008), Theau-Clément et al (2008aand 2008b and Oliveira et al (2011), While higher than recorded by Heba- T-Allah et al (2016). Table 3.…”

“…The overall mean of litter size at birth LSB, at 21 days and at weaning (28 days) were lower than litter sizes of New Zealand white and Hyplus breed at natural mating which presented by Heba- T-Allah et al (2016), also lower than litter size at birth (Total and Live) of Hyplus breed in Artificial Insemination which reported by Lebas et al (1996), and lower than litter size at birth which reported by Elkomy and El-Speiy (2015) and Oliveira et al, (2011), and in line with results presented by Oguike and Okocha (2008) in Dutch and Chinchilla crosses rabbit breeds of litter size at birth and at weaning. However, higher than results presented by El-Ratel et al (2017) and Kalaba and Abdel-Khalek (2011) in New Zealand White rabbit does and California rabbit does of litter size at birth (Total and Live), respectively, and at weaning in New Zealand White rabbit does (El-Ratel et al, 2017).…”

Effect of simplified feeding based only on wheat bran and brewer’s grain on rabbit performance and economic efficiency

“…Furthermore, its chemical composition and nutritional value makes it widely used in rabbit feed (Blas et al, 2000) even for high incorporation rates (Robinson et al, 1986 [98.75%], Berchiche et al, 2000 [56%] and Lounaouci-Ouyed et al, 2014 [60%]). Simplified diets (Faria et al, 2008;Molette et al, 2009;Oliveira et al, 2011) containing high levels of forage and/or by-products in rabbit feed could lead to consistent reduction of feed costs (-24%; Oliveira, 2011). On the other hand, agricultural surfaces and resources can be used to produce human food or, first, animal feed.…”